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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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Guest_05730513 Advice & support.
  • replies: 4

I am middle aged & suffered from crippling bouts of anxiety for over 5 years now. Once a very self-assured, positive thinking person to a shadow of my former self. Medication, self-help books, therapy & exercise do help, but haven't resolved this lon... View more

I am middle aged & suffered from crippling bouts of anxiety for over 5 years now. Once a very self-assured, positive thinking person to a shadow of my former self. Medication, self-help books, therapy & exercise do help, but haven't resolved this long term issue. This is impacting my relationships & all aspects of my social life. I am tired of feeling the way I do & would love some tips on what next to do. Life is too short to be feeling the way I do most days.

Marg-87_ Anxiety following stroke
  • replies: 4

Hi. I had a cerebellar stroke in July 2023. I am very thankful and grateful for the recovery I have made and realise there are a lot of people worse off than I am. Since my stroke I suffer from anxiety and find it hard to get out and enjoy myself. If... View more

Hi. I had a cerebellar stroke in July 2023. I am very thankful and grateful for the recovery I have made and realise there are a lot of people worse off than I am. Since my stroke I suffer from anxiety and find it hard to get out and enjoy myself. If i do go out I have a constant fear that something bad will happen. I also don’t sleep well so it’s constant. I have thought of discussing with my doctor but not sure if I should. I am not against taking medication to help me cope. Thank you for reading my post.Regards, Margaret

soonie1 moving back to my old school
  • replies: 1

hi, i recently moved to a different state and my mum is looking for a job, she keeps saying that we would have to move back if she can’t find a job and im really scared to move back because i’ve already left and people will make fun of me for lying. ... View more

hi, i recently moved to a different state and my mum is looking for a job, she keeps saying that we would have to move back if she can’t find a job and im really scared to move back because i’ve already left and people will make fun of me for lying. i asked her to homeschool me and she keeps telling me that she can’t, i don't know what to do and i really want to stay in this state. as a child we would frequently move around and i would go to many schools but this time it’s different and i don't know why.

amanita Gastrointestinal problems from anxiety
  • replies: 12

Hi there! I'm wondering if anyone has been through anything similar or has any advice as I feel lost and I've been trying for so long and just can't get better.I've had health anxiety for many years, however the last two years I've developed quite ba... View more

Hi there! I'm wondering if anyone has been through anything similar or has any advice as I feel lost and I've been trying for so long and just can't get better.I've had health anxiety for many years, however the last two years I've developed quite bad stomach issues that are chronic now and never go. Which makes it very hard to live day to day life.I have gord, chronic constipation, bloating/tightness which literally never goes away, its so bad to the point where I can't even breathe properly most of the time, burping, regurgitation, heart palpations, chest tightness, I get all kinds of weird feelings in my chest and stomach, abdominal tension, nausea, terrible digestion. I take tablets for the reflux and try so hard to not get anxious but I feel a bit stuck in a loop. My stomach problems are always there and I try not to let it trigger my health anxiety but it's so hard. I've talked to my doctor about it many times but she can't find anything wrong with me apart from maybe ibs.It's debilitating and I feel hopeless at this point.

okok Hsc Stress
  • replies: 2

I’m feeling overwhelmed and deeply anxious about the upcoming HSC exams. Despite all the time and effort I’ve invested in revising and employing various study techniques, I still feel like I’m struggling to grasp the content fully. The volume of mate... View more

I’m feeling overwhelmed and deeply anxious about the upcoming HSC exams. Despite all the time and effort I’ve invested in revising and employing various study techniques, I still feel like I’m struggling to grasp the content fully. The volume of material I need to cover feels overwhelming, and as the exams draw nearer, the pressure only intensifies. Being the first in my immigrant family to aim for high academic achievements, the expectations placed on me are incredibly high. I’m concerned that if I don’t perform well, it will have a significant impact not only on my future but also on my family’s perception. My younger brother will be taking his exams next year, and I’m worried that my results might influence his confidence and our family’s expectations. Throughout high school, I’ve consistently achieved above-average results, which makes the fact that I didn’t perform as well as I hoped in the trials even more discouraging. Despite months of preparation, my trial results were disappointing, and this has only added to my anxiety.I’m aiming for a 90 ATAR to prove to myself and my family that I’m capable of achieving great things. The pressure to succeed is immense, and it’s challenging not to let it affect my focus and confidence. I’m seeking advice or strategies to manage this stress, better organise my revision, and stay positive as the exams approach

