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Anxiety

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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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Steve23 Something needs to change
  • replies: 6

Hi There, If you’re reading this I hope you’re ok. I’ve had issues with sleeping since I was 18. I’m now almost 29. For the past year I’ve been in my worst sleep cycle ever. I started reading about sleep deprivation and the effects on the body of not... View more

Hi There, If you’re reading this I hope you’re ok. I’ve had issues with sleeping since I was 18. I’m now almost 29. For the past year I’ve been in my worst sleep cycle ever. I started reading about sleep deprivation and the effects on the body of not getting enough sleep. Without going too far into it, I know it’s not good and 10 years of sleep deprivation cannot be reversed and I know my lifespan is shortened significantly because of it (when I say sleep deprivation I get less than 20 hrs sleep per week, and not all of that is quality sleep either). I try to physically exhaust myself by running in the middle of the night or early morning, going to 24hr gyms. I work so hard at the office each day, alienating myself from colleagues and not taking breaks because I just want to completely exhaust myself so I can fall asleep that night. None of this has worked. I can take 2 sleeping pills and 2 melatonins and not get a single second of sleep. I’m beginning to think that it’s nothing to do with my body. But my mind. Here are some of the reasons why I think this: 1) Whenever I get my blood pressure tested, it is always through the roof. I even had to take a blood pressure machine home for a month and I eventually worked out that when I really try to calm down and breathe I can actually reduce my reading. But does this mean when I am not totally focussed on being calm, I am constantly stressed and in high blood pressure? 2) I feel like 24/7 I am always shaking. My chest feels tight. My breath is shaky. My hands are not steady. I’m thinking negative or worrying thoughts and rarely thinking positively. Has anyone else experienced this and if so, what can be done? I’m at a complete loss and I am so tired. thanks, Steve

aivilo45 losing my soul dog
  • replies: 3

Hi all, In march of this year, I lost my soul dog. He was my absolute world and everyday since I feel a piece of me is missing. Home does not feel like home anymore, I just feel so empty inside without him. I went through really bad depression from 2... View more

Hi all, In march of this year, I lost my soul dog. He was my absolute world and everyday since I feel a piece of me is missing. Home does not feel like home anymore, I just feel so empty inside without him. I went through really bad depression from 2016-2020 and he was my absolute everything. He just knew I was not okay and was just there for me. At the start of this year I was diagnosed with many chronic health issues and before and after the hospital, he did not leave my side. I miss going on walks with him, I miss cuddling him on the couch, I miss having him sleep by my side, I miss my best friend. I have tried talking to my parents about another dog, as I believe it would help not only me but also the three of us, as over the last few years we have experienced many losses, and I just think it would be ice to have some extra company in the house, as well as a new best friend. They don't seem to keen on the idea as they want to travel a lot more, but I would like to have one so as when they do travel I have some company at home. Life this year has just felt..... sad. I just feel like a lot in my life has fallen apart this year. Especially since my boy passed. My psych agrees another dog would be good for me, but I just can't talk to my parents about it. They keep asking me whats wrong and why im flat but i cant be bothered saying its because I feel empty since losing my boy and would like another to bring some light into my life and fill that empty void.

Nemo Anxiety and depression
  • replies: 3

Afternoon all my adult son has anxiety and hoarding and lives in my investment unit for 5 years ,refuses to pay rent for 4 years, I have had the unit renovated over one year ago and cleaned by hoarding specialist at my exorbitant expense,no insurance... View more

Afternoon all my adult son has anxiety and hoarding and lives in my investment unit for 5 years ,refuses to pay rent for 4 years, I have had the unit renovated over one year ago and cleaned by hoarding specialist at my exorbitant expense,no insurance as he wouldn’t let real estate in to do inspections and I was too worried about him to jet the real estate evict him .He has not had counseling at all and refuses to persue professional help.I want to give him notice to move out and only be available for emotional support.The unit is getting damaged and I can’t afford to pay for it anymore.

Kazz-The-Goose Acting like a child
  • replies: 5

Hi there. I hope who ever is reading this is well. This has been heavy on my mind for a while now: I fear that I act incredibly childish. It is more so in my personality, as opposed to dependence or whatever (I am quite independent). I act eager or c... View more

