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Anxiety

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Chris_B Forums etiquette: give support to receive support
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newb... View more

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newbies are welcomed when they first post, and we understand that it’s a big step to post for the first time on a forum like this, especially if you aren’t feeling great. It’s important to remember, though, that these forums are a community of real people, just like you, not a one-on-one support environment like going to see your psychologist. To get the best out of being here, one of the best tips we can offer is give support to receive support. Being a good community member means: participating in different threads (not just your own), replying to people who have taken the time to reply to you (even if it’s just to say thank you), and... posting words of emotional support and encouragement when you see others who are hurting and reaching out. You don’t have to feel obliged to solve the problems of others: that’s not what we’re here for. But you can offer empathy and what you’ve learned from your own life experiences, even if it’s just a line or two, eg. “I don't know what to say, but I want to give you my support and tell you I care about what is happening to you and hope life will get better soon.” Try to develop an interest in the journeys of others here on the forums. You may be surprised at how good being an active, caring member here can make you feel. For those of you who have had good experiences giving support here on the forums, please post in this thread here and let us know how it has helped you on your journey.

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SushiRose09 Feeling like a failure and hopeless everyday due to not finding a job post grad
  • replies: 6

Hi Beyond Blue forum! I am writing this as I have recently finished up my bachelors degree in nursing and have not landed a job as a FT registered nurse. This has been weighing heavily on my mind and emotions as I constantly compare my self to others... View more

Hi Beyond Blue forum! I am writing this as I have recently finished up my bachelors degree in nursing and have not landed a job as a FT registered nurse. This has been weighing heavily on my mind and emotions as I constantly compare my self to others in my cohort who have successfully landed a graduate position where as I have not. Everyday I break into tears have a feeling of doom when thinking about my future as I hate the uncertainty about it all. I had my whole future centered on gaining a graduate position after finishing uni - for context I was waitlisted and could be contacted up until next August, but the waiting game is hard and as the days go by I give up hope on receiving a position. I was wondering if anyone had any good coping mechanisms as I feel like I should be proud of myself but I dont, I feel like I wasted years of my life on a degree to not even land a job. My mind is just stuck in a negative cycle of telling myself that I did not do good enough in life.

Guest_68394701 Insomnia
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I seemed to have developed insomnia over the last few months. After reading a few posts I cannot identify a trigger other than my brain overthinking absolutely everything. I am 100% a catastrophiser and constantly worry about getting enough s... View more

Hi all, I seemed to have developed insomnia over the last few months. After reading a few posts I cannot identify a trigger other than my brain overthinking absolutely everything. I am 100% a catastrophiser and constantly worry about getting enough sleep along with every other element of my life. Tonight for example my son is at his first sleepover. I have no stopped thinking about him and would have preferred him to stay honest but I also know I can't let my worries interfere with his enjoyment. I have spoken with my gp who has advised me to find a psychologist to work out the trigger which I have but there are no appointments available for a number of weeks. I have also tried every over the counter medication available to no avail. I'm getting desperate as it is affecting my family as well now and I am currently googling fatal insomnia which is not helping.

mchops Struggling to cope in a high pressure work environment
  • replies: 13

Hi guys, Has anyone here worked in a high stress environment, particularly in an office environment? I kindly ask of your advice on my experience at my new job which has been giving me stress and anxiety. Some key issues: I was not provided any hando... View more

Hi guys, Has anyone here worked in a high stress environment, particularly in an office environment? I kindly ask of your advice on my experience at my new job which has been giving me stress and anxiety. Some key issues: I was not provided any handover notes from my predecessor and am still figuring out the job, but I face multiple projects and feel like I’m sinking and constantly stressed from the pressure and high expectations right off the bat.My director is a huge micromanager and nothing is ever good enough even tho I try my best. Numerous nit picking every day, including how I organise my desk. I do accept that my work isn’t up to scratch yet as I’m still learning about what he likes. But review rounds/approvals for my work happen in 50 pieces rather than organised sessions, which I’ve spoken up about. He is very strict. Incredibly difficult to please him. This is experienced by different departments too, including getting criticised multiple times a day for things not in our control.Context: this is a small 20 person company. I only have myself and an assistant from Phillipines who isn’t that skilled and constantly have to spell out tasks to her and check for mistakes. I have had tl resort to use freelancers in my next project to produce high quality work. This company has a 1 year turn over and I’m starting to see why. Also we are always being watched through security cameras. Got in trouble today for venting to my coworker because I was so stressed out.Health impacts: I’ve been here a month and I’ve been getting IBS during weeks of peak stress, losing sleep from stress, and am angry or anxious most days. I’m under so much pressure from high expectations and lack of available resources (starting from scratch) but not given time to deal with these start up issues. I’ve never worked at a place that has an issue with everything. Feels like 10 new problems every day. My next steps: I plan to give this place a chance until end of 2024 (so end of my probation) but I cannot continue after this if things don’t change bc I feel my mental health deteriorating. Everything feels like my fault and expectations are that of a multi million dollar company so how can I ever reach that. I’m only human and basically a one man band.Thank you for reading this, sorry for long message.

Cherie1472 Anxiety after illness
  • replies: 3

Hi, I've been having anxiety symptoms. I had a brain tumour removed 9 weeks ago, now my life feels upside down and I feel empty. Worried about what will happen job wise, money wise and if I'll be able to keep my house. Thanks for reading.

Hi, I've been having anxiety symptoms. I had a brain tumour removed 9 weeks ago, now my life feels upside down and I feel empty. Worried about what will happen job wise, money wise and if I'll be able to keep my house. Thanks for reading.

