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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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JekyllAndHyde New here and would like advice and help with intrusive thoughts.
  • replies: 7

Hi there, I'm a 29 year old male who only started getting anxiety around mid-2016, had mild depression before then but dealt with it fairly easily. I tried keeping this anxiety and intrusive thoughts to myself out of hate for myself and guilt. It's c... View more

Hi there, I'm a 29 year old male who only started getting anxiety around mid-2016, had mild depression before then but dealt with it fairly easily. I tried keeping this anxiety and intrusive thoughts to myself out of hate for myself and guilt. It's come to the point where I feel pain in my chest as if it were a heart attack coming on. Not sure what to do or where to turn? I know I'm not an evil person, I have a good heart and mind but doubt always kicks in. And I hate it. Why do intrusive thoughts control and how can they affect the body in this change? How does the mind allow such messed up thoughts to enter your mind and have thoughts of things you'd never do in a million years? I don't know what to do and I freak out over it. I'm embarrassed and feel guilty if I go see a doctor about this and seriously don't know what to do or who to talk to!

petrichor_26 Lost, confused, and scared of what I’m finding in myself
  • replies: 3

Long time reader but first time poster so I hope this is okay… I’ve always felt worried about most things since I can remember, I thought I was just a shy person at first but there’s always been some sort of daily battle. It’s finally started messing... View more

Long time reader but first time poster so I hope this is okay… I’ve always felt worried about most things since I can remember, I thought I was just a shy person at first but there’s always been some sort of daily battle. It’s finally started messing with me to the point that I feel like a fraud, I’m so tired, I can’t keep up the facade anymore. I don’t know what’s worse, going to work and seeing people and having to put on a brave face or staying at home and be stuck with my 'self'. I recently went to see a GP and got a mental health plan put together but it’s 2 weeks until my first psych session and I’m not sure what to do until then, it seems so far away. Since then, it feels like I’ve ripped the band aid off and let the floodgates open. I can’t seem to turn off the anxiety, fear, sadness anymore. The world is such a beautiful place, why do I feel so lost and disconnected? I’ve told some things to the few people I have in my life because I know that seeking help and having a support network is a good thing but I can’t bring myself to burden them with this. I mean everyone has stuff going on in their lives. Sorry for the rambling, I just needed to tell someone, and I guess it’s easier done through a screen. Any tips to get by in the meantime would be greatly appreciated. For now, I’ll just keep at the waiting game.

Leeshs Anxiety causing nausea
  • replies: 8

Hi everyone I have suffered with anxiety before but nothing as crippling as what I am at the moment. My husband has gone away for placement for 5 weeks and my mum had a bad fall resulting in breaking her hip so she is currently in hospital. I am just... View more

Hi everyone I have suffered with anxiety before but nothing as crippling as what I am at the moment. My husband has gone away for placement for 5 weeks and my mum had a bad fall resulting in breaking her hip so she is currently in hospital. I am just not coping with all of this at all not like I usually would. So I am judging myself on how badly I am dealing with it when I should be better than this. I am constantly nauseous and have lost my appetite - can manage to get some sleep but am often woken by stomach pains / nausea. Dr gave me medication for nausea and am going to see my psychologist today but just terribly scared that I won't get through this challenging time.

Booklover17 Sensitivity
  • replies: 12

Hi everyone, Has anyone else felt extremely sensitive as part of their anxiety? (Note: I am seeing a Psychologist and will mention this to her). At the moment, I feel like anything will make me cry (I am not normally like this). Does anyone have any ... View more

Hi everyone, Has anyone else felt extremely sensitive as part of their anxiety? (Note: I am seeing a Psychologist and will mention this to her). At the moment, I feel like anything will make me cry (I am not normally like this). Does anyone have any tips/advice for calming down before crying?