Hi there. I hope who ever is reading this is well. This has been heavy on my mind for a while now: I fear that I act incredibly childish. It is more so in my personality, as opposed to dependence or whatever (I am quite independent). I act eager or cheerful like a child, and occasionally seem quite stupid. Like I would get giddy about different things, but to such an exaggerated extent compared to those around me. I speak to my friends like a child, constantly making sure something I do is “okay” (pretty much seeking validation a lot) or apologising for the slightest inconveniences. I also get disturbed by more explicit content. If my friend is suggesting a show to me, I say if it’s “inappropriate” who needs parental consent to watch things. I don’t know why I act like this. I’m 18 for petes sake. I also refuse to swear (in public… anonymously online is fine since im not being SEEN doing it). I just don’t know what’s wrong with me. Now, with no one nearby, I understand how weird this is. But when im with someone, its like im acting differently because its the only way I know how to or something. For some context, because maybe it’s relevant and has something to do with that: I was physically bullied when I was younger for a few years. A much taller girl would be very aggressive toward me - it was hard to defend myself because i was, and still am, very short for my age. I also experienced a lot of mental issues when I was young, especially social anxiety, which I still suffer with. I find it difficult to talk to others big time, I feel so awkward all the time… My dad’s also very strict - he’s one of the reasons why I don’t swear because he gets upset with me for not being “feminine” enough. I also have OCD, a lot of my thoughts are around hygiene and staying very clean, which is why sexually explicit things make me uncomfortable (but I don’t have to act in such a weirdly childish way about it…) is there anything I can do? Anyway to stop acting like this? I feel like such an idiot, and I fear that people see me as an idiot because of this too…

Firras-5 Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, just over a week ago I went to the e.r. With severe dizziness, was discharged after a couple of hours did some tests but came back negative.since then I still have dizziness and I’m getting anxious about it cause is not going away. Been ... View more

Hi everyone, just over a week ago I went to the e.r. With severe dizziness, was discharged after a couple of hours did some tests but came back negative.since then I still have dizziness and I’m getting anxious about it cause is not going away. Been to the doctors had lots of blood tests and an echocardiogram of the heart all came back normal, now I panic cause still there so I keep thinking about it all the time even do people tell me is stress. Has anyone had this themselves and how they felt. I think that I’m making it worst as I can stop thinking that is something bad.

Rardi Anxiety/Paranoia in relationship
  • replies: 3

I need help!My wife and I have been married for 12 years and through this time have not spent any more than 5 days apart at a time. I have just returned from an 8 week work stint in a remote location. We kept in contact each day when possible and was... View more

I need help!My wife and I have been married for 12 years and through this time have not spent any more than 5 days apart at a time. I have just returned from an 8 week work stint in a remote location. We kept in contact each day when possible and was great all up untill my mind started playing tricks on me. My wife works hard at work and at home looking after our kids and everything else she does. She decided to go out with a few friends females and males for a few drinks, I didn’t know about it until I spoke to my kids on the phone that night, I immediately started thinking the worst. I didn’t act on it at this stage. Then the week later I was in the phone to her and she got an accidental message from a work friend who had had a few drinks not anything that was directed at making a pass at her or anything however the subject was a little inappropriate she was open and honest to me about it we had a bit of a laugh the next day I find out she had a call out for work after hours and I wasn’t aware she was taking call outs at this stage (they aren’t compulsory to attend) I stated that she need not do call outs as the kids need to be at home as it was a school night. She got her back up immediately getting defensive saying she had sorted the kids and she had looked after them the whole time I was away (I was still away at this point) so my initial reaction was to think the worst that she was having an affair etc not directly insinuating it to her how ever me questioning her about her choice to take a call out rather then get the kids home sparked a large reaction. My explaining I don’t like how she has more close friends that are males than females to me it seems she has more fun socially with them then me. Am I being reasonable thinking the worst when her communication wasn’t the best not letting me know what was happening and then accused me of being controlling and manipulating for asking questions. Or am I being over the top paranoid and anxious not being able to navigate the situation from afar or is she right am I controlling and manipulating for just wanting to be kept in the loop as to what’s happen Not only with her but with the kids?

bellyk8 I change jobs all the time, can't seem to find my "place"
  • replies: 3

I'm 33, have just recently started a new job in the same role but different company (environmental consultant). I am already having my doubts about this role as I struggle to sit at a computer for a full 8-hour day. Prior to consultancy work (have on... View more

