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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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JustSomeGirl Why am I like this...?
  • replies: 4

I have social and general anxiety disorder (which like with many people, leads to depression) and have been struggling through the last year. I can't seem to be able to escape the discouraging thoughts inside my head and just want it all to stop. I'v... View more

I have social and general anxiety disorder (which like with many people, leads to depression) and have been struggling through the last year. I can't seem to be able to escape the discouraging thoughts inside my head and just want it all to stop. I've become afraid of my own thoughts, and with it, a lot of other things. I'm 14 years old. I don't know anyone else my age who seems to be like me. Which is good, no one should feel like this but at the same time, I feel alone. Despite my many attempts to describe anxiety and depression to my friends, they just don't seem to understand. They think it's something that just goes away after a while. I've been like this for years, however my family and I only recognized it recently, when I had already had two full on anxiety attacks and we decided to talk to a doctor, where they told me I did have anxiety and depression. I am on medication and I see a therapist but sometimes I feel like it's all for nothing. My brain keeps telling me I'm never going to escape these things inside my head and that'll I'm a failure to my friends. I don't want to let people down, they just tell me to calm down and move past it. I don't think they know how it feels to be suffocated by their own skin though. I'm terrified of being abandoned by them... I guess, the thought of being left alone in such a world, scares me. I'm afraid that because of how I am - I constantly choose to stay home then go out and the fact that I never want to do stuff exciting - that my friends will all leave me. I don't want to be like this. Why is it that I'm struggling through life when everyone else seems fine? I guess what I would like is some thoughts from other people like me. What should I be doing to help keep this all under control? Will I ever be... Normal? I know this all probably sounds really stupid coming from a 14-year-old but please - if you can - help me, or at least talk to me. I'd like some more friends and it'll be greatly appreciated. I'm just... Struggling. I'm a little sick of these continuous panic attacks too. Thank you for reading and/or helping -JustSomeGirl

Oz relationships and bipolar, obsession
  • replies: 15

Hi, I was being treated for many years for depression however was diagnosed with bipolar after a suicide attempt. Over the last 2 or so years Ive be obsessive about my relationship with a couple with whom Im friends with. I get upset if I dont get sp... View more

Hi, I was being treated for many years for depression however was diagnosed with bipolar after a suicide attempt. Over the last 2 or so years Ive be obsessive about my relationship with a couple with whom Im friends with. I get upset if I dont get spoken to or not invited to things. Has anyone else had this kind of situation with bipolar? The situation is out of control, I cant seem to control myself, stalking their FB, going out of my way to come into contact with them. Any advice welcome

krozgee Drug Induced Anxiety/Depersonalisation/Lost
  • replies: 1

Hey guys 22 no previous drug history March 21st i smoked marijuana ( two strains) non synthetic i think. 2 days later it triggered me off into a anxiety attack because for those next few days i didn't feel right which led me to breaking down. Next da... View more

Hey guys 22 no previous drug history March 21st i smoked marijuana ( two strains) non synthetic i think. 2 days later it triggered me off into a anxiety attack because for those next few days i didn't feel right which led me to breaking down. Next day i'm out of it. Lost, can't think straight, scared, and thought i've lost my mind. I was suffering from depression and had anxiety prior to this but had both of these like most people. I went to local GP they put me on medication. For a month i was on them but everyday same symptoms. Lost, couldn't think , struggled to concentrate on anything without feeling lost, things that mattered like girlfriend or friends or anything was a blur. Just trying to survive day by day. Once the 4 weeks hit i broke down and went to the Emergency so i can see a phychiatrist as i knew there is more to this. After waiting they see me and rule out that i'm phycotic but said i may have had drug induced phycosis and a small case of depersonalisation. They put me on multiple different medications. I continued this for 1 week and half and same symptoms. Phychiatrist saw me and saw no improvement so he decided to put me on a different type yet again. i have now been on this new one for exactly 2 weeks now. Still lost, confused , can't think straight , but now have really bad headaches all day, memory is awful and really foggy the thoughts of the previous day or current day is like a blur. Also noticed my right thumb tremors now and my body tends to tremor randomly when i yawn and i'm exhausted all day. Just curious to know what steps i should take going forward. My father had paranoid schizophrenia and grandfather was taking Lithium for Bipolar. My mother takes anti depressants. So tempted to just go to a ward and have them assess me properly as i am giving up. Just trying to survive hour by hour but it's so scary to live like this.

