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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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Powerful_mind High pressure job and an overflowing feeling of Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi there, this is my first post so bare with me. Bit of background... I’m a social worker and in a very high pressured job. Most people quit in the first 3 months... I’m coming up to that 3 months and one day after the Easter long weekend I started t... View more

Hi there, this is my first post so bare with me. Bit of background... I’m a social worker and in a very high pressured job. Most people quit in the first 3 months... I’m coming up to that 3 months and one day after the Easter long weekend I started to get IMMENSE feelings of anxiety about going to work. I wake up a few times during the night over thinking about something I have to do or about a meeting coming up that could be confronting or if I do something wrong what will happen to me? I think what this all boils down too however, is that my previous job started to make me feel this way in the end and it was at no fault of my own. The supervisor was OCD perfectionist about work and would niggle at every single thing I’d do, pull me in for a review meeting, tell me all the things I’m doing wrong (even when I’m doing exactly what I’m told) and then send me off my way with no support at all.... 8 people quit the same month I did so that gives you a bit of an idea... My current job is very supportive... I get complimented on my work often and reassured that what I’m doing is the right thing, I just get super stressed that I’ll slip up and then it will all go down hill from There. Yesterday at a training I met another person in my same role who lived in a different city. She could relate with me and it made me feel so much better to talk to someone other then in my office. I can’t do that every time I get anxious though and I don’t know how much longer I can go feeling this way... waking up with a knot in my stomach and tight chest, going to sleep the same way. Over and over again. I also think because I am a social worker I should be able to deal with this. But nothing prepares you for shitty bosses that basically traumatise you into thinking your always going to be doing something wrong!! i try and move past it by doing word finds... remembering that my supervisor wouldn’t be sitting in her lounge at 2am thinking about me and all the things I have to do and that probability of me being fired on the spot for ‘making a mistake’ is really really low and I’ll probably just get told how to do it right the next time. I’m so challenged and I’d love to meet some people that can relate to me! Thanks!

Anna95 Health issues getting me down
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, I wanted to post a thread as I've been feeling so alone lately. I have chronic anxiety and depression and my life is very stressful right now, I've noticed I have been isolating myself lately and maybe relapsing. I have just been diagnos... View more

Hi everyone, I wanted to post a thread as I've been feeling so alone lately. I have chronic anxiety and depression and my life is very stressful right now, I've noticed I have been isolating myself lately and maybe relapsing. I have just been diagnosed with iron deficiency which may explain why I have been feeling so tired lately - however, the underlying cause may be a chronic autoimmune disorder I am going through the stages of being tested for. All of this on top of my normal daily stressors (currently working part time and studying full time), living 600 km away from all family and support systems and feeling distanced from my partner has got me feeling considerably down. I feel embarrassed to talk to my GP as I already have so much going on and I haven't had much success with psychologists in the past. I guess I am looking for advice and maybe just someone to talk to and tell me what I am feeling right now is normal. Anna xox

Anxious8888 Confused
  • replies: 3

Hi For about a week and a half I my anxiety and depression has been back. I have started taking antidepressants again for the past week and went from 10mg to 20mg last night. I’ve been having irrational thoughts where I’m thinking of saying something... View more

Hi For about a week and a half I my anxiety and depression has been back. I have started taking antidepressants again for the past week and went from 10mg to 20mg last night. I’ve been having irrational thoughts where I’m thinking of saying something and then I get this fear inside me that I will say it. I have no idea if this is normal or makes sense. Is this my anxiety? Also I’m finding that I’m waking up earlier than usual and finding it hard to go back to sleep. I’m usually sick on the morning and I have a fear inside me of getting up and facing the day. I’m finding it hard to eat and I’ve been eating barely anything and I don’t know what I should try to eat that will help me. I’m not sure if anyone can shed any light on this. I’m so scared that it won’t go away.

rosemotion Confused and anxious about myself (Eating Disorder)
  • replies: 2

I saw in the description for this forum that it involved the discussion of eating disorders, so here I go. I'm a 15-year-old girl from Australia, and I'm nearly certain I have an eating disorder. I definitely don't feel valid enough to have an eating... View more

