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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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EmeraldEmphasis Eating anxiety
  • replies: 2

For a year now, I have been avoiding eating dinner when I am at my boyfriends house. He still lives with his parents and his mum cooks. I get severe anxiety from simply her yelling out 'dinner time'. I used to eat dinner at the same time, then became... View more

For a year now, I have been avoiding eating dinner when I am at my boyfriends house. He still lives with his parents and his mum cooks. I get severe anxiety from simply her yelling out 'dinner time'. I used to eat dinner at the same time, then became vegetarian. And since then, despite still not being vegetarian I avoid eating with them. I will pretend to be feeling sick, literally anything to avoid having to go up to the dinner table. My boyfriends finally approached me asking whats wrong and that I have to eat dinner with them now and that 'it isn't a big ask'. I have tried to describe that I get anxiety around eating meals that other people have prepared etc and that sitting down at the table is a fear of mine. I sweat when I eat and then I become self conscious of my sweating with in turn makes me more anxious etc. I feel like they don't like me and when I do try and communicate like they don't want to listen. I don't feel comfortable telling my boyfriend that as he has said that they feel as though I don't like them. Which isn't the case and I don't want to put more pressure on the situation. I've created an issue out of nothing and know the guilt and anxiety will only continue to build up. I just want a perspective on how I should go about making the issue not an issue anymore. I don't want to ruin my relationship with my boyfriends family forever. Thanks guys!

lilycat Anxiety about keeping the house clean and tidy
  • replies: 8

Hi there, Just wanted to see if anyone has had experience with how I'm feeling, and what they've done to work through it. I've suffered from depression and anxiety almost my whole life, yet officially diagnosed a few years. Over the last few years, I... View more

Hi there, Just wanted to see if anyone has had experience with how I'm feeling, and what they've done to work through it. I've suffered from depression and anxiety almost my whole life, yet officially diagnosed a few years. Over the last few years, I've noticed a severe increase in needing to keep my home clean and tidy. I'm not an OCD cleaner and it's not about the germ factor, it's more just a need to have things looking and smelling nice and clean. I can't deal with clutter, and whilst I clean the house daily (not obsessively, just enough to look good), I sometimes get in to these anxiety panics with the state of my house and need to drop everything and deep clean. I've found a nice routine with this in my own home, however my husband and I have recently moved in with my sister and her partner as our house is being renovated. My sister isn't a dirty person by any means, she's just not as clean and tidy as the standards I'm used to. I do my best to clean my areas and the living areas so it stays nice, but it's never up to my level unless I were to spend 2 hours a day deep cleaning - and I just can't do that with work and regular life. I'm also pregnant with our first child and I know that when baby comes along things will have to change too - things won't stay as perfect as I like, however I feel that once I'm in my own home I will be able to cope. Any advice to get through the next few weeks sharing a house and managing this anxiety? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Worrier01 Fainting/Falling Sensation
  • replies: 4

Hi there. I am new to this site and hoping I can get some advice. I have started getting a feeling that I am about to faint but I never do. Research on the web better describes my feeling as more of a ‘I think I am about to fall’ sensation. I have a ... View more

Hi there. I am new to this site and hoping I can get some advice. I have started getting a feeling that I am about to faint but I never do. Research on the web better describes my feeling as more of a ‘I think I am about to fall’ sensation. I have a pacemaker fitted andthought it was relatedto my heart condition of left heart block, but a day in casualty yesterday ruled out any issues with my heart, pacemaker or associations. I have a further appointment with my cardiolist (invloved in yesterdays proceedings) to tryand lookinto this further. However I am now wondering if this feeling/sensation is anxiety related. The sensation occurs approximately twice a day and seems to come on more in this extreme heat. The sensation makes me grap for support or go to ground for safety as I thinkI am going to faint or fall, i guess. It is starting make me go throughthe what if this happens... secenarios to the point that I am reluctant to leave the house. If I lie down I never get the sensations, only walking and at times sitting. The sensations last from 1 to 3 seconds. So I am trying to find out if it may be anxietyrelated so I can discuss this with my cardiologist so I don’t steer him in a wrong direction. If it may be anxiety related who would you suggest is the first point of call for me to have a talk to. Thanks again for listening as it wasn’t easy making a decison to write tjis but I guess this where to start. I cant deal with these ongoing sensations so need some help from someone if it is anxietyrelated. I have recently retired from a highly stressful (positive) job and am now leading a more sedentry lifestyle but have the usual stresses I guess of that change, finances, living with spouse fulltime etc. Thank you for your time.

