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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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nmc333 Stuck. Cannot return to work
  • replies: 7

Hi there, First time poster... here goes! I am a professional worker with over 11 years experience. I have worked in a serious of high pressure roles. My last three I was reasonably unqualified for, but as they said I 'felt there fear and did it anyw... View more

Hi there, First time poster... here goes! I am a professional worker with over 11 years experience. I have worked in a serious of high pressure roles. My last three I was reasonably unqualified for, but as they said I 'felt there fear and did it anyway', and threw myself into them to learn something new. Problem was that most of the people I worked for didn't know/care that I didn't have the traditional experience, so I really had to learn on the spot and faked it until I somewhat made it. I found that really difficult and scaring, although on the outside you would never know. My last role in particular I was bullied and left the contract job prematurely. I was working 14 hours a day, and completely cracked under pressure. I wasn't sleeping anymore, started drinking heavily etc. I have now been unemployed for almost three months. First 6 weeks, I just got back to healthy routines and started to feel like myself again, but obviously bills need to be paid so I am looking for work again. To avoid me having to work in roles that I am not familiar with, I am trying to avoid similar positions as my last three, that caused me such trauma. I have had 2 interviews, both of which I never made it to due to anxiety. I truly feel broken down from my last roles, have no confidence in my professional thinking or ability anymore, and just cannot face any of it. I am quite senior in my experience but I have even tried applying for junior/part-time roles so that I am not under that much pressure and responsibility again, but the employers all reject me. I feel it is as though I'm overqualified. People I have spoken to also think its weird I would want something so junior, so I think the employers probably share this feeling. I really don't know what to do now. I am trying my best to keep putting myself out there, but I feel totally stuck. I have been seeing a Psychologist and have been diagnosed with GAD, but my therapy with her made me feel worse so have stopped for a while. I am now feeling less triggered since stopping the sessions. Any suggestions or words of advice?

BreeFree90 Mental Breakdowns (the positives)--Share your Story
  • replies: 1

Afternoon everyone, I hope you're all enjoying your weekend. I wanted to tell you my story and not because I'm looking for sympathy, but because I look back on it now as something almost positive. Of course though, at the time it felt like I had lite... View more

Afternoon everyone, I hope you're all enjoying your weekend. I wanted to tell you my story and not because I'm looking for sympathy, but because I look back on it now as something almost positive. Of course though, at the time it felt like I had literally collapsed into a hollow shell. It all began on an average weekend. My fiance was getting ready to visit his parent's place for a birthday celebration. I was supposed to go along, but the idea of being around people and two very energetic dogs was panic-inducing so I decided to stay home. I felt so low that I stayed in bed all afternoon. The next morning I woke up for work and almost immediately felt so completely overwhelmed. Trying to get dressed left me in a mess on the floor, tears streaming down my face and my mind whirling. I called my fiance and told him something was really wrong. He didn't hesitate and came home immediately. By then I was starting to shut down and all I could think was, what was happening to me? I went to my doctor & I couldn't say a word so my fiance did all the communicating for me. At one point he was so desperate to help me that, under the advice of my doctor, he took me to the hospital to be assessed. Again I couldn't say or do anything. I felt so empty as if all my emotions had been drained from me. Everything going on around me was so overwhelming that I just wanted to hide. In the weeks that followed my fiance slowly had to reintroduce me to the world. Literally. A walk around the block was terrifying, going to the shops almost wrecked me and then I had to face going back to work. However, with help from my doctor, medication, a psychologist and most importantly my fiance I rebuilt myself and got back into my life. It's a time in my life I will never forget and in fact, I look back on it as my "inciting incident", the moment my life changed for the better. It's now quite clear to me that I have mental illnesses of which I have had since I was very young and something I have openly discussed with my Mum. What I went through to truly understand and acknowledge this about myself wasn't easy, but I'm glad it's happened because I have a newfound sense of who I am. I am a normal person living with mental health issues. Daily life can and is still a struggle, I just quit my job because I had a relapse, but I accept & understand that. Anxiety and depression won't define me, and I'm glad I can acknowledge that they are apart of me after so many years of not knowing.

