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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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Vashta_Nerada I don't know what to do anymore
  • replies: 2

I'm nervous and self conscious around people all the time. I feel like people are watching me and judging me. I worry that my hair is a mess, or something is on my face or i smell bad. I was always teased and bullied in school. My father was very abu... View more

I'm nervous and self conscious around people all the time. I feel like people are watching me and judging me. I worry that my hair is a mess, or something is on my face or i smell bad. I was always teased and bullied in school. My father was very abusive as well, mostly verbally. I seemed to start getting better in my last job. Over the course of about 2 years i started to feel less uncomfortable with customers and even started to hold conversations with them. however after about 2 years, business really started to pick up. Far more customers than usual. I was stuck on the over night shift on the weekends and sydney just started the lockout laws for bars. So people would get drunk at the local bar instead of going into the city. a bunch of drunk people would come in every saturday night and scream at me and hurl insults at me, etc. After 1.5 years of that I think that set me back far worse than when i started. I used to throw up almost every day in the shower and get panic attacks at work. Not all the time, but sometimes. I'd also be rather irratable even to the nicer customers at night. I dislike being around people even more now. I'm afraid someone is just going to snap and start screaming at me for no reason. I don't want to work in that kind of place anymore. But retail/hospitality is the only thing I'm really "qualified" for and as we live in a remote area it's the only thing that's really available to do anyway (because I really want to work in a bar after all that...) It's been over a year since i left that job but it's still affecting me. i don't know what to do anymore. I feel completely useless not having a job, but i just don't want to go back to work. And this is causing problems in our marriage, which is causing even more anxiety/depression. My wife and I had an arguement a couple days ago and I'm still unable to sleep well because of it. It takes hours to fall asleep. When i do fall asleep, i sleep for 12 hours or more. I have no appetite. I have to force myself to eat. It feels like everything is just falling apart. If she leaves me, I'm screwed. If the depression doesn't kill me, I'll probably be living out on the street. I have no one to help me. I left all of my support system behind when I moved to Australia. I don't even have her family to help me since we moved all the way out to the middle of nowhere. I'm going to make a doctor's appointment tomorrow to talk all this out if I can but I just needed to vent a bit.

MX416 I'm not sure my therapy is really working
  • replies: 1

I have had anxiety at varying degrees for many, many years. I have been on meds for about 13 years now and have finally given in to seeing a psychologist. She is getting me to do exercises that simulate a panic attack, such as fast breathing, heat an... View more

I have had anxiety at varying degrees for many, many years. I have been on meds for about 13 years now and have finally given in to seeing a psychologist. She is getting me to do exercises that simulate a panic attack, such as fast breathing, heat and chair spinning. The chair spinning is what I am concerned with. I do get panic symptoms like nausea, but the dizziness is horrendous and is not what I experience when I do have an attack. The dizziness lasts pretty well for the rest of the week, though less than originally. Should I insist that I not do this exercise? My main problem is my negative thoughts that will not go away when I have to go somewhere I have never been, or somewhere too far from home in my mind. Once the perceived threat is gone, my physical symptoms ease right off.

iianxietydamn High School
  • replies: 5

Hi, My Name is Lily. I have been diagnosed with anxiety just before school started again, being diagnosed has affected me a lot, I have a loss of appetite, I need to fidget with things, I can't concentrate, I have seen the school counselor but he did... View more

Hi, My Name is Lily. I have been diagnosed with anxiety just before school started again, being diagnosed has affected me a lot, I have a loss of appetite, I need to fidget with things, I can't concentrate, I have seen the school counselor but he didn't really help much, I also went to my GP but she just told me that she couldn't really help me with that sort of stuff and told me a counselor would be better. I have no idea what to do. I have also talked to my parents but they don't understand. I did have one really close friend and I thought that we would still be close but as soon as I told her I had anxiety, she left and found new friends, now when I pass her in the halls she looks at, e like I'm contagious or something. Someone told me I should give this a go so, here we go.

vixstar Anxiety and Panic when looking for a new job
  • replies: 8

Hi everyone, I am brand new to this site and would like to share with you my hurdles with panic and anxiety. I have struggled with anxiety and panic attacks for the majority of my adult life in the beginning I was not able to eat out at restaurants a... View more