Anonymously_Me Fear of dying
  • replies: 9

I have a massive fear of death since I was a kid, which has been weighing on me now that I’m an adult and the realization of inevitability. In the past few days it has gotten really bad though that I can’t actually breathe and start to hyperventilate... View more

I have a massive fear of death since I was a kid, which has been weighing on me now that I’m an adult and the realization of inevitability. In the past few days it has gotten really bad though that I can’t actually breathe and start to hyperventilate and get dizzy. Because of the whole inevitability of it, that it’s not and if but when. And it deeply scares me that it will happen sometime, and I don’t know what I should do I know I should accept life as it is but just lately especially this year, I’m 23 and I just feel super old I know that’s young but it feels like each year keeps happening and I’m just scared and I don’t know how to cope with that because It’s causing me panic attacks.

CJ_stuff_and_stuff When all is quiet, old man panic comes over
  • replies: 19

Hi there, I have been monitoring my panic spells and have noticed that they occur almost always in the evening, at home when I am relaxing... Does anyone have any experience with panic occurring when you’re not thinking about much? My fear is a heart... View more

Hi there, I have been monitoring my panic spells and have noticed that they occur almost always in the evening, at home when I am relaxing... Does anyone have any experience with panic occurring when you’re not thinking about much? My fear is a heart attack so I will be laying on the couch watching TV and will have a muscle twinge or perhaps an imaginated pain and old mate panic starts catastrophising. Just now I realised I was feeling fine and in a moment of habit I checked my pulse and noticed it was calm and not pounding - my immediate thought was that it must be running out of batteries and I was in the early stages of a heart attack.... all of this in a matter of minutes. I am starting to think that my body isn’t ok with me relaxing. I have been for a long time a super busy person and it seems when I let my guard down the panic comes. Please tell me I am not alone in this! Thanks, CJ

xXBonBonXx Not sure if I have anxiety
  • replies: 3

Okay so I have been feeling awful lately, for the past four months I've been so unmotivated, doing little to no work in class, the bare minimum at home, beating myself up about this, constantly feeling overwhelmed/unmotivated/lazy and always tired. I... View more

Okay so I have been feeling awful lately, for the past four months I've been so unmotivated, doing little to no work in class, the bare minimum at home, beating myself up about this, constantly feeling overwhelmed/unmotivated/lazy and always tired. I'm having a lot of trouble sleeping and have been a lot more paranoid and overthinking more. To me, this sounds like anxiety but I obviously don't want to go around saying that without a diagnosis. But I'm far too nervous to go to a therapist because I'm not very open with my family and I don't want them finding out. I don't want to sound like I'm saying this for attention or as an excuse. I feel like I'm probably just lazy and shouldn't be complaining.

Guest7765 Good job for someone with anxiety?
  • replies: 8

Basically centrelink wont accept any more medical certificates because they only apparently only accept a certain amount and i walked back home depressd because now i can5 even afford to buy medication. I snappee and am done with centrelink. Just won... View more

Basically centrelink wont accept any more medical certificates because they only apparently only accept a certain amount and i walked back home depressd because now i can5 even afford to buy medication. I snappee and am done with centrelink. Just wondering whats a good job for someone with anxiety that does't require experience?

