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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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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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_11cara Where can I go to?
  • replies: 2

I would like to seek some advice. I am currently on my placement, and I am experiencing significant stress and feelings of being overwhelmed in the area I am into. I am unsure about how to handle it, and it is having a detrimental impact on my mental... View more

I would like to seek some advice. I am currently on my placement, and I am experiencing significant stress and feelings of being overwhelmed in the area I am into. I am unsure about how to handle it, and it is having a detrimental impact on my mental well-being. I am having panic attacks, depression and anxiety. I cannot express myself properly. I cannot even answer basic questions because of fear and lack of confidence within myself. I am on a lot of pressure. Can't sleep at night, can't eat properly. What should I do?

sam_ Needing time out: Feeling overwhelmed by work and having anxiety attacks
  • replies: 1

I suffered from major burnout in 2021 after the passing away of my mother and suffered from overwork (60+ hours a week) and a very toxic management structure (I work in tech). In 2022 I took about 6 months off to reset and went back into the workforc... View more

I suffered from major burnout in 2021 after the passing away of my mother and suffered from overwork (60+ hours a week) and a very toxic management structure (I work in tech). In 2022 I took about 6 months off to reset and went back into the workforce on a short contract to get my confidence back.Late last year I spent much time looking for the right permanents role and was excited to start at a new organisation. I explained my burnout openly and what I was looking for an organization and the interview process was really positive and a match in values and culture. After I started they needed someone to help out on another tech project with the promise of hiring people to support me and then I would eventually go back to my regular job (the one I was hired to do). However, none of this has eventuated and I have been working in 3 roles with little support from my manager. I thought I was doing ok from a point of view of managing my stress levels, but as we get closer and closer to launch the work is piling on and I have all levels of the organization literally hounding me. My peers have all come to me asking me how I can be doing all of this by myself. I keep raising these issues with my manager and it was acknowledged each time "you have a lot to do" and "Tell me how I can support". - support hasn't come.Last week I started having anxiety attacks, something I hadn't experienced since my first burnout and when my mother passed away. Along with that, not sleeping and a constant headache. The thought of work tomorrow has me in fear and dread, I've already cried a few times and had an anxiety attack. I was supposed to catch up on work today and I couldn't even face it.I want to take some time off, but I am literally a single point of failure and me not being there is a major blow, I am feeling guilt but also knowing my mental health is a real issue. My partner has suggested I just go to work and do the bare minimum, the issue is I have no control over these anxiety attacks and when they come. I have presentations across every team in the organisation, plus working with the delivery team to launch....I am so scared I'll literally collapse in front of them. I am not even sure what I am asking here. I just feel so trapped. I also know taking time off won't solve the issue. I can take a week but when I come back it's the same workload. I need them to change something... Help!?

Elephant86 My healing pathway
  • replies: 1

The pathway to healing from your mental health is different for everyone and today I want to talk about ways I used to heal from my situation and the condition I have and how I recovered from it. I want to talk about my diabetes and what a challenge ... View more

The pathway to healing from your mental health is different for everyone and today I want to talk about ways I used to heal from my situation and the condition I have and how I recovered from it. I want to talk about my diabetes and what a challenge and what steps I took to keep myself fit and healthy and on my healing pathway. About 4 years ago I was diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic and when I heard this I thought my life was over and I was scared I know when you first get your diagnosis of a chronic condition it is terrifying but I decided to talk to my nutritionist and my doctors. The first thing was I changed my diet and started eating more fruits and vegtables less processed food which means no chips, choclate and icecream I was sad but I wanted to live long so I started reading about different foods and I switched to the meditaranian diet more more fish less red meat and healthy salads everyday. It was hard but I realised I could become a disciplinced jedi and change my eating habits and save my life in the process. The next story was when I was 11 and I was diagnosed with my epilepsy and I would have grand Mal seizures and would end up in hospital during school and that brought fear but I said to myself just thing positve and focus on getting better. It is very important in these situations to head medical advice. I still can't drive due to my epilepsy which makes it difficult to find a job. I was a time of great fear for my parents dad would stay at night and mum during the day my parents are my heroes. I know there are many families like mine who go through this and you must never feel you are alone the community always stands behind you to love and support you through your difficult time. The next story happened when I was 15 and I was diagnosed with bipolar it still is a struggle to this day. I have manic episodes and depressive episodes and I know there are others in the community who suffer through this as well. I decided to not let this defeat me I decided to listen to my parents and my doctors and do things to keep myself well. I cycle 40min on a stationary bike to keep fit. I read and many books as i can. I do my meditation in the morning and love listening to music the temptation are my favourite. As a person with a disability I think I was not meant to live an ordinary life. I think all people with a disability are extrordinary and you must have the love and self beleif that you are powerful beyond measure and you will face adversity.