I saw in the description for this forum that it involved the discussion of eating disorders, so here I go. I'm a 15-year-old girl from Australia, and I'm nearly certain I have an eating disorder. I definitely don't feel valid enough to have an eating disorder, when I'm compared to all the 'stereotypes' you see portrayed in the media. I'm not underweight, I'm not overweight, I don't purge, I don't binge, I wear revealing clothes, I eat because someone has offered me food. I can't seem to place myself in a 'category' of eating disorders, which makes me feel extremely invalid. I'm a healthy weight for my height and age, although I am nearer of the underweight end, and I usually eat 3 meals a day (from pressure and supervision). Although I do what all 'normal' people do with their eating habits, I know that if it were up to me it would be completely different, and here's why I believe I have an eating disorder. I want to be underweight, I want my ribs and hip bones and collarbones to stick out, I want to skip my meals, I want to be fragile. I can't look at myself in the mirror without being ashamed, I cry when I crawl into bed at night when I remember how large I appear to myself and others, it hurts to look in the mirror when I'm showering. I keep logbooks of my weight, measurement, bodychecks. I'm just not losing the weight that I so desperately want to. I'm 'healthy' because no one seems to believe eating disorders are mental illnesses. I just want to know; What am I? Where do I fit in? This seems bad but I don't want an eating disorder to be who I am, but if it means I feel valid for once, then maybe I'm okay with it.

oldrvnes Anxiety with new kitten
  • replies: 2

Hello everyone, I'm really appreciative people have taken the time to check out this post even if they may not have much input! I apologise if this is hard to follow, I'm rambling for the most part. I've recently adopted a kitten aged around 6 to 8 w... View more

Hello everyone, I'm really appreciative people have taken the time to check out this post even if they may not have much input! I apologise if this is hard to follow, I'm rambling for the most part. I've recently adopted a kitten aged around 6 to 8 weeks old and have been trying to create an environment where he can feel comfortable and entertained in easily. He's residing in my bedroom so I can be actively involved with him. I've bought interactive toys, a scratching post/tree, a ribbon, and am waiting on a treat dice for him to bat around. I'm worried about how interested he will be with these newer items, especially since I'll be busy at school for a good chunk of the day. So far he has made little to no use of the scratching post/tree, instead climbing the sides of my bed and I've been paranoid about if his enrichment is good enough for what it is. It might be tough for me because I've been unable to really enjoy myself, kittens being the big ball of energy they are and all. We've also got two older cats (7 yrs) who currently don't get along since my family never knew how to appropriately do so. I really want to reintroduce them but am unsure how to go about that, any tips for these two?

PamelaR What is the difference between Stress and Anxiety
  • replies: 0

Hi all When talking with a friend recently we talked a little about anxiety. She said, it was just stress that she was experiencing. This made me think if we underestimate what is happening in our bodies. I realised I'd done that for years. Blamed it... View more

Hi all When talking with a friend recently we talked a little about anxiety. She said, it was just stress that she was experiencing. This made me think if we underestimate what is happening in our bodies. I realised I'd done that for years. Blamed it on stress when it actually was anxiety. So how can you tell the difference? Would like to hear what other people to think. Stress generally refers to: psychological perception of pressure, and the body's response to it. It involves multiple systems, from metabolism to muscles to memory. Some stress is necessary: it's a way to encounter and to respond to challenges and uncertainties. Thoughts of danger set off an automatic response system, known as the fight-or-flight response, activating hormonal signals, which prepares one to meet a threat or flee from it. A stressful event— e.g. the sudden appearance of a snake on a path or fear of losing one's job — triggers a cascade of hormones, including adrenaline and cortisol. These surge through the body, speeding heartbeat and circulation of blood to support quick action, mobilizing fat and sugar for fast energy, focusing attention to track the danger, preparing muscles for movement, and more. A stress response is meant to solve short-term, life-threatening problems, not extended difficulties e.g. daily traffic jams or marital problems. It generally takes time for the body to calm down after being triggered. Prolonged or repeated stress response, a characteristic of modern life, can have physical and psychological consequences, including heart disease and depression. Anxiety, or extreme apprehension and worry, is a normal reaction to stressful situations. In some cases, worry becomes excessive or chronic and can cause sufferers to dread everyday situations. Generally, anxiety arises first, often during childhood. Evidence suggests that both biology and environment can contribute to the disorder. Some may have a genetic predisposition to anxiety; however, development of the condition is not inevitable. Early traumatic experiences can also reset the body’s normal fear-processing system so that it is hyper-reactive. Anxiety is typified by exaggerated worries and expectations of negative outcomes in unknown situations. Physical symptoms may accompany these worries e.g. muscle tension, headaches, stomach cramps, and frequent urination. Info was taken from www.psychologytoday.com/au/basics/stress and www.psychologytoday.com/au/basics/anxiety Kind regards PamelaR

SDeliahS Itchy throat/neck: stress or anxiety?
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I've had a super itchy throat/neck over the past 2 weeks. It feels as if something is crawling under my skin. It is very unpleasant but does not cause pain. It makes me want to cough but when I do my throat gets irritated so its gets wor... View more

Hi everyone, I've had a super itchy throat/neck over the past 2 weeks. It feels as if something is crawling under my skin. It is very unpleasant but does not cause pain. It makes me want to cough but when I do my throat gets irritated so its gets worse. It seems to feel better when I move around. I've had allergies before but it still happens when I take antihistamines. I'll go to my GP but wanted to check - does anybody gets similar symptoms? Could it be due to stress?