Hi everyone, I am brand new to this site and would like to share with you my hurdles with panic and anxiety. I have struggled with anxiety and panic attacks for the majority of my adult life in the beginning I was not able to eat out at restaurants and go out with my friends and have fun because I would have anxiety attacks whilst I was out and have to go home or go to the bathroom and make myself throw up. I have slowly learnt to overcome these hurdles and actually enjoy spending time with friends out and about but still have my odd moments. I have also struggled with travelling overseas and new experiences in the past but have pushed through with all my strength and manage to feel better by slowly desensitising myself to the new things that make me anxious. For example I had a real rough patch when I moved out of home for the first time with my partner The one thing I have not been able to overcome is the anxiety and panic I feel about starting a new job. This week I was told I would be made redundant at the end of next week. I have been working for the company for approximately 5 and half years so will receive a small payout that will keep me going for a month or so until I find something else but like most people I have a mortgage and bills and it's imperative I have an income. My husband also works and earns over the threshold for me to receive any payments from Centrelink. When I found out I would be made redundant my anxiety immediately returned at the thought of having to find work and start a new job. I tried to push past it and jumped on job websites looking for work. I applied for a few and heard back from one that I attended the interview for I am usually fine at interviews and perform really well and there was absolutely nothing wrong with the job, the hours suited me and the position was something I could of handled but after the interview I was contacted and informed they were doing reference checks and wanted me to come back and meet with one of the bosses I would be working under. It all became to real for me after that, the thought of starting a new job....the anxiety and worry started to roll in. The next day I struggled all day with the anxiety and was physically and mentally exhausted and broke down to my husband. He said to meet with them tomorrow and see how I felt after that. I hoped in my car to drive to the second interview got half way there and lost it. I had to pull over and just sat in my car crying that I wasn't able to go to the interview I felt like such a failure. Once I composed myself I was able to drive home and my husband was there and asked me what had happened, them the company called me to find out where I was and I just couldn't answer it. I later emailed them explaining I had second thoughts about the position and wished them luck in finding the right person. This all had happened yesterday. To give you some history I have started new jobs in the past and my anxiety and panic has been so terrible I haven't lasted more than 2 days in a role, my anxiety manifests as nausea and I am unable to eat anything so after a few days I am so physically and mentally tired I cant go on. This has happened a handful of times and takes me ages to get over. Now I am so scared this will happen again my anxiety begins before I even start the job just at the thought of being offered it sends me into a spiral of anxiety and worry. I know I have to find something eventually and have contacted Disability Support Employment Services to assist me in finding work however I am unsure if I am eligible for this service. It sucks that I found a job I felt comfortable in and have stayed there for 5 years and now have to start all over again. I want to work so bad and need to work for the income but the thought of having to start a new job sends me running in the other direction. I am thinking about upping my medication to help me get through this rough patch and have a meeting with my GP on Sunday about it. Thanks for listening and if anyone has any similar experiences or advice I would love to hear them just to know I'm not the only person out there like this.

lasermaster sickness and centrelink
  • replies: 3

hi all..dont know where to start..i am a 58 y/o male with much sickness going on.the body has gave it all to me.overnight deafness in one ear had bad vertigo.massive CFS.rage/painful burning feet bottoms.restless legs many muscles going off on legs.t... View more

hi all..dont know where to start..i am a 58 y/o male with much sickness going on.the body has gave it all to me.overnight deafness in one ear had bad vertigo.massive CFS.rage/painful burning feet bottoms.restless legs many muscles going off on legs.tennis elbow in both elbows and left shoulder.around 4 years ago i becames sick.was always a 50 /60 hour a week worker in sheet metal i had to give it all up 3 years ago..i do think a tick disease.at the time i had a bite on wrist the cat had tick paralysis and the AWL wanted $1750 to fix it..i was always skinny..59kg..did have a massive drop to 47.5kg.centrelink are not taking my medical certs now.they are wanting me to sort rags out for 15 hours a week..thinking of moving up to north qld and be a carer for a friend in a wheelchair..will i get carers payment and newstart.will i still be made to sort rags..for anyone that have never felt CFS..you wake up in mornings feeling like no sleep for 2 days.no coffee will fix it.a few naps by day dont help and you go back to bed with it.i had govt test for lyme..i seen a disease clinic at the hospital..they said if i go to sydney and get tested any positive will be deemed false..they said what ever i have go home and deal with it..the govt is a caring lot.i did have tests that i paid for..borrelia and bartonella.both neg..people say dont waste my money as tests are very hard to get right..anyone else in the same boat here..even drs dont want to know me..the govt is sure up to something..thanks for any positive feedback

emmalauren2 Sudden burst of anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi, I've been struggling with OCD, depression, and GAD since I was 10 years old and had gotten worse over the past 5 years. It got to the point where I couldn't go to school because I had severe panic attacks, nausea, dizziness, and a feeling of fain... View more

