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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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Smurd1993 Relationship anxiety
  • replies: 4

I don’t know where to start, I’ve never really talked to anyone about my anxiety, I usually just let it sit and get better with time. 6 weeks ago my husband and I were married, and back in March we found out we were pregnant! Amazing news I know. sin... View more

I don’t know where to start, I’ve never really talked to anyone about my anxiety, I usually just let it sit and get better with time. 6 weeks ago my husband and I were married, and back in March we found out we were pregnant! Amazing news I know. since our wedding we have been on our honey moon only getting back just over a week ago. But in the last two days my anxiety has started up again. Our lives have gone back to normal.. just feeling as routined as usual. My husband is on his phone a lot for work, he comes home and books clients, talks designs, creates designs for the next day etc etc. but I’m starting to feel a little pushed to the side again, like I’m old news. He has this “friend” who lives in Sydney and flys here to get work done by him occasionally. This girl is very unshy about flaunting herself all over Instagram. She uploads photos constantly in gstrings, lingerie etc. from the get go I’ve had a bad feeling about her. When she first came to get tattood he has offered to pick her up from the airport and didn’t tell me until last minute, I don’t even know this girl so why would I feel comfortable with this. I then found out they went to lunch together one day during their session. He beat around the bush with telling me but I put two and two together. We faught a lot about it. 6 months later and she’s back, I then put two and two together again and found out he was dropping her back at her hotel after he’d tattoo her. My anxiety that he might possibly be cheating flared up again, we faught ALOT while she was here. Now every time I see him talk to her I get so worried about what they’re talking about. The thing is, I know he wouldn’t physically cheat but for some reason, I can’t help but think what if? What’s he saying? Is she being flirtatious with him? Here I am pregnant, basic, boring old me and he sees her upload photos everyday all glammed up in lingerie being sexy. Everytime he gets a message I check to see if it’s her. If I see them talking I crawl into a shell, I don’t really talk to him and my thoughts overpower my overall energy. I become, sad and withdrawn. I know he loves me and im his world so why can’t I shake this feeling... there’s been absolutely NO evidence so far to prove he’s flirting with her or she with him. I just don’t trust her, and I’m scared he’ll get bored with me if he constantly keeps seeing that his friends are this certain way but I’m not.

Guest_357 uncomfortable with new class
  • replies: 5

Hi, I'm a 16 y/o girl with anxiety. I have recently noticed that one of my triggers is religion class, where in we talk about things that make me uncomfortable ( one of my main anxiety issues) It's not exactly required as a core subject, so is it oka... View more

Hi, I'm a 16 y/o girl with anxiety. I have recently noticed that one of my triggers is religion class, where in we talk about things that make me uncomfortable ( one of my main anxiety issues) It's not exactly required as a core subject, so is it okay if I don't go? I would talk to the teacher of course. also, today when we had maybe our third lesson, I decided to work in the library. My 'friend' was really big about it and told the teacher in front of everyone and tried to force me to go to class. She supposedly has anxiety too, so she should understand, right? I told her in full confidence and she broke my trust completely. I was really upset ( still am) that she would do that. What should I do?

contrarymary Anxiety how to get help from GP
  • replies: 4

I have made an appointment to speak to my GP about my mental health and looking for advice on how to approach it I find it very hard to show my feelings and tend to bottle things up and just say that I am ok i did the online questionnaire and it came... View more

I have made an appointment to speak to my GP about my mental health and looking for advice on how to approach it I find it very hard to show my feelings and tend to bottle things up and just say that I am ok i did the online questionnaire and it came up at 16 high anxiety. i can't relax or sleep especially if in the house alone ok when family are in. how do I explain this to GP as someone who keeps things to themselves. I saw the emergency GP on Saturday and they sent me for blood tests all ok and gave me some sleeping pills which I am scared to take so tomorrow I see my regular GP. I worry how he will react when I ask about anxiety. What should I be requesting and how do I ask. i am 65 years old retired 5 years have a husband and family they think it's all my imigination when I get agitated and pace the floor

Guest5643 Neighbour courtesy
  • replies: 7

Hi new neighnour moved in and was caught climbing up with others and peering over my fence and saying theres this and that in the yard. I said quietly please dont look over its private property and because ot that ive been labled as rude. Am i in the... View more