AnxiousAdam Depersonalisation (Out of body experience)
  • replies: 2

Hi All, I know that this is a rare symptom associated with anxiety. I have been extremely stressed as of late and have been experiencing depersonalisation, the only way that I can explain is that it is like I am trapped in my head or watching myself ... View more

Hi All, I know that this is a rare symptom associated with anxiety. I have been extremely stressed as of late and have been experiencing depersonalisation, the only way that I can explain is that it is like I am trapped in my head or watching myself talk to someone else or communicate. What makes it worse is that I notice myself noticing myself if that makes sense. I can still do everyday things like drive to work, speak to friends and family however when I am not distracted I notice myself questioning if things are real, is this a dream, instead of doing actions automatically it is as though I am having to tell myself and watch myself do it. Where someone would speak to another person about something I feel as though I am speaking and listening at the same time. Is there anyone on here that experiences similar as this is by far the scariest thing I have experienced?

Dazza101 Anyone have an idea what's wrong with me?
  • replies: 3

Hi all, First time posting here but I have read a few posts prior to joining the forums. In essence I have what I am pretty sure is some form of stresss/anxiety issue that I am looking to at least try and put my finger on so I can go about fixing or ... View more

Hi all, First time posting here but I have read a few posts prior to joining the forums. In essence I have what I am pretty sure is some form of stresss/anxiety issue that I am looking to at least try and put my finger on so I can go about fixing or managing the issue. To put some back story to my issue, about 6 years or so ago I was at a course which went for two weeks, now it was almost at the end of this time. I noticed around the middle of the day when I went to get up my body didnt really respond, I had placed my elbows on the table to push up off but as I pushed up, my body essentially refused and I lost all strength. Now I thought nothing of it and continued through the day. I still felt fine but had little "episodes" where I felt a bit wonky and weak. I even went to the bathroom and tried to do a pull up (usually nonissue for me) across the beam of the stall, started but again, body went weak and I felt all fuzzy. I got into the car with my partner and propped my self up on an elbow on the centre console as I get in and the weak and fuzzy feeling happened again and I sort of slumped in. We went to the doctor who thought I was having a stroke, I wasn't and he had no idea on what was going on, I was able to squeeze my hand into a fist which by this point would cause me to feel weak and fuzzy and in essence pass out without losing consciousness etc. Very strange I know. As we left the doctor I collapsed fully conscoius and my body just refused to move. We went to hospital where the same thing happened (collapsing). Once at hospital my motor functions virtually went out the window, I couldn't get up, move, stand walk etc for about 6 days, talking was hard as was eating. Anytime I did anything that exerted myself I would "pass out". Now when I passed out I mean my body stopped, I couldn't really move apart from my fingers a little, but I was still fully concious and could hear and breath etc (this was the same the whole way through). After 6days I started being able to move and get around very slowly. I still had episodes where if I exerted myself too much, or laughed or got really excited then I would have another episode. I started seeing a psych and had a few appointments which I think maybe helped even though no one knew what the issue was. After 6 weeks of taking it easy I was back to normal, like nothing ever happened.

Camellias Severe Anxiety Awaiting Outcome Of Claim
  • replies: 3

Hello again everyone I have social anxiety on any given day, but since last year I have had severe anxiety due to the unknown outcome of a claim I lodged. The 'not knowing' is causing me to be completely run down. I have completed all three phases fo... View more

Hello again everyone I have social anxiety on any given day, but since last year I have had severe anxiety due to the unknown outcome of a claim I lodged. The 'not knowing' is causing me to be completely run down. I have completed all three phases for disability pension claim(claim, job compacity assessment(OT) & the medical assessment with a govt gp and am wondering what is taking so long for the final tick or cross. Has anyone else gone through this wait? Is anyone else trying to live on poverty line Newstart payments? Both appointments I was blessed with two lovely workers, on both occasions, felt I was a suitable candidate for a disability pension. Ive called so many times the centrelink number to enquire and Ive been told its all scanned and on my file, yet is still with the 'processing team'. I hope I am not the only one going through this. Everything is uncertain without financial stability and my GP is feeling the pressure of the medical certificates he is providing...Im hoping this last one he has given will be it. I lodged my claim in November 2018.