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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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Mina19 Digestive issues long term stress and anxiety
  • replies: 6

I don’t want to get into too much detail but a few years back something really bad happened to me at high school one of my teachers exposed themselves to me and some other girls he’s in jail now but since all that happened I’ve gotten really bad anxi... View more

I don’t want to get into too much detail but a few years back something really bad happened to me at high school one of my teachers exposed themselves to me and some other girls he’s in jail now but since all that happened I’ve gotten really bad anxiety and stress and on top of that out of nowhere my stomach started playing up and when I think about what happened I have to run to the bathroom. I don’t know if it’s because technically you are alone in the bathroom and it’s a way to calm down but it’s almost like all this has caused my stomach to mess up anyone going through something similar like the physical symptoms?

Ruby44 Work is causing my anxiety but the idea of leaving & starting over makes me feel just as anxious...
  • replies: 5

Just joined BB and hoping for some advice please! I've been at my work for four years & it has always been a high stress environment, particularly since taking on a management role two years ago. Recently the company has experienced huge growth & the... View more

Just joined BB and hoping for some advice please! I've been at my work for four years & it has always been a high stress environment, particularly since taking on a management role two years ago. Recently the company has experienced huge growth & the pressure & stress has gotten monumentally worse. To add to this there have been a lot of senior managers enter the business trying to prove themselves so a lot of power struggles going on. I am caught in the middle of these & it is mentally exhausting having to be careful what you say & who you say them to. For six months everything has been a struggle, it started as feeling fatigued & short of breath so I visited a heap of doctors looking for a physical reason why I felt this way. Then I started to have chest pain (particularly at work) to the point where I ended up in the emergency room...After a string of tests I was basically given a clean bill of health with some signs of POTS. It became clear that the chest pain was only happening when I was feeling stressed at work. I've tried many coping strategies to deal with the pressure at work (yoga, meditation, hypnotherapy for anxiety), reduced sugar and caffeine but still it's not enough. I love my job & have a great team but I have had multiple panic attacks in the past 4/5 months. I thought these were calming down but then I have had 3 in the past 2 weeks, turning to vmedication when I get home to take the edge off. It's clear that work is the cause of a lot of this stress & anxiety but the thought of leaving & having to prove myself all over again if I leave makes me feel just as anxious. That being said there are a lot of changes coming in management at my work (so I probably have to prove myself again there too). Do I try & wait to see if things improve or do I need to get out ASAP? I know that this job is good for my career but at the moment I feel like I am collateral damage in all the battles going on at work. A few people have suggested trying some medication to deal with my anxiety but it doesn't feel right to have to medicate myself to deal with my job!? Has anyone been in a similar situation? I also looked at moving house by the beach etc to try & have a more relaxed lifestyle but would mean being slightly further from my family who I have been leaning on a lot recently. My husband really doesn't understand how I am feeling, I have tried to talk to him but he is very laid back & never really gets stressed. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

bunnyxxx Anxiety After Bad Job Experience
  • replies: 1

I'm really not sure how to deal with this at the moment as my anxiety hadn't been bad in ages and it's only just flared up lately.... I've been off work for two months now after being dismissed unfairly in regards to my employer finding out about my ... View more

I'm really not sure how to deal with this at the moment as my anxiety hadn't been bad in ages and it's only just flared up lately.... I've been off work for two months now after being dismissed unfairly in regards to my employer finding out about my mental health conditions. The whole thing has been resolved legally, but it still seems to be affecting me heaps. I'm due to start a new job tomorrow and I'm really anxious to the point I'm now worrying I'll panic beforehand and not be able to get myself to go... I know I'm capable of managing this situation just fine, I've worked similar jobs for as long as I've been old enough to work, but this two month break makes getting back into it seem so scary... it probably doesn't help I don't know what tomorrow involves beyond the time I need to be there. I'm so anxious I can't sleep, I feel sick. I'm so scared of having a bad experience again or no longer being able to work cause of this time away from working... I'm really bad at distracting myself when I feel this bad and I'm not sure what to do... The past few months have been so hard, I just want things to progress and be somewhat normal for me again. This would be a good first step, but if I even can't do this, why am I even trying anymore...

