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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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neverstopneverstopping Anxiety is constant again.
  • replies: 2

Hi guys. I've been on medication for anxiety for just over a year and a half. Originally it was stress related to my job, but during that time, my Dad was diagnosed with Cancer - again. In the time since I've been on anti-anxiety medication, his diag... View more

Hi guys. I've been on medication for anxiety for just over a year and a half. Originally it was stress related to my job, but during that time, my Dad was diagnosed with Cancer - again. In the time since I've been on anti-anxiety medication, his diagnosis has been made terminal. This last week things took a bad turn and the end is looking nearer than it did last week. Since finding out that our time with Dad is very much limited, I am noticing that my breathing is constantly shaky or I am struggling to catch my breath. I'm not sleeping again - because I'm afraid it might happen overnight. I'm also starting to dread leaving the house, but at the same time, I don't want to be here because watching him slip away is freaking me out too. I'm sorry if this triggers anyone, this is not my intention. I'm just looking for outside opinions and options of what I can do to try and calm down a little. I know that it's not going to be easy, but I'd like to react normally and not feel anxious constantly.

KiiKii Is my anxiety becoming depression
  • replies: 5

I've previously been diagnosed with GAD and have coped alright the past few years. In the last few months I've had a lot of exhaustion, it's been hard to engage with work, episodes of sleep disturbance and I've moved back in with my parents (it puts ... View more

I've previously been diagnosed with GAD and have coped alright the past few years. In the last few months I've had a lot of exhaustion, it's been hard to engage with work, episodes of sleep disturbance and I've moved back in with my parents (it puts me quite far from friends). My psychologist has usually used the term 'anxiety' even when I've reported feeling a bit down and has previously reassured me that my symptoms are not depression. I'm trying to figure out if this is my anxiety flaring up or if I'm crossing over into some depression. I'm booked in to see a psychologist in two weeks (on the waiting list to go earlier). Bit nervous because my regular psych is on maternity leave and the person they recommended is on holidays so seeing someone else

Anonymous1507 I get anxious just for reading aloud
  • replies: 3

I get nervous reading aloud in front of a class but not in front of friends or a tiny group. It is the worst feeling, I can feel my heart beating out of my chest, I get sweaty palms, my hands shake, I get out of breath and my voice cracks. This happe... View more

I get nervous reading aloud in front of a class but not in front of friends or a tiny group. It is the worst feeling, I can feel my heart beating out of my chest, I get sweaty palms, my hands shake, I get out of breath and my voice cracks. This happens even if I’m just reading devotion (in the morning at school in home group), I even try to be late to the first lesson just so I don’t have to read. I used to be a confident reader but now I’m stumbling on easy words. It seems like such a dumb thing to be worried about everyday and I feel like I overthink about what people think of me even though they probably don’t even give a shit. I don’t know if it’s stage fright, or if it’s certain people in the room. I am good at doing orals where I don’t read can someone please give me advice even just a little because this is all I can think about and tomorrow I have school which I have a feeling that it’s my turn to read devotion. Thanks

Living57 Today my anxiety and panic reached scary heights
  • replies: 2

Today has been one of those days, the ones we dread, the ones we fear. I had to go seekfinancial help, I have never been in that type of situation before. I felt embarrassed. I started panicking during the night, when I couldnt sleep, it was just aft... View more