I'm 33, have just recently started a new job in the same role but different company (environmental consultant). I am already having my doubts about this role as I struggle to sit at a computer for a full 8-hour day. Prior to consultancy work (have only been in it for a year and a bit) i had numerous environmental field-based roles with different organisations, but left each of them for different reasons (low pay/contract ending, too repetitive & no challenge, no career development, not what i thought it was/didn't align with my interests, too early start & fatigue, not being paid on time, etc). I understand that i will never find the 'perfect' job but i keep thinking the grass is greener and fantasise about the thought of escaping to another job, i look for and apply for new roles pretty frequently. I struggle with the same daily routine and after not too long feel that i'm in a 'rut', like i'm part of the rat race, and get depressed and start to question what my purpose is. I am getting to a point now where it's upsetting me that i feel like i don't belong anywhere, that i will never 'settle' with a job, and that i'm a failure because i can't hold down a job for long enough to establish myself within a company and grow in my career. I know i self sabotage (have SAD + GAD + depression which i'm medicated for but it doesn't seem to help with anxiety), but it's like i get that honeymoon period with a job and then afterwards i look elsewhere. The longest i have been in a role is approx. 2 years, which i'm embarrassed to admit.. The last 3 jobs that i had all lasted under 12 months (one i was let off however i don't believe this was my fault, it did brutalise my self confidence though). I studied music at university and i was very arty in school, and didn't know what career i wanted. I very much love and care about the environment, and i find that being outdoors in the bush is where i feel most happy and at ease. This is why i went into this line of work. However i'm feeling like i want to go back to a field-based role again because i find the office work draining / not as engaging and i'm an energetic person so it's hard for me to sit down all day. I can do it, but it affects my mental health. The problem is that since i've started consultancy work i have learnt more in the areas that i'm interested in i.e. flora and fauna, however, i wish it was more field orientated (it is a mix of both but the majority is report writing). Sorry i am ranting so much but there is a lot to explain for people to understand my work history and behaviour... i wonder if there is anyone else out there that shares my indecisive nature and lack of being able to settle and find their 'place' in a job? I want to keep growing in my career and learning but i also don't want a high pressure / high responsibility role. I am a firm believer that work is not life, and that a balance is more than necessary (i want to travel the world and have many hobbies outside of my fulltime job that i value and wish to continue). Basically what i'm asking here is does anyone out there relate to my ordeals in life, i have discussed it with psychologists also but they don't seem to have an answer. And if you do, what job worked for you? Should i just be staying in a field-based job or keep trying to stick it out with my new job (maybe the reports will get easier over time)?

SilvaLady Anxiety/depression
  • replies: 3

I’m suffering from anxiety/depression. I’m seeing a psychologist once week, which I started last week. Am living with my sil and brother, but the comments she makes towards me about my mental health makes things worse for me. She claims that she is t... View more

I’m suffering from anxiety/depression. I’m seeing a psychologist once week, which I started last week. Am living with my sil and brother, but the comments she makes towards me about my mental health makes things worse for me. She claims that she is trying to help me, but it makes it worse for me. Am not sure she really understands. She claims that she has her own personal mental problems, but I think she just can’t cope or understands what I’m going through. I understand that they’re trying to help me, but it’s hard to cope with.

SquireHarbour Anxiety Derailment
  • replies: 1

This sounds a lot, but I recently got taken off holiday that I was on (a tour) due to my panic attacks that I was suffering on it and I feel so angry at myself for allowing it to happen. It was so bad that my support worker had to fly up from Melbour... View more

This sounds a lot, but I recently got taken off holiday that I was on (a tour) due to my panic attacks that I was suffering on it and I feel so angry at myself for allowing it to happen. It was so bad that my support worker had to fly up from Melbourne to Sydney to pick me up so I could get home safe (I'm on the NDIS because I'm diagnosed with ASD). I feel so ashamed and humiliated that I'm unable to control my anxiety despite attempting coping strategies and all I can do is just mope around and cry because now everyone else gets to go to Byron and Cairns but I'm just sitting at home doing... nothing.How can everyone just go on holiday and do it well while I can't even manage a short domestic flight? People keep saying that I need to control it but it feels like a constant struggle to even recognise that I'm suffering from it let alone deal with it. I feel so useless and pathetic and all I want to do now is sleep for two weeks straight.

Exhausted-girl Upset
  • replies: 4

Just for context I have lived in the same place for the last few years work shift work and lived next to the person in the below issue for the whole time I’ve lived in my dwelling, with out a conver for Atleast the last two, maybe three years.This mo... View more

Just for context I have lived in the same place for the last few years work shift work and lived next to the person in the below issue for the whole time I’ve lived in my dwelling, with out a conver for Atleast the last two, maybe three years.This morning after returning home after work via Cole’s to get a few items, my neighbour, I shall call M, must of pulled in to his car spot (directly next to mine) as I was replying to a message. Once I was out of the car M out of the blue told me to stop my stalkerish behaviours, proceeded me to get a life and told me to get a life, as this is just weird. I am unaware where this is coming from or how to react. I did not respond to M’s comment out of being shocked. For further context, What M dose - ie work,activities, I really do not know anything about and if o do go out to either go grocery shopping, out to visit friends ect I don’t see M in my travels. I occasionally will see M go to go his car if Im outside having a smoke, which is something I’ve done for years.This has made my anxiety, which I’ve been living with for the past 15 years worsened and unable to sleep.