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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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sohtrop Thinking of visiting GP for Binge Eating Disorder
  • replies: 4

Hi, This is my first post here. I'm thinking of visiting my GP to get a referal on the mental health care plan to a psychologist. It's not the first time. This will be my 5th psychologist in 10 years. I developed PTSD after a sexual assault and from ... View more

Hi, This is my first post here. I'm thinking of visiting my GP to get a referal on the mental health care plan to a psychologist. It's not the first time. This will be my 5th psychologist in 10 years. I developed PTSD after a sexual assault and from that came depression, anxiety and binge eating. I've done a lot of work over the past decade, coming from not being so crippled by my depression and anxiety that I couldn't work or study, to being mostly free of the depression and anxiety and being successfully self employed. I even got rid of the binge eating for about a year and a half, but over the past 2 years it has been coming back and it's now as bad as it's ever been. I'm morbidly obese and sick of it. I'm an active person; I love travelling, hiking, kayaking, weight lifting... but my weight can interfere and it's so frustrating to me that I don't look like the person that I feel I am. I want to finally develop a healthy relationship with food and finally build a fit, strong and healthy body, before I end up doing permanent damage from being so overweight. I'm nervous about starting again... the misunderstandings with GPs (one looked me up and down once and said "you don't look like you have an eating disorder") and the hit and miss nature of finding a psychologist (one said to me, a rape victim, "you're very pretty so I'm sure you'll get through all of this okay." WHAT?!)... I would also like to ask my GP if there are any options for medication in Australia (I know Vyvanse is used to treat BED in the U.S) but I'm worried about looking like a druggie asking for pills (even though I never do drugs or drink). I'm not sure what I'm looking for with this post... welcome, support, encouragement, advice? I just felt like I needed to reach out. Thanks for reading xox

Neferata Fearing the new job
  • replies: 8

Like most people I can imagine there comes a certain amount of nervousness with the prospect of an entirely new job. I start a Master of Teaching degree this year to teach science in high schools, to pair with this I managed to get a job tutoring hig... View more

Like most people I can imagine there comes a certain amount of nervousness with the prospect of an entirely new job. I start a Master of Teaching degree this year to teach science in high schools, to pair with this I managed to get a job tutoring high school students after school hours. I figured this would allow me to evaluate if I am cut out for teaching, but unfortunately my tutoring is looking to be almost all in the realm of maths which is one of those subjects I can do but never thought I'd have to teach. It certainly isn't my specialty, science, which I did my bachelors degree in and have a healthy passion for. To add to this feeling of unpreparedness I am also getting the hint that I'll be doubling as a counselor, trying to motivate and enthuse teenagers to take an interest in something they rightfully cannot see a reason for, much less care for. My fears will be answered next week when I meet my students and attempt to guide them through the torments of being in high school and it will be good to be getting some money while I study again. I can only breathe life into the quote of the working person throughout the ages "nothing is ever easy, is it." I couldn't just stick with a well paying job that I hated, I had to go back to uni. I couldn't get an easy part time job, of course, I had to get something hard that I'm stressing about. Much love to you all and I wish you all well through your own journeys, Nef.

NQ Anxiety : bloating, loss of appetite, nausea
  • replies: 2

Hi. I think I have anxiety, starting 3 weeks ago. I didn’t know what it was before. Woke up at 2 am feeling something in my throat, palpitations. The next few weeks feeling easily full, loss of appetite, a bit nausea, but no pain. That feeling of wor... View more

Hi. I think I have anxiety, starting 3 weeks ago. I didn’t know what it was before. Woke up at 2 am feeling something in my throat, palpitations. The next few weeks feeling easily full, loss of appetite, a bit nausea, but no pain. That feeling of worry sicks. This week I went to my GP. He gave me blood test for many things to exclude many serious diseases. Including a pelvic scan. Feeling very nervous about the results which makes my symptoms even worse. I’m seeing him back on Friday to arrange mental health plan and referral to a psychologist. I am 45 and used to be the happiest and most cheerful person. Now I forget how to laugh. . I want my old self back.

