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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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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

Hayleyp Unable to talk to partner about anxiety
  • replies: 7

I have suffered severe health anxiety for many years now, on and off. I have times where I am travelling along quite normally and find the health anxiety hits when I am under pressure at work, or I have a lot of time on my hands to thinks, such as du... View more

I have suffered severe health anxiety for many years now, on and off. I have times where I am travelling along quite normally and find the health anxiety hits when I am under pressure at work, or I have a lot of time on my hands to thinks, such as during the holidays. My husband really is the best, but I cannot talk to him about my health anxiety anymore, because I don’t think he understands it. He will usually have a joke and say ‘what have you got this time?’ I think this is part of the reason I get so stressed because I feel as if I have to internalise it all and it is driving me crazy! Hence the reason I am looking for a psychologist to speak to. Is it common for a partner to come along to a session, so they can actually understand the impact that this anxiety can have on me?? my husband knows I am on anti anxiety medication again, thinks I don’t need it! Don’t get me wrong he is the best husband and father, but I just don’t think he gets it! Is there anyone else in this situation who can give me some advice?

Ferbs Anxiety caused by toxic workplace
  • replies: 7

Hi friends, So i have been with my current employers for 4 1/2 years. In 2018 it came to my attention that i was severely underpaid so i hired a lawyer and got back the money that was rightfully mine but ever since my boss has made me hate going to w... View more

Hi friends, So i have been with my current employers for 4 1/2 years. In 2018 it came to my attention that i was severely underpaid so i hired a lawyer and got back the money that was rightfully mine but ever since my boss has made me hate going to work. She yells at me at times, she's told me not to bother coming back to work if i don't fix a mistake, she disregards request for time off ect. I would feel physically ill walking into work, heart palpitations, chest pains, stomach pains, diahrea, nausea were some of the symptoms that i had when i walked into work So i had no choice but to hand in my resignation. Last night i was up all night with severe anxiety so i called in sick for my shift this morning which was at 11am. I get a message at 11.30 this morning from my boss saying as i have no shown up to work she will take it as i am terminating my contract which wasn't the case as i had called and told the manager on duty that i wouldn't be coming in as i was sick and i had another week of my notice to work. So i called her and she blased me, threatened me that if future employees call for a reference that she would give me a bad reference. Then today i also found out that for 3 years she took all the other staff in my division for Christmas parties but never included me which has made my anxiety and depression worse. I went to the doctor's who has given me a week off work which means that's the last week of notice i would have had to work and which also means i wouldn't have to go back to work. But my question is can i use that certificate even though I'm still meant to be working my notice period? Also the thought of facing her to even give her the medical is making me anxious let alone trying to go back to working with her. I am so lost help please. I'm scared if i use my medical and don't work the last week of my notice she will give me a bad reference which can effect future employment

Faye1 When everyone around me seems to be suffering too.
  • replies: 3

Last year I was diagnosed with Anxiety, Depression and which in turn brought on an eating disorder. I have worked hard over the last 6 months to better my mental health and physical health. Looking at me you wouldn't know I suffer all these things as... View more

Last year I was diagnosed with Anxiety, Depression and which in turn brought on an eating disorder. I have worked hard over the last 6 months to better my mental health and physical health. Looking at me you wouldn't know I suffer all these things as I am a fit and healthy looking person on the outside which often leads to people making triggering remarks. But as I have been making progress and feeling better than I have in years and understanding my triggers and using coping methods I find that everyone around me is suffering their own demons. Every member of my family has or had anxiety and depression, and now it seems all my friends do to. I often think, are we feeding off each others emotions? Or is it a domino effect? One person finally admits they have a problem and then all of a sudden everyone else feels comfortable enough to admit they do to. I am feeling completely overwhelmed trying to help and support all my friends and loved ones that by the end of the day I am left with nothing for myself. How can I support them but also keep myself above water? I understand what they are going through and hate the feeling of not doing enough. I feel like there are no metal health free days anymore. Some days I just want to switch off from the heavy talk but I know that they need that kind of talk right now. I jut feel so drained and like I'm going backwards not forwards. Any suggestions on how I can support all my friends without burning myself out?

