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

All discussions

Guest_11844839 Struggling with anxiety
  • replies: 2

Can’t sleep and feeing overwhelmed. I’ve been struggling with anxiety for a little while. I get pains in my chest and headaches and feel a bit hopeless. Have had it in the past but it’s come back quite badly atm as ive had some health struggles. It’s... View more

Can’t sleep and feeing overwhelmed. I’ve been struggling with anxiety for a little while. I get pains in my chest and headaches and feel a bit hopeless. Have had it in the past but it’s come back quite badly atm as ive had some health struggles. It’s brought it all back which then makes my health feel even worse. It’s a vicious cycle.

AT1981 Company restructure
  • replies: 2

Hi - my work place is going through a restructure and my role has been impacted - I’ve been stepped down a level in terms of reporting lines and have a new job scope. I’ve been in shock and very upset. It’s been affecting my sleep and me personally. ... View more

Hi - my work place is going through a restructure and my role has been impacted - I’ve been stepped down a level in terms of reporting lines and have a new job scope. I’ve been in shock and very upset. It’s been affecting my sleep and me personally. I’ve tried spending the day off with my husband to the movies however I just couldn’t stop thinking about it and dreading the outcomes/likely impacts. Is this normal - it’s only been day 1 of receiving the news

jemma09 Medication (advice on requesting with GP)
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, I hope you’re staying well I wanted to ask how one is able to look into medication as an additional option for treating an anxiety disorder. I have both a general anxiety disorder and OCD. I have been accessing Mind Spot and This Way Up ... View more

Hi everyone, I hope you’re staying well I wanted to ask how one is able to look into medication as an additional option for treating an anxiety disorder. I have both a general anxiety disorder and OCD. I have been accessing Mind Spot and This Way Up for learning techniques and support. However, it’s been a really challenging 3 months. My anxiety feel inescapable at times, and it can be so paralysing that it’s hard to eat and do anything. I don’t feel in control of it at all. The traditional therapies I’m doing or have used in the past, I’m struggling with.I keep hoping I’ll just feel better but it hasn’t happened. It’s been a long 3 months. I’m pretty concerned that I’m still finding the anxiety debilitating for so long. This hasn’t happened before. I’ve never felt so hopeless in my diagnosis - like there’s no way out of what I’m going through. I’ve always been pretty good at hiding my anxiety. But now even my manager at work has noticed, and I find my anxiety is interfering with my daily life and even work. It’s incredibly embarrassing. I have a GP appointment on Wednesday. I can’t get in with my regular GP for over 2 months and I just know I can’t keep going like this. I can’t wait 2 months. I visited a different GP about 1.5 months ago and got a referral for psychology but they refused to refer me to a psychiatrist. My old psychologist retired so I don’t feel comfortable going through the ‘try a therapist’ until you find the right one, it would be really upsetting and exhausting explaining my issues over and over. Will a GP be able to assist with medication for anxiety? Or will the refuse to even look into it or help? I want to show and explain the evidence that I’ve been doing programs but they’re not enough. I’m struggling so much to stay present, my thoughts jump back to the disordered thinking. I just want to get back to a baseline and be able to live again, and be myself. I’m nervous for the conversation with the GP as I worried they will refuse to look into medication as an option. I’ve only met them a few times. I’d appreciate hearing to your experiences on if you’ve been able to access medication, or any tips anyone has. I really appreciate it - Jemma

Beaser Trying to please everyone and it backfiring.
  • replies: 15

Hi and my best wishes to all. I was wondering if people have had the experience of saying yes to things or no out of trying to please people and also because its easier than having to explain yourself. I had said yes to a camping trip but had reserva... View more

Hi and my best wishes to all. I was wondering if people have had the experience of saying yes to things or no out of trying to please people and also because its easier than having to explain yourself. I had said yes to a camping trip but had reservations and ended up pulling out. My friend isnt to happy with me because of it. Hes been a good mate but i just couldnt handle the pressure and anxiety that had built up . Sometimes i find covering for my anxiety causes me to even lie about what is going on for me ,.I pride myself on my honesty and hate that this happens. Im just wondering about others similar experiences.Best wishes Beaser

Guest_90158656 Daughter has anxiety and refusing to go to school
  • replies: 5

I’m at a complete loss, my daughter is really struggling and things seem to be getting worse. She is refusing to see anyone for help. She is worried about her hair everyday, needs to to be beyond perfect - even though there’s nothing wrong with it, s... View more

I’m at a complete loss, my daughter is really struggling and things seem to be getting worse. She is refusing to see anyone for help. She is worried about her hair everyday, needs to to be beyond perfect - even though there’s nothing wrong with it, she is absolutely beautiful and she just can’t see it. She gets up everyday to get ready for school but it’s very hit and miss if she’ll go. Lately she will get ready for over 5 hours and then gives up with what seems like a panic attack/anxiety. She does all her school work at home but is still falling behind which I think could make things worse. Later on each afternoon she will apologise for not going to school, speaking nastily to us and makes a great plan for the next day. For the last three weeks this has happened daily. I don’t know how to help her anymore, we’ve tried so many things and she won’t follow through with anything. This week she has attacked me, screamed the house down and absolutely freaked out, today because I wouldn’t walk away and just accept the I’m not going again. She is 16, at a great school, has lovely friends and so much going for her. I think the issue is the hair and I don’t think there is any bullying or anything going on. Please share your experiences and if you’ve been through something similar I’d love your advice. Thank you

Guest_38452524 Not coping with anxity
  • replies: 1

I have anxity and finding it hard . And i have problems at home that are not helping

I have anxity and finding it hard . And i have problems at home that are not helping

Jessica_Cloud Struggling after stopping SNRI - how long will this go on?
  • replies: 6

I was on antidepressants for over 2 decades and tapered off slowly and successfully. I’m F 59. It’s been just over 3 months since stopping SNRIs and I’m experiencing awful symptoms of anxiety, dread, irritability, negative thoughts, and suicidality. ... View more

I was on antidepressants for over 2 decades and tapered off slowly and successfully. I’m F 59. It’s been just over 3 months since stopping SNRIs and I’m experiencing awful symptoms of anxiety, dread, irritability, negative thoughts, and suicidality. I didn’t experience these symptoms prior to starting meds. I started with some other natural medication but I’m not convinced it’s helping. I do a lot of self care eg exercise, eating well, sleep hygiene, etc. How long will these symptoms last? Is my brain just wrecked forever and going back on medication is the solution?

Guest_14445649 Sleepless
  • replies: 2

Sometimes i feel hard to sleep when i get my job wrong

Sometimes i feel hard to sleep when i get my job wrong

Guest_94903800 Binge eating
  • replies: 2

I do this all or none thing with diet. On the days I hit gym, I eat clean but on the days I miss I binge eat ( literally emptying out a full tub of icecream at a go!) I end up in guilt and shame. This has affected my confidence and self esteem. I am ... View more

I do this all or none thing with diet. On the days I hit gym, I eat clean but on the days I miss I binge eat ( literally emptying out a full tub of icecream at a go!) I end up in guilt and shame. This has affected my confidence and self esteem. I am hoping for some advice.