CJs_mum Anxiety caused by doctors, hearing professionals and lack of understanding at the moment.
  • replies: 3

Hi, I'm in my 30's, struggling with hearing loss and depression and anxiety in WA. Firstly the hearing: I have been having difficulty finding a provider to help me with Hearing Aids for years. I've had GP's tell me its all in my head, but that's not ... View more

Hi, I'm in my 30's, struggling with hearing loss and depression and anxiety in WA. Firstly the hearing: I have been having difficulty finding a provider to help me with Hearing Aids for years. I've had GP's tell me its all in my head, but that's not the case at all. I simply can not hear and because of my age, no one is able to help. I've been homeless and on a pension almost all my life (mostly due to hearing loss - can't always follow instructions and miss certain important messages etc, can't hear on a phone or understand half of what's said) I have very little money but need hearing aids and they COST! Some can be anywhere from $3,000 - $12,000 depending on what brand you get given and what your needs are. Ouch. I don't have that! Am now panicking because I need them badly. Can anyone help me in WA? Thanks in advance there. Secondly the Anxiety: I've just been to a new GP and he's told me I'm "crazy" and laughed. He said but that's ok, all I need to do is just go to the main mental health hospital here, just rock up with the referral he'll write me and - voila - "just like that, it's all good. I'll be instantly better, as that's where I need to be - I'll feel like I belong - because I do and I'll get help with facing the hearing providers there." Apparently. hmm. Nope, I don't think so at all! I can not afford to be back on medication - financially, mentally and physically - at the moment. I have a history of mental illness, yes, but that shouldn't mean right now I'm "crazy". I'm not - I just want hearing aids and need some help with the huge costs AND need some help to sort out some personal family stuff (a family counsellor was what I wanted a referral to!). This is what is causing the anxiety at the moment. I don't think I need a hospital or for my daughter to be taken away from me for what I perceive as a fairly simple problem that could be fixed easily with a bit of guidance, thank you. I feel I am in a bit of a cycle at the moment: panicking because people think I'll panic and "go crazy" and be I'll labelled just that, but I just was labelled that so therefore I must be and...- agh! Round and round I go. I'm not crazy, but these people seem to want to send me that way! Finally, depression: the root cause of all this shite above. My dad was in Vietnam. He was strict when I was little: long story short, I'm still afraid of him, even as an adult. What can I do to tell medical staff this without labels? Thank you. All the best

A_2105 Never ending
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone. Hope you all are well. I’m 23 this year and have been suffering with anxiety since I was 19. Does anyone know anything that can help? Medication doesn’t work as it makes me nauseous. Has anyone seen a psychiatrist before & has it helped?... View more

Hi everyone. Hope you all are well. I’m 23 this year and have been suffering with anxiety since I was 19. Does anyone know anything that can help? Medication doesn’t work as it makes me nauseous. Has anyone seen a psychiatrist before & has it helped? I feel like this is never going to end. Every day I’m anxious, even when I’m not doing anything. I could just be sitting there doing nothing at all and my heart would be racing & my mind would be going crazy.

E_Paddington Tips for Anxiety in tricky situations - work, university, school etc.
  • replies: 3

I'm reaching out for some tips on reducing anxiety and anxiety attacks in situations where you can't leave, provide a distraction, speak to someone etc. I often find that the common advice provided for reducing anxiety is difficult/impossible to reen... View more

I'm reaching out for some tips on reducing anxiety and anxiety attacks in situations where you can't leave, provide a distraction, speak to someone etc. I often find that the common advice provided for reducing anxiety is difficult/impossible to reenact in the situations where I experience anxiety the most. Does anyone have any advice for some tips (before, during and after these scenarios) to reduce anxiety when in places such as work, university, school etc. where you experience severe anxiety but cannot leave?

Jade_94 Anxiety too Paranoia ?
  • replies: 5

Hi, I believe I have been suffering anxiety for a few years now. I have 'self diagnosed' . I never thought it was bad enough to go to the gp, but I've noticed a few things starting to get worse. mostly how paranoid I'm getting... I have two kids, and... View more