H3ll0 Thoughts Vs feelings
  • replies: 4

I need help figuring out how and why I'm like this? And if anyone else is the same? I was in a relationship and I kept doubting myself and my self worth and it got to the point where I was over thinking everything and I kept telling myself that I was... View more

I need help figuring out how and why I'm like this? And if anyone else is the same? I was in a relationship and I kept doubting myself and my self worth and it got to the point where I was over thinking everything and I kept telling myself that I wasn't good enough, that they would be better with someone else, that I can't make them happy and that I must not love them anymore because I was thinking all of those things. It got to the point where I talked myself into believing that I wasn't in love anymore. My thoughts had over taken my feelings. I felt numb to emotions and feelings. It was like I couldn't feel the love that I had because of all the thoughts in my head. Why? How can thoughts over rule feelings?

annabay Deep chest spasm feeling
  • replies: 4

Hi there, I was just wondering if anyone else experiences a spasm like feeling deep within their chest that feels very much like your heart is spasming? I've been to the hospital, to see lots of different GP's/doctors and a cardiologist and they all ... View more

Hi there, I was just wondering if anyone else experiences a spasm like feeling deep within their chest that feels very much like your heart is spasming? I've been to the hospital, to see lots of different GP's/doctors and a cardiologist and they all have said that its just anxiety, but can never pinpoint if it is my heart spasming or if its something else. When the spasm's happen, my breath gets taken away with them and they only last a few seconds. I feel so exhausted and it is debilitating living like this because I am constantly living in fear that these spasms are causing my heart stress, and could eventually lead to a heart attack - or that the next time I have one it will resolve in a heart attack. I feel so alone as doctors are always unsure what these spasms are, or haven't heard of 'deep chest spasms' and I'm wondering if there's anyone else out there who has experienced a similar thing?

Cold1369 Chronic Anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi long time reader first time poster. I have been suffering with mild anxiety for about 15 years personally I think it's career related initially however almost 4yrs ago , it has become a chronic problem. I have taken medication for the anxiety and ... View more

Hi long time reader first time poster. I have been suffering with mild anxiety for about 15 years personally I think it's career related initially however almost 4yrs ago , it has become a chronic problem. I have taken medication for the anxiety and in some ways it helps in the short term. However it just sits in the background waiting to attack me again. My last major issue started over a year ago. It started with brain fog and slowly over the next 4 months just got worse. I struggled to properly function. I finally went back to my GP and three different meds later I felt stronger however I was short tempered and agitated. This has been slowly getting worse and I only realized how bad things were when I blasted my son for no reason. I think the meds I'm on made me worse. I am presently extremely anxious and am worried that this my agitated state etc is affecting my employment. I'm FIFO and desperately looking forward to getting back to my GP to change my meds back to one I took back in 2016. Anxiety has changed my life and I'm sick of it ,it has cost me promotion ,affected relationships, made me agitated, fearful and now I'm concerned it effecting my career. I really want to get myself right. I know I need more time , I would like to take an extended break but fear , telling my employer about my condition will make things worse being fifo doesn't help. The loneliness makes it worse

Madstar28 Anxious and over thinking
  • replies: 3

Hey. I've been struggling with anxiety for a very long time, but finally saw a doctor and was diagnosed and put on medication last year. Since then I've put on a tone of weight and am now finding it's something that constantly bothers me about myself... View more

Hey. I've been struggling with anxiety for a very long time, but finally saw a doctor and was diagnosed and put on medication last year. Since then I've put on a tone of weight and am now finding it's something that constantly bothers me about myself. I've got a lot of other stressors in my life (family, work, uni) that are definitely still on my mind. But I feel like i start thinking about my weight gain and it just makes me feel shit. Like I don't eat fantastic, but it's definitely no any worse than it was, and I'm.going to gym multiple times a week and just continue to keep putting on weight. Now that the trimester at uni has just finished, my doctor told me to see how I go without the medication. I'm still.worried and keep over thinking everything. It's almost like I'll start feeling down about my weight gain and it opens a flood gate to all the other things going on and it just feels like it all hits me at once. I feel so completely overwhelmed and lost all the time. I don't know where to start. I don't know what I can do to feel better, I've tried medication, gym, meditation, therapy. The thought that keeps coming to mind is that this is just me. And that scares me and ends up sending me on a rollercoaster of emotions and thoughts that just dig myself more into this hole. I have no idea how to help myself and I'm getting really upset all the time. What is there that I can 3ven do that I haven't tried. I feel like nothing works

L-Man Death and Dying
  • replies: 1

I'm really anxious about not existing. It's controlling my every waking thought. Just days ago, I never thought about it, now it's all I can think about. God, I really want to go back to that state of mind. I'm just so scared of it. Even though I'm o... View more

