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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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Coskra Reaching out for support
  • replies: 5

Hello everyone, I've been snooping around this forum a lot recently and iv decided to come out of the shadows in hopes of support. I'm going through a kind of anxiety crisis... and I'm just overwhelmed and having difficulty hanging onto hope. Without... View more

Hello everyone, I've been snooping around this forum a lot recently and iv decided to come out of the shadows in hopes of support. I'm going through a kind of anxiety crisis... and I'm just overwhelmed and having difficulty hanging onto hope. Without going into detail, I had a significant conflict with someone at work about 2-3 months ago that got very ugly. It's really what triggered off my anxiety episode. I just couldn't leave it at work, and was obsessing all the time over and over.... anyway, it passed. Things have settled down Yet this sense of anxiety remained. I'm second guessing everything I do. I've lost confidence to take action on things in my life. I'd feel like a fraud, a relic, having nothing to offer. I'd convince myself everyone else can see it too... none of this matches reality, and I know that intellectually. Yet, thoughts are there. It's like I'm possessed. Anyway, a few days ago i had an episode that I've never had before. I guess it was an anxiety attack, although I've never had one before so i cant be sure. I'd had an OK day. I couldn't really rationalise it. It sorta just happened. Anyway, i started to feel unwell, and the very center of my chest started to hurt. I'd felt stress pain in my chest on prior occasions, but this was next level. I put on some soft music, laid down, and tried deep breathing to relax. Unfortunately, I was breathing REALLY deeply.... as if i could somehow stretch the chest pain away.... and it got way way worse. Eventually, breathing was really painful in the middle of my sternum. If I laid down on my side, I could hardly breath from the pain. I had to lie on my back, perfectly still, and breath slow and shallow. I relaxed a little, breathing became easier but still painful. I slept like this eventually. The pain was still there in the morning, but less intense. Its been 3 days. It doesnt hurt to breath now, but the chest pain is still there somewhat. Its most apparent when I lie down, but fades after a few minutes. I've now also developed a tension headache I've had for a few days too. Saw the Dr yesterday. ECG was fine. Got a mental health care plan, and I'll be seeing professional about this soon. For now though, I guess I'm wondering if anyone can relate, especially to the chest pain and headaches. Thing is, I don't feel particularly stressed right now, but tension headache and chest pain is there. Its like it lingers. Does that sound weird? Thanks for reading this far, and for any support possible

361525 Excessive Worrying
  • replies: 3

Hello all, I haven't posted anything before, but lately I have been extremely worried about a lot of things in life, even more so than usual. Overall I have always been a worried person. This has progressed from being worried about meeting/talking to... View more

Hello all, I haven't posted anything before, but lately I have been extremely worried about a lot of things in life, even more so than usual. Overall I have always been a worried person. This has progressed from being worried about meeting/talking to people I don't really know or being in an uncomfortable/unpredictable situation, into continuous worry. For example, I am always worried about my family members safety - I feel that if I don't continuously tell them to be careful something bad will happen to them. The same goes if I'm not with them, I feel like I have a responsibility to protect them, and if I'm not there, something bad will happen to them - for example travelling in a car, I want to be there so I may be able to prevent any accidents (even if I may not be able to do anything, somehow I believe I can keep them safe). This has also come to me constantly checking doors, switches and the oven repetitively, as I don't want a fire to start or someone to get into the house etc. At times, I feel as my actions can lead to the death of somebody, or the occurrence of something bad. For example, If I choose where to go for dinner, and somebody I'm with gets hurt travelling to or from the place (or even at the restaurant) that is my fault and I don't want that to happen. I don't like making decisions as my input could result in somebody getting hurt. Even my thoughts I feel have the same impact. My thoughts also happen to make me believe I am being watched, or people can read my mind - which I know isn't true but I'm still worried about it. I often cover the cameras on my phone/computer as a result, or immediately change my thoughts if I think something even slightly inappropriate I feel as if I'm going crazy with all these thoughts and others I can't be bothered to write, and even though I know they are irrational I can't stop just in case something does happen. I want these worries to go away and stop interfering with my life, does anyone have any advice/experience the same thing? Or believe these are symptoms of something? Thank you to any one reading this, and sorry this was a rant about my problems. I just really want for these thoughts to stop and to be able to get on with my life.

shfer Headaches on every antidepressant!
  • replies: 10

Hello all, I have been taking antidepressants on and off but mostly on for about 10 years. Then suddenly last year i started getting Headaches that would not go away. First i had no idea what they could be but they would never go away then i figured ... View more