Jason_G New to anxiety and wanting to share my experience
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone I thought I would share my experience with you since I had a anxiety attack last week and again today. A bit of background, the only other time had felt an anxiety attack was 3 years ago before I had one of teeth removed! My breathing pic... View more

Hi everyone I thought I would share my experience with you since I had a anxiety attack last week and again today. A bit of background, the only other time had felt an anxiety attack was 3 years ago before I had one of teeth removed! My breathing picked up, my right hand and then left hand felt really tight and I just felt really bad. The doctor at the time gave me a paper bag to breathe into and a bit of sugar under my tongue which solved the ill feeling and that was that. Two weeks later I caught a plane with my partner and I realised my hands got stiff again and well, I was having a mini attack during take off! I guess I didn't realise but I was probably not in a good state of mind after what had happened at the dentist but i managed to calm myself down and the stiffness subsided. Now fast forward to last week when I experienced a second anxiety attack. I was sitting around the house and resting since I had ruptured my Achilles several weeks beforehand. Over this resting period I continually checked my fitbit to check my heart rates etc, and started searching stuff online about my injury, where I found other health issues that could come about due to my injury. This seemed to stress me out heaps and last week while I was along and noticed my heart rate elevate after I went to walk a bit, well I guess I panicked which in turn elevated my heart rate even more, and I found myself breathless and running outside of my house with crutches yelling for "help". I was so concerned as I didnt know if I was having a heart attack or what. I got the ambulance on the phone and they came over, and to be safe, I went to hospital where a few tests were run and the Doctor told me what happened was an anxiety attack. Fast Forward to today! and I was once again sitting at my house reading a book and I got up suddenly hopping about to grab my crutches on the ground, which in turn seemed to elevate my heart rate again and BOOM, I realised I was having another attack which I managed to calm myself down by sitting down and do breathing exercises for a few minutes... Once that subsided I ate a banana real quick and drank like 4 glasses of water and boom, I feeling so bloated and tight around the chest and another attack but this time I called out for help and my neighbor came over and sat with me for about half hour until I felt calm. Anyway I just wanted to share my experience with you all as I feel really good talking about it, hoping I can overcome this.

michc04 Right Back where I started
  • replies: 9

Hi all, i really felt like I had made some great progress this week with getting my panic attacks and anxiety to a somewhat manageable level but had a very bad episode on Friday even after having dinner and movie plans which I usually really enjoy do... View more

Hi all, i really felt like I had made some great progress this week with getting my panic attacks and anxiety to a somewhat manageable level but had a very bad episode on Friday even after having dinner and movie plans which I usually really enjoy doing and now again on Saturday morning. i feel like I’m back to square one again just as things where starting to look up. im very new to feeling this way (and at this level) so it’s been very disheartening and I’m struggling to get myself off the couch today. i just want to get better and live my life again. I know it’s a process but could use even a little bit of relief from the symptoms to let me know there is hope.

anita24 Accepting new job help
  • replies: 5

I really need some guidance here. I accepted a new job and I start in a few days but I feel sick to my stomach I don’t want to go. I’ve quit a lot of jobs. I think I go into flight or fight mode... everyone is telling me to give it a go but I don’t w... View more

I really need some guidance here. I accepted a new job and I start in a few days but I feel sick to my stomach I don’t want to go. I’ve quit a lot of jobs. I think I go into flight or fight mode... everyone is telling me to give it a go but I don’t want to as I’ve been struggling mentally so badly lately. Can I get into trouble if I email them and take back my acceptance in so scared of repercussions. Please help.

Gem28 Hey
  • replies: 4

Hey guys, I thought I would put myself out there because well I never have before and I thought it can only help right? I'm new at all of this but I thought id share my experience in hopes that someone out there can relate or help in anyway. For the ... View more

Hey guys, I thought I would put myself out there because well I never have before and I thought it can only help right? I'm new at all of this but I thought id share my experience in hopes that someone out there can relate or help in anyway. For the past few years I have suffered with really bad anxiety and at first it was just uncomfortable but now It is really effecting my everyday life and leaving me feeling depressed and really hopeless. I get everything from the chest tightness, to the jumbling of words to the constant thought of panic to the tunnel vision and everything in the middle. I have had a lot going on in the past few years my eldest sister was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. ( she seems to be doing really well at the moment) I had a strong weed addiction that I went completely cold turkey with which is when the episodes of anxiety really started to kick off. I am completely sober and clean now but I still feel like my past choices haunt me and have shattered me for the long run. I have currently moved out with my best friend which is great and still have a strong relationship with my whole family. I work two jobs and normally work 60 hour weeks one job being in childcare and the other behind a bar. Sometimes my job really stresses me out ( the childcare one of course) and sometimes I want to tell some co workers where to go which I guess is normal in the workplace. I moved back to my family from Sydney when my sister was diagnosed and even though I'm happy to be home sometimes it depresses me as well. I have began my diploma of children's services and I really want to get it done but lately my anxiety has been crippling me. Sometimes I can tell myself its just anxiety the feeling will pass but lately I have convinced myself that I have every disease, illness under the sun. I have gone to hospital thinking I am having a heart attack and constantly think there is something medically wrong. I feel really depressed and I feel like my mind is stuck in this horrible loop of fear. This has been a long intro but it feels good to get my feelings out there. Thanks for reading guys and I really hope you are all doing okay G xxx

