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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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Scruffy1 Will I ever be normal?
  • replies: 5

I know it’s like asking how long is a piece of string but is recovery possible and how long does it take on average when I have been suffering untreated anxiety for most of my life. I have sought treatment 12 months ago and have been having therapy o... View more

I know it’s like asking how long is a piece of string but is recovery possible and how long does it take on average when I have been suffering untreated anxiety for most of my life. I have sought treatment 12 months ago and have been having therapy on a regular basis and have made tiny improvements but the anxiety still has control and as much as I want to I can’t seem to let go of my past Will I ever be normal or am I destined to have this the rest of my life?

DanTheMan001 Scared of bullying?
  • replies: 3

Is there anyone here at school who is being bullied? I feel that I have to do everything right or else people will treat me like a joke. If there is anyone out there in the huge universe that is the internet, that would be awesome. Dan

Is there anyone here at school who is being bullied? I feel that I have to do everything right or else people will treat me like a joke. If there is anyone out there in the huge universe that is the internet, that would be awesome. Dan

Bec2014 Success stories - returning to work post-baby and rebuilding self-confidence
  • replies: 1

Hi Everyone, I'm a first-time mum who's returning to work slowly - freelancing one day a week plus a couple of days at home with bub. I've been excited to get back into things, but I am completely lacking any self-confidence (imposter syndrome at its... View more

Hi Everyone, I'm a first-time mum who's returning to work slowly - freelancing one day a week plus a couple of days at home with bub. I've been excited to get back into things, but I am completely lacking any self-confidence (imposter syndrome at its best) and I am quietly terrified at the thought of being social in an office of adults. Prior to baby I've struggled a lot with anxiety and depression, and I feel the mat leave 'gap' has left me feeling even more out of sorts. I have some work lined up, which I am happy about, but I am scared it won't last because I have next to no social skills and am lacking that self-belief. Enter: you lovely folk who have found success in regaining self-belief and overcoming social anxiety. At this point I am feeling pretty isolated about it all and I would love to hear of anyone who has some tried-and-tested tricks they can share. Thanks!

Jover58 Severe anxiety and panic disorder getting worse
  • replies: 7

Hi all, I am new here although I've been living with panic attacks most of my life. I am 58 now and, although I've never given up trying to live a normal life and manage to get by most of the time with medication, lately I am scared all the time. I r... View more

Hi all, I am new here although I've been living with panic attacks most of my life. I am 58 now and, although I've never given up trying to live a normal life and manage to get by most of the time with medication, lately I am scared all the time. I recently moved to the country hoping for a fresh start but I feel so isolated and I can't drive far before panic sets in. I have a supportive partner but ths is a living hell. I have pulled myself put of this kind of situation before with the help of a psychologist but here I don't even have a GP yet and I can't drive to see one. My partner just started a new job so he can't take me and even if I got a referral to a psych how would ai get there? I'm tired of being scared and feeling useless. Any help or support would be much appreciated. Thanks for listening.

tahlsy16 Anxiety about Leaving school
  • replies: 6

Hi So I know people have properly already made these posts, but I am just having so much trouble with trying to cope with the idea of leaving school and having to grow up. I am currently in year 12 and in my finale few weeks, and while all my friends... View more

Hi So I know people have properly already made these posts, but I am just having so much trouble with trying to cope with the idea of leaving school and having to grow up. I am currently in year 12 and in my finale few weeks, and while all my friends seem really happy and excited to leave, I can`t help but get really stressed. I`m struggling to focus in class and get my assignments done (which at first I thought was just procrastination but have come to learn that it`s something different where I just cant physically bring myself to do any school work), I`m finding it hard to sleep, I keep having constant panic attacks and overall just feeling really hopeless and alone and constantly on the verge of tears. I can`t stop thinking about how after I graduate, that`s it. Like I just go through life, watching the people around me die and struggle with life`s annoying bumps like money, relationships and trying to afford everything. I keep stressing myself out with the thought that I need to get a job, and I need to be able to afford a house and food, and that I am going to have so many annoying challenges to go through, and I am starting to wonder if it`s worth it all. I`ve seen physiologists in the past due to anxiety and depression, and recently depersonalisation. I keep having these episodes where everything appears fake, and that I am just having a vivid dream. I am having difficulty remembering whether things that have happened where a dream or really happened. I also keep getting hung up on the thought that everything that has happened to me, all the amazing laughs that I`ve shared with people, the concerts I`ve been to, just everything in general is all now just a memory. And i can`t help but think that everything that`s going to happen in the future will soon just be a memory. I`ve learned a few exercises that have helped me with panic attacks mainly, but I don`t have anything to help me long term. Any advice on how to go about this would be so helpful. Thank you.

kned Loss of identity and trying to figure my new path out
  • replies: 6

I am currently struggling to find myself regarding my career and overall purpose in life. I've found myself in a place where I am a full time mum, at home with my 2 beautiful children and a baby on the way. The career I once had, is no longer really ... View more

I am currently struggling to find myself regarding my career and overall purpose in life. I've found myself in a place where I am a full time mum, at home with my 2 beautiful children and a baby on the way. The career I once had, is no longer really there due to sector changes. I also don't know whether I want to go back to anything similar. I feel burnt-out from that field. There were many good aspects but also many that were challenging and I just don't have the energy for them plus my home life now. My family say this is a perfect time for me to look at studying something new. However I have no idea what I want to study! Every day (when the kids nap/are at preschool) I try to figure out what I want to do but just go around in circles. Does anyone have any advice on how to stop this going around in circles? Because it makes me anxious that I just cant figure out my life!!

