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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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MaryHope Please help me to understand
  • replies: 2

Hello, This is my first time posting on any forum about this and I'm positive that I belong here- however I don't understand why I feel the way I do. I have so much to be grateful for. I have amazing children, parents, family and friends. I love my j... View more

Hello, This is my first time posting on any forum about this and I'm positive that I belong here- however I don't understand why I feel the way I do. I have so much to be grateful for. I have amazing children, parents, family and friends. I love my job, I'm financially ok. I'm a very happy person, confident, easy going, sociable- life is good. So why, oh why do I suffer these panic/anxiety attacks out of no where? Just this morning, I had cold sweats, felt shaky but still persevered and went out. Got into the car, my eyesight was a bit weird, felt light headed, almost out of body experience, tight chest (heart disease runs in my family- which makes me worry, though Ive had ecg's done and stress tests and they have come back fine) heart palpation's (one after the other) I kept on telling myself " relax, it's. panic attack" finally I got over it....but why did it happen. I was all happy this morning- no stress- just happy. I do find myself analysing some things sometimes, like if I'm late for something and I also worry that I may not wake up in the mornings and my children finding me (such an awful feeling) -Though, I don't have anxiety about being in new surroundings, or meeting new people. And I'm also at a point in my life, that I don't really care if I disappoint some people especially over trivial stupid things. I've come to realise that I don't need to keep up with the jones's anymore and I'm comfortable in my own skin and in my last seasons clothes and my Ikea couch- if you know what I mean. I get a good nights sleep, and I don't have these feelings when I'm at work. It's normally when I'm home alone or around people I love. It's weird, but I'm glad I can recognise it now- because in the past I didn't know what was going on and I thought I was honestly going to die. But at the same time- I don't know how to control it and what to do. These last 2 weeks, I have cut out sugar and have started eating better- limit coffee to one a day, drink plenty of water but still I have been having waves of panic.So scary, especially as a single parent. I'd be grateful for any words of advice. Thank you for taking the time to read my post (a bit all over the place, but my mind is racing- so much to write.)

Bluegirl2014 anxiety due to talking too much and oversharing
  • replies: 9

How do I stop myself talking too much and sometimes oversharing? When I am with other people I tend to get anxious, whether it is at work or with friends, and when I am anxious I talk way too much and when I talk too much this tends to lead me to spe... View more

How do I stop myself talking too much and sometimes oversharing? When I am with other people I tend to get anxious, whether it is at work or with friends, and when I am anxious I talk way too much and when I talk too much this tends to lead me to speaking before thinking. I don't share intimate details of my life, but I also don't stop myself from over communicating and saying things I later regret. This then leads to night panic attacks and me ruminating over everything I said and how I wish I could take it back. Does anyone have strategies to help me stop talking and oversharing?

mazzystar I made a stupid mistake and now I’m feeling sick with anxiety.
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone, Yesterday I made the mistake of getting a tattoo without much thought. I have been wanting to get a tattoo for many years now but suddenly decided to get my first one yesterday (quite a large one at that, stupid I know). As beautiful as ... View more

Hi everyone, Yesterday I made the mistake of getting a tattoo without much thought. I have been wanting to get a tattoo for many years now but suddenly decided to get my first one yesterday (quite a large one at that, stupid I know). As beautiful as the tattoo itself is I have been left with such a heavy feeling of dread and anxiety. Something about getting the tattoo has now triggered something in me and I no longer feel like myself. I feel like I acted completely out of character and I’m having a hard time accepting what I’ve done. I had no idea this would happen to me. I have suffered from anxiety for well over 10 years now and this has brought up the most horrible panic attacks and negative thoughts that I’ve had in a long time. I’ve been beating myself up about it all day and can’t even bring myself to tell my parents that I got it. This probably all sounds ridiculous but my thoughts are all over the place and I could really use someone to talk to. I would also love to know if anyone has experienced this.

