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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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Sunday1991 Catastrophic and irrational thoughts
  • replies: 6

Oh boy.. Where do I begin. So I've had anxiety for years but at least I have managed to function. At the moment however that is not the case or if I am trying to get on with my day it is extremely uncomfortable and stressful. So I have a bit of every... View more

Oh boy.. Where do I begin. So I've had anxiety for years but at least I have managed to function. At the moment however that is not the case or if I am trying to get on with my day it is extremely uncomfortable and stressful. So I have a bit of everything: depression, anxiety, ocd and possibly adhd. All these together make like so hard. You know the common way to think about someone with OCD is the are afraid of germs.. Well I'm am the opposite of this. I am so terrified I am going to pass on germs and some kind of infection onto somebody even though I know I am super hygienic and clean I am. I live in an apartment and my occupation is cleaning so every time I a touch door knob, button for an elevator, recyle and rubbish bin I always wipe it over with water and a fresh cloth to ease the anxiety of making someone sick. With my cleaning I now always wear gloves even if they aren't necessary because I honestly believe my hands are contaminated and could make someone sick. I guess my biggest fear is making someone ill so this is why I have these thoughts and behaviors. Also if I touch certain things with my bare hands for example: a spoon in the draw, I then start to believe ALL the cutlery, tea towels, other untelsils and draws are now contaminated so then J grab all the utensils, put them in the dishwasher (so I'm also waisting water and money) put some gloves on, grab paper towel and spray and I start sterilising the draws. It takes up a lot of my time and I get so irritated, my fight or flight spirals, I feel so depressed, so stressed and I cry a lot.. Like a lot.. I am aware and acknowledge this is serious irrational thinking and it's all apart of anxiety but to be rational, be calm and not let the anxiety take over is the hard part. Anxiety is all I know and i seriously want that to change more than anything. Would love to hear some feedback. Much Regards Sunday

Matho61 Long time sufferer, first time poster
  • replies: 3

Well I bit the bullet and now I’m here. Unfortunately anxiety/depression is in my genes with even family members taking their life over it, but that was before help was available like it is today. Been off and on the meds most of my life. As of yeste... View more

Well I bit the bullet and now I’m here. Unfortunately anxiety/depression is in my genes with even family members taking their life over it, but that was before help was available like it is today. Been off and on the meds most of my life. As of yesterday I was off them for 5 months and life was bloody fantastic. Then 3 weeks ago I started to feel flat again but brushed it off by ignoring it. That didn’t work and it looked like it suddenly had me by the throat again, damn. At work yesterday (a 12 hour shift) it got the better of me. I was spiraling out of control, this was the worse I’ve ever felt in my life. What an overwhelming sickening feeling, this feeling has been with me for about a week now, but yesterday it was so intense that I thought I was going to collapse. I left work by saying I had a mini family crisis at home and luckily there was a medical clinic open on a Sunday. My family doctor has been away for 2 months but explained everything to this new doctor. He has put me back on the meds and given me a week off. Because of this being my third or fourth relapse with depression/anxiety, it looks like now I will have to stay on the meds for the rest of my life. Problem is I’m going to have to wait a few weeks before they kick in. My current mixed feelings are overwhelming. Guilt for taking time off work again, the continuing feeling of nausea, anxiety levels peaking all the time, uncontrollable tears, zero sleep and dreading the day ahead of me. I truely hope it gets better from here as these feelings are extremely intense and impossible to cope with.

glassninja Running away from depression and relationships
  • replies: 3

On the outside I seem pretty put together - 27, ambitious, moving overseas for a great job in marketing soon, confident, calm, fun to be around. Underneath it's not that peachy. I've had mild depression since I was a teenager, but was finally diagnos... View more

On the outside I seem pretty put together - 27, ambitious, moving overseas for a great job in marketing soon, confident, calm, fun to be around. Underneath it's not that peachy. I've had mild depression since I was a teenager, but was finally diagnosed with that and GAD when I was 23. It stemmed from an emotionally abusive relationship I'd had and then gotten out of at 21. But since diagnosis, the anxiety's grown to encompass basically any interpersonal relationship I have, whether that's work or relationships - I constantly feel like I need to prove myself and apologize. I have a reputation for being guarded and emotionally closed off as a result. I'm in regular therapy, but it's really hard to break that habit even with my therapist. Even all my friends tell me how guarded I am. The worst thing is, I'm SO good when I'm single. I'm so aware of the pitfalls of being that abuse survivor who falls into the same patterns again that I've gone completely the other way where I've just eschewed any emotion ever that would make me feel vulnerable. Then I let my guard down and get into a relationship and fall in love and when we break up it's like it takes everything in me to put myself back together again. It's made me such an avoidant person. Better to avoid relationships altogether than go through the utter emotional turbulence of being in or getting over one, right? Today the thing that's set me off is SUPER small - a guy I met spent weeks chasing me and telling me how much he liked me and loved spending time with me, and we ended up dating for a few weeks but he got too busy so I broke up with him. Today he went and deleted me off all his social media. Anyone else, I wouldn't care. But it really set me off today. Like, am I just not worth anyone's time? Is that what it is? When am I going to be worth someone's time? Is moving overseas going to solve my problems or am I going to still have them on TOP of just being alone? I feel like there's this thing inside me I can't get away from. I've noticed that every time I've broken up with someone or gone through something difficult, I've just picked up and moved overseas. I think I keep trying to run away from it but it follows me everywhere. I try to go camping and hiking, I keep wanting to just get away. I just want to be happy and normal and I can't figure out how to get there.

Elliemaybe Overwhelmed with life,and my mum is sick
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I have been feeling really stressed recently about pretty much everything. I find myself overthinking pretty much everything and I'm just really exhausted. To put it in perspective, I find the idea of opening a door (that hasn't been labelled... View more

Hi all, I have been feeling really stressed recently about pretty much everything. I find myself overthinking pretty much everything and I'm just really exhausted. To put it in perspective, I find the idea of opening a door (that hasn't been labelled with push/pull) really stressful, which seems like a silly thing to worry about. Pretty much everything I overthink. I am 25 with no licence because I panic everytime I try to drive. This last week has been hell for me because my mum had to have open heart surgery. The next day she ended up losing consciousness and needed CPR. She is stable now but still in ICU. Now all I find myself doing is going over every possible scenario in my head, to the point where I am in tears because I have played out her funeral in my head. I am so stressed, and so tired. I can't remeber the last day I didn't have a headache. My whole body aches all the time, I feel like my body is over 60 years old and I am only 25. If I could stay in bed all day I would. I honestly don't know how I am finding the strength to get up and go to work every day. I just wish I could be carefree for a day, just to know what it feels like. At the very least I would like to be able to confidently try to open any door I come across.

Hopeli My husband does not support me while I am having anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi there, I was living with my husband's family for more than a year including his brother (27 years) who has intellectual disability. He always opened my door without knocking on it, sometimes opened the bathroom door while he was taking shower nake... View more

Hi there, I was living with my husband's family for more than a year including his brother (27 years) who has intellectual disability. He always opened my door without knocking on it, sometimes opened the bathroom door while he was taking shower naked, and always calling my name. He was trying to touch my thigh last time. Those have been making me so uncomfortable. After moving out, I started to have panic attack and anxiety. I went to see psychologist, and I was a little better, but I am now still having post traumatic stress disorded that I always have flashback. However, my husband seems never tried to understand my situation while I am suffering everyday. I have explained to him for so many times how I felt and what I need from him, but what he does is just protecting his family, and yelled at me saying that he has done his best. I am considering if I still need this husband in my life, as he is making my feeling even worse.

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