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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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Rhiirhii Dealing with Anxious Father
  • replies: 1

I am a 30 year old single mother who has taken in a parent after a separation as he does not earn enough income to be independent and he has trouble doing basic things due to his anxiety. (Eg. Pay a bill, talk to centrelink) a lot has gone wrong for ... View more

I am a 30 year old single mother who has taken in a parent after a separation as he does not earn enough income to be independent and he has trouble doing basic things due to his anxiety. (Eg. Pay a bill, talk to centrelink) a lot has gone wrong for us, at the top being him losing all his identity documents and getting them all back is a 6 month + process due to being a refugee. I’m not only supporting him financially as of next week on my benefits, I’m trying to be his rock of rationality and it’s taking a toll. i have a 2 month old and he isn’t able to help me for long because his anxiety takes over and I am starting to feel a little resentful because I do so much and I’m burning out, but I also understand it’s his anxiety and I feel so guilty. what can I do to help my own mental health, but his as well? Thank you x

Sazzle29 New job anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi, this is my first post so unsure exactly where to start! I've recently (6 weeks ago) started a new job which is more senior & more money than I’ve had before & im completely overwhelmed & suffering with really bad anxiety & feeling totally incapab... View more

Hi, this is my first post so unsure exactly where to start! I've recently (6 weeks ago) started a new job which is more senior & more money than I’ve had before & im completely overwhelmed & suffering with really bad anxiety & feeling totally incapable! feels like it’s too much of a big step up there has been no training and no time to settle in as I’ve got so many tasks to complete, I’ve got little to no support from my boss & feel with such a senior role I’m expected to just get on with it which is making me anxious about failing! I’m trying to meditate when I can which isn’t very often as the anxiety makes me so agitated! Ive seen my gp & had 1 appointment with a psychologist which helped at the time but can’t seem to control my anxiety! friends have advised me to either speak up at work or leave but too anxious to do either! Any suggestions? reading other posts have helped me realise so many other people are in similar situations! just want it to stop

TheGrinchWearingAMask How do I help my friend with their body issues?
  • replies: 3

Hello all, I saw that this category of thread discusses eating disorders. (forgive me if I am wrong) Anyways here I go¬ For a little while now, my friend has been experiencing a lot of self -loathing relating to their appearance, in particular their ... View more

Hello all, I saw that this category of thread discusses eating disorders. (forgive me if I am wrong) Anyways here I go¬ For a little while now, my friend has been experiencing a lot of self -loathing relating to their appearance, in particular their weight. They have confided in me their feelings, their obsessiveness with keeping count of calories and have scratched the surface along the lines of starving themselves/vomiting up their food. Though they haven't been overly descriptive of their experience, I'm certain that I have a clear idea of what they have been struggling with. Every time this person confides in me I try to do things that have been recommended to me on the internet. I'm aware I'm not a professional, and I'm not trying to be one when it comes to peoples struggles. I just want to be able to support my friend the best way I can, because I don't want them to feel alone in this, and I'm worried if I say the wrong thing it will cause them to suffer more. From the internet I have been ¬ avoiding talking about their body, and focusing more on their feelings at the time ¬ always recommending talking to a specialist about their problems (if they are comfortable enough) ¬ reminding them that they have a lot of people supporting them (including me), that will be there for them to talk to and rely on (mainly that they aren't alone in this) ¬ telling them that getting help early is the best option, but to take each day at their own pace and that nobody is forcing them to do anything Though I think these techniques has helped me talk them through this a bit, I feel as though I'm not doing enough. I know it is not my place to be a professional or anything along those lines, but I would love some advice on how to talk to them about it in a way that will positively impact them. To remind them that they aren't alone, and they have friends who want/can to support them. (Since some of the talks I think they may have gone to a professional and talked about it, so I'm really happy about that for them, even if it only helped a little. They are an amazing person who deserves the best, and it would be great for them to live life to the fullest) Thanks for any reply's, I really would appreciate any help for my friend.

minaisabelle anxious about school camp?
  • replies: 3

i don’t know why i’m feeling this way, but all i can think about recently is my school camp. it’s still months away but for the past few weeks it’s all that’s been on my mind and i’m so worried. i’m 15 and i’ve been on school camps before with little... View more

