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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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Dylan121121 A small story and hopefully some advice.
  • replies: 4

Hello all, my name is dylan and im 25 years old. I seen a doctor about depression/ anxiety 5 years ago. Since then have taken 4 differant antidepressants, seen 1 pschologist and 2 pschiatrists. The main problems were intrusive thoughts/ anxious thoug... View more

Hello all, my name is dylan and im 25 years old. I seen a doctor about depression/ anxiety 5 years ago. Since then have taken 4 differant antidepressants, seen 1 pschologist and 2 pschiatrists. The main problems were intrusive thoughts/ anxious thoughts, paranoia. Currently i get a weird thoughts that when i see another male that i may get into a fight and lose. Also get thoughts and fears my partner may cheat. Antidepressants and excercise has helped the most. There are days when i think there's no such thing as mental illness which is other peoples opinions rubbing off. I just hate the fact i may need medication and theres times when ive stopped taking it. I know it helps but i hate to feel i have a problem and i hate buying it. Realistically medication and excercise improves my quality of life and it is something i need to stick too. I hope someone can give me some encouragement or advice.

roogirl Health anxiety in old age
  • replies: 4

Hello, I seem to be suffering a lot this year from health anxiety. I've been ill off and on quite a lot this year and not up to scratch once again at the moment. Have to have some tests (not life threatening) however, for me it's always the what ifs.... View more

Hello, I seem to be suffering a lot this year from health anxiety. I've been ill off and on quite a lot this year and not up to scratch once again at the moment. Have to have some tests (not life threatening) however, for me it's always the what ifs. What if it's a brain tumour or some other form of cancer. My doctor is always telling me, no that's your anxiety talking. Once the anxiety kicks in the worst thing for me is the light headedness and feeling a bit out of it. I find this really debilitating and I'm always worried it will never go away. I know this is unreasonable, but the feeling always returns. I retired earlier this year and that has also been a bit of a struggle trying to find your feet in a new kind of world. I volunteer and am part of a walking group, but at the end of the day, I still go home to an empty house. While I have lived alone for a long period of time now, once my anxiety kicks in I feel isolated and afraid. I have a supportive family and friends, plus I see a clinical psychologist. By the way, my health anxiety commenced about 4 years ago with a misdiagnosis and wrong treatment. It's been quite a struggle. Any suggestions or opinions are always gratefully received. Roogirl

Bols Anxiety attack out of the blue
  • replies: 4

First time posting, I just had an anxiety attack for the first time in years. It felt like it came out of nowhere. One minute I was getting ready for work the next hyperventilating on the floor and sobbing my heart out. I forgot how awful it felt. My... View more

First time posting, I just had an anxiety attack for the first time in years. It felt like it came out of nowhere. One minute I was getting ready for work the next hyperventilating on the floor and sobbing my heart out. I forgot how awful it felt. My chest still hurts. For the first time I actually booked a dr's appointment and talked to a friend. Normally I'd shut down and isolate myself for a week. So that's good. But I know I have to change things in my life to have a chance to enjoy it. What I need is to get out of my head and safety of my isolation. But I don't know how and I guess the build up of ignoring that is making me anxious. What I want to know is how to break out of the rut. I always feel ashamed to admit I have anxiety it feels like a weakness or failure on my part. And feel like I will always feel less than others. And not worth people's time.

wither The need to go bathroom is controlling my life ..
  • replies: 8

For almost 15 years now I've had an issue where I need to urinate quite frequently when in cars, or walking, or when out and about... Well that's how it started out anyway. It's gotten to the point a couple of years ago, where I worry about it so muc... View more

For almost 15 years now I've had an issue where I need to urinate quite frequently when in cars, or walking, or when out and about... Well that's how it started out anyway. It's gotten to the point a couple of years ago, where I worry about it so much, that I now have lots of safety behaviours around it. Things like even getting a hair cut are distressing now, or lining up in a supermarket line.. I think it's so engrained in me now, that it's just on auto pilot. It's almost like if there is a situation where I can't just leave on my own accord, the horrible feeling kicks in.This causes me great distress and it stops me doing things like driving in a car, (I always drive myself) but lately even going small distances in the car is causing huge problems... It feels like I just need to urinate instantly. I even drive myself some times now, and get other people to go separately, so I don't have to face the embarrassment of stopping and putting everyone out.I'm currently taking medication for depression (mostly caused by this!) and another which is meant to help with the anxiety, but it's not.I was seeing a pysch, but her solution was to "just hold on for as long as you can, and sit through the comfortableness" .. This isn't a solution.This problem is basically ruining my life and I really want to do something about it... Thanks.