Rach28 Extremely overwhelmed and under pressure - wanting to be left in peace
  • replies: 10

hi everyone im currently on centrelink job seeker payment and unfortunately one of the requirements of receiving this welfare payment means i attend fortnightly job provider appointments. In the past few months ive transferred to up to 5 different on... View more

hi everyone im currently on centrelink job seeker payment and unfortunately one of the requirements of receiving this welfare payment means i attend fortnightly job provider appointments. In the past few months ive transferred to up to 5 different ones. My most recent one was supportive on the first appointment but the proceeding two appointments he was putting alot of stress and pressure on me. Asking me personal questions that made me shut down completely and triggered my anxiety to the point I wanted to punch a wall and cry. It was really bad! What do i do!? In August 2024 i got a job and quit on the second day. I was given "constructive" feedback which I interpreted as negative and its massively affected my self-confidence and self-esteem. Its also increased my anxiety x100. So now im fearful of attempting to look for another job. Sadly another factor is I'm struggling with massive social anxiety. I don't know how to function very well when it comes to dealing with people or communicating my needs. I generally get very anxious, and if triggered I shut down and go into "reflex" mode where I am defensive. For many reasons including PTSD, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression and personal circumstances. I dont know what to do. I dont think I am an employable person and I feel I am a failure. I'm constantly surrounded by negative people who never support me in the way I really need. They never once ask me - are you okay. Or how can we help you!? I'm always being told - FIND A JOB. FIND A JOB. And I'm burnt out and exhausted. I'm tired of looking for jobs, this recent bad employment has impacted me in ways I cannot discuss. I dont know what to do.

Guest_92474369 Upward bullying
  • replies: 4

I was recently put in charge of a new team at work and one of the girls in the team has made it her mission to make me miserable (presumably because she thought she should have been given the job). She has turned two of the other team members against... View more

I was recently put in charge of a new team at work and one of the girls in the team has made it her mission to make me miserable (presumably because she thought she should have been given the job). She has turned two of the other team members against me and encouraged them to give horrible feedback to my manager. I’ve tried to defend myself, but my manager thinks that I must be in the wrong because more than one person has complained. I’m struggling to keep going with this constant feeling of anxiety and fear of what they’ll do next. Each time I think things have settled down, my boss raises the issues with me again - not anything new, the same issues. I have tried defending myself but she seems to be disappointed when I do - like she wants me to admit I am at fault before she will let me move on. I don’t know how to fix something I didn’t do in the first place. Feel trapped and unable to breathe.

Jaylou Generalised Anxiety disorder
  • replies: 9

Hi All,I have suffered form anxiety most of my life but recent changes at work has me spiralling badly to the extent it's crippling. I went to my GP and I did a MHCP and she has me on medication which is helping somewhat. I am booked in for my first ... View more

Hi All,I have suffered form anxiety most of my life but recent changes at work has me spiralling badly to the extent it's crippling. I went to my GP and I did a MHCP and she has me on medication which is helping somewhat. I am booked in for my first therapy appointment in January buy I was hoping to get some ways to help cope until then?

sax_11 Resigned from job due to return of anxiety
  • replies: 15

Hello, I recently resigned from my job of 18 months due to my anxiety raising its ugly head from the stress that was placed on me in this job. I was completely burnt out in September last year and had a minor breakdown. I probably should have quit th... View more

Hello, I recently resigned from my job of 18 months due to my anxiety raising its ugly head from the stress that was placed on me in this job. I was completely burnt out in September last year and had a minor breakdown. I probably should have quit then and there but I managed to pick myself up and carry on. Now I've got to February and I've had to see my doctor a couple of times since the start of the year due to issues with my health, all of which have been put down to stress/anxiety. Plus it is now affecting my home life. This made me decide to leave my job. My family tells me to take some time and get mentally well before jumping back into work. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Any help/advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

JimBob33 Coping with an anxious child
  • replies: 8

I have a young daughter (6) who struggles with severe anxiety. It’s gradually getting worse, and I feel like we all walk on eggshells every day. We don’t get through a day without at least one meltdown. I started therapy mid year to help me cope (par... View more

I have a young daughter (6) who struggles with severe anxiety. It’s gradually getting worse, and I feel like we all walk on eggshells every day. We don’t get through a day without at least one meltdown. I started therapy mid year to help me cope (particularly in my responses to her when she is melting down), in addition to her seeing a psychologist. Unfortunately she hasn’t had many sessions due to psychologist being sick or needing to reschedule, so I don’t think we’ve seen much benefit there. I don’t know what I’m after… maybe just to vent? Or strategies to help? I’m just so exhausted. Every day is such a battle… to get dressed, to leave the house, to try and enjoy a family activity. The list is endless. Her anxiety also manifests as physical symptoms and she constantly complains of being hurt/feeling sore/wanting medicine to make her feel better. She has no other diagnosis except anxiety. There are definitely sensory issues, but the health professionals we’ve seen have only given the anxiety diagnosis with various elements thrown into the mix. I feel sorry for our eldest, who is also dealing with this. He misses out on fun activities because of how she is, though we do try and do a lot of 1:1 with him as well. He’s also a very sensitive kid, so when she’s melting down and hysterical, it definitely affects him negatively. She panics about everything. It used to be limited to a few select issues, but it’s progressing out to almost anything. Commencing school this year was possibly the worst period of our lives, and I genuinely don’t know how we survived. She was doing well once in a routine etc, but now school has ended, her anxiety has peaked. School holidays should be relaxing and fun, except ours are filled with meltdowns, hysteria and tension. I guess I’m just feeling overwhelmed. Exhausted. Angry that this is our situation. Devastated I can’t do anything to help. Frustrated. Depleted. The list goes on! I’m not sure where to go from here. I will resume seeing my own psychologist who is lovely, and we do seek help from those around us when we need… but it doesn’t change the reality of how tough this current situation is.