bearwithme Food / allergy anxiety
  • replies: 1

About 2 years ago I had a random episode of anaphylaxis whilst eating on my lunch break. Fortunately, I work in a hospital and I was able to attend the ED straight away. But since then I’ve developed a lot of fear and anxiety around eating.I physical... View more

About 2 years ago I had a random episode of anaphylaxis whilst eating on my lunch break. Fortunately, I work in a hospital and I was able to attend the ED straight away. But since then I’ve developed a lot of fear and anxiety around eating.I physically can not eat some things. I have designated foods that are “safe” (stuff like Jatz biscuits, plain rice cakes, peas, potato, very bland things, they can’t have any flavour or spice on them) but anything else I eat makes me panic. I will try and eat something I’ve eaten a million times before but then make myself panic, I can feel my heart racing, I feel like my throat is swelling and I can’t swallow, and I find I need to then pace or drink excessive amounts of fluid to try and wash my throat. I miss being carefree, I miss being able to go out for meals, I miss not even having to think twice before eating, there are so many amazing yummy foods I love that I just can’t eat. I have no diagnosed allergies, but I do have intolerances to dairy and lactose (they present gastrointestinal). I don’t want to live like this any more. I want to be able to eat, and be carefree, and go out socially, and do all these things but I can’t. I’ve seen a psychologist over the phone but I didn’t find it helped much. Outside of trying to force myself to try things (exposure therapy) which I have tried but doesn’t work, I don’t know what to do. There’s got to be light at the end of the tunnel, but I don’t know how to get there. I’m not suicidal or self harming please don’t think that, I just want to be fixed and be better but I don’t know how.

daisy211 Introvert but lonely
  • replies: 4

I have always been an introvert my whole life and I am a socially awkward person. I tend to avoid meeting new people and never initiate conversations out of the fear of judgement. I am currently living in a share house with 3 other people, they are a... View more

I have always been an introvert my whole life and I am a socially awkward person. I tend to avoid meeting new people and never initiate conversations out of the fear of judgement. I am currently living in a share house with 3 other people, they are all very close to each other but I am always spending time in my room because I always avoid social interactions. I know they never want to inflict harm on me or anything but from my past experience, every time I speak up or be social people would be like "wow she talks!" and things like that so it makes me nervous to do that now, even to new people. Because of this, I am very much socially awkward and I struggle a lot to make new friends. Making friends as an adult is already a difficult enough thing to do, let alone when you have anxiety. I have never really talked to my housemates at all (apart from small talks) and so sometimes I feel very lonely at home. In my previous share house, my housemate told me I'm like a hermit, always hiding in my room and that made me feel so bad about myself. I really want to change and go out there to meet new people but my anxiety makes it so hard to talk to others. I will stutter, my arms will tremble, and I usually can't focus on the conversation. Does anyone else share the same problem? If so, how do you overcome this?

JustAnYtka Holiday ending and flight anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hiya, I'm looking for some support and advice. I'm currently in Queensland visiting family that I hadn't seen since pre covid, and I'm going home to Victoria tomorrow. I hate the fact that I won't see my mum's family for at least another years, and I... View more

Hiya, I'm looking for some support and advice. I'm currently in Queensland visiting family that I hadn't seen since pre covid, and I'm going home to Victoria tomorrow. I hate the fact that I won't see my mum's family for at least another years, and I also get incredibly anxious during flights. Does anyone have any tips for either of these things? Thanks, Bee

Aussie.Girl Feeling like life shouldn't be this hard...
  • replies: 5

I guess I just need somewhere to vent, but if anyone has some advice I would be grateful. I feel like I should be able to take care of myself better and actually be able to manage the things I need to do, but it just never seems to work out that way.... View more