Downandout1 Anxiety -meds and family
  • replies: 2

Ive been having anxiety the last few weeks and went to my doc today to discuss it. He gave me medication and I'm going to make a mental health care plan tomorrow...also, my parents dont think its anxiety, they think its my heart...ive been to a cardi... View more

Ive been having anxiety the last few weeks and went to my doc today to discuss it. He gave me medication and I'm going to make a mental health care plan tomorrow...also, my parents dont think its anxiety, they think its my heart...ive been to a cardiologist and it was fine...they just don't understand. I feel alone and scared.

Xanderman96 What am I doing wrong?
  • replies: 1

Hi, I’m 22 and I fell like shit and feel lonely 80% of the time. I act like I’m in the greatest mood round my family and work colleagues but I am not. All I do is sit around doing FA such as eating, playing PlayStation and the only times I go out is ... View more

Hi, I’m 22 and I fell like shit and feel lonely 80% of the time. I act like I’m in the greatest mood round my family and work colleagues but I am not. All I do is sit around doing FA such as eating, playing PlayStation and the only times I go out is for work or to go to the movies and that’s it. I lie to my parents about having friends when I have none. I NEED another person who I can share my thoughts with and also give my heart to someone (girlfriend) and for her to give me her love but no I’m a fat person who does nothing who eats constantly and obviously no one likes (other than my family obviously) ive told two girls and work that I have feelings for them, one called me an idiot and the other who I fell in love with and wished she would said yes told me no. Maybe I’m just one of those people that people talk to and become acquaintances not friends. Like I message them and say hey did you wanna do something but they are always busy or to be quite frank don’t want to do anything with me. I have photosensitive epilepsy so I can’t go to clubs or pubs too meet new people or hanging out with colleagues. as I said, I need that someone to love and for them to love me back but no one will and sorry but that SUCKS i was hoping to come on here for some help, I’m not suicidal or anything but I’m getting to the point of breakdown, what should I do?

RoPo_27 Nervous spasms?
  • replies: 4

Hi, was wondering if anyone could relate to the sensation what are almost like spasms - akin to hypnic jerks. It is like my anxiety is centralised in my shoulders, back and neck - I will react to this sensation as though I am hearing nails on a chalk... View more

Hi, was wondering if anyone could relate to the sensation what are almost like spasms - akin to hypnic jerks. It is like my anxiety is centralised in my shoulders, back and neck - I will react to this sensation as though I am hearing nails on a chalk board, tilting my head to one side because it is difficult to deal with the sheer amount of copious energy. Another thing is when I am alone and in the dark I feel the need (such that it is half-voluntary, half-involuntary) to twitch (convulse, spasm, whatever) almost like I am jumping at a bad thought. I get this engulfing urge when around other people but can sort of subdue it enough so that I do so called "mini-twitches" or coil up. Sometimes when these kind of things get really bad I have to lie down and just let it happen - and feel the urge to wave my arms and head around in a flailing motion. Sounds a bit odd in the written word, but can anyone relate? Thanks

MakeTheWorldABetterPlace An apparently 'successful' person with mental illness who is struggling with the notion of going back to work – Please help
  • replies: 40

To the outside observer I'm a very 'successful' person. I'm a single guy, 32 years of age, I live a alone. I get on well with family. I have a few good friends. I have a PhD. I have a job as a researcher. I have a house that I'm paying off and a car ... View more

To the outside observer I'm a very 'successful' person. I'm a single guy, 32 years of age, I live a alone. I get on well with family. I have a few good friends. I have a PhD. I have a job as a researcher. I have a house that I'm paying off and a car that I own. Outside of work I haven't really had much else one. I have done well at work, but I'm now burnt out. I have worked extremely long hours (+weekends) doing lots of work that is itself hard to do. I've stopped work and taken over three months leave so far. My diagnosis is depression (with mixed anxiety), generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder and panic disorder. I'm seeing a psychologist and a psychiatrist every fortnight or so. Also, I'm on medication. I have had other medications in the past. My sick leave will be exhausted soon and for some unclear period of time at this stage I will be on income protection while I recover. After a sustained period of working hard I've become burnt out, exhausted, cynical and anxious. This didn't come out of nowhere. I was finding it more and more difficult to get out of bed and make the 1.5 hour or so journey each way to work every day. This led me to increasingly arrive late or abruptly call in sick. In the end, despite my efforts to undertake a herculean task I was unable to finish the task on time. Nor was I able to finish the task by the several rescheduled due dates that followed. I was spent. Exhausted. This was 'the straw that broke the camel's back' as such. At the moment, I may not be 'rational', but I find it hard to imagine going back to work: where I was; or somewhere else. The stress is just too much to handle. I feel that my depression and anxiety are discounted and misunderstood a bit because I'm ostensibly 'successful'. It has been very difficult to achieve what I have. For the last 8 years, at the very least, I have had to deal with the repeated fallout of working too hard (a virtue, something society praises and admires – despite the emotional turmoil it can create). This instance is the worst ever for me. I feel thoroughly broken. I have thought long and hard about how to solve this problem solve. But I'm just exasperated. I spend much of my days just sleeping at the moment. Has anyone else struggled similarly with the idea of returning to work? If so, what did you do and what were the outcomes? What would you suggest?