Annas1 Validation and encouragement
  • replies: 2

So, I find myself in a familiar vortex of anxiety, exhaustion, despair and quiet panic - and this is despite years of ''experience" with the triggers for this nasty emotional cocktail. And I can sense the shame and the guilt too - imagining the judge... View more

So, I find myself in a familiar vortex of anxiety, exhaustion, despair and quiet panic - and this is despite years of ''experience" with the triggers for this nasty emotional cocktail. And I can sense the shame and the guilt too - imagining the judgement, impatience and annoyance of my family in particular. In this state I am only semi-functional, and all my efforts turn inwards to self-care rather than engaging with other people or pursuing my projects. It feels a lot like failure. This time around I can see the triggers pretty clearly, I've over-promised and over-extended myself and have ridden my nervous system to overload. This situation will resolve itself in time, with time devoted to self-care and support from friends, family and/or my psych. The extra stressor now is that I will be meeting my adult child's new partner for the first time and I am feeling desperate about not being weird/psycho or in internal distress so that we can all enjoy the occasion. I note the word "desperate"! So, yes, it all links back to a deep need to be acceptable to others. I have been working on my lifelong habits of people-pleasing and perfectionism with my psych for some time now and it seems there is still a long way to go. I value my relationships with others and care deeply for their wellbeing, but this has come at a cost to my own needs and wellbeing. I'm experiencing the discomfort of both self-denial (squash it all down and watch it turn into anxiety) and the consequences of acting for my own wellbeing (fear of rejection and judgement). It's pretty awful and in the thick of it hard to see a way through that doesn't involve a lot of distress and use of medication to cope or the risk of alienating myself from those I love. Welcoming your kind and wise words.

Valerie Anxiety triggered by drug withdrawal
  • replies: 4

I became dependent on anxiety medication used for sleep. Withdrawal has been long and difficult. Most of symptoms are gone except insomnia, anxiety and tinnitus. It's been three months (only used drug 6 weeks sporadically). I'm worried withdrawal is ... View more

I became dependent on anxiety medication used for sleep. Withdrawal has been long and difficult. Most of symptoms are gone except insomnia, anxiety and tinnitus. It's been three months (only used drug 6 weeks sporadically). I'm worried withdrawal is done and lasting symptoms will persist. I think the insomnia feeds into anxiety. I can't take any drugs to help but have counsellor next week. Can anxiety and insomnia be triggered by drug withdrawal? Other thoughts?

Detox My recent psych appointment
  • replies: 1

I've seen a psych for a while. They mentioned I present with pathological doubt. Mostly because I complete a series of checks before leaving the house, I'm paranoid about mould/poison exposure, and when I'm at my worst, I'll go shopping and come back... View more

I've seen a psych for a while. They mentioned I present with pathological doubt. Mostly because I complete a series of checks before leaving the house, I'm paranoid about mould/poison exposure, and when I'm at my worst, I'll go shopping and come back with nothing as every item poses risks to my or my loved ones health. Lately, I've just been feeling down, my energy is down, my resilience to tackle the day is down, my other half is pregnant, and there are moments when I imagine myself not being here. I don't consider this a suicidal thought, but I did mention I have thoughts to self-harm, as a kind of quick fix, an immediate release, as I don't have time to bother with myself. My psych asked me if I've considered antidepressants, I said no, and she said our regularity should increase. I don't know what else to say, I just wanted to write this out.

Guest_10005 hey
  • replies: 1

my name is Chelsea this is my first post i suffer from anxiety and have trouble with everyday things to the people with anxiety Rember you are not alone you with anyway have someone

my name is Chelsea this is my first post i suffer from anxiety and have trouble with everyday things to the people with anxiety Rember you are not alone you with anyway have someone

lacy anxiaty
  • replies: 1

hi im lacy im 13 and i got dignosed whith servir anxiaty wen i was 6 and i have adhd and seperation axiaty i used to self harm but not much now i have 20 friends most r boys i hate school at the moment becaus of buillys beeing mean im in y8 they say ... View more

hi im lacy im 13 and i got dignosed whith servir anxiaty wen i was 6 and i have adhd and seperation axiaty i used to self harm but not much now i have 20 friends most r boys i hate school at the moment becaus of buillys beeing mean im in y8 they say im fat ugly and my hair is bad the call me mean words to like the c word or h word im saddddd