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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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NoGivenName Anxiety or Something Else
  • replies: 8

Hi All, I am 37 and have never had any real anxiety related issues till last December. I was had some pain on the lower left side of cesht and went into ED to get that checked. I was sent home with a diagnosis of Costocondoritis. 2 days later at work... View more

Hi All, I am 37 and have never had any real anxiety related issues till last December. I was had some pain on the lower left side of cesht and went into ED to get that checked. I was sent home with a diagnosis of Costocondoritis. 2 days later at work I fealt darkness in front of my eyes and went into a shock thinking I was having a heart attack. I was taken into emergency but was released later with no issue with heart diagnosis. I started seing my GP and after a numerous tests such as Echo, Stress and CT scans of heart was was cleared. But sine then I have been having these raising heart issues pretty much twice a week. I am taking some anxiety medicine now but not sure how to overcome this.

Katyonthehamsterwheel Anxiety is ruining my life
  • replies: 4

I've been alone for ten years because I didn't think I could manage a relationship. Turned out I was right. My worries and insecurity tired my boyfriend out and we've split up. I'm finding it incredibly difficult to accept and move forward, perhaps b... View more

I've been alone for ten years because I didn't think I could manage a relationship. Turned out I was right. My worries and insecurity tired my boyfriend out and we've split up. I'm finding it incredibly difficult to accept and move forward, perhaps because I'm absolutely alone now. I don't have family or friends either as those relationships were equally difficult for me to manage with my anxiety. I feel like I can't seem to connect with anyone. I don't work either so my days are long and empty. I do have a psychologist that I see every six weeks, but I just feel like "is this it?" "is this my life?". Is there anyone else out there that is entirely alone?

beebug I'm terrified to work
  • replies: 4

I just started a new job and I haven't been sleeping every night before a shift. I become so anxious about working. Its fast paced working in food something I have some before and do have a good grip on. The only problem is whenever I get overworked,... View more

I just started a new job and I haven't been sleeping every night before a shift. I become so anxious about working. Its fast paced working in food something I have some before and do have a good grip on. The only problem is whenever I get overworked, my anxiety goes through the roof and I start to get paranoid. I think everybody in the store is talking about me (customers) and looking and staring and judging. I haven't told anyone about my anxiety yet because I'm still in the three month period and I don't want to get fired (I know it's ilegal to do so but still) I sit hours on end before my shift trying to think of ways to get out of it, to avoid going into work. And it sucks because I do love the work. I enjoy being focused and have structure and doing something. And on good days I can handle the fast paced environment. I'm trying so hard because I really do need this job. I'm just scared I'm going to stop going in like what normally happens because my anxiety gets too much. I'm not ready to see somebody about my anxiety right now because I have a hard time trusting doctors/pyschologists. I feel like a burden to everyone around me. If I stay at work I'll let people down by being slow. But if I stop working I let the people close to me down by not working. I've lost a lot of confidence as we from being out of work and let all the thoughts get the better of me. I don't know what to do.

KALIN Night Sweats and anxiety?
  • replies: 2

Hello, Concerned newbie here. My partner, who has always been prone to health anxiety, has had a hellish few months with a number of diffuse symptoms (far too many to list here) needing investigation and testing, leading to extreme anxiety and panic.... View more

Hello, Concerned newbie here. My partner, who has always been prone to health anxiety, has had a hellish few months with a number of diffuse symptoms (far too many to list here) needing investigation and testing, leading to extreme anxiety and panic. Luckily nothing serious has been discovered, but 3 weeks ago he started sweating at night. I wouldn't describe it as drenching night sweats, but he's certainly sweating profusely. As he has already had blood tests, ct scans and had a doctor examine him physically I can only put it down to stress. Is this a common experience for anxiety sufferers? Thanks in advance!

