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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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45987 Social anxiety (disorder) without physical symptoms?
  • replies: 2

Although I've felt like I have some form of social anxiety for years, because I don't have any server physical symptoms like panic attacks (only really stomach butterflies, lack of sleep, stress) , I thought it would be impossible for me to have it, ... View more

Although I've felt like I have some form of social anxiety for years, because I don't have any server physical symptoms like panic attacks (only really stomach butterflies, lack of sleep, stress) , I thought it would be impossible for me to have it, and my parents also basically said it was rubbish when I asked them, and on another site for social anxiety I mentioned this to someone else I was chatting to online, and after this they completely stopped talking to me, so I assumed I'm some sort of disgrace to people with real anxiety/I'm not good enough to be diagnosed with anything. However I've recently been seeing a psychologist at my university who said there was definitely social anxiety there (without me specifically bring SA up, just from me describing my feeling/day to day life/experiences). Can anyone else provide an opinion or experiences regarding this? Is it really possible to have SA without having full on panic attacks? Thanks for taking the time to read.

Mrjoseph Severe death anxiety
  • replies: 1

My thoughts! Was talking to a friend saying I've been through so much in life hence why I feel so old ( im 25 ) then suddenly my mind turned to what if you feel so old because your time is up then I started thinking is my time really up? And the anxi... View more

My thoughts! Was talking to a friend saying I've been through so much in life hence why I feel so old ( im 25 ) then suddenly my mind turned to what if you feel so old because your time is up then I started thinking is my time really up? And the anxiety started. I've had a death anxiety for a while but I've been able to control it because of my faith every time I do a good thing I say to myself what if im doing all this good because I might die soon I've completely changed I've become so different Ive completely 360 degree changed since September 2017 now it's September 2018 I've become so nice it's scaring me im never like this and I know it's a good thing but my mind questions if im so good now because Im about to die and enter heaven, I know sounds dramatic but that's what plays out in my mind. Thank God im not sick im physically A ok so there's no need for me to think like this. I've been going through some really big changes in my life all positive and moving on to bigger and better things has anyone experienced something like this before?

Livvy18 Anxiety. Germs
  • replies: 7

I have always been carefree and relaxed. However, just over 2 years ago my sister was 3 months pregnant and I came in contact with someone who supposedly had hand foot and mouth. I was a total mess, as the thought of passing it on to her and her unbo... View more

I have always been carefree and relaxed. However, just over 2 years ago my sister was 3 months pregnant and I came in contact with someone who supposedly had hand foot and mouth. I was a total mess, as the thought of passing it on to her and her unborn baby terrified me. I never actually caught anything, but my brain kept telling me I had all the symptoms. It was as if I was seeing and feeling things that I didn’t actually have. Since then my anxiety over “germs” have become an almost every day battle. I have also had a son in this time. His 6 months old. He is my world and so is his daddy! My husband is very supportive but I don’t think he understands my anxiety fully. He is a very easy going person so the smallest thing that I find dirty wouldn’t even cross his mind. In a way it calms me down but sometimes it freaks me out. Anyway, I have asked people not to kiss my son as I’m terrified of him catching a cold sore (I know it’s not the end of the world but my brain tells me differently). I hate going out in public or to family/ friends houses as I don’t want people to touch him. If I do go out I’m watching him like a hawk, however I feel like I can’t tell people to not do something if I don’t like it. Then when I get home not only do I constantly wash my hands to the point that they bleed but I feel sick that I have let my son down and that he is going to catch something. I feel like my anxiety will eventually come between my husband and I or that my son will turn out just like me or have an awful childhood because of me. Am I the only one? Do you have any suggestions?

WendyRose Genuinely terrified
  • replies: 2

I have been concerned for the past nine months or more that I might be exhibiting signs of early onset dementia. The very thought of this makes me panic. I have suffered from depression all my life due to early childhood abuse but have never been a h... View more

I have been concerned for the past nine months or more that I might be exhibiting signs of early onset dementia. The very thought of this makes me panic. I have suffered from depression all my life due to early childhood abuse but have never been a hypochondriac. In fact, I almost never go to the doctor. It seems ironic that someone who has been suicidal all her life is now scared of leaving her children in this way. I am only 48.

Adeo90 Health anxiety
  • replies: 5

I am currently on a girls weekend and my anxiety has been really bad today. My psychiatrist recently diagnosed me with health anxiety. I can't sleep ATM because I'm too worried about my heart rate. In my eyes it's too low. Hovering around 50 bpm on m... View more

I am currently on a girls weekend and my anxiety has been really bad today. My psychiatrist recently diagnosed me with health anxiety. I can't sleep ATM because I'm too worried about my heart rate. In my eyes it's too low. Hovering around 50 bpm on my fitbit. I have an app as well that I use to check and it's around 54 bpm. I'm too scared to sleep because I'm worried that it will go even lower if I sleep, or even stop even with my anxiety it's that low. I have no one to speak to either as I feel like the girls I am with won't understand. I don't know how to stop worrying!