Elzbelz 24yr old woman with Anxiety and depression
  • replies: 3

Hi All, I'm so glad that these forums exist. Currently i'm at my desk at work, on 4hours sleep (12.30am- 4.30am). I had my first ever panic attack about 1&1/2 years ago - ended up in hospital with numbness on my entire left side from lack of oxygen i... View more

Hi All, I'm so glad that these forums exist. Currently i'm at my desk at work, on 4hours sleep (12.30am- 4.30am). I had my first ever panic attack about 1&1/2 years ago - ended up in hospital with numbness on my entire left side from lack of oxygen in my body - that was awful. Since then, the feeling has not stopped, its every day (maybe not all day) but everyday. Yesterday i decided to take myself to the doctor to seek some medication that may help me focus my mind into bettering myself and basically help me get my sh*t together. I'm nervous to take my first tablet as i have always positive i could beat this on my own - 'naturally' I'd love to hear about your experiences with seeking advise from Councillors and certain things that really helped get your life in order a little more. I've been out of home since i was 18y/o and always maintained full time work, a 5 & 1/2yr relationship, a tidy home and my three cats. After working over 50hrs a week for so long, it finally hit me that i was SO unhappy. I ended my relationship (partly from guilt that i didn't want my partner to deal with me) and mostly because he was a pretty crap boyfriend, close minded and business driven (not for me). ANYWAY - i thought this anxiety i was experiencing was purely situational, but now i have a great job, decent pay, a WONDERFUL boyfriend and amazing friends.. but i cannot shake this feeling - i just feel like a bit of a over dramatic weirdo -i know there are people out there facing actual problems. Looking forward to hearing from you all xxx

Danoro Tips to deal with my anticipatory anxiety
  • replies: 3

A little background: I'm 28 y old and for the last 3 years I am struggling with anxiety. My mom suffers from severe anxiety since her mid 20's as well.. At first I thought I had heart problems since all my symptoms were related to that area.. (fast h... View more

A little background: I'm 28 y old and for the last 3 years I am struggling with anxiety. My mom suffers from severe anxiety since her mid 20's as well.. At first I thought I had heart problems since all my symptoms were related to that area.. (fast hearbeat, chest pain, dizziness). After I found out it was anxiety, I was having hard time dealing with it.. I was very depressed that I have to go through all of those terrifying symptoms all over again and again without any way of stopping this forever. Lately it's being harder for me to remain calm, mainly because of my job and life in general. I also gave up on a vacation since I was afraid that I'll get anxiety attack during the flight, and there will be nothing that could be done to help me. My main fear is getting an intense anxiety attack that I won't be able to control. when I'm visualising myself in that situation I'm afraid that I'll start yelling / hold my head and cry. It's weird because it never happened before, all the times I had anxiety attack it was "only" fast heartbeat and feeling dizzy sometimes I might feeling a bit detached liked i'm going crazy but i'm usually calming myself down in 10 minutes. But still.. my fear from losing control is actually controlling me.. whenever I go out I feel like I want to go home to my "safe" spot where I could manage my anxiety. I'm getting tired of this feeling and I hope that I can do something to feel better.

AplaceToStart how can i tell my parents about my issues?
  • replies: 2

I'm having trouble right now. I have been struggling with anxiety and what i assume to be depression for up to a year now and i'm fed up. I have plans to get my mental health checked out at somewhere like 'Head Space' to see if it's anything really w... View more

I'm having trouble right now. I have been struggling with anxiety and what i assume to be depression for up to a year now and i'm fed up. I have plans to get my mental health checked out at somewhere like 'Head Space' to see if it's anything really worth worrying about. however, there lies the problem. I am a 15 year old boy. I can't tell if i'm right or wrong and i don't know where what i say sits in this day and age. this is the kind of thought that keeps me from asking my parents to take time out of their day to take me to see someone about my mental health. It's just a scary thought that they won't listen to me or they'll think i'm lying and laugh it off like it's nothing. And even if they do listen, what if it's nothing and i'm just overreacting? what happens then? Have i wasted their time on something that was never there in the first place? I really need help with this. I can't keep thinking the way i am now without someone knowing that i am like this. Your help and advice would heavily be appreciated.

