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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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Kish14 Struggling with meditation and mindfulness
  • replies: 11

Hey everyone, I've been told so many times how much meditation and mindfulness helps but I seem to really struggle with it to the point where meditation seems to make my anxiety worse. I dread practicing meditation because I get so restless and can't... View more

Hey everyone, I've been told so many times how much meditation and mindfulness helps but I seem to really struggle with it to the point where meditation seems to make my anxiety worse. I dread practicing meditation because I get so restless and can't focus or keep my eyes closed. Whenever it gets me to focus on breathing I struggle because no matter how hard I focus or how hard I try I can't seem to get those nice deep calming breaths that are supposed to help, I just get panic that I am struggling to get the oxygen my body so desperately needs. Also, everyone talks about getting out in the fresh air and going on nature walks, but I don't know about anyone else but this actually terrifies me and I have no idea why. My flight reaction is always triggered and I just need to get out of there as soon as possible, for example, I went on a walk yesterday and the further I got away from my car the more anxiety I would have because my escape route is so far away. I find that it's hard to leave my home because my home has become my safe place where my support is and I just can't seem to support myself, I always long for someone to come save me because I doubt my abilities and just want someone to tell me I'm not as crazy as I think I am. I know all of my fears are irrational, but I don't even understand why I have them because all of a sudden I have a crippling fear of heights or as mentioned before being in nature/outdoors. I just feel like I have no self-confidence with my bodies capabilities and experience so many physical side effects it terrifies me, the biggest one being my breathing all the time I catch myself breathless and I struggle to breathe and I just start to panic and can't stop it. I've been practicing different tools that are supposed to help but sometimes everything is a lost cause and nothing seems to help. I'm sorry I know it's long and disjointed but I've just felt so alone, numb and disconnected and I just want to enjoy the things I used to and not be afraid of living my life basically and I want to become my own main support system, I know it's good to have others around but at the moment I just go running to someone for help instead of helping myself because it freaks me out more when they don't say what I want them to say or don't understand what I'm feeling. Anyway thanks in advance from just another individual struggling to stay on top of anxiety

Scotty2013 Anyone with dual diagnosis?
  • replies: 1

Hi guys been a while, curious anyone else with dual diagnosis? substance abuse issues. Sometimes i find it so difficult managing the both, keeping stable mentally, mood swings etc thanks.

Hi guys been a while, curious anyone else with dual diagnosis? substance abuse issues. Sometimes i find it so difficult managing the both, keeping stable mentally, mood swings etc thanks.

WCollins Anxiety after drinking feel like I cheated
  • replies: 2

Im 30 years old and in a great relationship with my partner. I went for some office drinks last night and was chatting to one of the girls at work.We were having a good time just talking and in all honesty I was trying to guide her in the direction o... View more

Im 30 years old and in a great relationship with my partner. I went for some office drinks last night and was chatting to one of the girls at work.We were having a good time just talking and in all honesty I was trying to guide her in the direction of one of my Colleagues as I think they would be a good match. The night went on and we had some more drinks went to a club and and then all decided to go home. When I was almost at my door I decided to message one of my colleagues to ask for the girls number. I don't know why but I did. I have woken up today with the anxiety that I have cheated or betrayed my partner. I have and will not have any intention of ever leaving my partner but this alcohol anxiety is filling my brain with thoughts and scenarios that I have cheated. I know this doesn't seem like a major issue but I am climbing the walls with fear. I have had reassurance already from my co-wokers nothing happened and we all had a good night but every-time I drink this happens. I think it stems from an early relationship I had when I was 18 I cheated on my then Girlfriend after drinking to much and ever since the paranoia has been rearing its head.

andylen First post
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I've known about beyondblue for quite some time because a trusted friend recommended it to me years ago, but it took me a while to actually connect to and decide to explore this place. I suppose I just figured how any forum could help wi... View more

Hi everyone, I've known about beyondblue for quite some time because a trusted friend recommended it to me years ago, but it took me a while to actually connect to and decide to explore this place. I suppose I just figured how any forum could help with the feelings I was experiencing through just talking about them. Eventually, I decided since nothing else seemed to be helping, what did I have to lose to take a look around. I'm male, married and in my late 50's, and work in IT support from home when I can. Health conditions prevent me from going on-site to see clients anymore and my income potential has suffered severely as a result. I have many issues that I'm not sure just talking will be able to help, but I'm willing to give it a try. Thank you.