Hi, I've been struggling with OCD, depression, and GAD since I was 10 years old and had gotten worse over the past 5 years. It got to the point where I couldn't go to school because I had severe panic attacks, nausea, dizziness, and a feeling of faintness. I was put on medication sometime last year for around 4 months and was causing my symptoms to worsen. I soon changed the medication I was on. Ever since I started the new medication I became a lot more happier than I was. I've been fine ever since I started it with less panic attacks etc. Just today my friend was talking to me about my friends how they judge me and I asked why they judge me and she replied with "What's there not to judge about you?" That really brang my self-esteem and confidence down. I had no words. This same "friend" is also known for making fun of my appearance, skin colour, and accent (I am British). She is also known to be very racist towards people and gets away with it 24/7 and I have been called "autistic" by her several times. Meanwhile, my other "friend" has made fun of me because of my height, weight, and has blamed the stuff she has done on me just so I could get in trouble. They know what I've been going through yet every time they see me they try to make me upset. Ever since I heard what she said today, I cannot get my mind off it and have high anxiety at the moment. I go to school with the first person I was talking about and I know I shouldn't be friends with her anymore but then that will mean I will have nobody and it's so hard for me to make friends. Does anyone have any advice on what I should do?

Pols Turning 50 and alone
  • replies: 2

Hi there I'm about to turn 50 in a week and I live alone, I have family and some friends but it seems as if I'm the one who makes contact. Rarely does anyone get in touch with me to see what I'm doing or if I want to hang out. I have a son who's 23 a... View more

Hi there I'm about to turn 50 in a week and I live alone, I have family and some friends but it seems as if I'm the one who makes contact. Rarely does anyone get in touch with me to see what I'm doing or if I want to hang out. I have a son who's 23 and he lives just 30 minutes away, he goes to uni twice a week but never comes to visit. I'm supposed to be going to a catch up with friends from school, one I thought was my best friend but we seem to have drifted apart (he lives in the USA now and is in a gay relationship , that's not an issue)this weekend but I don't feel like driving the 3 hours it will take to get there. I'm also broke I have a unit but I seem to live from pay to pay and I just spent 2/3rds of my pay in my car leaving me with almost nothing. It's 3am and I've got to get up for work in an hour

Christy222 Scared of not getting better!
  • replies: 4

Hi guys x I know this sounds negative but does anyone else feel that the anxiety and panic will never go away ? I just recommenced my medication. I do feel better but am worried the panic will keep returning Is anyone on meds that really work for anx... View more

Hi guys x I know this sounds negative but does anyone else feel that the anxiety and panic will never go away ? I just recommenced my medication. I do feel better but am worried the panic will keep returning Is anyone on meds that really work for anxiety straight away ? I get so scared of the morning when my anxiety is overwhelming is anyone else's like this ? Love to all xx

YarrBee Confident but can't speak, Selective Mutism
  • replies: 4

Does/has anyone else experience/d this? I can speak in some situations but not others. In after school activities I couldn't speak to anyone. At school I couldn't speak in classes I didn't already have friends in. Now I'm at university and was determ... View more

Does/has anyone else experience/d this? I can speak in some situations but not others. In after school activities I couldn't speak to anyone. At school I couldn't speak in classes I didn't already have friends in. Now I'm at university and was determined to start speaking so I could let out my personality and make new friends. But I quickly went back into my shell and soon everyone expected me not to speak. I don't understand why this happens. I am very confident in myself. I think I'm an awesome person and I don't care if someone doesn't like me. So why can't I speak? I recently found out about selective mutism which really resonates with me, except for the part where you feel anxiety. I do feel anxiety if I get put on the spot but that's about it. Maybe I'm really out of touch with my feelings? I find whenever I try to tell someone what I'm experiencing, I start to cry and I can't let out a word. I've realised I don't like crying in front of people, I try hard to hold it in or hide. I want to tell my best friend, who I live with, and my family but I can't. My best friend is going through anxiety and depression but she's able to tell people. She told her friends at university (and not me until recently) and she writes things on social media. She said she's never been worried about me since I never seem to experience anxiety or depression, that I'm really happy. I genuinely am happy (but far less than I was before) and am comfortable being alone. But lately I've been sad as it's nearing the end of the year and I still haven't made friends at university. I'm good at hiding my feelings and I guess from myself as well. I need her to ask if I'm okay too because we're both going through something. Her bringing up what's going on in her life hasn't been enough to get me talking no matter how hard I try.

skum Crippling Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hey guys, I'm really lost and don't know what to do with my life. I dropped out at Grade 11 last year due to anxiety where I could barely leave the house eventually got placed into a psychiatric ward for 4 weeks (voluntarily btw, didn't help at all).... View more

Hey guys, I'm really lost and don't know what to do with my life. I dropped out at Grade 11 last year due to anxiety where I could barely leave the house eventually got placed into a psychiatric ward for 4 weeks (voluntarily btw, didn't help at all). I enrolled this year, went 2 days and dropped out once again. I feel worthless, a 17 year old bumming off his mother going absolutely nowhere but 6 feet deep. I've been on SSRI's since I was 9, talked to dozens of psychiatrists and psychologists and nothing seems to help. Anyone else in a similar situation? I've completely isolated myself to where I think I am going crazy.