I guess I just need somewhere to vent, but if anyone has some advice I would be grateful. I feel like I should be able to take care of myself better and actually be able to manage the things I need to do, but it just never seems to work out that way. I'm perpetually tired and stressed and would rather just stay home and do "nothing" than pretty much anything I should be doing. I always feel like I work so hard and get nothing done. I try and try and try to do well at work and tick things off my to do list but never seen to make any progress. Although at the same time if I had 6mths with no responsibilities I think I would just curl up into a ball and hide, and then want more time off after that. I know that doesn't make much sense. Basically I feel overwhelmed but I don't think I should be because all I'm really doing is working (4 days a week) and then recovering from work... Is this a symptom of depression? I have always had anxiety, and have been diagnosed with OCD. Personally I think I have also had depression in some aspect since high school (I'm in my mid 20s now), but I haven't been officially diagnosed. Idk what the point of this post is. Maybe if someone has experienced something similar and has some tips that would help? Thank you to anyone that read this far

white knight Anxiety, ebb and flow
  • replies: 6

In 2012 after many years I believed I conquered anxiety and in 2017 wrote about it. https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-how-l-eliminated-it/td-p/183873 Since then it has poked its head in and out of my life but I've been able to close... View more

In 2012 after many years I believed I conquered anxiety and in 2017 wrote about it. https://forums.beyondblue.org.au/t5/anxiety/anxiety-how-l-eliminated-it/td-p/183873 Since then it has poked its head in and out of my life but I've been able to close the door on each occasion. How? 1. Charity begins at home. Putting your needs first must be a priority. I've noticed with friends this isn't being accomplished. Running grandchildren around and helping out family or friends is not attending to yourself. 2. Underestimating anxiety. Often others illnesses are visible. Break a leg and watch others swarm around to help. Anxiety isn't so easily repairable and isn't a bbq topic.3. Shut down your stress when anxiety returns. Delegate finances, computer issues or child minding. 4. Do what chills you out. For me it's my train set or tinkering. I used to do jigsaws. 5. Turn your phone off. Do you have methods you revert to when anxiety returns? Please share them TonyWK

Guest_680 Not coping
  • replies: 2

well came to Australia 2010 Met Australian Farmer, could not get my qualifications recognised, worked as cleaner for years, run farm two kids raised them Alone, as my husband went working in the city until they where 6 years of age as always little m... View more

well came to Australia 2010 Met Australian Farmer, could not get my qualifications recognised, worked as cleaner for years, run farm two kids raised them Alone, as my husband went working in the city until they where 6 years of age as always little money left , Bought a local tourist park to generate income, right 1 week before covid hit and lockdown with homeschooling kids in addition our neighbour on farm has issues with our once in year escaping livestock (goats)… I am on an emotional roller coaster for a while , not happy in Australia, but feel restrained ….. but the neighbours complaint toppled me over….. feeling cold flushes crying …. In a hole…hopeless . Thanks for listening and get it off my chest .

kwilgbob Anxiety and Creative Writing
  • replies: 1

Hey, Im trying some new approaches to deal with some trauma. Ive tried Art therapy and found it horrible, left me feeling empty, sad and hopeless, felt alone in the room. I generally am pretty positive about the world, just inwardly negative, but loo... View more

Hey, Im trying some new approaches to deal with some trauma. Ive tried Art therapy and found it horrible, left me feeling empty, sad and hopeless, felt alone in the room. I generally am pretty positive about the world, just inwardly negative, but look to others around me not so much for support but for clarification (I wonder if thats a part of being a little on the spectrum?).Im going to try creative writing next Tuesday and have built it up in my head to be bigger than I want. Im a little bit of a perfectionist but a lazy one so give up easily. Has anyone else tried it and know what its like in reality (not the youtube/google versions), I really want to get something out of it and the feelings Ive had writing a journal seem to be pretty positive. Also I tend to be a pretty keen observer of others (up side to hypervigilance) and feel like I can process the world better when Ive journelled people and what I think is going on - especially with compassion for them. What I really want is to connect with people and just be able to be at peace with the world and bring some peace to others, seeing other people without filters makes me happy, writing could be one way to engage better with the world. I sit here tonight and just want to escape the terror and sadness. Im not an classic extrovert but if Im not around people for a couple of days I go a little off the rails, Im awkward and a little unlikable, will writing help that? I just want to have 20 people in my life I can laugh with, message and share the beauty of the world with, even if their fictional.