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BeyondBlue Hi! Check out this post if you're not sure how to start
  • replies: 0

Hi there and welcome to the Anxiety section of the Forums First of all, thank you so much for joining us here. We think it’s amazing that you’ve taken this step to getting support and learning from this Community. You are very welcome here and we are... View more

Hi there and welcome to the Anxiety section of the Forums First of all, thank you so much for joining us here. We think it’s amazing that you’ve taken this step to getting support and learning from this Community. You are very welcome here and we are really interested in what you might want to add to these conversations. We get it, having anxiety makes it hard to share in a public place. Remember, this is anonymous and the Beyond Blue team are here to help if you need it This section is for people who are experiencing anxiety in some form in their lives. This might be in social settings, at work, or just in the day to day. You don’t need a diagnosis to post here. If it feels like the right spot for your post, go right ahead! We know that feeling anxious can make it hard to reach out so we want you to know that getting this far is amazing and a great start. A few tips for getting the most out of this section: Get involved when you can! Posting and replying is the heartbeat of this community and you DO have something worthwhile to share (when you’re ready ) Every experience is different. There is no competition here. We know how challenging anxiety can be and how it comes in all shapes and sizes. What you are experiencing will be respected and supported here. Trust yourself! You are the expert in your experience. This community works because people like you share what has worked for you. Thank you for getting involved and taking a look. We can’t wait to hear from you! Beyond Blue

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CrazyGecko89 Anxiety and frequent apologizes
  • replies: 10

Hi everyone. For about four to five months I've been helping a friend that got out of a relationship with a narcissist so understandably anxiety and depression are in play. While things have slowly improved I've noticed she's started apologizing far ... View more

Hi everyone. For about four to five months I've been helping a friend that got out of a relationship with a narcissist so understandably anxiety and depression are in play. While things have slowly improved I've noticed she's started apologizing far more than usual and over the smallest things even stuff that she's not involved in. I have mentioned this to her which was followed by more apologizes and brought on what looked like a mild anxiety attack so the conversation ended quickly. Sometimes I get the feeling the apologizes are something she used a lot during her past relationship but I think she's worried I'll either get fed up with her or I'll walk off. For now I have no idea as to what to do.

Annie11 Work problems
  • replies: 1

Hi New here.. I have anxiety/depression but have medication for it ive been quite proud of myself i can go on trains alone ive been to japan by myself and have been working for the past year without extreme anxiety but thats where my problem is, i di... View more

Hi New here.. I have anxiety/depression but have medication for it ive been quite proud of myself i can go on trains alone ive been to japan by myself and have been working for the past year without extreme anxiety but thats where my problem is, i did not have a job after tafe and it took me a long time to get this full time job. Before i was working on getting my own small business in art going to markets weekendly talking to people etc. I couldnt do it forever because i need to start thinking seriously about my life and how much money i should be making to live. But when i stopped to go to this full time job my anxiety and depression slowly started coming back, at first working was great and i felt proud of myself but the less time i had for art the more i was sad and upset about not doing something i loved and was my therapy. Recently im finding myself worse such as physically feeling ill, feeling fatigue and more emotional at work. I dont know what to do. I feel trapped.

blueeyes98 Could use some advice
  • replies: 2

For a quick backstory so it makes sense (long story short version): Im 21 and all my life i've experienced severe unbearable anxiety, I missed semesters of school at a time and failed most classes due to not attending class, and at certain times 'nor... View more

For a quick backstory so it makes sense (long story short version): Im 21 and all my life i've experienced severe unbearable anxiety, I missed semesters of school at a time and failed most classes due to not attending class, and at certain times 'normal' kind of tasks are hard due to my anxiety. I've seen many councillors and psychologists and it seems to come and go in waves over the years. I went on meds a few years ago (off them now as they made me feel numb and I slept too much) but I was still able to live a semi-normal life on them. I kept a job for over a year in 2017 but then had to unfortunately resign as i couldn't cope with the panic attacks at work. 2 years past and a few months ago I decided it was time to get back into things, as I hadn't experienced any major anxiety attacks since leaving the previous job. Ive been employed for 5 months (retail), only working 2 shifts a week to ease back into things and it was going extremely well but the past 2 months have been dreadful to the point where the physical side effects of the anxiety are making it dangerous, I panic in the car on the drive to work, its getting so bad its unsafe to drive, and when i'm there I struggle to stand up straight, its crippling. So I just then resigned from the job. So, if your'e still reading, I am in the process of getting more help but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of jobs that are more independent, calm and supportive? something on my own terms or a somewhat lenient workplace? I'm such a hard worker, but my mental health really gets in the way. I'm an extremely independent person and hate having to owe people things, when i'm not working as you can imagine borrowing money, asking for help and favours adds extra anxieties and pressures. I want my life back and I'm so tired of this, I shouldn't be like this at my young age, so any advice on work would be so deeply appreciated.

