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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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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!

ruruibby Struggling with my head
  • replies: 10

Hi! So I’ve been told I have severe anxiety, severe stress and severe depression. I don’t know what to do or where to go about it. When I try to speak about what I’m feeling it never comes out as intense as I feel! When I’m having an attack I feel te... View more

Hi! So I’ve been told I have severe anxiety, severe stress and severe depression. I don’t know what to do or where to go about it. When I try to speak about what I’m feeling it never comes out as intense as I feel! When I’m having an attack I feel terrified, I can feel my insides shaking, my throat feels like it’s closing, my chest hurts, my jaw hurts, I feel like I’m going to faint, I’m scared. I feel things in my body and I fixate on them always thinking the most extreme medical emergency, if I read something in the news about someone having a medical issue I all of a sudden start feeling that and become petrified that I have it too! I’m struggling to leave the house even taking my kids to school is hard most days. I can’t go grocery shopping or go to public places alone, every thing that can be done online I do. I’m struggling being social even eye contact is becoming something I’m uncomfortable with. I overthink the small things and work myself up and become flustered, just knowing I have something I need to do even something small like vacuuming really stresses me out. I’m becoming forgetful, when I’m putting the dishes away I’m always mixing up cupboards and feel really clumsy, sometimes I walk around the kitchen holding a plate and for a small moment just feel so confused and disoriented about where it goes. I rarely can keep appointments because I always end up cancelling because it involves leaving the house, even if the appointment is for something like hairdresser I overthink being in a situation where I have to make conversation with someone so I just don’t go. I even struggle answering the phone. I’m an at home mum but I know eventually I’ll have to go to work, how do I do that? I’m terrified thinking of that day.

Johncon94 Is this Anxiety? Or am I sick help
  • replies: 4

Hi, I think I'm having a relapse of health anxiety which I suffered from the age 17-21 which I overcame but is now back with vengeance. All started this August when I noticed I was feeling the need to urinate alot which included discomfort. Didn't fe... View more

Hi, I think I'm having a relapse of health anxiety which I suffered from the age 17-21 which I overcame but is now back with vengeance. All started this August when I noticed I was feeling the need to urinate alot which included discomfort. Didn't fell any anxiety at the time went to gp and pushed me away with antibiotics. Anti biotics didn't do much for me so I went back and he referred me for a ultrasound of my testicles bladder and kidneys which all got the all clear. Month after with my urination not being normal, I started getting back pain and numbness in feet and legs which sent my anxiety sky high and I was doing the typical go to Google ( which I know I should never do) and look up symptoms none stop.i was convinced I had kidney stones which turned out to be all clear. Now I'm convinced I have cauda equina from the numb like feeling in my glutes and toes but no extreme sciatica pain you would normally associate with it. Now I'm obessed, I spend most my day in my thoughts and worries or locked into Google. Thinking I must have this or that which has left me with a constant feel of worry and fear , my chest feels heavy , really fast breathing , unable to control my thoughts, upset stomach cramps, waking up through out the night with racing heart beat and panic. My latest symptom which pushed me over the edge was my finger tips going numb , pins and needles which came days after I saw something on Google and days after my anxiety skyrocketed. I couldn't understand why would my hands start going numb and convinced myself I had a new set of illnesses. I would wake up from my sleep in pure panic that my hands are numb and rushed myself to hospital. They did a urine test, blood work. Checked my strength and reflexes in my hands and all was normal. 3months ago, I was active , working, socialising and happy and now I'm in bed all day googling symptoms focusing on the sensations I feel on my body which seem to get worse. is it possible I had a massive relapse of health anxiety which I haven't had for 6 years and my urination issue being a trigger which is spiralling my anxiety out of control? Sorry for the long type up I just wanted to give some background of what happened. Any help or advice would be much appreciated. Thank you

learningtosmileagain Living with health anxiety, OCD and depression. Any advice or interaction is appreciated.
  • replies: 1

I’ve dealt with severe health anxiety, OCD and depression for the majority of my life. My health anxiety started when I was 9, and since then (I’m 21 now), I’ve been convinced that I’ve had a number of different diseases. These aren’t just small worr... View more

I’ve dealt with severe health anxiety, OCD and depression for the majority of my life. My health anxiety started when I was 9, and since then (I’m 21 now), I’ve been convinced that I’ve had a number of different diseases. These aren’t just small worries that give me anxiety from time-to-time, these are worries that are debilitating and lead to daily panic attacks, vomiting, and neglecting my responsibilities such as work and school. Around age 17, my health anxiety got so bad that I was having daily panic attacks and ended up having a breakdown in one of my high school classes, which led to me leaving high school altogether. I couldn’t manage my anxiety at all, and I didn’t think I could cope. Around age 13 I began to experience intrusive thoughts regarding homosexuality, although at the time I didn’t have a label for them. These thoughts were uncontrollable and would send a rush of anxiety through my body. As I got older these became more common with immoral things (such as harm), and I’m still trying to find a solution to eliminate them. I would never want to hurt myself or anyone, which is why I hate these thoughts and they cause me so much anxiety. I constantly seek reassurance and am in a state where I am not enjoying my life. I spend hours every day ruminating over the same thoughts and feeling empty inside. I wake up every morning with a pit in my stomach and my mind racing, I have thoughts and memories throughout the day that cause me a great deal of anxiety and feel like I can’t escape my mind. I am starting to wonder why I put myself through this, everyone tells me to “hang in there” and “be strong”, but what’s the point? I don’t enjoy my life. I wake up in the morning and the one thing I look forward to is going to bed in the evening so I can escape my mind for a few more hours. I have spent thousands of dollars on CBT, I meditate daily, and still can’t get a break from my mind. I see a psychologist every week, who diagnosed me with anxiety, OCD, and depression and to be fair, she is great. I always leave her sessions feeling a lot better, she is patient with me and gives me a lot of material to review between sessions. She emails me during the week, and is probably one of the sole reasons I haven’t given up on life. I haven't taken my life because I don't want to hurt my family or girlfriend who I know love me, but I just want to feel better. If anyone has any advice for me at all I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Gambit87 Overthinking/intrusive thoughts doing my head in
  • replies: 11