Hello all, I have been taking antidepressants on and off but mostly on for about 10 years. Then suddenly last year i started getting Headaches that would not go away. First i had no idea what they could be but they would never go away then i figured it was from my AD. I have to be honest i was not taking them every day as i should have! I was taking them every 3/4 days and i have done that for about 1 year and then the headaches started to show up! Now 11 months later i still get them and they don't seem to disappear! Its incredibly frustrating and they affect my mood big time! I have tried many things to elevate them and only thing that does is if I take a benzo! Then it will clear it! I think i must have messed up something on the neurotransmitters or so by not taking them regularly or maybe it just started on its own I have no idea but I know that its insane and its driving me crazy and don’t know what to do! Please if anyone has any experience or have any idea what to do I would so appreciate it as I don't know how much more i can take and i do t wanna be dependent on Benzos. Everyone I know including my 2 sisters are taking ADs and none of them have any trouble while i have insane headaches and even sound sensitivity , its like my head cant tolarate much of outside stimuli. As I said for 10 years i never had this it started one year ago and it only stop if i do not take the meds! I was off them for 4 months and never had even one headache! Please please help if someone has any clue! Thank you!

Mineof4 Where do I start? My whole world is upside down!
  • replies: 3

Hi I have so much anxiety, I'm married with 4 kids three of them have been diagnosed with either ASD or ADHD or CDD. My youngest has severe non verbal autism and takes up a lot of my time which I don't mind one bit. I'm absolutely feeling the anxiety... View more

Hi I have so much anxiety, I'm married with 4 kids three of them have been diagnosed with either ASD or ADHD or CDD. My youngest has severe non verbal autism and takes up a lot of my time which I don't mind one bit. I'm absolutely feeling the anxiety lately as everything is just getting too much on me and I feel like I can't deal with everything anymore. My husband is usually supportive but lately he has been saying that I'm obsessed with our youngest and it's starting to really upset me as I know I'm only doing what is best for him. I had a massive fight just the other day over my son having a asthma attack and he is hardly talking to me now. I'm feeling depressed stuck and angry that this is my life, I absolutely love my kids but it's hard work being a mum and a full time therapist 24/7. I am unsure what to do I feel completely hopeless and honestly I just want to run! I have been on meds for depression when I was younger and they made me very tired unable to get out of bed and I'm scared that the meds are going to do it all again to me and with my kids I can't have that. I know I need medication for this as some days I feel like I can't breathe and most nights I can't sleep just bad thoughts constantly running throught my head, I desperately need something to help me but I don't know what I can have that won't take complete control over me. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Marschickee current panic attack
  • replies: 2

im currently in the middle of tring to hold of an anxiety attack... thanks to meds my brain us slowing, but the shakes, stomach issues, nausea, dizziness, twitching ,dry mouth... its all in full firce. I kniw what has triggered this attack, Im just a... View more

im currently in the middle of tring to hold of an anxiety attack... thanks to meds my brain us slowing, but the shakes, stomach issues, nausea, dizziness, twitching ,dry mouth... its all in full firce. I kniw what has triggered this attack, Im just a bit overwhelmed as its been a long while that i havnt been able to contil an attack with breathing and mindfulness. I dont want to come across self absorbed in any way. Im just looking for alternate avenues to help me feel in control, and was hoping writing might help. please excuse all the grammer errirs, im racing a little. K x

tntomo Fighting my anxiety demons
  • replies: 1

Recently I have come off my medication, not by choice. I currently have a doctors appointment scheduled for this week. However I’m really finding the side affects of being off my medication difficult. Ive been feeling so down and low, my anger has ri... View more

Recently I have come off my medication, not by choice. I currently have a doctors appointment scheduled for this week. However I’m really finding the side affects of being off my medication difficult. Ive been feeling so down and low, my anger has risen and just generally feeling like the worst Mum & wife! It’s the most horrible feeling. I’ve been fighting these anxiety demons for what feels like forever! Like any normal human being, I have good days and I have bad days. Today is a bad day. I cried so much. All I want is to be normal, I try so hard to hide these feelings of fear hidden so my daughters don’t see. I also feel like a burden some days to my husband. He is a loving man that accepts me for all my faults and flaws.