Nonablu Can't see a psychologist until February (first ever post)
  • replies: 5

I've had anxiety all my life, but recently at my job it has really ramped up and I can't see anyone about it until February. I'm a lawyer with domestic violence victims and have only been in this position a few months, and it's terrifying. I get anxi... View more

I've had anxiety all my life, but recently at my job it has really ramped up and I can't see anyone about it until February. I'm a lawyer with domestic violence victims and have only been in this position a few months, and it's terrifying. I get anxious just going to the grocery shop without my husband, so meeting with clients and going to court is horrifying. As a result, I feel sick constantly, can't sleep, feel panicky and like I want to run away, feel like I can't breathe properly, heart going fast, feel on edge, feel like nothing matters and have been avoiding doing my work. These symptoms aren't new as I think I've suffered anxiety all my life (I'm scared of doing basically everything - it's so much my norm I almost can't believe that other people can just DO stuff without secretly being scared) but recently I've really felt like I can't cope with it any more. I've never spoken to anyone about it but today as I sat feeling sick and avoiding my real work I thought to myself 'this can't go on', and I managed to call my work's Employee Assistance Program. Unfortunately, I can't get an appointment until 4 February it was just a bit of a let down that I made a big step and now I have to wait until February. I live in a very small regional town and I don't think there is anywhere else I can go. There are some things in January I am worried about and it also leaves me a lot of time to worry about the appointment as I haven't been to a medical professional in literally years and never to a psychologist! I do also want to go to a GP and get an actual diagnosis etc, but there's another hold-up there which is that I let my Medicare card expire over a year ago. I finally tried to get another one today, but found that to do that I have to send my ID documents to my nearest big city in the mail - the whole thing could take weeks. I'm not sure what I'm looking for exactly, I guess I tried to take some big steps today and it feels like it fizzled a bit. Maybe any advice or encouragement that I'm doing the right thing and to hang in there until February?

Happygoluckymiss One for the ladies and of course gents if you can help!
  • replies: 8

Hey there BB community, the last 4 months have been well, out of control. To simplify, I was pregnant and had a termination (which was difficult and the right decision) and then I went on the pill. I went to see my gp (whom I cannot speak more highly... View more

Hey there BB community, the last 4 months have been well, out of control. To simplify, I was pregnant and had a termination (which was difficult and the right decision) and then I went on the pill. I went to see my gp (whom I cannot speak more highly of - he was wonderful!) and after 4 weeks of being on pill (and termination) I had a complete mind snap - I was out of control and insane. I scared myself and those around me. I couldn’t rationalise or put any sense into life. I recognised this and nearly took myself to hospital. I then in a complete state of desperation googled the pill, hormones and anxiety. To my surprise - absolute link. My question is have any ladies experienced this? If so, how did you address it? Gents, any thoughts on this greatly appreciated too. Thank you and new to community!

Shelleeb Saying it out loud
  • replies: 1

I have always found it very hard to say I suffer from anxiety. I am always the one to say everything is going to be ok even if my world has fallen apart. I have this fear that if I stand up and shout out to the world that I have anxiety, I take medic... View more

I have always found it very hard to say I suffer from anxiety. I am always the one to say everything is going to be ok even if my world has fallen apart. I have this fear that if I stand up and shout out to the world that I have anxiety, I take medication everyday and when it's really bad I need medication just to cope, then my life will coming crashing down around me. That there will be nothing left. I will have finally failed and succumbed to this awful illness. I hope this makes sense to someone else.

Dermona Panic attacks on SSRI also anxiety coming back
  • replies: 5

Hello friends, i was diagnosed with anxiety (without panic attacks at first)and started taking SSRI’s it helped me with anxiety. I take an SSRI. I used it for 10days then gave up because i thought i managed my thoughts but i was wrong, anxiety came b... View more

Hello friends, i was diagnosed with anxiety (without panic attacks at first)and started taking SSRI’s it helped me with anxiety. I take an SSRI. I used it for 10days then gave up because i thought i managed my thoughts but i was wrong, anxiety came back after 2days. Then i started taking medication again and i felt big improvements after few days. I m using it second time for 12days everything was improving i was very happy. I also go to CBT therapies. But yesterday i was lying in bed with my girl watching tv and i got panic attack(it was first time), i thought that i cant get enough oxygen. It lasted for few minutes but as i recently read about it i used breathing technique and calmed myself. I constatly get nightmares when my anxiety started and i wake up at night because of those nightmares (i dont have trouble getting back to sleep again). I thought everything could be handled and i was positive, but today i got panic attack that came again from nothing(there was NO racing heart/there was racing thoughts/frequent urination/pain in head/tingling in my limbs/and feeling that i m deattaching from world) is this normal on SSRI to have panic attacks? or it was not enough time to fully work? After my second CBT my panic attack started. Sorry for bad English(it is not my native language). Hope someone could answer my questions and maybe share their experience