Hi friends, This has been a long time coming, but I’m taking control and taking the first steps to sort myself out. For the past year and a bit I’ve been overthinking a lot and having intrusive thoughts. My overthinking is usually over things like ‘d... View more

Hi friends, This has been a long time coming, but I’m taking control and taking the first steps to sort myself out. For the past year and a bit I’ve been overthinking a lot and having intrusive thoughts. My overthinking is usually over things like ‘did I turn this/that off’ or ‘is that shut’ or ‘did I say that right/will that person think this’ etc and I obsess and get anxious over it. I try to distract myself by thinking ‘cmon now everything is fine ya muppet’ and try and focus over something else, which often works. My intrusive thoughts are often of violence and sexual violence towards women. I do not know why I think these things? I am not a violent person and I absolutely detest any kind of violence/sexual violence towards women. To say I’m disgusted with myself is a huge understatement. I hate myself for the thoughts I have and I obsess over if I’m a bad person. last night,l (after watching red dragon with my partner on Sunday night) thoughts of me being the psychopath and she being the victim flooded my mind and I couldn’t shake the feeling I was going to hurt her (I would never ever hurt her - I would put myself into hospital before I ever hurt her) and had a panic attack. After I managed to calm down I couldn’t stop thinking how much I loved her. i try to distract myself/keep myself busy when I start to over think/have intrusive thoughts and it works to an extent. I would like to have more of a handle on it. im sorry if I’ve offended anyone or anything like that. I’ve felt that I’ve got no one to talk to about this. I’m glad I’ve found this forum and able to get this off my chest. Seeking help is the next step. Thanks everyone.

Tam28 Is there any real help out there?
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I am a 36yr old male, I have been struggling with my mental health my whole life and am diagnosed with social anxiety, GAD, ADHD Inattentive, Depression, fatigue, Autistic traits ( no formal diagnosis as they say my anxiety needs to be u... View more

Hi everyone, I am a 36yr old male, I have been struggling with my mental health my whole life and am diagnosed with social anxiety, GAD, ADHD Inattentive, Depression, fatigue, Autistic traits ( no formal diagnosis as they say my anxiety needs to be under control to give a proper diagnosis). Have seen many doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists and other health care services. Been given many different pills but the side affects where worse than the improvement. I am spending pretty much all my money i earn on trying to feel better (healthy eating, supplements etc) I live in a small country town with no job opportunities (but can afford to live as we live with my parents) i currently work 18hrs a week (farm work and disability support work (but i dont like it) I would like a job learning electronics/ computer hardware type stuff (normally apprenticeships so couldnt afford to live if we moved to a city where there may be job opportunities and cant afford to keep paying for tafe/uni courses that dont get me a job as im not on centrelink) I have completed a diploma in business and and a cert 3 in web design (waste of money) I have attempted uni 3 times and failed (now have hex debts) I have been on centrelink before and dealt with job service providers when needed, I am so scared of going back to them that i think id rather live on the street (my previous dealings with them have made my anxiety and mental health worse) Where does someone go or what do they do to when there arent many options to choose from? Is there genuine people out there that actually want to help as ive asked so many people for help and i dont even get a reply? All i really want is a person that treats me like a human being and understands that i need encouragement and friendship, while teaching me a skill that i can use to make a living. is that really to much to ask? Are there still caring people out there? Worse case: Would i be even eligible for disability payment? Is there a service that can deal with centrelink for me?

Albinomouse Pregnant & anxious about everything
  • replies: 1

I'm currently pregnant with my third child. It was a big surprise & I really struggle with pregnancy in general due to hyperemesis gravidarum. Im in my third trimester now & I am extremely anxious about every aspect of my life. Im worried about how w... View more

I'm currently pregnant with my third child. It was a big surprise & I really struggle with pregnancy in general due to hyperemesis gravidarum. Im in my third trimester now & I am extremely anxious about every aspect of my life. Im worried about how we can afford another child. I stress about my car breaking down, hot water system breaking down, air conditioner breaking down, the list goes on... Most of my worries stem from our financial situation which is not great nor is it hideously bad, we just couldn't afford to take a big hit at the moment. Im having a bad day today, have spent the whole day obsessively cleaning the house & have made a huge list of things that need to be done before the baby comes. My worries keep me up at night & I cant sleep. I know I should focus on now & try & push these worries aside but its easier said than done & meds dont seem to be helping.

Ace1988 Anxiety or depression? Why not both...
  • replies: 3

Bit of a back story, I’ve been on medication for years now, for anxiety and depression. My anxiety is mostly health related and occasionally social. I’m a single mum, I’ve recently started and new job and a new relationship, which is so amazing and I... View more

Bit of a back story, I’ve been on medication for years now, for anxiety and depression. My anxiety is mostly health related and occasionally social. I’m a single mum, I’ve recently started and new job and a new relationship, which is so amazing and I’m so proud of how far I’ve come all by myself. I decided that I would slowly come of my meds and for the first month I felt great. This past couple of weeks though, I’ve noticed those little thoughts and feelings creeping back in and taking over my space again, particularly the health anxiety. I’ve been so teary and snappy and just not excited about doing a whole lot. I’m not excited about my new job which I’ve only been in for a month, and the thought of socialising just makes me cringe. I’m so disappointed and frustrated. Why can’t my brain be wired differently?

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