Monkeysss Are panic attacks different for everyone?
  • replies: 8

Hi all, just looking for peoples panic attack experiences. Sorry if this is long. I’ve read a lot of people saying they get heart attack symptoms. Their chest sore. From what I can remember I don’t get chest pain when I have a panic attack. Here are ... View more

Hi all, just looking for peoples panic attack experiences. Sorry if this is long. I’ve read a lot of people saying they get heart attack symptoms. Their chest sore. From what I can remember I don’t get chest pain when I have a panic attack. Here are my symptoms: •I notice at first my eyes go blurry •I feel like I’m not breathing like my throat and lungs are numb or something that’s the only way I can explain it my brain tells me I can’t/am not breathing but I don’t always hyperventilate •my skin heats up like im on fire, after the panic attack I feel like I’m badly sunburnt mainly my upper arms and back (this feeling lingers for ages after probs a day or two but after that it only returns when I’m anxious or during/after a panic attack) •I get insane dizziness and sense of dread I keep thinking ‘something’s wrong, this is it I’m actually gonna die this time I have to get to a hospital’(even say it out loud begging my mum to take me hospital but she doesn’t bc she knows it’s a panic attack. And just get this feeling I absolutely can’t describe with words, just convinced something’s wrong and this is the end then afterwards I cry and get really shaky and anxious bc I’m scared of having another one. Bc my panic attack is different to what other people experience my anxiety is telling me it’s not a panic attack and that I’m actually dying :/so is anyone okay with sharing their panic attack symptoms? Are panic attacks different for everyone?

Mum02 Physical symptoms, I fear I'm not going to see my kids grow up
  • replies: 3

Hi, I am new to this, but since November, I have had sore chest, then. Progressed to me thinking about the worst, I now have got tingling all through my body, to the point, I feel like I'm not going to have long on this earth. In saying that, I have ... View more

Hi, I am new to this, but since November, I have had sore chest, then. Progressed to me thinking about the worst, I now have got tingling all through my body, to the point, I feel like I'm not going to have long on this earth. In saying that, I have been to emergency room, all tests done. Nothing, then each week something else happens, my Dr sent me to a neurologist , all completely clear. I'm freaking out about cancers, sarcomas, as I am my worst enemy and Dr googled it. I went and got a second opinion, nothing except he thinks all my chest cartridge is inflamed. I have had test after test, my. Huge fear is that I'm not going to see my kids grow up. I am going for another mri for my spine. But both drs are both saying anxiety and possible fibromalgia, I am driving my family bonkers, my deepest fear is that they are going to come back and say sorry we misdiagnosed you and enjoy the time you have left. I cry at a drop of a hat, my body is in pain all the time with tingling. But this all started when I lost 2 members of the same family within 3months , all of a sudden and it bought back the memories of when my gorgeous brother passed away in 2009 from AML. I'm petrified, but my Dr has referred me to a psychologist.

Hollyvw92 Post car crash anxiety
  • replies: 10

Hi all, i am 26 years old and had the unlucky experience of being involved in a head on collision today. I have always dealt with severe anxiety and obviously today the anxiety is in its glory taking control of my mind. I understand it’s normal and m... View more

Hi all, i am 26 years old and had the unlucky experience of being involved in a head on collision today. I have always dealt with severe anxiety and obviously today the anxiety is in its glory taking control of my mind. I understand it’s normal and most people in my situation would be feeling somewhat anxious however, me being an overly anxious person in general anyway, I feel as though it’s gonna take me longer than most people to get over this. I very luckily walked away from the accident with a sore neck and some bruised knees. Thank god the other driver was absolutely fine, with no injuries whatsoever. We were both in the wrong as we both went through yellow lights. I was going straight and he was turning in front so we crashed straight into each other head on. I was wondering if anyone had any tips on dealing with this and getting the courage up to get back behind the wheel? My car is most likely a write off and I’ve decided to hold off getting a rental as I know I’m going to be a nervous wreck the next time I drive. Even today as a passenger in the car and my partner driving, every time someone had to give way to my partner I nearly had a panic attack thinking the other driver wasn’t going to stop. Now I am also stressing about how much I’m going to get paid out and if it’s going to cover my loan. I am also stressing about who’s fault it is and whether this is going to ruin my insurance history. If anyone has any tips or has even been in a similar situation and is keen to share their story, please shout out