Lowepar Anxiety... struggling
  • replies: 5

Hi, I have been struggling with anxiety for the past two years. I have struggled with anxiety in the past but not to this point. I have felt my anxiety worsen when my parents separated, my whole family tore apart and now my family doesnt talk to or h... View more

Hi, I have been struggling with anxiety for the past two years. I have struggled with anxiety in the past but not to this point. I have felt my anxiety worsen when my parents separated, my whole family tore apart and now my family doesnt talk to or have anything to do with one of my parents. That parent has moved on and found a partner who treats their kids as there own and forgets about their real family. That parent will not see me on their own without their partner and their kids. I feel constantly torn between the two parents. I feel lack of support from family, i talk to my partner but i feel it has gotten to the point where he has heard it over and over again, he's becoming tired off it.My anxiety is so bad i can hardly do everyday things, going to work is hard, going to the do the groceries etc everything that involves leaving the house, because i am constantly trying to fight off a panic attack and make a fool out of my self. I want to get help but even going to the doctors to get the help is hard. I feel as though i am becoming depressed because of my anxiety is taking over my life, i feel disconnected and i cant live my life the way that i want because of this anxiety.

JonathanG Rugby Union
  • replies: 1

I play Rugby Union, and I’m extremely anxious and worried about getting a serious spinal injury resulting in quadriplegia or paraplegia from playing rugby union and I’m also extremely anxious and worried about fracturing my skull and getting a bleed ... View more

I play Rugby Union, and I’m extremely anxious and worried about getting a serious spinal injury resulting in quadriplegia or paraplegia from playing rugby union and I’m also extremely anxious and worried about fracturing my skull and getting a bleed on the brain resulting in a serious brain injury and possibly death What are some strategies I can use to stop my anxiety over getting a serious injury from playing my rugby union and what are some strategies I can use to stop worrying and catastrophizing about getting a serious injury from playing rugby union?

VeronicaLou Anxiety and nursing
  • replies: 6

Hello, This is my first time joining a forum and my first time discussing anxiety openly. I am 25 years old, working as a full time nurse at a busy hospital . This is my second year nursing and people would expect that the anxiety of working in this ... View more

Hello, This is my first time joining a forum and my first time discussing anxiety openly. I am 25 years old, working as a full time nurse at a busy hospital . This is my second year nursing and people would expect that the anxiety of working in this field would have minimised after two years. Unfortunately that's not the case. During my first year of working as a nurse, I had been mentored by a educator who was very tough and her expectation from me was more than I could reach at the time. I constantly felt like I wasn't doing a good enough job and that I was stupid. She even told me during an evaluation of my development, that I shouldn't work in a critical care area because it doesn't suit me. There were a lot of put downs instead of constructive criticisms that I received from her on a daily basis. It got so bad, I started waking up in a panic and became so afraid to go to work. I started calling in sick a lot because of the anxiety and it made me physically sick also. I decided that I couldn't cope feeling like this every morning and I seemed help from my GP. She referred me to a psychologist and gave me a prescription for antidepressants. I tried the antidepressant and after the second tablet, I had a severe adverse reaction to it. I went to the emergency room with dialated pupils, constant shaking for three days, racing heart rate, high blood pressure and severe anxiety. This medication made me worse. I came back to work and I had to let my manager know about what had happened between me and this educator. She was very supportive and spoke to the educator. My educator ended up talking things out with me, I'm not sure if she was attempting to apologise, but she didn't sound very apologetic. Nevertheless, I tried very hard to face her with a smile at work but the fear never went away. My heart would race every time I see her walking through the corridor. Even though I don't work with her anymore, I still constantly feel that I'm not doing good enough, I'm not a good nurse, this area doesn't suit me. I'm a very gentle natured person and I constantly doubt myself because of the things this person said to me in the past. I constantly feel anxious going to work, so much it's caused me to have tension migraines with vertigo, high blood pressure and racing heart rate. I am constantly afraid... it's made it so hard to function at work. I just want to be a good nurse and help people.