Shy_Girl10 Anxiety and taking the first step
  • replies: 1

Hi This is only the second time i have posted here and really should do it more. My anxiety has gradually been getting worse and i just dont know what to do anymore. I feel like im annoying people/my best friend with my constant issues. I desperately... View more

Hi This is only the second time i have posted here and really should do it more. My anxiety has gradually been getting worse and i just dont know what to do anymore. I feel like im annoying people/my best friend with my constant issues. I desperately want to talk to my friend about how im feeling but just dont know how. I have been wanting to go see a GP to talk about my Mental health but finding it hard to take that step. I have never been good at talking to people, and always found messaging easier. Thinking about going and taking that step has me worried if people will judge me or what they will think of me.. I am in constant worry about what others think of me. Im not the prettiest person, or have that perfect figure, and ive been hating myself a lot for it. I want to get on top of my anxiety and im just about over it. I look at my friends and how they are, and how they look after thenselves, yet i struggle to even go see someone. How? Why? Any ideas what more i can do? Lisa

NMTB Anxiety - Your Favourite Quotes ... and not so favourite ones
  • replies: 6

Hi all, I don't know whether this thread will go anywhere, but you never know I suppose. It may bring a bit of pondering as well as a bit of amusement. The idea stems from over 30 years of reading and therapy. There have been gems of wisdom and, well... View more

Hi all, I don't know whether this thread will go anywhere, but you never know I suppose. It may bring a bit of pondering as well as a bit of amusement. The idea stems from over 30 years of reading and therapy. There have been gems of wisdom and, well, other stuff. I will kick off with my favourite quote about anxiety, because it speaks so well to my personal experience. Then I will balance it with a little gem of wisdom from a therapist. And no Grand Inquisitor has in readiness such terrible tortures as has anxiety, and no spy knows how to attack more artfully the man he suspects, choosing the instant when he is weakest, nor knows how to lay traps where he will be caught and ensnared, as anxiety knows how, and no sharp-witted judge knows how to interrogate, to examine the accused as anxiety does, which never lets him escape, neither by diversion nor by noise, neither at work nor at play, neither by day nor at night ― Soren Kierkegaard, The Concept of Dread (1844) Me: "I'm still having a lot of trouble getting on the motorbike. Once I start the ride I'm OK, I'm wrapped up in it, but sometimes I get trapped at Uni because I can't bring myself to get on the bike." Psych:"Did I tell you I traded my WRX on a Hyundai Getz? It's a really good little car, lot's of fun to drive" I promise that really happened, it's engraved on my memory! Cheers.

Guest_736 I'm losing all control :(
  • replies: 2

A few months ago, I met a girl at uni and we are now dating. I bought up my negative thoughts with her, as she experienced a time where she went through depression and anxiety. I've been referred to Headspace for anxiety and OCD. In our relationship,... View more

A few months ago, I met a girl at uni and we are now dating. I bought up my negative thoughts with her, as she experienced a time where she went through depression and anxiety. I've been referred to Headspace for anxiety and OCD. In our relationship, all has been well, my negative thoughts are still there, and she is helping me manage them. I have been using her as my backbone through a lot of it, however, recently she did something I didn't believe she'd do. I am only 18, however, I have been raised in a family where more than 1 piercing is shamed upon. The other day my girlfriend got her helix pierced. We did briefly have a conversation a few weeks before she got it, where I simply expressed I'm not fan. She accepted my opinion. However, when she got it, I felt sick in my stomach and disappointed. So I asked a few close people if I should bring it up or not, some said yes and some no. Despite this, I decided to bring it up since we have always been big on communication, even if it's not the prettiest of things. I have had this in my head for the past two and a half days, which is really been pulling me down. So i decided I would tell her. I expressed I was disappointed that she got it, but completely understand that it is something she wanted and enjoys. I also understand that I have no right to tell her what she can and can't do. We are both big on a 'non-controlive environment.' Something so small had triggered such as large reaction in my head. It is literally 1 earring, yet it has made me feel disgusting. I told her that it's not her fault, it's just that I have blown it up to something it's not, which I truly think I have. I'm not sure if it's my anxiety taking over? I was so hesitant to tell her, because I didn't want to hurt her, but it'd create more negative tension if I didn't. I want to be able to accept it, and be like "I'm glad you like it" and not let it take a mental toll like it has. I am frustrated with myself because I feel like I am becoming a controlive person and I don't want to. I feel like I am stuck, my head knows it shouldn't affect me this much, but my emotions against it are still there. I expressed to her that I didn't want to hurt her by telling her. She replied I didn't hurt her, and she understands. I feel like I am going along for an emotional ride with no control. We decided that this is a good challenge to work together on for future scenarios. I don't want her to remove it, I just want to have the ability to accept it.