LDeeDee99 Constant anxiety and I don't know exactly why
  • replies: 3

Hi, i don't usually reach out online for my mental health, this is my first time so ill go through my history with anxiety, I'm 19 yrs old and have always been an anxious person for as long as i can remember and at 16 I was diagnosed with general anx... View more

Hi, i don't usually reach out online for my mental health, this is my first time so ill go through my history with anxiety, I'm 19 yrs old and have always been an anxious person for as long as i can remember and at 16 I was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder by a psychologist I was seeing. Since then I've had periods of being very anxious and depressed for a few months and then pushing through to being ok only for something else in my life to trigger me and fall back again. With each of these episodes I've come to know and understand my anxiety symptoms and how to calm my body down when my symptoms come. This time last year my family GP thought it was a good idea to put me on anti-depressants as I was in another anxious and depressed pit and they had really helped me as well as seeing a psychologist. In August this year i decided that i wanted to try and come off the medication, so i listened to my gp's instructions of tapering off and all went well. Since then i've been dealing with health, relationship and family issues that have sparked my anxiety however i felt ive had some control over it and the feelings would wear off if i engaged in breathing exercises and/or an activity. This past week and a half however, i have had anxiety like i have never felt in my life. The physical symptoms have been the strongest ive ever felt- (extremely tight chest, out of breath, increased heart rate, burning skin, weak upper body, bloating, sore/ upset stomach, sleeplessness, irritability). These symptoms have been constant at a high level and don't want to go away no matter what i do. I cant seem to find the trigger of this and it seems as though it has come for no reason, im not really thinking about anything to make me overwhelmed. Ive tried mindfulness, having hot showers, breathing exercises, all of which usually helps me relax but nothing works. My body just has a mind of its own and is randomly going into panic. Im so exhausted yet i cant rest because my body is really tense and it's just driving me insane making me depressed as i feel i have no control. I have been put back on the same dosage of medication yesterday by my GP so we will see how that goes. I feel hopeless Would anyone have an explanation as to why im feeling such intense feelings even though im not really thinking of much to be triggering me? And what some relaxation techniques work for you?

f1freak41 Message Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi All, I have been diagnosed with Social Anxiety and I am seeing a Mental Health professional. I struggle with lots of things but lately I have been having a great deal of panic attacks surrounding instant messaging. My best friend lives in the US, ... View more

Hi All, I have been diagnosed with Social Anxiety and I am seeing a Mental Health professional. I struggle with lots of things but lately I have been having a great deal of panic attacks surrounding instant messaging. My best friend lives in the US, and she often messages me however due to the time difference it is usually once or twice a day. That is fine but due to her job often she will "leave me on read" I understand why this is but I often worry I have upset her or I might have sent the wrong message accidentally that will annoy/upset her. Does Anyone have any advice?

sk2801 Lifes Problems Consume Me
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone First time poster here. I have had a really bad 8 weeks with life and I thought I would post on here for some advice from like minded people. I am quite a confident outgoing guy when things are going well but I really struggle when things... View more

Hi everyone First time poster here. I have had a really bad 8 weeks with life and I thought I would post on here for some advice from like minded people. I am quite a confident outgoing guy when things are going well but I really struggle when things don't. I wish I could just park the problem and move on. Im very transparent and my work collegues know when something is up. I always confide in certain people which helps get things off my chest. I have had a really bad run with a landscaper who we spent $40k with and he has done a very poor job. We are negotiating with him to have the issues fixed but it is dragging out. This is what I really struggle with. I have always battled with having to wait and always prefer to sort stuff straight away. My wife is always supportive but I feel she doesn't understand why I can't just park the problems and move on. I know there are people going through way worse situations in like and I feel embarrassed at times the way I act. I wished I could be alot stronger in the bad times. Family and friends usually say things like "It's not that bad" or "Try not to worry about it" etc but it doesn't help. I really hate that I'm going through this at christmas as it's my favorite time of the year. Thanks for reading

Sezza_H I need help but am not sure where to get it
  • replies: 2

I have been struggling quite a lot lately with my anxiety which is really starting to take a toll on my life. I just don’t understand it and I can’t seem to control it. My hands shake, I feel faint and nauseous and I often feel very warm. I constantl... View more

I have been struggling quite a lot lately with my anxiety which is really starting to take a toll on my life. I just don’t understand it and I can’t seem to control it. My hands shake, I feel faint and nauseous and I often feel very warm. I constantly worry about these symptoms especially when I am out in public or when people come over. I can’t be “present” or in the moment, I find it difficult to socialise and have fun with the people around me when I’m experiencing these symptoms and I feel this way pretty much all the time apart from when I’m at home alone. Is this social anxiety? Some kind of health anxiety as I am constantly thinking about being sick or fainting? Is it both? I’m so confused… I just don’t understand. I spoke to my GP and ran blood tests, and everything come back normal, so I know it’s not related to my physical health. I have completed a mental health plan and was referred to a local Headspace centre (I have attended this same Headspace in the past). I called them up and found out that I won’t be able to see a psychologist there until February of next year. I really can’t wait that long and I just don’t know what to do.

