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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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x_BLUE_MOON_x My Problem
  • replies: 1

Hi, I'm a 30 year old female, and I have this problem where I am obsessed about my collectables (video games) (figurines) (memorabilia) for about 7 years now. I worry about the cosmetic condition of them, how clean they are, and if there just right/p... View more

Hi, I'm a 30 year old female, and I have this problem where I am obsessed about my collectables (video games) (figurines) (memorabilia) for about 7 years now. I worry about the cosmetic condition of them, how clean they are, and if there just right/perfect? And it's been taking over my life and has become very mentally unhealthy for me. This all first started 7 years ago, when I got a thought in my head that my collectables were contaminated/dirty. I had a mental breakdown, it really hurt me. And ended up in psychiatric hospital twice. I have been diagnosed with ADHD, Autism, Specific Language Impairment, Depression and Anxiety. I don't have a offical diagnosis of OCD because, my psychiatrist (which was also 7 years ago) said it could be ocd but he wasn't sure. So not a proper diagnosis?? I'm currently on anti-depressants. When I'm happier in my life, my obsession with my collectables become less and less powerful. I have tried a lot of things, getting out of my head, going out and having a social life, exposure therapy, mindfullness, positive self talk, and it worked for a while then it would stop working. And the thoughts and obsessions about my collectables would come back again and again. In addition to my obsession with my collectables I have as well some common OCD symptoms. As for the common OCD symptoms, they don't really worry me and I'm able to let them go. The only time I have ever had really bad common OCD symptoms was when I was a teenager. And I was doing a mental rountine in my head everyday, doing things in three's, making things symmetrical, fear of certain numbers and colours. But over time most of my OCD symptoms disappeared. I don't think most OCD symptoms just magically disappear, especially during that time I didn't take medication, didn't do therapy and didn't do mindfullness. So I find that very odd and confusing. But I do know, that when this obsession started with my collectables, I had no life, I was not happy, had no friends, no social life, trouble making friends, I was isolating myself in my bedroom and my collectables were the only thing that gave me joy. Also, I think there's a few causes to this obsession? Mother and sister issues, being lonely, trouble making friends, previous common OCD symptoms, my self esteem, my recent diagnosis of Autism, what I went through in my past, and other things. At the moment I'm currently seeing a psychologist for OCD. Is this ADHD, Autism, OCD or something else? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you

Vvp Lonely birthday
  • replies: 2

Valentines, Easter and Christmas are not the best days for me i feel really lonely and sad but the worst day for me is my birthday, is my birthday today and this is the 5th year that nobody has wished me a happy birthday, my family, friends,my son, n... View more

Valentines, Easter and Christmas are not the best days for me i feel really lonely and sad but the worst day for me is my birthday, is my birthday today and this is the 5th year that nobody has wished me a happy birthday, my family, friends,my son, nobody, especially since I always make sure to be by there side celebrating there birthdays. I have always pushed though today in the past but somehow I just can't this year, I just feel totally hopeless and lonely and I just think why, why am I still here, no one cares for me, maybe it's time to give up hope because each and every year becomes worse then the previous one for me, i know i have to fight and push though but when will things change, will I ever be truly happy again...

Elijahrams Anxiety & Depression
  • replies: 1

I am a 50 year old, who was raised by a super protective mother. My father was a very sweet, shy, he passed away in 2007. My mother recently in 2021. as we grew up my brother and my 2 sisters who were older than me were closer guarded by my mother. N... View more