i don’t know why i’m feeling this way, but all i can think about recently is my school camp. it’s still months away but for the past few weeks it’s all that’s been on my mind and i’m so worried. i’m 15 and i’ve been on school camps before with little to no issues, but recently i fell down a deep hole of mental health struggles and i know it may be stupid but my cat really helped me with getting over these struggles- or at least toning them down a bit. i got my cat three months ago and i’ve already relied so heavily on him to calm down and remind myself that i have at least one reason to try, one reason to stay alive. i’m worried about leaving him for three days. i don’t know how i’m going to react when he’s not there to help me. recently i’ve become so stressed in social situations, even teachers have noticed and tried to send me to the school councillor. what if i feel too overwhelmed on camp and my cats not there to help me feel calmer during my anxious breakdowns? i already don’t sleep when i’m on school camps because i feel too nervous around everyone, and now i’m also going to have to try to sleep without him curling up next to me. it will be too strange. in my house, i’m the one that takes care of my cat too. what if my he gets sick when i’m gone? or what if he runs away and i never see him again? he’s an indoor cat and is only allowed out for around an hour a day when i’m outside with him. my siblings don’t see why i’m so clingy, what if they let him outside and he runs off? between the fear that i’ll be too overwhelmed at camp and the fear that i’ll leave for camp and never see him again, i can’t think of anything else. i would just like to clarify that i haven’t been to a doctor and had any mental illnesses diagnosed. my parents and teachers have recommended therapy/school councillors, but i’ve never gone to them. i feel too dumb expressing how i feel, because i hear myself and realise how insignificant my problems are. i hate feeling this way, but i also can’t bring myself to speak up anywhere that’s not online. i’m actually doing significantly better than i was a few months ago, but i know that the smallest things can send me down a spiral of feeling nothing and loneliness for weeks or months at a time. i’m worried that school camp will be the thing that sends me down that spiral, and i really don’t want to feel that way again. i need to go to the camp, but i don’t know how to get over my concerns.

ScarlettR Washing my hands over and over - a sign of OCD?
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone! So here's my story - the past year or so, I've been really obsessed with washing my hands even if they get slightly polluted. There's no deep meaning behind this - I just don't want furniture and accessories to be contaminated with whate... View more

Hi everyone! So here's my story - the past year or so, I've been really obsessed with washing my hands even if they get slightly polluted. There's no deep meaning behind this - I just don't want furniture and accessories to be contaminated with whatever is on my hands, especially bodily fluids like blood. I have a fear of unknowingly spreading germs and making things unclean and unusable in a unsafe way. I had a phase like this in 2010-2012, then it stopped, then it happened again early this year. My family have noticed and think it's odd. I'm just worried that bodily fluids like blood and mucus might be highly contaminating and polluting. I guess I need some advice to calm me and reassure me that I'm not doing anything wrong.

NeenD Work anxiety
  • replies: 5

Hello, I started my new job 9 months ago. I had a bad feeling about the decision I was making to move jobs to begin with but I thought it was just nervous energy during to change. The job is in the same industry however it is a lot more senior. I was... View more

Hello, I started my new job 9 months ago. I had a bad feeling about the decision I was making to move jobs to begin with but I thought it was just nervous energy during to change. The job is in the same industry however it is a lot more senior. I was not provided any training for the role, no guidance on processes or how they do things, I was left to my own devices. Every catch up with the boss become a negative experience where she would give me negative feedback. There was no support offered at any stage. In the 1:1 meetings she would make comments such as “why did you even leave you past job”. She would behave in a very passive aggressive manner at times, staring at me, and making passing comments. For example once we had a team meeting about company values where they presented psychometric test results for everyone, I was new so I had to do one per-employment and one post-employment. The results were different, and the comment I revived from my boss was, “oh did you lie to get a job in the pre-employment test”. More recently, I called a meeting with Snr Management to discuss issues and provide suggestions regarding one of our markets. The meeting was a disaster, it was a failure. My boss made a comment after everybody left, “I knew this was going to happen”! She would give me feedback to ask questions and then when I do she would tell me how everybody else works independently and I ask too many questions. Lastly, I had to implement changes to one of my markets. There was a communication brake down on all fronts. I was blamed for it. Because of everything that has happen, I question my own ability to do the job. I can’t relax, I feel anxious all the time, I can’t sleep properly. I think about the job all the time and it makes me anxious and sad. It makes me question my decision to take this job, I question my ability to find a different job. Everybody loves my boss and sees her as some really nice person. I don’t hate the job but I hate the environment I am in and the people I work with are all in for themselves, there is nobody I can trust or ask for help. I feel scared and anxious to stay there and I feel anxious to move on and get another job as I feel I lost all my confidence. I want my anxiety to stop. I even called help line they have at work to talk to somebody and the lady advised me that I needed psychiatric help after 20 minutes of talking to me in which she mostly talked and I listened.