ellrjay Post-stroke Anxiety - Young Male Adult
  • replies: 2

Hey team, 3 months ago I suffered a "stroke" whilst flying back to Aus, it was 14 hours before I could get to a hospital and by the time I was seen/had scans there was no evidence to suggest I'd had a stroke, despite having the vast majority of the s... View more

Hey team, 3 months ago I suffered a "stroke" whilst flying back to Aus, it was 14 hours before I could get to a hospital and by the time I was seen/had scans there was no evidence to suggest I'd had a stroke, despite having the vast majority of the symptoms. My doctors and specialists told me that they had no idea what had happened, what caused it, and if it would happen again or not. Which is pretty much the worst thing they could've told me as my mind went straight into overdrive and has been pretty much ever since. A stroke in a non -drinker/smoker/history of strokes 20y.o. guy is pretty uncommon, and although everyone has reassured me that its unlikely to happen again, my anxiety has been through the roof ever since. My irrational "I'm-smarter-than-all-the-doctors" always has the voice in the back of my head saying "what if they missed something?". Hyper-sensititzed every time I twitch, get a slight headache, sore neck or any kind of sensation, I have to really struggle to keep a full blown panic attack at bay. I still get dizzy sometimes, get headaches and very sweaty - to which my doctors all put it down to anxiety, but again the voice in my head keeps saying "what if it isn't axiety, and these are real symptoms?" I'm trying to find other people who've had a similar experience to talk to, to find out how they dealt with the uncertainty and what made them feel better. I find it hard to relax as my mind races away down the "what if" pathway whenever I get too much time on my own, yet being around people and having a panic attack also induces my anxiety. As bleak as it may sound, I don't think I'm depressed, I've always been a confident person who does everything at 100% - solo travelling, my work, my lifestyle, but that old life seems a long way off at the moment, all I want is to get back to where I was before this all went down. Thanks for the vent, I hope there's other people out there who can relate.

KST005 It’s back
  • replies: 4

So, after suffering from anxiety on a daily basis for a few years, eventually give medication a go and it worked wonders. Never an anxious moment that wasn’t normal.. I’d say it has been around 5-6 years of the good life... but now.. it’s back and in... View more

So, after suffering from anxiety on a daily basis for a few years, eventually give medication a go and it worked wonders. Never an anxious moment that wasn’t normal.. I’d say it has been around 5-6 years of the good life... but now.. it’s back and in a different way. I still believe it all has to do with me thinking every little symptom is something deadly but I can’t shake it even after getting a blood test which came back fine. Now I’m finding myself questioning, is it anxiety or do I have something wrong in my brain that’s causing these symptoms. Brain tumour maybe??? Of course it’s jusr anxiety but I know me, until I can medically rule anything out, I’ll never be at peace. Everyday for the past month I have felt anxious in some way or another. Work mainly and on my commute but today, at home with family ands it hasn’t stopped all day. I don’t want to increase my meds but I’m being pushed real hard. Just needed to get this out there. No one understands unless they to are going through it

stressedteacher Afraid that my anxiety is going to ruin a new relationship
  • replies: 4

My anxiety and my lack of self confience is starting to affect my new relationship. I’ve avoiding getting involved with anyone for years and this feeling of helplessness is probably why. I’ve got some trust issues and the guy I’m seeing has commitmen... View more

My anxiety and my lack of self confience is starting to affect my new relationship. I’ve avoiding getting involved with anyone for years and this feeling of helplessness is probably why. I’ve got some trust issues and the guy I’m seeing has commitment issues so it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. I’m trying my best not to seek out constant reassurance but I know I’m guilty of doing it. The frustrating past is I know when I’m being illogical or a bit needy, but even though I don’t say 9/10 of the stuff I worry about out loud the tenth I do say is enough to seem ridiculous to others. Imagine if they could hear my thoughts! Has anyone found any strategies that help them with this? I’m scared that I’m going to have the opposite effect of what I want and I’ll push this guy away.

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