Hi, I believe I have been suffering anxiety for a few years now. I have 'self diagnosed' . I never thought it was bad enough to go to the gp, but I've noticed a few things starting to get worse. mostly how paranoid I'm getting... I have two kids, and I'm so worried about them all the time. When they are sick even with just a cold i literally feel their heart to make sure they are breathing.. I also struggle with the fear of death, I cannot stand when I'm in bed trying to fall asleep and the thought crosses my mind, I feel the worst anxiety when thinking 'I'm going to die one day , and that is certain ' its really terrifies me.. To the point I have to distract myself asap.. I am also becoming very angry all the time Which effects my relationship with my partner. I tell him I have anxiety maybe even depression and I HATE when he says "its all in your head" I know its not. And also the other usual triggers get me, mess, driving etc but those are really low triggers.. I also have those really bad days, where I rock up to work and can't even form a conversation because my anxiety is making me nervous, I stand there twidderling my thumbs thinking over and over about how anxious I feel.. I have had about 1 panic attack every year But I can't seam to get the guts to talk to my GP? What do I say ? And how ? Its always at the lowest I really want to talk to her. But then the next day I will feel fine, so I think oh maybe its a one off? But then I'll have a bad week , and the circle goes on.. im also not sure what if she wants me to speak to a therapist? Or whatever there called? I'm so unsure on the idea.. Any tips on what I should do ? Thank you all. Im 23 by the way also

Nutcase What is wrong with me.
  • replies: 3

It has hit me so hard and from out of no where. I can't think, I can't breathe, I can't move and I can't even pick up the phone to talk to anyone. I can't see any reason for it but it won't go away.

It has hit me so hard and from out of no where. I can't think, I can't breathe, I can't move and I can't even pick up the phone to talk to anyone. I can't see any reason for it but it won't go away.

Justin_b123 Anyone else?
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone I'm really hoping someone has experienced the same thing as me and is able to give advice. A couple of years ago I had a severe anxiety attack which was followed by a few more. I now have this feeling that nothing is real it's like when I... View more

Hi everyone I'm really hoping someone has experienced the same thing as me and is able to give advice. A couple of years ago I had a severe anxiety attack which was followed by a few more. I now have this feeling that nothing is real it's like when I'm doing something it's not me controlling myself I also have a very numb head. In result of this I have convinced myself that I have a brain tumour or something severe like that. If anyone else experiences this and has any strategies to combat this I would really appreciate it.

MissCambridge My workplace ruined my life
  • replies: 6

Where to start... Well, I finished my diploma and entered into the workforce confident, strong and enthusiastic. Unfortunately I don't remember that person particularly well. I'm now a shadow of my former self and I despise myself every day for it. I... View more

Where to start... Well, I finished my diploma and entered into the workforce confident, strong and enthusiastic. Unfortunately I don't remember that person particularly well. I'm now a shadow of my former self and I despise myself every day for it. I didn't believe people when they said it was a terrible place to work. I should have. When I started to hear whispers about all the disgruntled ex-employees I didn't run. I should have. When I watched people get bullied out of the place one after another I didn't stand up, I didn't leave. I should have. Now I sit here a totally different person with a much shittier view of life. It just passes me by and I wait for each day to finish hoping that the next one is better while I swallow my medication and hope to feel nothing. It doesn't happen. I worked for a short time as a case manager; helping people get on top of their problems and support them through their trauma. Funny that. After 6 months I was given a promotion as a Team Leader and I stayed there for 2 years. In my 3rd year a new worker started. As we expanded they needed a second Team Leader and she was it. We got along well at first; she supported me to learn as she had years of experience that I did not. I welcomed it and looked to her as a mentor. But, that passed. One day I questioned her about her method of case noting and decided that my team would do it differently; I declined taking on an extra client she asked me to. Shortly after I was getting cornered in offices and yelled at, threatened, intimidated. I attended the police station as the bullying was that bad. Senior managers that were her long time friends were trying to get rid of me. The rumour mill was turning like crazy; I was apparently having affairs, drinking in work cars, you name it! That was a horrible year. I watched all my friends either get fired or asked to stay away from me. I was alone. Now, I know this sounds like a bit of a far fetched story - but I assure you, it's all true. My work ended up investigating and substantiating the whole lot. I turned up to work and read an email in the car that she was given a promotion; she was not only in charge of me now but the whole organisation - you thought she was getting fired too, right?! I didn't go to work that day. I didn't go back at all. Every day I fight to be my old self again. One that doesn't struggle to go to the supermarket or take the garbage out. I am crippled with anxiety and I cant fix it.