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

All discussions

Billymac Feeling hopeless and depressed
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Very low esteem and making decisions is a my worst nightmare been on medication for over 15 years , stopped taking it 6 months ago . started feeling really bad about a month ago and getting worse, worrying has increased into sleeping as well . Anyone... View more

Very low esteem and making decisions is a my worst nightmare been on medication for over 15 years , stopped taking it 6 months ago . started feeling really bad about a month ago and getting worse, worrying has increased into sleeping as well . Anyone experiencing similar after stopping their meds ?

Guest_13799425 I cannot cope with my puppy.
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I have autism and live alone. I got a dog 4 months ago to train as an assistance dog. I have had a weekly trainer but just can’t cope with the dog. He has allergies and I rent a house in the middle of a large farm. I have already spent a fortune on h... View more

I have autism and live alone. I got a dog 4 months ago to train as an assistance dog. I have had a weekly trainer but just can’t cope with the dog. He has allergies and I rent a house in the middle of a large farm. I have already spent a fortune on him but that’s ok. He causes me constant anxiety as everyone we go for a walk I have to bath him and dry him etc. every time he gets his paws wet I have to dry them with a hair dryer. He is prone to fungal infections. He won’t let me dry his paws and it upsets me so much. I spend at least one day a week frozen with anxiety and grief that I am not enough for him. I have also not done any of the things I love such as gardening as I am constantly attending to his needs. Exercising, training, playing and he wants constant attention. I am so depressed over the whole thing.i want to give him back to the breeder but have intense guilt and shame. My mental health has suffered a lot since getting him. Should I give him back?

LESF stress / anxiety / anger / overwhelmed
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Where to start I have always had an overachieving personality and definitely punish myself when I don’t keep my standard. But the truth is I need to be focused on something to survive because when I don’t my mind wanders into unwanted areas, anxiety ... View more

Where to start I have always had an overachieving personality and definitely punish myself when I don’t keep my standard. But the truth is I need to be focused on something to survive because when I don’t my mind wanders into unwanted areas, anxiety takes over and I overthink irrational ideas.Knowing where my mind can take me, I think I’ve resulted in keeping myself so busy I’m at the point of being so stressed and overwhelmed. I get angry at the flick of a switch when people aren’t as proactive, things are incomplete or I feel unheard or misunderstood- anything really. Resulting in arguments with my partner, often being unable to shake the anger and my blame is directed elsewhere. I know I’ve snapped and somehow still can’t accept this, sorry doesn’t seem to be an option. He’s obviously not responding to this well and my rapid mood changes I can’t recover from. I feel like I keep looking for something to blame; we just created a business whilst settling into a new country on our own, a backlog of previous trauma / abuse / parental issues / mental health which never was really addressed. Maybe I’m looking for something to blame or maybe it’s everything, who knows. Whatever it is seems to be worse lately.

white knight Worry, worry worry
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I've often said in these forums "worry is non productive". It doesnt produce a thing for your positivity. You can worry that you have an appointment the next day. Then you dont sleep because you are worried you will sleep in or forget your CV documen... View more

I've often said in these forums "worry is non productive". It doesnt produce a thing for your positivity. You can worry that you have an appointment the next day. Then you dont sleep because you are worried you will sleep in or forget your CV documents or not be dressed up well enough. All 3 things in this example is worry for zero benefit. You can have 2 alarm clocks to prevent you sleeping in, you can place your CV in the car so you dont forget it and you can select your clothing the night before....so off you go and have a good night sleep...bet you dont!! That's because 'worry' is inground, it's part of you, like a limb. So it's extremely difficult to rid yourself of this burden. The first and most important step is separating reality with unrealistic thoughts. When we allow out thought patterns to trod along without challenge then we have a problem. Discipline to attack unrealistic thoughts has to be there for many reasons like - the less you think unrealistically the more time you have for real thoughts. And unrealistic thoughts can cause other issues to- Fear! In 1987 I had a big dispute at my workplace. A pain in my chest and an abnormal heart beat led to a diagnosis of heart attack. This was incorrect and after a few months it was found to be a panic attack. My therapist asked me weekly what happened during the week and I'd tell him I thought my boss would knock on my door, or my doctor wouldnt believe my fear was real or I really did have a heart attack and they got the diagnosis wrong again. Can you the reader see where I'm coming from? The next step is relaxation. Learn it. Go to relaxation classes. Learn muscle tensioning exercises. They really work. What you would be doing is learning a task that some do naturally but for some reason you missed out. It isnt your fault but if you dont attack the issue it will be your fault. You wont find a relaxing life and that is not good. Take it from someone who knows. The last step is prioritising. Placing things in priority allows you to tackle the hard things first then as you tackle less important things you begin to relax more. Finances is a good example. Low on funds you should be shopping for food instead you decide to get that truck load of manure for the garden. For the rest of the week until pay day you struggle with coins only in your pocket. = worry. Worry is non productive.It doesnt produce a thing except hurt, anxiety, depression or at least assists these things. Remove it from your life. Tony WK

Jtk Anxiety
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HiIve experienced anxiety at certain times throughout my life but in the last few years it has been pretty full on. I have some very strange sensations/intrusive/doom like thoughts. Thankfully I am seeing someone to talk it over but at times it is so... View more