Mel_P Panic attacks
  • replies: 9

I live with anxiety. Most days I am anxious about something. Along with anxiety, sometimes I get panic attacks. Yesterday a panic attack lasted about 3-4 hours. I was very aware of the trigger, when it started, what was going on physically and mental... View more

I live with anxiety. Most days I am anxious about something. Along with anxiety, sometimes I get panic attacks. Yesterday a panic attack lasted about 3-4 hours. I was very aware of the trigger, when it started, what was going on physically and mentally. I was at work. An outside influence pressed my panic button. I was ok during the event, however afterwards my chest was tight, my heart was racing, I had sweaty palms, and sweaty armpits. I went outdoors, I went for a walk. I read a book in the sun. I went back to the office, and the panic button was still on. I had herbal tea and chatted with nearby colleagues about what was going on for me. I was able to open up a little, and a colleague told me his partner also had panic attacks. I felt comfortable. Yet the panic button still remained on. It was exhausting. Finally after about 3-4 hours I noticed that I was starting to feel better. It was a awful experience. Debilitating. How can I shut my panic attacks down? I feel really down today. What tools do people use to get their panic attacks to subside? Do other people open up more at work to let their colleagues know what is going on for them?

SheridanF Great Difficulty / Unable to Work (Teacher)
  • replies: 5

Hello! I completed my Bachelor of Education (Primary) in March and was able to start working as a relief teacher four weeks ago. I have completed two days (same class - they are a beautiful bunch - other teachers told me this was a rare case and laug... View more

Hello! I completed my Bachelor of Education (Primary) in March and was able to start working as a relief teacher four weeks ago. I have completed two days (same class - they are a beautiful bunch - other teachers told me this was a rare case and laughed), I was extremely anxious and on edge the entire days due to new responsibility & expectations. I was then given an eleven day contract, after the two hours I had a panic attack and was unable to finish the day or contract (the class has a lot of high needs and behavioural issues - however is something I know I could handle when in the right headspace). I haven't been called in to work at any school since which is kind of a relief but also makes me worried. I love the education world, the four walls of a classroom has never enticed me, but this is where I am at in terms of my career and the flexibility / little work pressure of a relief teacher should be within my capacity. I have been having a really difficult time not worrying and have been spiralling about either not being able to work (due to anxiety) or working and having another panic attack. My goal is to relief teach 1-3 days per week and be able to enjoy my days when I am not working doing things that are productive (instead of being stuck in bed). I would ideally like a to work part-time in a classroom so I had consistency with my environment, kids and expectations - however that is an almost impossible job to attain as a Gold Coast graduate. I am fortunate to not have to stress too much about financial stability, but want to live a PURPOSEFUL life. I am marrying my best friend in July and I know that he is worried about my ability to bring in a form of income (so we can save for a house deposit) and not wanting me at home all the time because it doesn't help my mental state. Any advice & support is greatly appreciated. Thankyou!

ohhmyyy Anxiety to Depression to Bipolar to ASD
  • replies: 2

Hi All, Suffered from anxiety and depression for a good decade since about 18. Comes in waves which last days and weeks but looking back feel like years (some years seem bleak and some years seem so happy). Because it came and went I didn't do much a... View more

Hi All, Suffered from anxiety and depression for a good decade since about 18. Comes in waves which last days and weeks but looking back feel like years (some years seem bleak and some years seem so happy). Because it came and went I didn't do much about it until EVERYTHING IN MY LIFE WAS FINE and then the panic hit me and I started seeing a psychologist. Two years later of the continuing up and down I was diagnosed with Bipolar II and put on lithium. Fast forward six months we changed to a different medication as lithium made me gain weight and dulled me. Fast forward twelve months I moved and a different psychologist said it's not bipolar its BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder). I immediately went and saw someone else as a diagnosis like that within 10 minutes of meeting me I felt was laughable and coming off the medication is a significant process. Saw a man who I felt for the first just got it and understood exactly what I was saying, hower the diagnosis was ASD and the treatment is stimulants. So currently as an anxiety sufferer, I am on 2000% in both productivity and anxiety. Has anyone else had problems with their diagnosis? How do you trust your psych? Do you just suck it up and stick with it? Or do you stop?

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