Raku Woke up out of the blue with pins and needles and numbness everywhere
  • replies: 5

Hi. Thursday 2nd May woke up with tingles in my left arm Went to Dr. She thought it may be trapped ulnar nerve. It's going to be seen on ultrasound on 15th. Hours after I left the Dr. Tingles in my right arm. By night was in both legs feet toes arms ... View more

Hi. Thursday 2nd May woke up with tingles in my left arm Went to Dr. She thought it may be trapped ulnar nerve. It's going to be seen on ultrasound on 15th. Hours after I left the Dr. Tingles in my right arm. By night was in both legs feet toes arms hands and face, scalp neck, lower back and shoulders. Racing heart beat. Feeling on edge. I am a mum of 4 kids. And normally deal with life fine. I have experienced this once before 10 days after my 4th baby's c section birth. I was in so much pain and couldn't sleep. Went into full melt down mode. It is now Saturday. I still have numbness in the spots I mentioned before. It comes and goes. Presented to Hospital Friday morning. They said it was just anxiety. They did a ECG it was fine That's all they did. Saw Dr again Friday afternoon she has put me on medication for anxiety and nerve pain/ numbness. I know it can take weeks to kick in. But I am so scared.

YellowPoppy Day to day struggles
  • replies: 17

Hi again, Aside from my triggered anxiety, I feel a constant unease. It's so hard to be happy or even present in the moment because I feel this dread underneath the surface. I'm trying not to dwell but I don't feel anything else, just panic and dread... View more

Hi again, Aside from my triggered anxiety, I feel a constant unease. It's so hard to be happy or even present in the moment because I feel this dread underneath the surface. I'm trying not to dwell but I don't feel anything else, just panic and dread. The only thing that seems to bring me any relief is playing uno with my mum and/or my partner, but even then, the fun is clouded in this darkness. I don't know if anyone can relate and if not well maybe someone else will find relief in playing uno. Thanks for reading, YellowPoppy

LesDave Anxiety. What’s worked for me during the past 20 years
  • replies: 3

I read a lot of the forum posts. I answer a lot too. I have lived with anxiety for decades. At time it has been debilitating. So, I thought perhaps my remedies and tactics might be a benefit to others. Firstly, I had my first epitome when a doctor ex... View more

I read a lot of the forum posts. I answer a lot too. I have lived with anxiety for decades. At time it has been debilitating. So, I thought perhaps my remedies and tactics might be a benefit to others. Firstly, I had my first epitome when a doctor explained what is happening medically to us when we suffer from anxiety, and medically, what is required. So basically, we have a situation that activates the fight of flight in us, spilling way too much cortisol in our bodies. We are pumped up on this drug, and no amount of logic will get it to go away. We need to get rid of the cortisol, or bring it down to manageable levels. I use hard exercise to soak it up. Once it starts to soak it up, I can then use logic to bring my thoughts under control. I use the mindfulness tactic to start with. That is, bring yourself into the present moment. Look this is a lot easier to say than actually do. It takes months of practice, and when my head is spinning, it is very hard to bring myself into the moment. But believe me, when you master this, it is so satisfying. Regularly during the day I check in on myself and notice my feelings. If I am happy or sad, I notice this and label it. “This is sadness I am feeling right now”. Sometimes, just by noticing things and labelling them, the feeling seems to go away. “I am feeling angry right now”, seems to make anger go away. The next thing is to recognise the cause of most of the problem is fear. I go straight to the cause. Why am I afraid? And, I have actively measured my instincts over the years, and my gut instinct is not very good. I have learned not to trust what I’m feeling, because it’s usually wrong. Your gut might be better than mine. Finally, I use the tactic counsellors give you with acceptance and commitment therapy. That is, when bad thoughts about the past or the future come into my head, I acknowledge their presence, and then tell them they are free to stay there, but I refuse to engage with them. “I notice I am having bad thoughts about work tomorrow. Those thoughts can stay in my head, but I’m not going to think about them or have a conversation or argument with them.” I hope you can get some benefit from this.