Avoider Avoiding Relationships & People
  • replies: 2

Hi, It has recently been pointed out to me by a close friend that I push people away. She's not wrong. 3 years ago I lost my mother very suddenly and ever since I have avoided building relationships with people. This is for both friendships and roman... View more

Hi, It has recently been pointed out to me by a close friend that I push people away. She's not wrong. 3 years ago I lost my mother very suddenly and ever since I have avoided building relationships with people. This is for both friendships and romantic partners. In my mind when I meet someone I can already see the 'beginning' 'middle' and 'end'. If someone starts to get close to me my head and my anxiety tells me to run, so I do. This never used to bother me before because to me this was a protective mechanism stopping me from getting hurt, however I now have no social life and spend all my time working or studying and not interacting with people. I do not put effort into creating new relationships and get incredibly anxious when i even think about inviting people into my life. This has become very lonely and has made me scared of pretty much everyone. How do I get over being so scared and meet people without the voice in my head telling me to run every time?

Eadie Mothers anxiety about dying
  • replies: 3

HI, I just came on here to see if anyone else has felt the same feelings of overwhelming responsibility for a child that they had a panic attack about it. Im generally ok, have never spoken to a counsellor before or seeked help apart from talking wit... View more

HI, I just came on here to see if anyone else has felt the same feelings of overwhelming responsibility for a child that they had a panic attack about it. Im generally ok, have never spoken to a counsellor before or seeked help apart from talking with friends and my partner. We have a 2 year old and I am at home with him 2 nights a week while my partner away for work. I guess I am a sensitive and emotional person who can empathise with others to the point I can get quite upset putting myself in their shoes. Last night I had this horrible sinking feeling that I wasn't going to wake up. I felt sad about myself dying but the thought that sent me into a panic was that our child would be stuck in his cot, without food or water and may not be found for a day or so. I kept picturing that he would be crying out for me and would be so upset that I wasn't coming to get him. I kept picturing his little face, him collapsing from being exhausted from the crying, hunger and unchanged nappy that I had to get up and put food and water out for him incase I didn't wake up and unlock the door so the neighbours could come in. It was horrible because it could happen right? I know that the chances are pretty unlikely but bad stuff does happen. what am I supposed to do now? It was horrible and still lingers today 12 hours later. I texted my partner to get him to call me in the morning and if I didn't answer to send help for our baby. A few weeks ago I had a nightmare where I saw my baby looking for me, crying with his head down, dissapointed and loosing hope that I would find him. I saw him from afar and couldnt find him. I had this awful feeling of letting him down and not being there for him. I don't know if this is normal for a new parent or if im going through a stage of adjustment or if I am needing help. I want to be there for my family. im irritable, tired and feel guilty alot these days. Mothers guilt is a word that gets thrown around but not sure that what im experiencing is that, hormonal changes, survival instinctual stuff or anxiety. Does anyone else have a similar story or any thoughts on this?

pierrette random anxiety triggers
  • replies: 3

Hi, Does anyone else have random/specific triggers to their anxiety? For some reason, open doors and windows stress me out so much, in summer when my mum has opened everything I have to go around and close all of them, and I feel bad because of cours... View more

Hi, Does anyone else have random/specific triggers to their anxiety? For some reason, open doors and windows stress me out so much, in summer when my mum has opened everything I have to go around and close all of them, and I feel bad because of course she wants them open when it’s hot, but just having them open makes me so angry and anxious, I freak out and my heart beats fast and my palms get sweaty. Also, autotuned voices in music annoy me in general but whenever I hear it playing really quietly, but still able to be heard, I have a similar reaction and puts me on the brink of tears, sometimes making me cry or scream. Sometimes the sound comes up in my dreams too or I can just imagine it so clearly it has the same effect. Am I alone in this? Do you have things like this? Thanks