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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. Remeber, this is anonymous and the Beyond Blue team are here to help if you need it This section is for people who are experiencing anixiety 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 you 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 worthile 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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Sophiee__ Is it social anxiety?
  • replies: 9

I am seeking help on what to currently do about my situation. I don't know a lot about mental health and don't know if what I'm experiencing is just regular 'everyone has bad day' symptoms or whether it's something I need to go and talk to someone ab... View more

I am seeking help on what to currently do about my situation. I don't know a lot about mental health and don't know if what I'm experiencing is just regular 'everyone has bad day' symptoms or whether it's something I need to go and talk to someone about. like everyone I've had times in my life where my mental health has been low but I'm an adult now and don't know if my behaviours are toxic. For example the other day I broke something of my fathers and even though he wasn't that upset by it I felt very torn up inside and spent a few hours after the event very upset and still haven't forgiven myself for it. another behaviour I am concerned about is my ability (or lack of) to socialise with people. I currently live in a dorm with 30 other people at university and it's brought out my introverted side a lot. Naturally I am introverted but I find myself unable to go out into the kitchen to grab things like a glass of water if I can hear people talking and I have a habit of compulsively looking out my window to check if the light in the bathroom is on (to signify someone in there) before entering myself. Socialising is a big part of dorm life and I cannot make myself do it choosing to hide out at the library for many hours late at night while my dorm hosts events in the common rooms just so I avoid running into them if I have to pee. I dont know whether I need to just get myself out of my dorm situation or whether I need to go and talk to someone as I don't want this problem to affect other areas of my life in the future.

Wild_Rover My anxiety story
  • replies: 3

Hello, Im 30 married and have a 6 month old son. I have had anxiety as long as I can remember, it most likely started as seperation anxiety when it came time for kinder and school. it went away for quite some time then reared it’s ugul face when it c... View more

Hello, Im 30 married and have a 6 month old son. I have had anxiety as long as I can remember, it most likely started as seperation anxiety when it came time for kinder and school. it went away for quite some time then reared it’s ugul face when it came time for work! i think my first Panic attack happened after I had been working for some time. so my doctor put me on medication and with some CBT it settled and went away... after a while I came off the tablets. things would happen over the ne t few years that would see me back on them, work stress, family stress a few deaths in the family a break up.... sometimes only on the medication for a month or 2 sometimes on it for months at a time, the most obvious physical symptom was a gag/dry reach. after a relationship break up 5 years ago I went back on them, eventually came off them as i substituted them for walking 9k per day. Medication helps me, it levels me and I can generally function at an extremely high level, holding down a job, travelling, large crowds ect of course with the panic attacks here and there and a few crashes where I could no longer fight the anxiety. I met my now wife about 12 months after the breakup Then my anxiety started to kick in with her extremely needy mother. There was also work stress and financial stress compounding the situation. So back for some CBT, personally for me I don’t think it does anything, talking to a psych, again personally don’t think it did anything and back on medication that settled me and allowed me to function fully again. Since I turned 30 I feel my anxiety is worse. I now have more physical symptoms such as head pressure, tension headaches, dizziness, feeling of electronic pulses, gag, feeling of something on my throat, panic attacks worse and takes me longer to get over even on medication, there are more physical symptoms I just can’t remember them now. It’s unfair and I wish I could change it, I know it’s anxiety but the littlest side effect and I think dying, right now the centre of my chest is sore, I had a crap day anxiety wise and had 2 panic attacks, I think heat attack but I know it’s just anxiety, doesn’t make it any easier. The thing that scares me most is dying probably more since my son has been born as I want to be here to see him grow up, so I always have my health under a spot light. Any tips on how to beat it or anyone have similar symptoms to mine and can tell me how to control them?

SMP Full-time working Mum with anxiety
  • replies: 1

I'm 43 and have a 6 yo daughter and 4 yo son. Approx. 7 months ago I returned to my old role, (part-time) and then 8 weeks ago I comnenced a new full-time role in a different department. The manager who got me the permanent role "bent over backwards"... View more

I'm 43 and have a 6 yo daughter and 4 yo son. Approx. 7 months ago I returned to my old role, (part-time) and then 8 weeks ago I comnenced a new full-time role in a different department. The manager who got me the permanent role "bent over backwards" to get me the role, even when she came up against a lot of opposition (government organisation). But ever since I started the new role my anxiety has been slowly growing stronger & stronger each day and I now have 3 major projects to deliver in the next6 weeks and I've basically had a breakdown. I've been battling anxiety & depression for nearly 10 years and in that time have had 4 miscarriages, 2 children, carer to my husband for 2 years as he suffered from severe PTSD, mental health issues with my mother, 2 suicide attempts, various health issues.....and the list goes on. Is it reasonable to think that perhaps I'm not quite in the right mindset or ready to work full-time or should I be grateful that I have a friend who was able to get me a good well-paying job and try to push through this busy period?? I'm still on probation with the role and have had a few run ins with my new manager already....so things are not too great there anyway.. Any suggestions/comments, can anyone else relate? Thanks