I am a 50 year old, who was raised by a super protective mother. My father was a very sweet, shy, he passed away in 2007. My mother recently in 2021. as we grew up my brother and my 2 sisters who were older than me were closer guarded by my mother. None got of us got married. My sister who is 2 years older than me got pregnant when we were still in school. She got the wrath of my mother. Interestingly both my mother who was a nurse and my father who was a porter both worked for a Psychiatric Hospital. I lived with my mother until he died at the age of 84 and i was 47, i am now 50. I worked menial jobs I had girlfriends, i lived literally in the basement and had two kids with two of my girlfriends. Obviously i rebelled sometimes and sneaked my girlfriends, but there way things went i knew my relationships would be doomed. The ladies grew impatient with me they took me as a mamas boy, i see my kids one is grown and working, my last one is 14. I never known how to be with ladies in a more responsible way as a man. Even though i took care of my kids the best way i could, because she had money than I did she would buy my kids gifts, take them away, make decisions i did not know about. at 50 i never found a chance or strenghth to overall he. When we grew up we never attended parties, go on school trips. I have always had anxiety, and a very low self-esteem. Now that she is no more, instead of feeling better i feel worse. I cannot keep relaltionships i find it hard to keep long term relationships, i give ladies money, help them with what they need, but i can't ask them to help with house chores, or cleaning dishes. I understand its low self esteem, but i can't do anything about. recently i started coping with alcohol, obviously it has not made my life easy. i cannot sleep, i have bills, its just total chaos. I just found out my girlfriend of 2 years has been having a guy friend for the past 6 years. She was using my tablet in forgot to logout of whatsapp, i could not help it. I thought this one was it but i found a message where the guy asked where is your hubby. she replied that guy is not my hubby, a hubby is someone you gonna marry. i was devastated, when i asked her about it she just snapped and asked to leave saying she does not feel safe when i asked her question like that. she went to her home, so i cant push here because it will be like i am stalking her. So i started my binge drinking with the little money i have, its total chaos.

Leo_Klies14 Starting new medication and need some encouragement to cope
  • replies: 2

Hi guys,I’m relatively new here and it’s great there are resources like this to reach out for support. I am also glad to find a supportive community out there. I have generalised anxiety disorder and I found reaching out for support has helped so her... View more

Hi guys,I’m relatively new here and it’s great there are resources like this to reach out for support. I am also glad to find a supportive community out there. I have generalised anxiety disorder and I found reaching out for support has helped so here goesI have started transitioning from taking one antidepressant to another and I am on day 10.It has been quite challenging for me to be honest and I’m experiencing mental side effects like increased anxiety and heart palpitations. My gp has mentioned that it may be tough for the first few weeks as your body adjusts and to give it time.I’m also going through a very challenging personal situation at the moment and there are times where I am losing hope that things will get any better.I am wondering what everyone’s experiences were whilst starting new antidepressants and how to cope with the first few weeks when you feel like you can’t.

ruminator_ New job opportunity anxiety
  • replies: 4

I work at a school (not a teacher) and a new position has come up. Everyone is expecting me to go for it and I've even been approached by one of the Assistant Principals who has encouraged me to apply. It's causing me so much stress that I have been ... View more

I work at a school (not a teacher) and a new position has come up. Everyone is expecting me to go for it and I've even been approached by one of the Assistant Principals who has encouraged me to apply. It's causing me so much stress that I have been feeling physically sick ever since. While I am so grateful that everyone wants the best for me, it's making me feel very overwhelmed. I feel like an imposter and that people think I'm smarter than I am. I doubt myself constantly and am terrible at thinking on my feet and can have some very dumb moments. I am not an ambitious person and have no desire to become a leader or manager. I want to be able to go to work and come home and switch off easily. I like my current team and am close with my line manager and just feel so comfortable where I am that I just wish this never came up.The new position has better pay, which is the only benefit in my eyes. I don't know too much about the role and because it has been made up, no one is currently in it that I could speak to to gauge what exactly it entails. I think what scares me is that I would be by myself and wouldn't have anyone to work alongside and bounce off. I would have to work across other teams and be responsible for various programs, budgets etc. While I haven't been formally diagnosed, I believe I have OCD and the idea of having all of this responsibility is scaring me to bits. When I was speaking with the AP, I asked her what I would be doing and her answer was quite vague. She would be my direct manager and she has so many teams working under her that I don't feel I will get proper training and will just be thrown into it.I don't have to apply for the role but I am starting to think they created it with me in mind. I think if I didn't go for it they would think I wasn't serious about my future and would be disappointed. I would feel so guilty and awkward that I didn't apply, especially after being encouraged by the AP. I don't know much about her and feel that we won't gel very well as she is very confident and forthright and I am shy and awkward. I have been in a constant state of panic ever since I was approached for the position. There is every chance that I won't get the job after going through the interview process, but I feel I am likely to get it. I'm very conflicted and have no idea what to do and how to proceed. If I'm feeling like this now, how am I going to be if I were to apply? Any guidance is appreciated!!