helpmegetmyfeetbackontheg Eating disorder?
  • replies: 3

My story is long and I don’t have time to lay it all out but I’ve always had an issue with food.....today I was thinking about it deeper.....I’m wondering to myself if I’m over eating to feel something......that something is pain, because I seem to s... View more

My story is long and I don’t have time to lay it all out but I’ve always had an issue with food.....today I was thinking about it deeper.....I’m wondering to myself if I’m over eating to feel something......that something is pain, because I seem to stuff myself to the point of feeling physical pain in my stomach and then regret and yet nothing can stop me. I’m not sure why I feel this way, or what’s frustrating me so much. I’ve been yo yo dieting for the past 18 years (I’m in my late 40s now) but I feel as though I can’t get to the root of this issue I have. I can’t really afford to get into any counselling....so I’m trying to reach out and see if anyone here can give me any advice.

Monicas Breathing difficulties when anxious which is most of the time. What do I do?
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone. I am Monica. I have been suffering really bad anxiety the past 7months. It is taking over my daily life. I am at the point where I am giving up. The worst symptom I get for anxiety is difficulty breathing easily like I have to keep takin... View more

Hi everyone. I am Monica. I have been suffering really bad anxiety the past 7months. It is taking over my daily life. I am at the point where I am giving up. The worst symptom I get for anxiety is difficulty breathing easily like I have to keep taking deep breaths. And some breaths I can't catch properly. Makes me feel Like I am not getting enough air. Any info would be great. Will this ever go away or am I stuck with it for life? Thanks

AnotherOne12 Any guys have scrotum issues with Anxiety?
  • replies: 4

My testicles feel like they are constantly moving. I find they move more when I feel highly anxious and other times not so much. Im not sure if becoming fixated on the sensation has made me hypersensitive to it. Any advice or similar feelings?

My testicles feel like they are constantly moving. I find they move more when I feel highly anxious and other times not so much. Im not sure if becoming fixated on the sensation has made me hypersensitive to it. Any advice or similar feelings?

Bones17 Who will I be without my Anxiety?
  • replies: 4

Hello, I was recently diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression last year. I have recently begun seeking treatment from a psychologist and taking medication to support my journey to a more positive life, after my good friend helped me to realise j... View more

Hello, I was recently diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression last year. I have recently begun seeking treatment from a psychologist and taking medication to support my journey to a more positive life, after my good friend helped me to realise just how much assistance I needed. As a person in my early 20's, I have never known my life to be any different to the often sad, and scary thoughts I have had. It has always been there ready to hurt me at any given moment. As a child I was bullied, tormented and left out and really, I didn't know any different. It wasn't until recently that I have begun to realise just how much my past has affected me. I am unable to open up to people and keep a constant wall up around me. It has effected my ability to form close relationships and friendships with other people. When attending university the bullying continued and I really couldn't see a way out. I want to live a life where I see everything in a more positive light; where the sun shines brighter and the sky is bluer. I am struggling however, to see my life as any different than this. Who am I without my anxiety, depression and panic attacks? I have recently only found a select few people in my life that truly do care about me and want the best for me, but often at times I am feeling so angry that I emotionally hurt them and then spend days trying not to beat myself up about it because I know they just don't deserve it! It frightens me to think about the person I could be. Is it too late to find my true self without all of this? I know I have an extremely long battle and road ahead of me. But I also think this worry of who I 'might be' is constantly playing in the back of my head and it is impacting on my ability to get better. And really, it is hard not too when the majority of my time is spent worrying and feeling sad... I want to get better, however I experience so much sadness and anger that my feelings just swirl around in my body, often leaving me an emotional wreck and having no energy to do anything else. Is this my body's way of dealing with the emotions? Will things get worse before they get better? Does or has anyone experienced similar feelings and emotions? Thanks in advance.