Hope_for_the_best Predisposition to mental illnesses???
  • replies: 7

I know that the causes of mental illnesses are very complex, and likely a combination of genes, environment and brain chemical balance. Somehow, I think I am predisposed to mental illnesses because of my family history. I am not diagnosed with anythi... View more

I know that the causes of mental illnesses are very complex, and likely a combination of genes, environment and brain chemical balance. Somehow, I think I am predisposed to mental illnesses because of my family history. I am not diagnosed with anything by professionals, but I get anxious and stressed more easily than average people. For example, when I learnt that the firemen just put off a fire next to my building, I got stressed even though no one was hurt (could not sleep for one night), but then other people will just say "Oh no! That's awful!" and forget about it. Things that most people think are trivial can make me jump up. Even not-so-close friends describe me as "paranoid". My psychologist does not think it is unusual though. She just puts it down to my sensitivity towards stress (indeed I am). Here comes my family history. I was raised by an anxious grandma (my mum's mum) because my parents were working full time. She gets stressed over small things. I might have learnt that from grandma, though I only started to be like her since I left home and lived alone. She is not diagnosed with anxiety but depression, and is on medication. My cousin from my father side has very severe depression which is not well managed despite trying all treatments. I have a few more relatives from both my mum and dad's sides having mental illnesses, and sadly they are not doing well. Nevertheless, my parents and sister are all good, i.e. they don't have any mental illnesses, and none of them are as stressed as me. My psychologist asked me not to worry because I am proactive in seeking professional help, which should greatly reduce my chance of getting a mental illness. Still, given my anxious personality, I worry about getting a mental illnesses one day. Is there anybody who successfully combats mental illnesses despite a strong family history? Thanks for sharing.

Hope_for_the_best Public bathroom anxiety???
  • replies: 13

I am having a stressful time with my studies and as a result, I become overly sensitive to the surroundings. I raised some concerns about my stress symptoms earlier, (https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/weird-symptoms-duri... View more

I am having a stressful time with my studies and as a result, I become overly sensitive to the surroundings. I raised some concerns about my stress symptoms earlier, (https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/weird-symptoms-during-times-of-intense-stress-) but this particular “anxiety” stands on its own so I would like to make a new thread. I know no one likes public bathrooms. I don’t like too, but I was fine with using one if needed until I got a diarrhoea at a shopping mall last year. I should have avoided greasy food when my digestion was not great under stress, but somehow I ate a creamy pasta for lunch and went shopping in a mall when I needed to go very badly. I went, the bathroom was quite clean actually, but the ventilation was not that good. My diarrhoea smelt awful and made me gag. I rushed out of the bathroom as soon as I finished and I felt better after breathing in some fresh air. But since that incident, I started to be uncomfortable with public bathrooms. I still go and eat out as usual, but I get obsessed with smells in public bathrooms and I avoid using one if possible. My gut is usually very obedient so I only need to pee most of the times. Still, it becomes a lot of struggles in mind before I ever walk in and use a public bathroom. I talked to my psychologist about that. She says it is normal to hate public bathrooms and if I do not stop going out because of them, it is okay. She asks me to be patient and allows myself some time to get over it. Over the year, I improved a lot on my own. At least, I think less before using a public bathroom these days. However, I still have the struggling thoughts of going or not at times. I wish to get back to before asap, i.e. use a public bathroom without a second thought. Any suggestions? Thanks.

azarrah What happens in therapy?
  • replies: 7

Hi all, I've been absent for the last few months as the anxiety I was experiencing for the first half of this year finally died down. Yay! Unfortunately, in the last few weeks, it's reared its ugly head back up again. This time, it wasn't so severe a... View more

Hi all, I've been absent for the last few months as the anxiety I was experiencing for the first half of this year finally died down. Yay! Unfortunately, in the last few weeks, it's reared its ugly head back up again. This time, it wasn't so severe as I knew my physical symptoms are a manifestation of anxiety, and that I wasn't to drop dead from some hideous disease (OK, there's still a part of me that thinks that, but at least it's not overwhelming anymore.) Nevertheless, I'm tired of just dealing with it, and I want to be more proactive in getting anxiety under control. I don't want to feel dizzy and spacey and foggy anymore, don't want to be shaky and out of breath, don't want to find myself hyperventilating and almost passing out when I get too excited or sad. I feel like I keep myself within this tightly regulated box, so that I don't feel super bad, but it's really not a great way to live and I think I need a better strategy. When I was first diagnosed, my doctor offered to refer me to a psychologist, but I refused at the time. Now I wonder whether it would be helpful. I know absolutely nothing about psychologists, except that you're supposed to talk to them about your feelings, which does not particularly appeal to me (but I'll do it, if I have to). It would be nice to get some clarification on the whole situation, because this is really a foray into the unknown for me. How does therapy work? What do you do? How do the sessions run? What should one do for it to be most helpful? I would really appreciate some enlightenment! Many thanks, Az