KC12 Scared of giving notice at work
  • replies: 1

Hi all, this is my first time posting so I don't know if is the right forum. I have been dealing with anxiety and depression since I arrived in Australia. I came here because of my partner but I don't feel I belong which has caused me anxiety and hav... View more

Hi all, this is my first time posting so I don't know if is the right forum. I have been dealing with anxiety and depression since I arrived in Australia. I came here because of my partner but I don't feel I belong which has caused me anxiety and haven't been able to enjoy the change. I have been away from home for nearly 2 years now and I really need some time back to be with my family and I am about to tell my boss and I am really scared of his reaction. I am in a casual contract but the commitment is just as a permanent role and I feel they rely on me to do a lot of things as it is a small company with only 2 employees. I have been feeling very anxious about telling him as I fear his reaction and having to stay for 4 weeks more in such an environment is not ideal. If anyone has gone through something similar and can give some advice and how to deal with this fear it would be appreciated.

SJ17 Do i have relationship anxiety??
  • replies: 3

Hi all, i have been in a happy and loving relationship for the past 2.5 years. Never before have i had doubts...in fact i have always thought i have found the one. Ive been in a long term relationship before and in that i knew deep down he wasnt the ... View more

Hi all, i have been in a happy and loving relationship for the past 2.5 years. Never before have i had doubts...in fact i have always thought i have found the one. Ive been in a long term relationship before and in that i knew deep down he wasnt the one. The last 4 months of my current relationship i have been experiencing anxiety for the first time. Its only now ive realised that i have probably always had that anxious tendency. Always worrying, incredibly indecisive and a perfectionist. There has been some stressors including my partners lack of work but our relationship has always been strong. I trust him 100% and he is been an amazing support. I can talk to him about everything. I dont know where these doubts have stemmed from but they have caused so much distress for me! Thoughts like... do i really LOVE him? Are we ment to be together? Do i want to be single? I feel now these doubts have a hold and constantly popping up in my day to day life! I 100% see a future with him (and feel i want that!) but why do these doubts keep arising? Is this normal? I feel occassional doubts are normal but when they are so constant its horrible. They sometimes prevent me from feeling 100% happy when im with him and any little thing wrong i get irritable and frustrated When i look at him i think gosh im lucky, i dont want to be without you! And occassionally i just get annoyed at him for no reason. I have been unhappy in myself lately in my career, life direction etc just feeling generally lost. Thats where it all started to be honest. I keep having negative dreams too. Please help shed some light! I want to overcome this.

Halzxxx1 Trigger warning Anxiety/palpitations/constant fear of death/ heart issues
  • replies: 1

Hi all, First time posting here, I suffer anxiety, panic disorder, PTSD, trauma and depression, I found my father passed away in 2013 and let's say it destroyed the person I was, the past 6 years have been hell for me, I have lost myself, my life, my... View more

Hi all, First time posting here, I suffer anxiety, panic disorder, PTSD, trauma and depression, I found my father passed away in 2013 and let's say it destroyed the person I was, the past 6 years have been hell for me, I have lost myself, my life, my friends, I went from been a happy, bubbly out there girl with lots of friends, out every weekend to staying at home too scared to leave home, at least once a day I'm convinced I'm having a heart attack and dying, come night time and the palpitations kick in, I live in constant fear, I do have diagnosed angina and have GTN spray for that and diagnosed tachycardia and on beta blockers, everyone close to me has died of heart issues, extensive family history plus my added history and I'm convinced that is how I'll die, I get one small pain in my left arm and I'm in complete panic, but lately the palpitations have been horrible, constant for hours on end, medication does not help and I find I'm taking it more then before, I'm.presecibed 2 a day but before I was lucky to use 1 a week now I'm taking what I'm prescribe a day mainly at night, I'm struggling with my relationship because of all of this, I need help I don't know what to do! I just want these palpitations to stop, I'm not sleeping, I can't think straight, I'm going crazy!