HiIve experienced anxiety at certain times throughout my life but in the last few years it has been pretty full on. I have some very strange sensations/intrusive/doom like thoughts. Thankfully I am seeing someone to talk it over but at times it is so hard. Does anyone else have these experiences sensations, I find them very very distressing and I'm not sure how to handle them some days.Does anyone have any ideas.Thanks

Bes Severe paranoia and anxiety
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Hi all, I'm quite new to this so forgive me if I'm not approaching it right but... I don't know what to do anymore. I have overly severe paranoia issues and its become that bad that its running my friendships and causing tension within my family.. I ... View more

Hi all, I'm quite new to this so forgive me if I'm not approaching it right but... I don't know what to do anymore. I have overly severe paranoia issues and its become that bad that its running my friendships and causing tension within my family.. I constantly believe negative thoughts with situations and can't seem to block them out. I find it hard to communicate with people face to face with my problems and have mild form of social anxiety. I want to join social groups around town but I'm too scared that people will judge me negatively so I just stay home and avoid people altogether.. I guess all I'd like to know is if anyone else is going through the same thing at the moment and how they're dealing with it? Would really appreciate some support.. Thank you. - Bes

Mamatus Anxiety Burnout and Depression Episode Going on 1 year Now
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Hi All, doing it tough. Run a creative business and have been high functioning all my life. Last year work started drying up and with mortgage pressure and business pressure I went into full fear mode and am now thoroughly burnt out. Not high functio... View more

Hi All, doing it tough. Run a creative business and have been high functioning all my life. Last year work started drying up and with mortgage pressure and business pressure I went into full fear mode and am now thoroughly burnt out. Not high functioning anymore although coping on the work front when I need to. Cant socialise, seeing a psychiatrist, had a tough time getting on an off various meds. The hardest thing is it just feels like it's never going to end. I keep reading/hearing things get better and you'll grow from all this but Im just feeling stuck and overwhelmed.

Hella Targeted and humiliated
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There is a certain type of confident extrovert that appear to go out of their way to make introverts uncomfortable. As if shining a torch on someone, as if pointing them out to force unwanted attention onto them.My most recent experience (as the intr... View more

There is a certain type of confident extrovert that appear to go out of their way to make introverts uncomfortable. As if shining a torch on someone, as if pointing them out to force unwanted attention onto them.My most recent experience (as the introvert) with this, is a situation that caused me anxiety.I am struggling to deal with a particular colleague. This character swans around his workplace like an absolute king. He is loud, highly social, fast, witty and very popular. His whole brand is to be edgy, to get a reaction, his 'teasing style' is dismissed as a bit of banter and hey, what a fun guy.For a long time, I found him to be just mildly annoying, in the way he made jokes at my expense, as he did this with many people.Recently, during one shift, I could sense that from the start of the shift this guy was really targeting me. He was staring right at me for so much time during group conversations when others spoke, totally sizing me up and ready to just take me down. He made negative comments in response to my every word and action. But framed so conveniently as just joking around - he has every comment carefully delivered to appear as a bit of fun banter. Nothing about race, religion or appearance - it was more of mocking my choice of words, my hesitation of words, the way I conduct myself.I take pride in my work, and I'm always open to feedback, but he loudly brought attention to my weaknesses during a work task. The moment felt like an eternity. I really wanted some sort of diversion. I was extremely uncomfortable. Like he just kept at me, turning his jokes and my reaction into some sort of theatre for everyone's entertainment. The laughter from my co-workers was something I just didn't need to hear. I felt humiliated publicly. Worthless. Defeated. I could sense that this guy really enjoyed this moment. His smug expression really gave me the feeling that he knew exactly what he was causing to happen, and that he knew that he wouldn't be questioned about it from anyone. He was able to shift attention away from himself so that all eyes were on me to revel in my discomfort.It really makes me feel down, not just about my own life , but down about the world. Why are there terrible people out there, why do they target the quiet and innocent people who are just trying to enjoy life? I've always aimed to be a good person and treat others with respect, so why am I the one stuck in this depressive hole, hating myself, taking a whole weekend to recover??

pommy1964 My son might be going to prison
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My son is in his early 30s never been in trouble with police never had fight . and struggled after him and his girlfriend split only dating 12 months they both carried on messaging she was saying wanting a break but still seeing him.His head all over... View more

My son is in his early 30s never been in trouble with police never had fight . and struggled after him and his girlfriend split only dating 12 months they both carried on messaging she was saying wanting a break but still seeing him.His head all over the place suffering with his mental health.He drove to her house to speak to her once there 5 people there including new boyfriend. Which ended in a fight other guy got a bust lip my son scraps n bumps lasted 30 secs.On returning to his car they followed he had some tools in his car got a tool waved it 4 times walked back to his car.So not great at all not taking from what he's done but now might be going to prison find out in a few weeks.On scale of crime I'd say lower end and people get off doing far worse.Prior to this he dated girl for 12 years and helped bring up her nephew since birth and supported her he's always been kind n caring guy.But struggled with this he knew once this happened he needed help and went out saw a drvand seeing psychologist. Mentally not only for him mine is suffering also my heart is broken for him as had everything .Yes I feel sorry for his ex also .