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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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ruhroh So apparently i'm not alone in this
  • replies: 3

Hello, I've just joined the online community after reading one member's post about anxiety at uni which I related too A LOT. Up until now I've been telling myself that I don't have a legitimate excuse to be doing so badly in my uni studies - after al... View more

Hello, I've just joined the online community after reading one member's post about anxiety at uni which I related too A LOT. Up until now I've been telling myself that I don't have a legitimate excuse to be doing so badly in my uni studies - after all everyone has stuff they deal with and they still manage to get good grades and hold down a job and do all that independent life stuff - why do I find it so difficult? well my answer for that was because I must be an inept failure. I've been feeling like i don't have a right to be at uni because I'm not even doing difficult units yet I've already failed 2 in the past year and am constantly having to ask for special consideration and extensions on assignments, and even with those I still just scrape a P if I'm lucky. I'm in recovery from an eating disorder at the moment, and I hear all the time that I must have perfectionism, right? Well I given my situation I highly doubt that - and I know others with an ED who are at uni and they actually do have perfectionism in they will start assignments a month early and cry if they get below a HD. I just don't fit in this stereotype and it makes me feel invalidated like I "don't properly" have an ED because I don't feel that I fit a variety of the stereotypic characteristics, but if i say this i feel others will just pigeonhole me as 'in denial' or as if i can't see myself realistically - which btw i can - it's just the stigma around having an ED means anything i say about myself doesn't really get acknowledged as truth, sometimes it's known as 'my truth' but never just 'the truth', yet more often than not those two things are the same. Anyways enough of that tangent .... Right now I have an assignment that was due in 3 days ago which I still haven't finished, got granted an extension for, but now am putting it off even more cause I already feel like I've failed or should be failed because I'm just screwing things up for myself so I don't deserve anyones sympathy. I'm sorry for going on such a rant, but yea. I know I haven't really asked for advice (kinda because i feel like i'd fail at following the advise anyways so why ask for it) but it I think it would be good to know if anyone else has had/is having a similar experience of life and what you did to manage everything, cause right now i feel like my life is in shambles and i don't know where to begin. Probs by finishing this essay, ay.

YellowPoppy Debilitating anxiety about death
  • replies: 2

Hi friends, My anxiety has latched on to death and its unrelenting. I always thought that when I go I'd be surrounded by loved ones, especially my mum but I'm the youngest in my family and I don't want kids. So now I'm terrified of dying alone and th... View more

Hi friends, My anxiety has latched on to death and its unrelenting. I always thought that when I go I'd be surrounded by loved ones, especially my mum but I'm the youngest in my family and I don't want kids. So now I'm terrified of dying alone and that I won't which is all mixed up with losing my mum. See, she's been one of my main support systems and shes been helping me through all of this but what happens if she goes and I'm still like this. I'm really scared. And of course it's more extensive than that because I end up spiralling and I think of other things, like I'm not close with my brothers and I don't know how to start communicating with them. Normally when I get anxious I can tell myseld I'm being silly and I can talk myself down, but in this case my fear is a real possibility. And everytime mum helps me through an episode I struggle not think about what would happen if wasn't here. I rarely feel anything except anxiety, my stomach is constantly tense, I feel confused about my relationship with my partner because of it. I don't feel comfort when we hug or when he reaches out, I don't really feel live for him right now and I know that's cause I'm So wrapped up in my fear but it makes everything ten times harder. Im paralysed from fear of this. And I don't understand how no one else is. YellowPoppy

OllieB How do you tell people?
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I have been attending counselling through uni and I have now been told that I should visit a GP and obtain a mental health care plan from them and discuss various options going foward. So basically I feel like this just got real, like before ... View more

Hi all, I have been attending counselling through uni and I have now been told that I should visit a GP and obtain a mental health care plan from them and discuss various options going foward. So basically I feel like this just got real, like before I could pretend that what I was feeling was everyday stress- I knew it wasn't but accepting that has been hard. I also recently went to the doctors to ensure there wasn't any physiological cause for my anxiety and felt like I was being judged the whole time and honestly didn't find the whole experience very helpful- so going back even to a different place is causing me a whole heap of stress. Is there any advice on how to approach this, even just what to expect going forward. I am in a whole new place and new things and me do not mix very well. I feel like I'm in danger of burying my head in the sand and ignoring this problem, even though I'm at the stage where I Think that will no longer work. I think my main concern is people finding out I don't share my feelings very often and hide panic attacks when they occur- how do I tell people and when I do how do I get Over the constant feeling of judgement?

Dana123 Anxiety or just not attracted to the person?
  • replies: 4

Hi, So I've recently started a relationship with a guy. He's soo sweet and has been very supportive about feeling overwhelmed and anxious. I was diagnosed with GAD a few years ago and for the most part, it has been well managed with medication and th... View more

Hi, So I've recently started a relationship with a guy. He's soo sweet and has been very supportive about feeling overwhelmed and anxious. I was diagnosed with GAD a few years ago and for the most part, it has been well managed with medication and therapy. Around the same time the relationship started, I started my first full-time job after graduating from uni. My anxiety has been at an all-time high. I've somehow convinced myself that I can't do both at the same time (full-time work + relationship). It's gotten to the point where sometimes it feels like a chore to hang out with this guy, I get nervous and almost need to plan for our dates mentally. I didn't feel like that in the first week or two. I feel that my anxiety is stopping me from enjoying my time with this guy. But I'm also confused because I feel that if I liked the guy a lot, I shouldn't feel like this? Or is this a normal thing to feel when you have anxiety? I've resumed therapy with my psych, but wondering if anyone has ever experienced something similar? Would love your insights Thanks

Guest_2574 Scared feeling?
  • replies: 11

I frequently get this weird scared feeling when i try to go to sleep. Its hard to explain but its like it feels like ive got evil eyes watching me. I also get the feeling during the day sometimes. I suffer from cptsd,major depression,ocd,gad. I dont ... View more

I frequently get this weird scared feeling when i try to go to sleep. Its hard to explain but its like it feels like ive got evil eyes watching me. I also get the feeling during the day sometimes. I suffer from cptsd,major depression,ocd,gad. I dont know if its related. Its only started in the last few yrs.

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.

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