Today has been one of those days, the ones we dread, the ones we fear. I had to go seekfinancial help, I have never been in that type of situation before. I felt embarrassed. I started panicking during the night, when I couldnt sleep, it was just after 2.00am, and I didnt ettled until after midnight. I could switch the dread and fear off and as I started my morning routine it ramped up, and then the fear and anxiety joined in. OMG it was awful. I finally made it to the office, but there were people everywhere and that didnt help either, (I have a fear of being in close proximity to people I dont know and places unknown to me). The lovely lady I saw must have thought I was a right nut case, stammering, shaking, sweating, unable to say anything intelligent, and getting worse as I tried. Eventually though we got it sorted, and I was able to retreat to my room, alone. I have never had to deal with panic and anxiety at these levels. It scared me, and that made it worse. I felt sick, sick to the pit of my stomach, embarrassed that I have been reduced to this, angry that my late husband has been the cause, and with these emotions, my anxiety and panic start again and the fear for myself, my sanity, my well being ramp up, until I feel like I cant breath, my head roars, I sweat, I want to pass out. And each attack gets worse. So what do I do?? I succumb to my feelings and retreat in to myself. And loneliness steps in to join me, and self loathing, and hatred of me and who I am, and then I panic, my fear of tomorrow and the day after, and the one after that, it all gets bigger and bigger, and my ability to cope gets less and less, and that worries and scares me. I am alone in life. Too scared to go out. The friends I had have dwindled, some were not confortable with me and my mental health, insert anxiety panic attacks here, and some I just let go as I realised they were toxic, and here comes panic and anxiety and questioning what kind of person I am. And I dont know what to do. I hate these feelings, the overwhelming anxiety and panic, but I dont know what to do, and I am realizing that they are becoming my norm and it's not normal, and I hate it. Even as i write this i am fighting within myself, that i will be judged and looked down on because of my emotions, and fear is setting in and a panic attack is starting to build up. Does anyone understand? Has it happened to you? Or am I alone, adrift in a sea of fear, panic and anxiety. Its help!!

cloudy_days I don't have a firm grip on reality
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, About a month ago I smoked some weed (was not my first time) and had a terrible reaction. I entered a never ending loop and believed that I was going to be stuck in that loop forever. I also somehow convinced myself that the loop was a r... View more

Hi everyone, About a month ago I smoked some weed (was not my first time) and had a terrible reaction. I entered a never ending loop and believed that I was going to be stuck in that loop forever. I also somehow convinced myself that the loop was a representation of life and that we are living in a simulation. I know, it sounds crazy.. but now that I am sober I am still feeling similar feelings of being in a loop. I often freak out and feel like I'm stuck in a loop again and it makes me feel like I am detached from reality and that reality might not be real. I find that my anxiety peaks when it's at night time or I'm about to sleep because I'm not sleeping very well. I have booked in for a psychologist next week but I'm struggling right now and would greatly appreciate any advice. Thank you.

Shy_Girl10 Work Anxiety
  • replies: 3

First time posting.. I was living interstate and working before i moved back home to live with parents. I was given the chance to work from home as work was going through a transition period. I have come back over to visit and catchup with my best fr... View more

First time posting.. I was living interstate and working before i moved back home to live with parents. I was given the chance to work from home as work was going through a transition period. I have come back over to visit and catchup with my best friend. I said to my work I can go in and work/see everyone. I got so anxious about it i had to tell them i had to work from home. I don't understand why i got so anxious for this. Im still employed by them, but left, and now im back. I couldnt shake the feeling people would judge me for being back or ask why im there. I never there going back into where I work would bring me down. Is this normal to feel this? I have good memories here but also bad ones.. my anxiety has never been this bad and no matter how much i try to tell people they dont seem to get it.. Its been getting worse lately and dont know why or what to do. I know deep down everything will work out and is fine.. but no matter how much i say that it doent help.. Really sttuggling what to do to fix this.. its really affecting my day to day life and im just about at breaking point.. Is it normal to feel like this?

Guest_294 Feeling anxious but no motivation left
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I hope this gets posted as I had some issues with my account before but should work this time I think...I just wanted to see what your thoughts are on this situation. I have recently entered into the second semester of my first year of u... View more

Hi everyone, I hope this gets posted as I had some issues with my account before but should work this time I think...I just wanted to see what your thoughts are on this situation. I have recently entered into the second semester of my first year of university. As I have said in other posts, I experience infrequent but intensive panic attacks that typically nowadays will culminate in shortness of breath, a feeling of drowning in/being overwhelmed by my emotions and anxiety, and from time to time, bouts of derealisation. I sat down two days ago, made a to-do list, took one look at it from afar and proceeded to have a panic attack. My mum told me to "stop being so ridiculous" and "its just a bit of work". After this experience, I woke up the next morning and found I had no motivation to do anything. I was feeling incredibly anxious but just couldn't bring myself to complete any tasks. It's not laziness - I am getting small parts of my work done - i'll read this section of the chapter or complete this question for the assignment - i'm just really finding it difficult to sit down and get anything substantial done. And the worst part is I know I am a time bomb waiting to explode with the stress. I don't know...has anyone experienced this before? Feeling so anxious you can't do any of the work? Any and all advice is appreciated, Regards, Mills