Anxiety_shuts_down_my_bra Anxiety makes my brain stop.
  • replies: 3

good morning, I thought that getting this out there might help me. i hope ya’ll are doing ok I have never had a proper job interview. Because I work hard and have done well in previous roles I have landed jobs through the connections and recommendati... View more

good morning, I thought that getting this out there might help me. i hope ya’ll are doing ok I have never had a proper job interview. Because I work hard and have done well in previous roles I have landed jobs through the connections and recommendations of my boss at the time. Prior to that I was a musician and so again... no interviews just auditions - and I was good at those I have been engaged with psychologists for 10 years and I am able to manage my anxiety, for the most part.... However. I have my first real job interview in 2 days. I know I’m not stupid, and I know I would be great at this job .... BUT - I can feel myself heading down track that I know will end up with me sitting in a room with the panel and halfway through a response I will freeze. Then panic. Then remain frozen. I just want to sleep (can’t) and to show them that I’m competent - looking doubtful.

lueybelle Anxiety, depression, family issues....I don't even know where to begin
  • replies: 2

Hi all I am sitting here looking outside at the sunshine and hearing the birds singing and thinking my life is just the pits. I don't even know where to begin as this is a long story and I am at my wit's end as I have no help or care from anyone. I a... View more

Hi all I am sitting here looking outside at the sunshine and hearing the birds singing and thinking my life is just the pits. I don't even know where to begin as this is a long story and I am at my wit's end as I have no help or care from anyone. I am 54 with a teenage son and no partner. My son sees his dad for 5 hours once a fortnight. I know...appalling. My son is a good lad but he is lazy and addicted to his computer. I try to get him interested in other things but no..that is all he cares about. I have been really ill the last four months and nobody cares or does anything to help me. I have been to so many doctors and been fobbed off over and over and given tablets to take; that I did try but made things worse so I stopped the tablets. I feel like rubbish every day..I never sleep well and I still think there is something really wrong with me but all tests negative. I did suffer major health anxiety over all of that but I am at the point now where I don't even care. I obviously am not worthy of anyone's attention..hence my being here in the hope that somebody might 'listen'. I have put on heaps of weight and feel so fat, ugly and useless. I am supposed to bring my son up as the perfect mother yet I have no life or any positive models in my life so why would he? I get blamed for his weight issues and so on yet not one person does zip to help? I am constantly judged and ridiculed by my own family members! I am surrounded by people who like to tell me all about their lives and their holidays, outings, new clothes...I have no money and a large mortgage; a large house and yard that is falling down around me...I truly only get up everyday for my son. I don't want to hear 'oh well in 3 years he will be an adult and then your life can begin' and other such ridiculous platitudes. So insulting. Insulting to my dear boy and then insulting to me. Please any advice will be greatly appreciated. Please know that my beloved boy knows NOTHING about this and is safe. I will do whatever it takes to get to a place I need to be to continue to be there for him. He didn't ask for any of this! It breaks my heart! I left his dad because he was violent and alcoholic and awful. I certainly did not expect to be here at this age and in this appalling situation. I did not expect to feel such absolute hatred towards people who are supposed to care about my son - and me for that matter. thankyou for reading. l

hearta Getting upset at work
  • replies: 4

I have had ocd for my whole life (am mid 40s) and it has been a battle, with wonderful things as well thank goodness. This is the first time I have posted in a forum, so please be patient with me :-). A couple of days ago I had a big cry at work afte... View more

I have had ocd for my whole life (am mid 40s) and it has been a battle, with wonderful things as well thank goodness. This is the first time I have posted in a forum, so please be patient with me :-). A couple of days ago I had a big cry at work after being sensitive to a comment about my worrying causing delays in finishing my work - I realise this was a massive trigger for me as I wish very much that I could worry less but even with medication it can be a daily struggle. After getting upset at work (and this is not the first time it has happened during my working life!) I get into a vicious cycle of feeling embarrassed/weak/alone even though I partially let myself understand that it isn’t completely my fault !. I have had a lot of counselling over the years and know the things I need to do to help myself feel better again - easier said then done when feeling frustrated at myself but would really like to hear about any similar experiences.

AnotherOne12 Elevator drop feeling with panic and anxiety
  • replies: 1

Anyone else ever had this feeling where you feel like your in an elevator and the floor drops suddenly? I seemed to have got it after chronically worrying over a health issue and have had it since. Anyone overcome this or going thru this exact feelin... View more

Anyone else ever had this feeling where you feel like your in an elevator and the floor drops suddenly? I seemed to have got it after chronically worrying over a health issue and have had it since. Anyone overcome this or going thru this exact feeling? At first it scared me now it just frustrates me.