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Anxiety

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with 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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Bozo82 intrusive thoughts and images
  • replies: 11

Hi everyone. This is my first posting on this forum. I am trying to understand my state of mind these days. I have been reading about OCD and my behaviour certainly does seem to fit with the obsessional thinking that goes on with this condition. I ex... View more

Hi everyone. This is my first posting on this forum. I am trying to understand my state of mind these days. I have been reading about OCD and my behaviour certainly does seem to fit with the obsessional thinking that goes on with this condition. I experienced the exact same symptoms/behaviour when I was 19 and had my first 'real' girlfriend. It was not a pleasant relationship. Anyway, I am currently seeing a mental health professional as I experience intrusive images and thoughts when I am intimate with my current girlfriend. They were not present when we were first together (at this time I couldn't get enough of her, things were just bliss), it developed after a couple of months perhaps. I had an image of one of my male friends, and I have started catastrophizing the situation, calling myself gay and being extremely scared of becoming a homosexual (not that I am against homosexuality at all). Now the nonsense self-labeling and images tend to fill large parts of everyday, and they can be very aggressive. This has been going on a few months. Some days were/are very very tough. The funny thing is, I've been single the last four years, and never had these aggressive thoughts or images ever in that time (and during other periods of my life. I can't believe how unpleasant anxiety feels, and how it can make you doubt other things about yourself...Anyway, I'm interested if anybody else has had a similar experience? I have perused OCD literature and sexual obsessions seem to be somewhat common.

Towalkaway Anxiety - can feel the panic coming. Not sure what to do?
  • replies: 1

Hi, I work in a very male dominated environment and industry that is very archaic in it's treatment of people. It's a world of dog eat dog. People like nothing more then to see you fail. The façade that the company cares is there and that's about it.... View more

Hi, I work in a very male dominated environment and industry that is very archaic in it's treatment of people. It's a world of dog eat dog. People like nothing more then to see you fail. The façade that the company cares is there and that's about it. So over the years I have slowly worked my way up into a position that pays both very well and gives me ample time off. I was recently asked if I would consider going on a 1.5 to 2 year course for career advancement which would set the family up for life - hence I have accepted. This is where all the anxiety is now coming from. I am finding myself massively behind others in the course and pass rates are also very low for applicants with about 1 in 4 passing. So I am stuck in a really bad negative thought pattern, cannot sleep and waves of anxiety are frequent. Terrified I will have another panic attack again. Not sure what my next step should be - Cannot really have holidays due to the course and if I went out on stress leave or took long service leave I could pretty much guarantee my career would be over. Thinking the next step is to possibly leave this environment and find another job - though I'd be taking a massive pay cut which I'm stressing about as well in terms of raising a family. Any feedback would be much appreciated

Jks89 Anxious and paranoid about everything.
  • replies: 4

Iv been experiencing severe anxiety and paranoia about everything. I have a rapid heartbeat all the time and I feel that every one hates me. No matter where I go or who I interact with I can never seem to be good enough. I feel like every one is alwa... View more

Iv been experiencing severe anxiety and paranoia about everything. I have a rapid heartbeat all the time and I feel that every one hates me. No matter where I go or who I interact with I can never seem to be good enough. I feel like every one is always staring at me and judging me. It’s really affecting my life and my future goals. No body I care about realises or knows how I feel and I feel too embarrassed to talk to anyone.

MamaCorydoras Health anxiety and hypochondria.
  • replies: 10

Hi all, this is my first time posting here! The short version of my story is: I had my first panic attack about 4 months ago and since then my body hasn't been the same. I feel pain in my neck, between my shoulder blades and a tightness in my throat ... View more

Hi all, this is my first time posting here! The short version of my story is: I had my first panic attack about 4 months ago and since then my body hasn't been the same. I feel pain in my neck, between my shoulder blades and a tightness in my throat on most days, however after countless scans my Dr believes there is nothing wrong with me and that this is all anxiety related. For anyone who can be bothered ready, here is my more detailed story: About 4 months ago I was at the cinema when I began feeling a really sharp pain in my right shoulder blade, this developed into palpitations and numbness in my right arm. I went to ER and after a few hours there was sent home with nothing. I saw my Dr who believed it was all anxiety related due to a panic attack, and since then I've had countless symptoms. I saw a Neurologist due to headaches, had an MRI which found a Chiari Type 1 Malformation I was convinced this was the cause. I then saw a Neurosurgeon who said that my scans are fine and aren't the cause of my symptoms. I've had blood tests, chest and neck x-rays, allergy testing and everything is clear. I've been on more medication over the last 4 months than I have ever been in my entire life. I was referred to a Psychologist, who in my opinion was terrible, and stopped going. To this day I still have the neck pain, and tightness in my throat. My Dr acknowledged that I've had various sinus infections this year, however has no idea what is causing these symptoms. I'm convinced that I have a mystery illness that is going to kill me, I can't sleep some nights because I'm scared I won't wake up, I feel like I can't make concrete plans for my future because I might die tomorrow. I appreciate anyone who has taken the time to read this long post, and would appreciate any advice, experience or to know I'm not alone. Much love to everyone!