Hi new neighnour moved in and was caught climbing up with others and peering over my fence and saying theres this and that in the yard. I said quietly please dont look over its private property and because ot that ive been labled as rude. Am i in the wrong? I get scared when people look over my fence, i feel trapped and heart starts pounding ect. Is it rude of me? Lynne

Jamzies Uneasy, feeling homesick for camp
  • replies: 9

So, homesickness. Why does it have to be the absolute worst thing that I have experienced? Every time a camp comes up, I feel a sense of unease, even more so when the date is looming in my head with days or a week left at home. I know these camps don... View more

So, homesickness. Why does it have to be the absolute worst thing that I have experienced? Every time a camp comes up, I feel a sense of unease, even more so when the date is looming in my head with days or a week left at home. I know these camps don't last long (5 days) but I just can't stop thinking about it sometimes. Over the last few years of my schooling, I recall waking up a few times every night at the camp venue. There's just something that feels off, something that isn't familiar - no warmth of home, no parents, just the sleeping bag and clothes I've packed (maybe even Mum's 20-year-old sleeping bag that's still functional). Of course, this hasn't reached the point where I've developed severe symptoms like depression. Being honest, I feel that it has been getting harder to fixate on the fun of camping, rather than the time frame where I'm away from home. Last time on camp (a few months ago), the same problems popped up a week or two before the camp. I would reach the point where I was thinking, "Oh, the first day is just setting up, the second day is this, then that," etc. Only this time, exams are also underway, and once again I'm trying to calm myself down by reminding that the camp will be a good relaxation for exams, but nothing seems to disappear. Only when the camp is done, my pain is eased. It's not the luxury of home that makes me crave for it, but rather the warm hospitality of parents and my younger sister. I see those other students around me feeling just fine, leading me to think that I'm the only one with such a problem. Any tips?

Kim78 Taking too deep a breath from anxiety
  • replies: 2

I start getting anxious and take too deep a breath. Then have what I call a 'nervous attack' when I feel nervous all over. Any suggestions?

I start getting anxious and take too deep a breath. Then have what I call a 'nervous attack' when I feel nervous all over. Any suggestions?

WritingDamsel Anxiety about trip and friendship
  • replies: 3

Hi, I could really do with some advice on how to deal with the upcoming trip I'm heading off on tomorrow morning. I'm going on my first interstate trip by myself since the death of my mother in January of this year and over the last few weeks I've fo... View more

Hi, I could really do with some advice on how to deal with the upcoming trip I'm heading off on tomorrow morning. I'm going on my first interstate trip by myself since the death of my mother in January of this year and over the last few weeks I've found myself getting more and more anxious about it. My two predominant anxieties about the security accomodation I've booked and the friend I'm meeting. At my friend's insistance, I ended up booking a room in a pub/hotel, which is having an all night party the second night I'm there. The hotel mentioned on its website that it prides itself on the security of its rooms but I can shake the image of a couple of drunken guys breaking into my room. I'm aware that I've seen a much darker world view since my mother's death, and this mental image is likely a result of said worldview, but I still can't seem to shake my anxiety about it. The second anxiety about my friend feels worse, because I think it might actually be reasonable. My friend has a several severe chronic illnesses, and has also had a quite difficult year. This has lead to her asking me for several favors since my mother's death, including her living with myself and my partner earlier this year. We found the period she stayed with us intensely difficult both emotionally and financially as she wasn't a particularly considerate house guest. My partner decided he didn't want anything to do with her as a result, but I put her behaviour down to the trauma of her year and stayed in touch. I am now travelling to meet this friend to attend a concert together. When planning this trip, I outlined some needs for myself, such as a need for a hotel room I felt secure in and the ability to have some space to tour the city we are visiting by myself (having travelled together before, she doesn't tend to be willing to visit attractions that I'm interested in). This morning I received a message stating she has made plans for us throughout the trip. I'm incredibly anxious that I've made a huge mistake booking this trip, but I feel unable to cancel or change it and so am preparing to be utterly miserable for the next few days. I'm also terrified that I will end up having a panic attack or breaking down in hysterics while I'm away from my support network. Any suggestions for coping with experiences you know (or at least a fairly certain) will trigger anxiety? Thank you for taking the time to read all this!