Tugboat Cannot do this again.... anxiety and depression
  • replies: 5

Hello again, I have not been on here for while, which I suppose is a good thing! I suffer with what I call health anxiety and have done for many many years on and off. Just before Christmas this year I had trouble breathing including shortness of bre... View more

Hello again, I have not been on here for while, which I suppose is a good thing! I suffer with what I call health anxiety and have done for many many years on and off. Just before Christmas this year I had trouble breathing including shortness of breath. I went to my GP which he did ECG and blood tests for my heart function and all was good, however I still struggled with the problem and started to over think things.... as I do! I quite over weight and think that’s why I am struggling to breathe however I always think it’s something more, like I’m going to die........ this takes over my mind and therefore I find it difficult to think straight and positive. I find my self not wanting to socialise with family or friends and I block my self off from them as I don’t want to annoy them. I no longer enjoy the little pleasures in life and find it difficult to eat. I am currently on medication for depression and have medication for anxiety if needed, which at the moment I take medication twice a day or as needed. I also feel nauseous in the morning and it settles down through out the day, sometimes! Really struggling getting out of my safe haven ( bed) in the morning as I don’t want to face another day anxiety. Hate feeling this way and I try to be positive

calmseeker Talking about mental illness
  • replies: 16

Hi All, My anxiety has been quite severe for quite some time now, to the point I have been unable to work for a while. I have noticed that "What do you do?" is a common question when you meet someone. Specifically I am talking about 2 situations I ha... View more

Hi All, My anxiety has been quite severe for quite some time now, to the point I have been unable to work for a while. I have noticed that "What do you do?" is a common question when you meet someone. Specifically I am talking about 2 situations I have been in lately where people have asked me that: whilst having a haircut and meeting a neighbour for the first time. On both occasions I was torn between fibbing and saying "I work from home" or being upfront and saying " I have debilitating mental illness and cant work at the moment". I hear a lot that the stigma surrounding mental illness is lessening and I agree that awareness has risen but in a real life situation I believe its still hard to address the topic, like at the hairdressers the other day. I am still convinced that if I were to have told her I had a physical illness I wouldn't get the raised eyebrow. I have read the stats on the BB website informing that a high percentage of the public don't see anxiety as a weakness but I think it depends on who you're dealing with. I know some of you are going to say that in the hairdresser/neighbour situation I should just be truthful and that if more of us did that it lessens the stigma over time, and maybe some of you wont say that. In the end I told both those people in both of those situations that I had some health issues and couldn't work, thankfully they didn't probe any further. I am wondering what others who cant work due to their MI condition do and say ? Likewise, I have often wondered on 'R U OK' day what the reaction is when people say "no I am not." R U OK is great in theory but I wonder if the everyday person is equipped to deal with a no I am not ok answer. These forums are great as we are surrounded here by others who totally understand MI and all that comes with it. I am just not so convinced that there is that level of understanding and acceptance out in the everyday world yet. It is definitely improving though. I am hoping for times where you can say " I have depression" like someone can say " I have diabetes" and you can say "I have GAD" like someone can say "I have eczema" or " I have arthritis". CS

mmm1234 Anxiety is new to me, what can i do? Any tips for sleeping?
  • replies: 2

Hi All, about one week ago i started feeling anxiety and its been up and down since. Mostly down. I have taken on a number of steps right away to help me through this, and found of it helpful: - I am self-employed and take a lot on, so i have delegat... View more

Hi All, about one week ago i started feeling anxiety and its been up and down since. Mostly down. I have taken on a number of steps right away to help me through this, and found of it helpful: - I am self-employed and take a lot on, so i have delegated some of my workload to my staff - set parameters regarding use of work phone, emails after hours. This is my-time/ family-time. Work can wait till tomorrow. - exercise: more walks in the evening. I am also looking to join an outdoor fitness group. - yoga: i will start going today for my first time - breathing: although i find this doesn't help me too much. I am persisting as i believe it may take time - talking about it with family and experts. I am seeing a psychologist about it and had my first session yesterday which did help. This is all a new feeling for me, I have never come across this before. I am normally so strong, happy and positive. And its been a big shock to me to be feeling like this. I am still trying to work out what has caused or lead to this. My main issue is sleeping. I could not calm myself to go to sleep tonight. This occured a few days ago too. I lay in bed thinking, with a fear. Not really sure of what. I am tingly and nervous with shortness of breath. Sometimes i am thinking about nothing and i try to calm down, do breathing, and focus on the 'now' and whats happening but i still can't cope and calm down to eventually sleep. I also try and focus on the things i am putting into place in my life to change what i feel may have contributed to this feeling. ie my life action plan. Unfortunately this didn't really help last night. For anyone that is similar to me, what advice do you have to help go to sleep?

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