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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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245AM Not leaving the house, day 5
  • replies: 6

I know some of you have probably spent even longer than 5 consecutive days living from your bed/not leaving your house... this just feels like the worst one for me in years of suffering from anxiety and depression. -I'm avoiding life around me.. shut... View more

I know some of you have probably spent even longer than 5 consecutive days living from your bed/not leaving your house... this just feels like the worst one for me in years of suffering from anxiety and depression. -I'm avoiding life around me.. shutting out my housemate and any human contact -crying every day -suffering horrible physical symptoms like rapid heart rate, neck and shoulder pain, headaches, tingling hands and feet, chest pain I feel as though I've come to the realisation that no one is really there for anyone. Everyone is depressed an anxious, and yeah, they kind of understand it but no one is actually going to do anything for me and I need to fix all alone. I can't just wait for someone to knock on my door because they won't. I don't see a way out of it, not completely.

Cursed_U OCD is forever
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone Let me start by saying that when I was 11 I began developing classic OCD spending hours making my bed; repeating phrases and prayers to stop the devil from destroying my family; repeatedly locking doors that were already locked; washing m... View more

Hi everyone Let me start by saying that when I was 11 I began developing classic OCD spending hours making my bed; repeating phrases and prayers to stop the devil from destroying my family; repeatedly locking doors that were already locked; washing my hands constantly etc. I felt so ashamed but I didnt know what OCD was at the time and it caused great anxiety and depression. Fast forward to when I was about 18, I became a convinced atheist and slowly learned to ignore my compulsions but depression and anxiety still lingered. I'm 27 now, I have a modestly successful business but several months back had a major episode due to work stress and relationship issues. When my girlfriend moved in with her dog I couldn't stand him. It was a really old and well behaved dog but something about him annoyed me. Because of this and a few other things my girlfriend moved out due to my unpredictable behaviour and mood swings. Actually, I told her to leave and immediately regretted it. She wouldn't move back in with me, worried about my worsening outbursts, but we stayed in a relationship and she continued to support me. Her and my family agreed I had to see somebody and finally get some help. I've recently been told that I have bipolar disorder. I believe this may actually be related to obsessive thoughts now, which affects my emotional state. I'll take small things to heart because the memory or thought continues to come up and sometimes work myself into a rage because other negative thoughts are thrown into the mix and then everyone around me thinks I'm overreacting. I didn't think of it this way until recently. I constantly have a tornado of thoughts in my head and I guess sometimes I get worked up into a frenzy because my emotions are a reflection of whatever the thought-tornado is swirling up. I feel so low now. I have broken up with my girlfriend because living separately I feel has made things worse. I have all the time in the world to indulge in paranoid, unwanted and irrational thoughts and behaviour. I love her so much but living apart has become so disheartening that I've determined breaking up with her would be the best outcome for us both. What is this and what do I do. I thought I had defeated this but it has warped into something more vicious now. My medications are helping but they don't stop a busy mind. The only thing that seems to help me have any moment of clarity is smoking cannabis.

TheRavensDesk Anxiety rules my life
  • replies: 1

Hello. Anxiety rules every aspect of my life, and therefore it has robbed me of even having one. I have had to suspend going to university for the last semester and feel that I will have to do the same for this semester. I have dreamed of attending a... View more

Hello. Anxiety rules every aspect of my life, and therefore it has robbed me of even having one. I have had to suspend going to university for the last semester and feel that I will have to do the same for this semester. I have dreamed of attending a university ever since I was little and I love learning, but since I graduated school last year, my anxiety has skyrocketed. I feel that i'm a failure for not going and that I'm behind my friends who are attending the university I was accepted at. I did try to attend, but I had to leave as I was kept awake for nights, fearing the days I had to go in and experienced severe anxiety and panic throughout the entire week because of it. I could not relax as I was on high alert all the time knowing I had to attend. Now it has developed into agoraphobia. I can't leave the house, I cant walk my dog, I cant go to the shops. I'm meant to have my birthday party tomorrow with friends (only 8 people), but I don't feel social and as selfish as it sounds, I just want to be left alone. I dread night as I get extremely paranoid and have to stay awake until my eyes are so tired that they can no longer stay open. I have to keep checking the door and the window that no one is there as I feel that someone is watching me. The other night, I really really felt like there was this tall figure standing in the doorway watching me. Part of me knew it wasn't real, but I still had to check, because it felt so real and that if I didn't turn around and check, he'd grab me. Now my friends are staying over as it will be late and I don't know what will happen. My nights feel so unpredictable and frightening that I don't know what my mind will do. I know I can't cancel now, but I really don't think I'm going to enjoy it. I don't think I'm suicidal but I can't help thinking what's the point? Day and night I feel tormented by my own mind. Everything makes me scared and life just doesn't seem to have the promise that it once had. How do I regain myself back? The only people I have in my life are my close family and the only hobbies I have are watching videos and sometimes drawing/writing, though I often struggle to find motivation for them. Is what I'm going through normal? Do you know what could be causing it? I went through a lot of trauma earlier in my life, could that be the cause? Is it a side effect of my anxiety? I'm not on medication or seeing someone at the moment, though I do intend to connect with a psychologist soon.

Rhysb93 Anxiety physical symptoms
  • replies: 8

Hi I was wondering if anyone else has had the following physical symptoms ive had pains in my left arm moving from hand to elbow to shoulder then goes away then comes back has been going on for days and sometime in my left leg and then chest I’ve bee... View more

Hi I was wondering if anyone else has had the following physical symptoms ive had pains in my left arm moving from hand to elbow to shoulder then goes away then comes back has been going on for days and sometime in my left leg and then chest I’ve been to my gp he says it’s the anxiety it just seems hard to believe when it feels like it’s life threatening, I’ve had all heart tests done about 6-12 months ago so he’s confident it’s anxiety hopefully someone else out there feels the same thanks!!