SkipSkip Ongoing chest pains, left side only (not heart attack)
  • replies: 2

Hello all I’m a married 32 year old male with two kids. About 3 years ago I had what I know believe was my first panic attack. Lying in bed and all of a sudden getting a sore chest, tingle in my left arm and also a ‘weird’ sensation/feeling all over.... View more

Hello all I’m a married 32 year old male with two kids. About 3 years ago I had what I know believe was my first panic attack. Lying in bed and all of a sudden getting a sore chest, tingle in my left arm and also a ‘weird’ sensation/feeling all over. Long story short, I’ve had many tests to thankfully rule out any heart problems. I’m fit and doctors say I’m at good weight and healthy. I’m been told I have anxiety by my gp and for the second time gone on medication which sometimes helps but still on most days will have a constant ache in my chest (left side). I have found my temper getting shorter and shorter and the need to have things tidy doesn’t help with having two small kids at home I’m a musician and even starting to find that singing (what I love doing) is starting to set my chest off and I find myself worrying more about how and if that will affect me every time I do music. Is anyone else out there experiencing the same issues? Or has anyone had this same thing and come through the other side?? having good and bad weeks over the past 3 years is really starting to get to me and affect my life and family life i have seen doctors, specialists, chiropractors, physiotherpists, hypnotherapists. I’ve changed diets, lost weight, done headspace apps etc too I need to find a permanent fix to my anxiety so any help or advice would be greatly appreciated TIA

Darcelle Driving anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone this is my first post here! So this may sound silly, but I have, for some unbeknown reason to me, get severe anxiety from driving. This is not through driving itself as I am a very confident driver. It is more the aftermath, when I get ho... View more

Hi everyone this is my first post here! So this may sound silly, but I have, for some unbeknown reason to me, get severe anxiety from driving. This is not through driving itself as I am a very confident driver. It is more the aftermath, when I get home and start to overthink things. For instance, 2 weeks ago I was driving down road doing under the speed limit which is 80km/h. When I got further down the road I saw a sign that said 'End Roadworks". But i hadn't seen the initial sign indicating that there was road works. So now I am freaking out (as I always do) about receiving a fine. But the anxiety does not stop there. This situation has happened many times before, when I have been driving under the speed limit, due to anxiety I always drive at least 5-10km/h under, I will get home and my mind will start to wonder whether or not I looked properly, or whether I had missed a sign and even to go as far as wondering if anybody has reported me that day because they were having a bad day, or felt as though I did something wrong. Does anybody have any tips on how to reduce this anxiety? It is leading to sleepless nights as I am constantly researching the fines and the implications around this sort of thing. I am a student paramedic and no the implications of speeding as I have seen it first hand what the consequences are. It's a hard situation to explain, but I opened up and spoke to my Dad, and to clear my mind he has experienced a similar situation, in which he has come across a sign and thought 'well where are the roadworks?', and detoured back around to see that there was no signs indicating beforehand of the works. So it may have been a similar case? Thank you

Loststriver Confused and anxious about what to do next in life!
  • replies: 1

Hello all and thank you for reading my post. My current work situation is not going well at all. I'm a casual at a hospital, and was recently advised that there is no opportunity for me to progress into a full time position. I was hired off my work p... View more

Hello all and thank you for reading my post. My current work situation is not going well at all. I'm a casual at a hospital, and was recently advised that there is no opportunity for me to progress into a full time position. I was hired off my work placement one year ago at the end of completing the course, and I've put in so much time and effort into proving myself. The whole time I've been there, it's been so confusing and stressful because of all the misleading information and poor management, I really can't cope anymore. I just feel as if all this was a complete waste of time and energy, as I thought I was making a positive change by trying something new in life. They have also announced staff cuts and hours which has applied to me. I've tried so hard in this role by learning as much as I can. Accepting majority of shifts given (despite the ridiculous hours I would sometimes work, with lack of sleep) I've never complained or did anything wrong as far as I know. My mental health is not very well at the moment due to being forced to basically find other employment asap. Everything is overwhelming and I'm not coping all too well. I need to leave that position, but confused about what to do next. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.