Lyla_429 I need someone to talk to...
  • replies: 7

So I'll start off by saying that I have never been formally diagnosed with anxiety, depression or an eating disorder, Mainly because I have been too scared to see a psychologist for more than 3 sessions. So... I don't know if this is common problem p... View more

So I'll start off by saying that I have never been formally diagnosed with anxiety, depression or an eating disorder, Mainly because I have been too scared to see a psychologist for more than 3 sessions. So... I don't know if this is common problem people on this thread have but I can't handle not having someone to talk to on a near constant basis. I've recently split from my long term partner, mainly because he could not handle my constant need for validation and I don't blame him for that. But it has only been a few days and I feel like I'm going stir crazy, I feel like if I don't have any outlet at all it will all just build up inside me and Ill start having panic attacks again. I know I'm not ready for another relationship and I wouldn't even know how to begin one at this point, I have such little self confidence and I can't imagine ever being attractive to someone... I know I have to address these feelings before I can begin a healthy relationship but I don't know how to do cope without someone to be with. I just feel so unhealthy both mentally and physically, I have no ability to connect with my family on these issues as they don't believe in mental illness and I have such limited friends that I don't want to scare them away with my neediness. I have no idea where to even start with this, I feel so lost and alone constantly. Sometimes when I look in the mirror I don't recognize my own face anymore, most days I feel like my body and my mind are 2 separate entities inhabiting the same space. I'm trying hard to keep my uni and work life afloat but it seems meaningless, every time I go to type something I feel empty and unmotivated. I don't know if I'm even in the right place to be voicing this but if anyone has been through something like this please please let me know so I don't feel like it's just me

TMCMS Sleep fear
  • replies: 2

Hi guys and gals, first time poster. I have been an anxiety sufferer since 2015 ish but only recently I have been fearing sleep because I'm scared I wont wake up. Tonight, I have tried twice going to sleep but have felt funny in the head between dozi... View more

Hi guys and gals, first time poster. I have been an anxiety sufferer since 2015 ish but only recently I have been fearing sleep because I'm scared I wont wake up. Tonight, I have tried twice going to sleep but have felt funny in the head between dozing off and waking up. The last 3 nights have been fine. I am also 25 weeks pregnant and have been 1 and a bit weeks off of medication and not sure if this could just be another side effect. I will be going back on another medication in a day or so but I just cant stop fearing that I'm going to die in my sleep. Please tell me I'm not alone in this?! Thank you.

Mickey_Mouse2 To scared to go to school or see friends
  • replies: 4

Hi I have really bad social anxiety and have been off school for about 5 weeks. I havent seen any of my friends in that time and I want to see them again but I am to scared. I dont know why Im scared or what Im scared of but if I even think about try... View more

Hi I have really bad social anxiety and have been off school for about 5 weeks. I havent seen any of my friends in that time and I want to see them again but I am to scared. I dont know why Im scared or what Im scared of but if I even think about trying to see them I get so nervous and shaky I feel like crying, throwing up or passing out. Recently they have been trying to help me think of ideas to make me less nervous so I can meet them at the beach or something. I had the idea of taking my dog with me because he instantly calms me down at home and I have a very strong love for animals (plus he would take the attention away from me). The only problem with this is my dog also has really bad anxiety around other people and dogs and he will bark at just about every living thing he sees. His barking then stresses me out and draws more attention to me which just makes my anxiety worse. We cant think of anything else I could take or do to keep me calm because the only thing that calms me down is having a dog next to me because they comfort me. My mum also thought about inviting my friends to my house so I could still be with my dog but I get nervous when other people are in my house not because I dont trust them but it just makes me nervous for some reason. I think its because my house is like my bubble of safety which I can escape to but when someone else is there there are people in my safety bubble and I don't feel like I can escape. Basically what I am asking for is any suggestions that will help me be able to see my friends again because my parents are getting angry because they are saying Im not trying to get better and if I dont start trying they will force me back into school which is the last thing I want.