Ghostboy Confused and lost
  • replies: 1

I’ve never done this before or reached out to anyone for help but I really need some advice. I’m 21 and studying. I used to be confident and felt happy with my life. About two years ago it started to go downhill but I have no exact reason why. I star... View more

I’ve never done this before or reached out to anyone for help but I really need some advice. I’m 21 and studying. I used to be confident and felt happy with my life. About two years ago it started to go downhill but I have no exact reason why. I started to go out less and less but I didn’t think anything of it. I feel like everything is an effort and I just don’t like going out or meeting new people anymore. Sometimes when I’m out in public I feel sick to my stomach. I told my mum I don’t think I can go to school anymore two days ago and a day after she said I need to keep up with my work. It’s hard when the person you think will understand, doesn’t at all. im lost

EmReid My Life
  • replies: 1

I’ve been getting quite shaky and twitchy lately. I don’t really understand why. I find myself getting really itchy when I get adgitated or flustered. I get seriously worked up and cranky whenever I’m rushed by someone. I have feelings of “realness”w... View more

I’ve been getting quite shaky and twitchy lately. I don’t really understand why. I find myself getting really itchy when I get adgitated or flustered. I get seriously worked up and cranky whenever I’m rushed by someone. I have feelings of “realness”when you focus so hard on the present moment you become numb that you feel yourself in your skin and I get sweaty/clamy palms. Similar with noise and sounds trying to listen so hard into silence, you hear your pulse and the sound like you are outdoors in middle of no where. Ive overthinked so much that I’ve started believing I genuinely can predict what others are thinking and act upon that assumption. I always felt a sense of selfishness, that I don’t want to be like everyone else in the sense of having problems. It’s like someone could say they feel the same, or have experienced this feeling the same way but deep down I feel like I’m the only one thinking you are wrong, this can only be felt by me. I find myself wanting constant reassurance. constant attention feeling like when I’m alone I make bets with myself. I’m not okay I need help and I know I do.

jack85 Job Anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi there, I thought I’d post about my own experience with mental health (depression and anxiety) as I’ve found a lot of posts similar to my experience. I’ve experienced feelings of depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember. Anxiety more so... View more

Hi there, I thought I’d post about my own experience with mental health (depression and anxiety) as I’ve found a lot of posts similar to my experience. I’ve experienced feelings of depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember. Anxiety more so. Earlier this year I saw a GP and was referred to a therapist, who I I did a few sessions with but unfortunately had to stop due to the increasing cost. However the whole experience of getting help and talking with someone helped a great deal.I still experience strong feelings of anxiety and often times depression. I’m a personal trainer and I find my job, workplace and helping other people helps me a lot. However over the years and recently I’ve taken bar jobs here and there, sometimes long term and sometimes just to get a bit of cash together. However I find my anxiety and sometimes my depression skyrockets when I’m back in that environment. Most often the people, patrons, odd hours and just the general negative environment finds me looking for any way out and generally leaves me feeling pretty negative before and during a shift. I’ll spend most of the week leading up to a shift miserable and anxious. I also have a bad habit of bailing on these jobs, not showing up to shifts, leaving without notice etc. which makes me feel terribly guilty but I feel the environment is not conducive for my mental health and only makes my anxiety worse. I’ve found this as rarely, if ever, do I experience these feelings with my personal trainer job. I was just wondering if any one had experienced similar, particularly in the hospo industry. I constantly feel guilty for leaving these jobs at a moments notice but feel as though it’s best for my mental health. thanks

Katherine22 Scared I may never be able to work again
  • replies: 13

Hi just looking for some support from people that understand. Ive had depression and anxiety for a long time. I’ve had more jobs than I can count and have big issues with keeping them because of anxiety. I’ve left nearly all of my jobs because I beco... View more

Hi just looking for some support from people that understand. Ive had depression and anxiety for a long time. I’ve had more jobs than I can count and have big issues with keeping them because of anxiety. I’ve left nearly all of my jobs because I become overwhelmed with anxiety and can’t face anyone and don’t go back. I tried so hard to not do this and tell myself every job that I won’t let it happen again. I hate letting people down and it totally throws my life out of whack for weeks and leaves me depressed beyond belief. I’m only mid 40’s and am so worried I just can’t hold a job down successfully anymore. Anyone else have this destructive pattern with anxiety? Thanks very much

LostinLife01 I am not enough
  • replies: 4

I have a partner that I live with but who never wants to spend any time with me. I do b have any friends - only acquantances. I don't have anyone I can talk to. I have an aging parent who I just cannot talk to as she is from a completely different ge... View more

I have a partner that I live with but who never wants to spend any time with me. I do b have any friends - only acquantances. I don't have anyone I can talk to. I have an aging parent who I just cannot talk to as she is from a completely different generation of thinking. I don't have anyone. I am clearly just not enough. I have had an awful day & I'm sitting in my car crying because I went to go somewhere & realised I have no where to go & no one I can call.

Clear82 Sleep anxiety
  • replies: 8

Anyone else get sleep anxiety? I wake up every morning around 4am and can’t get back to sleep. My mind races, heart races and I can never get back to sleep. I then overthink how long I’ve slept and how long till I need to get up. Getting up isn’t eas... View more

Anyone else get sleep anxiety? I wake up every morning around 4am and can’t get back to sleep. My mind races, heart races and I can never get back to sleep. I then overthink how long I’ve slept and how long till I need to get up. Getting up isn’t easy ether, i feel anxious about starting the day. It’s like I’m anxious about being anxious. I was a very good sleeper too. I’ve tried all the advice for sleeping and nothing has worked. Does anyone take sleeping pills on a daily basis?