Roobot Lost a friend and feeling alone
  • replies: 5

So I've had a few minor panic attacks lately but seem to be learning to head them off before they go anywhere. Today in the supermarket I wasn't feeling the best, I saw a person who I used to be great friends with and tried to have a chat but got bru... View more

So I've had a few minor panic attacks lately but seem to be learning to head them off before they go anywhere. Today in the supermarket I wasn't feeling the best, I saw a person who I used to be great friends with and tried to have a chat but got brushed off. She never spoke to me much after I got diagnosed with epilepsy. Then I saw another friend. I complained at her last week that her kid messed up my kids room, thinking she'd take it OK. My kid has OCD anxiety and he doesn't like people moving his stuff. She took it so hard that she says she's not visiting me again. I tried to explain how I only have a limited amount of energy and it's usually gone by midday. I just can't be tidying all day or I'll make myself ill. I have 3 kids off my own to tidy up after. Anyway she totally didn't get it. She said if my kids messed up her house she'd just leave it. Anyway I'm really upset. I've lost a friend who I thought understood me and my child. But I'm alone. We are alone. My son and I. I'm sad he's lost a little friend too.

Koby16 How do you know?
  • replies: 2

I have been suffering anxiety and panic for as long as I can remember. I don't recall a time where I felt 'normal'. It has started to impact my wellbeing - where I used to manage it, I now can't seem to get a handle on it. I have physical symptoms al... View more

I have been suffering anxiety and panic for as long as I can remember. I don't recall a time where I felt 'normal'. It has started to impact my wellbeing - where I used to manage it, I now can't seem to get a handle on it. I have physical symptoms all day and am at a point where I can't tell if it is real or anxiety driven. I find myself going is this real chest pain, is this numbness real, do I have a cold? The truth is I can't tell..it all feels the same - debilitating. I am writing this now in the early hours of the morning because I have woken up with anxiety and can't seem to get it under control, How do I know wha is real. How do I manage the anxiety? It seems once I get one symptom under control, a new one pops up to take its place...

familygirl Help, my new boyfriend has anxiety
  • replies: 9

I am trying to understand what is going on with my boyfriend. We have been seeing each other for just over 2mths and still haven't spent a full day together. He tells me he suffers from anxiety and has been seeing a psych and is on medication. He has... View more

I am trying to understand what is going on with my boyfriend. We have been seeing each other for just over 2mths and still haven't spent a full day together. He tells me he suffers from anxiety and has been seeing a psych and is on medication. He has been under a lot of stress at work as well and working long hours and is always tired. He tells me he loves me and that I mean the world to him, but he won't spend any longer then a overnight stay and he's off first thing in the morning. It seems he always has an excuse. I don't understand how someone who says they love you doesn't want to spend any time with you. I have been hurt a lot in the past by previous partners just wanting a good time and I'm wondering if he's just another one or whether he is genuine. I just don't understand how he could not want to spend time together if he really did had feelings for me. It doesn't help that I have trust issues either I guess. If anyone can help me understand where he is coming from that would be great. All he has told me is that he feels like I would think he is a boring person, I've asked him about his anxiety but he has avoided the topic.

LZ1234 OCD impacting all aspects of life
  • replies: 3

Hi, I've recently been diagnosed with OCD and am seeing a psychologist. This is helping, however, I still struggle day-to-day to do normal things. Someone in my family has come home a little bit sick and I immediately had an anxiety attack. I now can... View more

Hi, I've recently been diagnosed with OCD and am seeing a psychologist. This is helping, however, I still struggle day-to-day to do normal things. Someone in my family has come home a little bit sick and I immediately had an anxiety attack. I now can't leave my room in fear of catching the sickness. I have a fear of using the bathroom and kitchen and can't even go outside to get a drink of water in fear of it. I'm constantly living like this everyday. I've never met or talked to anyone else with OCD. I'm keen to get some advice from someone who has been through it and knows how it feels. I've got a lot of people supporting me (eg, family and boyfriend) but I feel like they don't actually understand what i'm going through. Thanks

Lizzie_K From the mum of a daughter with anxiety
  • replies: 3

I love my daughter dearly and when she recently told me she’s been suffering from anxiety at school and has been for a few months... My heart broke for her and what she’s been suffering on her own and for me for not seeing it. If it wasn’t for a very... View more

I love my daughter dearly and when she recently told me she’s been suffering from anxiety at school and has been for a few months... My heart broke for her and what she’s been suffering on her own and for me for not seeing it. If it wasn’t for a very close friend at school noticing that she wasn’t herself recently I would’ve never of known. She only told me tonight that she didn’t really want to tell me, as she wasn’t ready to. She’s asked me not to tell her father and I find that really hard. We are a close family and I usually discuss most things with my husband, and to keep something so important from him I’m finding that very hard. I am respecting her wishes and not telling him as I know how important it is for her to be in control of her anxiety and choices around it. I take time each day for one on one so she can speak with me about anything if she needs to or nothing if that’s the case. Some days she doesn’t have anything to say and like today she had lots. She’s not ready to speak with a professional yet either. She gave me permission to speak with a Social Worker I work with and that was very helpful for me to talk to someone about it but also to get some advice on how I can help her without making it worse. So here I am, she had a bad day today and a friend made it worse and there were lots of tears. I listened to her, I gave her some advice, I told her I loved her and what happened today wasn’t her fault and I support her in whatever decision she makes about resolving today’s dilemma and going forward. I love her so much and I want her pain and anguish to go away. I know it’s not going to be any easy or quick fix and I need to be strong for her and tell her how well she’s going managing her anxiety and life in general. She’s 15 and sometimes I wish for her to be 5 again where the worst thing that happened in her day was a grazed knee and the first thing she wanted to do when she saw me was say I love you and head in for a huge cuddle. We all struggle with our own demons and whilst my daughter is struggling with hers I have to hide mine from her and that my friend is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do.

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