Kelizabeth Would anyone want an anxious doctor
  • replies: 4

I’m 9 months in to my first year working as a doctor and the pressure to perform is immense. You come out of uni and you think you know things but then day in day out you’re dealing with breaking bad news, working hours past finish, having bosses cha... View more

I’m 9 months in to my first year working as a doctor and the pressure to perform is immense. You come out of uni and you think you know things but then day in day out you’re dealing with breaking bad news, working hours past finish, having bosses chastise you for basically not reading their minds, having nurses and administrators on your back constantly about getting people in and out of the hospital and perhaps worse having the people you’re trying to help abuse you. ive just started working in ED and the absurd 4 hour in/out rule means I’m often the sacrificial lamb for specialists who want to meet their performance indicators. Asked to make phone calls to admit patients without all the information or inappropriately on the whim of the boss. Fortunately for them they’re not on the receiving end of the all too common anger and “you’re below me” attitude of the seniors you call. To be honest i feel like I’m a tightly wound spring just about to release and it scares me. I have no plans to end my life but I’ve felt disappointed when I’ve woken up in the morning for another shift, so unhappy I’ve just wanted to disappear. I’ve already ended up in hospital myself this week with a heart arrhythmia and my mental and physical health is suffering. what are you supposed to do when you’ve worked so hard for so long for something only to realise it’s making you sick...and who in reality wants an anxious or depressed doctor.

melltun I can’t seem to control my anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi there, Nearly a month ago my bf at the time told me he didn’t feel the same towards me. A week later he departs for his trip overseas, two weeks in he is messaging me telling me he regrets it because he misses me a lot... Since then he has been me... View more

Hi there, Nearly a month ago my bf at the time told me he didn’t feel the same towards me. A week later he departs for his trip overseas, two weeks in he is messaging me telling me he regrets it because he misses me a lot... Since then he has been messaging me everyday as if nothing has happened however hasn’t said anything about getting back together. He tells me he’s confused. Now I have been struggling with anxiety on and off for 5 years and for me when I hear bad news I really get to my lowest point. I was completely invested in our relationship and had fallen deep in love. To hear him say that his feelings have changed but for no legitimate reason mind you really crushed me. Till this day I’m still so confused and I constantly have anxiety about what’s going to happen. i find it really hard to deal with as all my friends either have partners or are engaged so it becomes difficult to even go out with them to get my mind off it. I find myself going over and over thoughts in my head until I drive myself crazy. I take sleeping pills so I can fall asleep and not think of anything. But then I find myself waking up and feeling like crap about my life. I do love him and I’m so afraid of loosing him but I just don’t know how to deal with any of my emotions. I would really love some advice on this. Thank you

Bjc1 Anxiety - How to resign from a new job when your boss is a friend of your fiance ?
  • replies: 4

Hi, I am suffering from anxiety and the inability to rationalise what should be a simple situation due to anxiety. I was offered a job about 4 months ago and it is an acquaintance of my fiance (he is the director), there are 3 other directors also th... View more

Hi, I am suffering from anxiety and the inability to rationalise what should be a simple situation due to anxiety. I was offered a job about 4 months ago and it is an acquaintance of my fiance (he is the director), there are 3 other directors also that own and run the company. I have tried to fit into the new job as best as i can but i find the environment not suited to my personality, the people do not speak to each other. I need an environment where i can communicate with people etc. In fact a week ago I was telling one of the other girls about a party i was attending on the weekend and another colleague came over to my desk and crankily told me not to speak as she was concentrating, i felt so embarrassed but i noticed the other staff just put their head down and ignored that it happened. The biggest problem is they let another staff member go a few weeks back and if i leave that means that they will be very understaffed. I feel as though they thought i was working out so let the other girl go so this is putting a lot of anxiety in my head about the potential let down. I have suffered bullying in previous positions and i feel fragile and unable to handle myself to the best of my ability particularly in this situation as i like my fiance's friend and don't want to let him down. My fiance says don't worry just do it, it will be fine, but my mind is telling me otherwise. If anyone can help me rationalise this situation so i can at least resign as i feel so mismatched in this job. In my mind it is easy but it has been two weeks and i cannot say it due to fear, i keep convincing myself it will get better but it is not. How do i let go of this, be strong and resolve this situation so i can move onto a better job? I have tried to get into see a psychologist but the wait times are 6 to 8 weeks.