Elvira_kate Anxiety relapse and subtance use
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, 2 and a half years ago I experienced my first panic attack and experienced extreme symptoms of anxiety. Since that panic attack I have sought help from a psychologist, completed an online-course and started long distance running to help ... View more

Hi everyone, 2 and a half years ago I experienced my first panic attack and experienced extreme symptoms of anxiety. Since that panic attack I have sought help from a psychologist, completed an online-course and started long distance running to help manage symptoms etc. I have been doing really well and feeling in control. I am ashamed to say that while I was doing all these helpful things, I still continued to use substances on the weekends with my friends. I would not consider myself a heavy user but I am on medication for my anxiety and I know that using drugs is extremely unhelpful. Two weeks ago following the Christmas/new year period I had reached a point where I could not cope with the frequency of my habit and I became in a state of panic. Since then I have found most days I have experienced severe anxiety again. I am determined to get back on my feet, I have vowed to stopped using substance and have booked in to seek further help. I have been doing a lot of thought processing and understand that my habits stem from wanting to please my peers and not miss out on any fun. As with all anxious thoughts, I see that it is irrational to think these things. I am not sure what I hope to achieve from posting in this forum, I just feel lost at the moment and would appreciate any advice or words of wisdom that will give me hope for a future without anxiety ruling me like it is now. Thanks for listening

Kad79 New mum anxiety
  • replies: 11

Hi I'm a mum to a 9 month old son. I started having health issues in October and after an ultrasound and a ct scan I was told I have a bulky pancreas. The Dr didn't explain anything to be about what it meant and I was left to my own devices. Weeks la... View more

Hi I'm a mum to a 9 month old son. I started having health issues in October and after an ultrasound and a ct scan I was told I have a bulky pancreas. The Dr didn't explain anything to be about what it meant and I was left to my own devices. Weeks later and I'm still having chest pains and toileting issues. I don't know if it's anxiety or my pancreas. Daily I think I've got something so serious that I'll die and leave my son without a mother. I'm getting a blood test tomorrow to see if there are further issues, but my current Dr rolls her eyes everytime I go in there. I wake up feeling sick in the morning and worry that it means something is seriously wrong. My partner thinks I'm over reacting so I can't talk to him. My family live interstate and I just want my mum. I used to be so healthy and loved life but now I'm sick all the time and don't like leaving the house alone.

hannalogy Disconnection
  • replies: 6

Just wondering - I have experiences sometimes where I feel like I'm a step removed from myself and other people. It's hard to explain.. When I talk to people it can be like talking through a fog or like I'm far away. My mind can't seem to be in the s... View more

Just wondering - I have experiences sometimes where I feel like I'm a step removed from myself and other people. It's hard to explain.. When I talk to people it can be like talking through a fog or like I'm far away. My mind can't seem to be in the same space that my body is.. in the moment.. Everything useful is on the periphery or something. Things don't feel real. No they do... they feel real.. just.. fuzzy or something. It doesn't happen all the time.. but enough for me to notice it occasionally. I get anxious a lot, but not to panic-attack stage. I wondered if it might be an anxiety thing..

roogirl Retirement Blues
  • replies: 11

Hello, Wondering if you ever get used to being retired? It's been almost a year now since I retired and I'm still going through an adjustment period, feeling all over the shop and my anxiety is none too happy I can tell you. I'm involved in other thi... View more

Hello, Wondering if you ever get used to being retired? It's been almost a year now since I retired and I'm still going through an adjustment period, feeling all over the shop and my anxiety is none too happy I can tell you. I'm involved in other things such as voluntary work and walking group, but not the same as working full time 5 days a week. I don't miss my job as such, but the routine and being needed I guess. I live alone and have done for many years (divorced) and have never felt lonely before, but I do now and feel quite isolated at times. I have supportive family and friends, but they also have their own lives. I'm considering moving to a retirement village where I may not feel quite so alone. I will do my research thoroughly before making any long term decisions. Anyone else out there who has been down this road, I would like any opinions on how you have coped or are coping. Roogirl