I'm really anxious about not existing. It's controlling my every waking thought. Just days ago, I never thought about it, now it's all I can think about. God, I really want to go back to that state of mind. I'm just so scared of it. Even though I'm only 22, and it's so far away. I just can't stop thinking about it.

ks1993 Struggling with Anxiety, Self-Worth, Imposter Syndrome & Obsessive Thinking
  • replies: 6

Hi all, This is my first time posting here. I've always been a type-A personality, an overanalyser and a super anxious person, but I'm feeling really out of control at the moment and like my anxiety is becoming detrimental and overwhelming. Last week... View more

Hi all, This is my first time posting here. I've always been a type-A personality, an overanalyser and a super anxious person, but I'm feeling really out of control at the moment and like my anxiety is becoming detrimental and overwhelming. Last week my dog, who is a huge companion and comfort in my life, almost passed and went through emergency surgery. He's recovering well, but a few days later, I had to travel interstate for my dream job interview. So it was a hugely stressful and traumatic week. During the interview, I needed a bit of prompting on one of the questions, and admitted to feeling a bit nervous, but overall, my rational brain knows I didn't butcher it, and you cannot seamlessly answer every question (but perfectionist me thinks I should be able to defy the laws of being human!). Anyway, ever since, my mind has been creating this story that I completely ruined my chances, embarrassed myself in front of the recruiters, and it's all my fault that I've singlehandedly ruined my career before it's even started (it's a graduate job). I can't stop overanalysing every tiny detail of the interview, their body language, my responses, googling the correct answer to the questions afterwards, seeking reassurance from my partner and family members that I might still get the job and I'm not a complete failure, etc etc. I'm catastrophising big time, but I simply cannot stop myself from doing it, no matter what loved ones say to me. I've done this before, and lo and behold, actually ended up getting the job, strangely. It's amazing the stories your brain concocts when it's anxious, and how far from the truth it can really be. It's terrifying. I suppose I'm just looking for people who can relate and have experienced something similar. Does your mind have this overwhelming negativity bias? Does it convince you that you're not worthy of something/failed miserably at something, but you can't trust what your brain is telling you because objectively, you have evidence that what you're thinking isn't true? But you just can't believe the solid proof in front of you! Like during my degree, I received great marks and worked hard, but somehow thought uni must have gotten it wrong - surely they're someone else's grades. I suppose it's kind of like imposter syndrome in a way, and is probably deeply connected to my lack of self-worth. Anyway, let me know if you've had a similar experience, or you feel this way as well. What happened in the end, did the story have a positive outcome? How did you soothe yourself or make yourself feel better during these times? Thanks so much in advance

Rembrant My wife and step-daughter have OCPD
  • replies: 2

Where to start? I could go on for days. I have known for a long time that my wife and I have serious problems and constant rows all about my inadequacies and laziness. I do not want to separate from my wife, I think I still love her. I am however her... View more

Where to start? I could go on for days. I have known for a long time that my wife and I have serious problems and constant rows all about my inadequacies and laziness. I do not want to separate from my wife, I think I still love her. I am however her 4th husband and all her previous marriages have ended the same way. Last week my wife revealed that her 40 year old daughter was diagnosed with OCPD three years ago. As soon as I read up on the condition I recognised that not only did it fit my step-daughter but it described absolutely and fully my wife's behaviour (I don't need to go into details she meets all the criteria in spades). I have followed the advice and have read up as much as I can. She is highly resistant to all self recognition of her condition. Have to go now she has just returned from the shop. Will continue later.

Sarsy Health Related Anxiety
  • replies: 11

Hi there, I'm new to this, so feeling a bit nervous! I'm really struggling with my anxiety at the moment. I've been having spasms in my chest, I guess you can call them, for quite some time now, and after numerous GP & hospital visits, my GP referred... View more

Hi there, I'm new to this, so feeling a bit nervous! I'm really struggling with my anxiety at the moment. I've been having spasms in my chest, I guess you can call them, for quite some time now, and after numerous GP & hospital visits, my GP referred me to a Cardiologist. I was given the all clear! That gave me some relief, but that was short lived. I still have spasms, which then puts me into panic mode, which makes me feel physically ill. It's a really vicious cycle.I SHOULD be happy & content with the specialist's outcome, but am finding it really hard to move on. Does anyone else out there have health anxiety, and if so, would really like to hear how you cope with it. It's really starting to wear me down, and in turn is having an effect on my family. Thanks for letting me share!

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