Redbeard Drinking ultimatum and night panic attacks and feeling on edge all day
  • replies: 2

I have been a drinker for at least 20 yrs , i have recently had a huge day on the cans and passed out even before the game. Mrs had a chat to me about it and what its doing to our relationship. I seem to be worrying all the time and waking up at nigh... View more

I have been a drinker for at least 20 yrs , i have recently had a huge day on the cans and passed out even before the game. Mrs had a chat to me about it and what its doing to our relationship. I seem to be worrying all the time and waking up at night having racing heart and sweats. I constantly think I'm dying or going to, and i have stopped drinking now but a few days up to now i just had a few as i was on holidays. I have probably gone to the docs 3 times for tests and all come good and seem to stop for a while then i start thinking again about it again. I have also seemed to have lost my appetite. Most all the time just at night.

wonderinginwonderland A little help with chronic anxiety strategies & to help my family understand how to handle my anxiety?
  • replies: 2

I suffered eighteen years with anorexia, depression, anxiety... the list goes on. I had a rough childhood, but was also lucky in many ways. I would like to tell my story but first I need some advice. I have recovered recently from depression and anor... View more

I suffered eighteen years with anorexia, depression, anxiety... the list goes on. I had a rough childhood, but was also lucky in many ways. I would like to tell my story but first I need some advice. I have recovered recently from depression and anorexia. But my anxiety blew through the roof. I found out that because of the harm I had caused to my body through malnutrition over all those years, that I most likely have osteoporosis, and they are investigating other issues that are causing my body to shut down. It feels like my body is falling apart. I get super anxious, have panic attacks and lash out at my family and loved ones. I don't mean to, and I always apologise soon after because of how regretful and guilty I feel for doing that to them, they don't deserve it. And I'm a really caring person and I don't want to ever upset anyone with my words. It's not like I say mean things, but I get so panicky and flustered and I feel trapped like I need to escape, and all my feelings and thoughts come spluttering out at the people I love. I have so much to live for and so many opportunities but the anxiety is triggering the depression and eating disorder. I fear the other illnesses will return if I don't get my anxiety under control. I have psychs and doctors. I've been in clinics and hospitals since I graduated high school 8 years ago. So I never really got to grow through that period normally like those around me. It became too much for my friends to see me this way, or to accept my issues, and they all drifted away one by one. Even though I always had a smile on my face. The reason I'd rather talk on here is because I feel like I'm putting way too much on my family, they are dealing with a lot and they supported me so much I don't want them to think I'm unwell again. My boyfriend is having trouble with how to handle my attacks. I know I've found happiness but the anxiety is taking over everything and wearing me down. I'm starting to wonder if I may actually have panic disorder. I guess my question is: is there anyone with advice or strategies or who just understands what I'm going through by leaving multiple disorders behind and being struck with ONE GIANT heavy one? Can anyone give me advice on how to help my boyfriend and family understand me more? We communicate well. But I need to know that I can overcome this. Have you? I honestly never felt this anxious before. Why am I so upset and angry over tiny things? Why can't I learn from my mistakes? Any advice?

Talafa The aftermath
  • replies: 1

Good afternoon all, Tell me has anyone come out of an emotionally abusive relationship in this group?? I spent 5 years in one and now that i am out and have been for some time i am in a new relationship of 2 years and i am struggling with asking for ... View more

Good afternoon all, Tell me has anyone come out of an emotionally abusive relationship in this group?? I spent 5 years in one and now that i am out and have been for some time i am in a new relationship of 2 years and i am struggling with asking for my worth and communicating because of a crippling fear of upsetting them and them leaving. I hate the feeling and it spins me out when i think they may be pissed off at me even though minor disagreements are normal and healthy. Tam

amalee78 Anxiety and the gym
  • replies: 1

For the first time in 4 years I'm pain free and joined a gym to try and get healthier and stronger now that I'm feeling better. Well, yesterday I went to the gym and they put me on this body scanning machine to check my body composition (which I didn... View more

For the first time in 4 years I'm pain free and joined a gym to try and get healthier and stronger now that I'm feeling better. Well, yesterday I went to the gym and they put me on this body scanning machine to check my body composition (which I didn't feel great about to begin with). The results showed I have a high amount of fat in my body and a low amount of muscle - I did tell them I haven't been able to lift more than a litre of milk without pain in the last four years. But she said I am at high risk of diabetes and all that stuff. My mother in law has told me at least a dozen times since she found out I joined a gym that I have put on so much weight etc etc.... Because of this I have started worrying my fat is going to kill me. I did my first hour class of strengthening activities for abdominals and back yesterday, which i absolutely loved - but today my stomach muscles are sore and I am worried that my tumour is getting bigger. I keep telling myself it's just sore muscles - but then I worry it's the tumour getting bigger which is making a different part of my stomach sore. I do realise I probably sound a bit crazy, but I am in some sort of tizzy at the moment and just don't know how to get myself out of it. Generally I can't bear to look at or touch my stomach at all, and the soreness I'm feeling today has really got me going. I would love some words of wisdom...