Spud48 Started Toastmasters
  • replies: 7

Hi All, Long time struggles with self esteem and anxiety, I have a real fear of speaking in public and decided its time to try and master this fear, also hoping it will help with my confidence. been to 3 sessions already and am really enjoying it. Th... View more

Hi All, Long time struggles with self esteem and anxiety, I have a real fear of speaking in public and decided its time to try and master this fear, also hoping it will help with my confidence. been to 3 sessions already and am really enjoying it. The people are very supportive and kind. it is a really nurturing environment. Would highly recommend. Spud Spud

Tikichilli8 Exam Anxiety
  • replies: 1

I’m in Year 12 and aiming for an OP1 to get into medicine. Generally i’m not an anxious person but when it comes to any situation where I am being judged or tested on something I freeze. I am a straight A student and topped all of my subjects last ye... View more

I’m in Year 12 and aiming for an OP1 to get into medicine. Generally i’m not an anxious person but when it comes to any situation where I am being judged or tested on something I freeze. I am a straight A student and topped all of my subjects last year. Whenever I come to an unfamiliar question during exams I find it so hard to focus and work my way through the question even though I know I have all the skills and the ability to answer it. Just the pressure of trying to be perfect in my subjects and the high expectations from myself, peers, teachers and family really gets to me and I end up stupid mistakes or miss obvious answers that I would easily be able to figure out if I wasn’t being tested on it. I’ve taken my driving test twice, both times I was so anxious even though I am a capable and confident driver. Just the pressure of having the examiner in the car with me and knowing that if I fail I would have to wait another two months and pay another $50 to retake it made me make stupid mistakes like hitting the curb (which is the first and last time I’ve done that) and forget how to use the demister. This year is so important, I just can’t afford to be making stupid mistakes due to anxiety and stressing myself out, I just don’t know how to manage it. I’ve tried meditation and yoga, whenever I get into a situation I try and take deep breaths and focus but it just escalates to the point where I shut down and can’t work anything out logically, or calm myself down enough even to answer easy questions. It needs to stop, I work so so hard and I just hate myself for screwing up all of my work and not achieving.

Sunflower26 Post Exam Anxiety
  • replies: 1

hey there, i just sat my chartered accountant exam yesterday. I know that i performed poorly, despite studying a lot. I knew the content, but just made silly mistakes crumbling under the time pressure. I feel riddled with anxiety and despair. I have ... View more

hey there, i just sat my chartered accountant exam yesterday. I know that i performed poorly, despite studying a lot. I knew the content, but just made silly mistakes crumbling under the time pressure. I feel riddled with anxiety and despair. I have not slept all night, knowing that i will have to re sit it in june. I feel overwhelmingly disappointed. Having never failed an exam through VCE or university I feel lost and terrified about what is to come. I have a few days off before i return to work, but am so disappointed in my self; I just want to quit everything. Even putting away all my practice notes and exam papers is making me feel ill. I cannot bare to touch them. Im not sure how to dig myself out of this hole. I am fortunate enough to have parents who love me unconditionally as well as a brother and boyfriend who have been a god sent. However this is my own battle and unfortunately i am the only one able to dig myself out. I just dont have the strength at the moment, i feel mentally exhausted. I have cried big ugly tears over the last 24 hours. My thoughts go round and round in circles saying why didnt you write this and notice that. Im afraid of what my colleagues will think of me. But at the same time i know many managers have also failed this exam. The pass rate in the prior year was 67%. Hence I am not the first or last person to fail. However i feel like my world is crumbling around me. I guess my biggest issue now is that, i have to wait 3 weeks before i receive my results. And then after this I will need to find the strength to hit the books again. Life feels so stressful. Im not sure I even want to be an accountant anymore. Is all this stress even worth it? the long hours are exhausting. Do i like what im doing? im not sure. How can i ? im only in my early twenties. I miss my old smilingly self. Looking for guidance and anyone that has sat exams before and failed. How do you forgive yourself for making a mistake and find the strength to do it again.

AshyPeach Health Anxiety? A real bummer.
  • replies: 3

Hi All So for the last 7 weeks I've had really bad health anxeity, I got a nasty cold virus which made me feel real tense and achy, since then I've had a constant ache/weakness sensation in my right arm and leg, even feels like I'm walking funny some... View more

Hi All So for the last 7 weeks I've had really bad health anxeity, I got a nasty cold virus which made me feel real tense and achy, since then I've had a constant ache/weakness sensation in my right arm and leg, even feels like I'm walking funny sometimes, on top of this lots of muscle twitching in my arms and legs body wide. Now recently i've been getting this weird sensation in the back of my throat/nostril like numbness almost and that's triggering me to think it's causing a speech problem and overthink a lot of what I'm going to say. Lastly I have a constant upset stomach, even during sleep and usually wake up with a vibrating sensation in my chest and head which means as soon as I get up I feel terrible and it ruins my start to the day. I had a blood test for a whole range of things and everything came back positive, I asked the doctor if it was worth having an MRI and said it wasn't and that most of the feelings I have now are anxeity based. I'm just having a hard time believing that is the case and I can't stop thinking I have some underlying disease or illness, can anyone relate to this? And how did you get through it?

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