Stina2 Is this ostracising/bullying or just my anxiety
  • replies: 5

I work as a teacher in a small regional school. I am and always have been socially awkward and introverted but still very passionate out my job. I am increasingly finding that staff are excluding me, ignoring me, leaving me out of organisational acti... View more

I work as a teacher in a small regional school. I am and always have been socially awkward and introverted but still very passionate out my job. I am increasingly finding that staff are excluding me, ignoring me, leaving me out of organisational activities at school or given crap jobs. I was actually left behind on an excursion, staff back stab, delay doing things I need done, try to take over events that I start, don't talk to me, never offer to assist with events I put events on, play silly games of socialising in front of me and leaving me out. I just feel like it is me and my personality. I don't seem to get on with people but this is insane. I have approached my boss about feeling that I am being ostracised and he does nothing beyond referring me to a policy document on Bullying.i have been through a similar thing about 10 years ago and walked out of my job. I am not sleeping, anxious and second guessing everything. What should I do.?

HappyEm Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome
  • replies: 11

Hi friends, I wanted to post about my experience with Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome as during the worst of my withdrawal I spent a lot of time on forums researching other peoples experiences. I hope that this benefits others going through it. Th... View more

Hi friends, I wanted to post about my experience with Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome as during the worst of my withdrawal I spent a lot of time on forums researching other peoples experiences. I hope that this benefits others going through it. The first piece of advice that I want to share is to ensure that you connect with a GP before you begin this process. I did not do this as I had just moved interstate, and it left me feeling very scared and alone when the symptoms were horrible. Make sure that this GP knows your history and that you feel as though you can trust them. I tapered slightly off medication, however, I probably did not do it slowly enough. I began on a low dose for 2 weeks, and then went completely off it after that. During this time my main question was 'how long will this last!?'. I saw 2 different GP's who told me that everyone was different and that essentially, they didn't really know. During the first two weeks I did not feel any different. It was not until I completely stopped that the symptoms began. My symptoms started 2 days after stopping, and heightened on day 7 and 8. The symptoms that I experienced were nausea, dizziness/head spins, stomach cramps, lethargy, sensitivity to smell, and body aches. Strangely, although I felt extremely nauseous, when I was eating I felt better. On day 7 and 8 I could not do anything productive. I mostly slept. However, after these two peak days, my symptoms finally slowly diminished. I am now on day 11. I still do not feel fantastic, however I am able to study for my uni courses, eat properly, read, and think more clearly. I am hoping that by Monday (which would make it 2 weeks off AD) I will have fully recovered. If anyone has questions please ask me I would love to help anyone going through this.

geekgirl0000 The Pattern Continues
  • replies: 2

So I'm back on the forums after three years and I'm still going around in circles. My anxiety has gone from waking up with a solid 7 to waking up with a 2 which is great. No medication, just changed my living situation and it got lots better. I've sp... View more

So I'm back on the forums after three years and I'm still going around in circles. My anxiety has gone from waking up with a solid 7 to waking up with a 2 which is great. No medication, just changed my living situation and it got lots better. I've spent the last 9 months or so thinking that it was almost gone and that I would be able to make real change in my life. But it looks like it is heading the same way as before. Anxiety in the workplace is going to cost me my job / I will quit in shame and then go back to staying on the dole for a few months and start the cycle over again. I have no friends as I burnt every single bridge I have because of my reactions to things and now I moved ages away, I don't know anyone here and there is nothing to do. How do I get this cycle to stop ? I tried to start a mental health plan but for some reason they just wanted to keep talking about how my parents abused me when I was little (THEY DIDNT !!). How do I break this cycle ?