Dutchie74 Constant fear of having a panic attack
  • replies: 4

Dear All, hope you are as well as can be. I have always suffered from anxiety which has turned into panic disorder a couple of weeks ago due to working a very stressful job with a bully of a boss (the girl I replaced was treated the same way and went... View more

Dear All, hope you are as well as can be. I have always suffered from anxiety which has turned into panic disorder a couple of weeks ago due to working a very stressful job with a bully of a boss (the girl I replaced was treated the same way and went on stress leave, never to return). I am on high BP medication, an anti-depressant and tranquillisers but my fear of having a panic attack seems to have intensified. I wake up with it, obsessing over how and what I am feeling. I stay in bed for hours. I am too scared to go anywhere even though I am aware walking is very beneficial. I went to the shops yesterday, already feeling anxious (what if I have an attack?) and did develop one. I fear fainting and do feel like laying down but that would look silly down the street. I made it home but the fear took a long time to subside. By sharing this I hope someone recognises my situation and may even offer some advice. I have been reading a lot about panic attacks and experimenting with breathing. Guess I have to be more patient but I just want to live a normal life again and enjoy it....All the best

JellJell Can't stop overthinking about my health!
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone Lately I haven't been feeling right and I just thought it might help to come on here and talk. I have anxiety. A lot of the time I overthink my health. I'm constantly thinking something is wrong. The past few days I have been stressing ov... View more

Hi everyone Lately I haven't been feeling right and I just thought it might help to come on here and talk. I have anxiety. A lot of the time I overthink my health. I'm constantly thinking something is wrong. The past few days I have been stressing over my heart. A few years ago I got really bad food poisoning and had to go through a bunch of heart tests because my heart rate was sitting high. I had EKGs and a monitor on for 24hours. My doctor determine I have a naturally high heart rate and occasionally suffer from palpitations. I honestly have been good for the past 6-8 months. No palpitations like I've had in the past etc. The start of this week out of nowhere I became really aware of my heart rate. Almost like I could constantly feel it. It wasn't beating fast it just feels like its beating hard. As the week has gone on it feels like it's skipping a beat every 1-2 mins. This has been going on for about 2-3 days now, today being the worst I've been feeling about it. It has me completely anxious and worried something is seriously wrong. When I'm busy and not focusing on it, it doesn't seem to be there. As soon as my mind isn't busy anymore I go straight back to thinking about it and feeling it. I have an appointment with my doctor but I can't get in until Monday. Does anyone think this is something I need to be seeking immediate medical attention over or does it sound like its linked with my anxiety? Anyones opinion or thoughts would be appreciated, I'm silently driving myself insane over this.

Fizz_wizz Anxiety over social media
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone Just wanting to vent a bit about Facebook everyone around me has Facebook but for years I've never wanted to set an account up as I'm really worried about bullying as I was bullied at school people keep telling me to get on it but it scar... View more

Hi everyone Just wanting to vent a bit about Facebook everyone around me has Facebook but for years I've never wanted to set an account up as I'm really worried about bullying as I was bullied at school people keep telling me to get on it but it scares the hell out of me but I feel like I'm missing out if i dont but there's that little voice in the back of my head warning me to stay away and then it sets of my anxiety is this normal and does anyone else feel this way? Thanks for reading.