Failed_dietitian Anxiety, University and my Future
  • replies: 3

For context I have been at uni for about 5 year. Initially I didn't really want to go but once I switched degrees I really thought I had a chance to make something of myself. My grades improved and I was granted a conditional offering to do a 6 month... View more

For context I have been at uni for about 5 year. Initially I didn't really want to go but once I switched degrees I really thought I had a chance to make something of myself. My grades improved and I was granted a conditional offering to do a 6 month honours program towards a research path of something that I love. Currently my parents are supporting me financially so that I can volunteer for work experience to increase my chances of employment after graduation in an extremely competitive field (3-6 grad jobs in the state) Up until this semester my grades have been good but not outstanding, however I knew that I needed to achieve a certain mark to fit the conditional offer for the research program of around 75%. I have been sitting about 80% for the whole semester up until now. I started 3 weeks out from exams studying 16 hours most days, taking 1 or 2 days a week sometimes to make sure I could spend time with my girlfriend but put everything else to the side. I studied every piece of course content I could have for this exam. I open up the exam and what the ***. I could not have possibly known the things they were assessing. The only reassurance I felt was the fact that everyone else that had sat the exam seemed to be in the same boat. But if there was nothing I could have done to prepare for an exam that will determine whether or not: 1. I have to repeat an entire year (it's only offered in this half of the year) 2. Can get into the honours program and follow the career path that I want 3. I have wasted 5 years and an immeasurable amount of my parent's money who have sacrificed so much for me. Marks haven't been released yet but I am not even confident I would have got enough to pass let alone meet the required hurdle of 60%. I don't know what to do. Everything was looking so positive for my future and now it's all falling apart. I don't know who to talk to. My

BIueBird Has anyone lodged a workcover claim for bullying?
  • replies: 14

So I’m currently off work due to workplace bullying, a highly stressful role and no support from my employer (Big 4 bank) I’ve been there over 10 years now and feel they are just trying to sweep me under the carpet, I’m considering lodging a workcove... View more

So I’m currently off work due to workplace bullying, a highly stressful role and no support from my employer (Big 4 bank) I’ve been there over 10 years now and feel they are just trying to sweep me under the carpet, I’m considering lodging a workcover claim but the thought of that just makes my Anxiety and panic attacks worse but I don’t want to just quit because then they win . Ive managed to work a few days over the last couple of months but a full on melt down yesterday I’m at a loss as to what to do, I fell so helpless, a burden on my loved ones and guilty. Would love to hear others thought and experiences on this,

Maggiemadam Anxiety- needing to be in control of everything. Cant deal with the unknown.
  • replies: 4

Hi All. I'm new to this. Im married with two children. I struggle with parenting and life in general. I feel I always have to be in control- more so to know what is happening. I can't deal with the unknown. I get very anxious when things don't go as ... View more

Hi All. I'm new to this. Im married with two children. I struggle with parenting and life in general. I feel I always have to be in control- more so to know what is happening. I can't deal with the unknown. I get very anxious when things don't go as I had planned them. Something as little as I planned an activity to do with my kids and husband but my husband is home late from work. I can't deal with it as it has buggered up my routine. I get very emotional and irrational when things like this happen. I also struggle with parenting and thinking Am I doing the right thing, am I teaching them right. Times they act out, don't listen etc, I take it personal like I'm not a good enough parent. I do so many other abnormal things as well- too many to list. Just wondering if anyone else out there feels like me?? Thank you

LoVeMyBaBiEs Any new mums with anxiety?
  • replies: 4

Hi, I’m 29 and have a 10 month old and a two and a half year old (hectic times!) I would love to meet some new mums who have anxiety too. I can’t bring myself to go to any ‘mums and bubs’ groups as I just get too anxious and find it easier not to go.... View more

Hi, I’m 29 and have a 10 month old and a two and a half year old (hectic times!) I would love to meet some new mums who have anxiety too. I can’t bring myself to go to any ‘mums and bubs’ groups as I just get too anxious and find it easier not to go. I really wished there was a ‘mums and bubs’ play group for mums with anxiety and/ or depression so we could chat and know how everyone’s feeling. Thanks for reading

Breadloaf74 Am I just anxious
  • replies: 3

Hello all, this is my first time posting, I recently stopped smoking cannabis about a month and a half ago after 4 years of pretty heavy use, two days after I quit I was very anxious and had the idea that I was going insane or losing control, for ins... View more

Hello all, this is my first time posting, I recently stopped smoking cannabis about a month and a half ago after 4 years of pretty heavy use, two days after I quit I was very anxious and had the idea that I was going insane or losing control, for instance I'd be at the shops and I'd have this weird image in my head if me going insane and running around like a man, ever since the thought of going insane crossed my mind, this led from my father having schizophrenia, and I thought that I'd be like him one day, ever since I've not stopped thinking about it, it scares me to hear about anything to do with people that aren't right mentally, I'm also very anxious when I'm by myself, I'm scared I'll hear voices or see things that aren't real like right now. Although I've never had hallucinations before, I seem to be obsessing over the thought of going insane and that's why I'm posting, I suffer from severe anxiety and mild depression, a little/fair bit of ocd and I think a lot of these thoughts and feelings are due to anxiety intensifying it, I have heard a common symptom of anxiety is the feeling of going insane or losing control and I would just like to know/ask If anyone else has gone through the same experience, it's very scary and I kinda just want someone to tell me that I'm not alone, thank you

LoVeMyBaBiEs Social Anxiety
  • replies: 1

I have really bad anxiety and I get really anxious about social situations. I’ve got my sons birthday coming up and I love throwing him a little party but I am going to worry about it for weeks before hand. I think I’m just worried about being judged... View more

I have really bad anxiety and I get really anxious about social situations. I’ve got my sons birthday coming up and I love throwing him a little party but I am going to worry about it for weeks before hand. I think I’m just worried about being judged and I hate when any attention is on me. I’m fine with going to other family parties. I’ve tried all the techniques such as breathing and some other ones I got from my psychologist but it just doesn’t seem to make me stop worrying. Even though I know it’ll all be fine, I can’t stop. I don’t see my psychologist for another month and just wondering if anyone has anything that works for them? I’ve always felt this way before anything that I have to organise or any social event where I don’t know many people but I’m only starting to recognise that it’s anxiety now.