Rum Adrenaline dump when I start to fall asleep/10mins after i have fallen asleep
  • replies: 5

Hi I have been diagnosed with GAD/mild depression for 7 years and have gone through peaks and troughs dealing with it for that period. However, the last 8 months or so I have begun having these weird adrenaline dumps at night, when I drift off to sle... View more

Hi I have been diagnosed with GAD/mild depression for 7 years and have gone through peaks and troughs dealing with it for that period. However, the last 8 months or so I have begun having these weird adrenaline dumps at night, when I drift off to sleep. It gets worse as the night progresses and I end up not getting much sleep, if any at all. I don't have any racing thoughts, just the sensation of waking up and what feels like adrenaline being released into my brain. After particularly bad nights I have quite bad anxiety (physical symptoms like nervous energy in the chest, irritability, no focus etc which then turns into low mood/depression) I am not on any SSRI's, I have been taking ashwaganda and magnesium glycinate/glycine for the past 10 days which initially seemed to work but the adrenaline dumps seems to have come back. It's like I can feel it in my brain/body at night when im about to go to bed. I can't seem to figure out the triggers. I am concerned that my previous drug use may have been the cause. I am now not drinking or doing any drugs. Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts?

Lousie Moving out home
  • replies: 1

hi all I am 25 years old and I really need help to move out home please help me.

hi all I am 25 years old and I really need help to move out home please help me.

ChristineS Lost
  • replies: 1

I haven't really done this before, but I'm feeling a bit lost at the moment, feeling like I've lost touch with close friends and don't have that one best friend I can turn to. I have work friends and friends from previous jobs, but the amount of time... View more

I haven't really done this before, but I'm feeling a bit lost at the moment, feeling like I've lost touch with close friends and don't have that one best friend I can turn to. I have work friends and friends from previous jobs, but the amount of times we hang out is becoming less and less. I'm 32, almost 33, stable job, mostly good health, and a good supportive family, but also single and want to be in a serious relationship but I am also mentally exhausted by the dating scene and the majority of guys on there only wanting to fool around which is the opposite of what I want. Need some advice on how to shake the lost feeling as life feels a bit mundane at the moment, work, gym, home, sleep and repeat.

blues23 Why is it so hard to make decisions
  • replies: 1

Hi ive been having difficulties making decisions , I’ve returned to work from a absence of work cover lots of bullying ect in my previous role . I have a new job been in it for about 1 year the job unfortunately is very inconsistent with hours ,jobs ... View more

Hi ive been having difficulties making decisions , I’ve returned to work from a absence of work cover lots of bullying ect in my previous role . I have a new job been in it for about 1 year the job unfortunately is very inconsistent with hours ,jobs on offer sometimes I go to work for 2 hours then nothing until the next day , I increased my availability to 4 days because I was hardly breaking even working 3 days , I’ve lost a few clients ) it’s aged care community work and my work never ( not often anyway fills up those gaps in I’ve had one 2 hours gap for almost 5 months and now lost another client for don’t know how long lost another 2 hours 2 days a week and it’s so inconsistent with the roster it’s hard to know what my wage will be every fortnight, centerlink puts pressure on me to work 30 hours a fortnight or I have to go to these job providers (which they never help they are useless no training no nothing, I’m thinking of converting over to the disability side of job seeking or get a mutual obligation reduction i have In theory been offered another job it’s temp to perm , part time 3 days a week solid hours ( 8,30 -3:30 ) it’s not exactly the hours I want as I have a child who is having some assessments for educational disability’s and it’s like 30 /40 mins from home , I’ve personally got some disability’s as well that are needing help mine are more physical disability’s and really not sure I’m well enough to be working anymore but have to cause I can’t afford not to so I deal with my pain by ignoring it there’s negatives to both sides of this work situation what gives me anxiety is the new offer is temp to permthere no guarantee that if I leave my solid job right now that this new job will be offering the perm role … if it was a solid offer I’d take it no problem probably but I just feel there’s no security in a temp to potentially perm role where they can fire u in an instant and it’s hard as my child has assessments on days im meant to be at work in the new job whereas my current role is quite flexible and don’t care if i have to have time off .. it’s a sticky situation.

Dioni environmental noise driving me insane
  • replies: 2

I'm struggling with lack of sleep due to a thumping muffled bass sound in my home. my whole body reverberates - it goes all night - I have tried council, epa sound engineers who are way too expensive for me to engage. I've walked around the neighbour... View more

I'm struggling with lack of sleep due to a thumping muffled bass sound in my home. my whole body reverberates - it goes all night - I have tried council, epa sound engineers who are way too expensive for me to engage. I've walked around the neighbourhood but can't locate. Does anyone have any suggestions about what I can do? and yes I've tried earplugs but thumping gets through

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