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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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Felby my daughter is going away and I freaked out
  • replies: 1

I have been coping on a thread all week. My daughter is going to India on a school trip tomorrow. I have been working on every strategy about managing but feeling the anxiety creep up and up. tonight I stopped coping and went into a full blown panic ... View more

I have been coping on a thread all week. My daughter is going to India on a school trip tomorrow. I have been working on every strategy about managing but feeling the anxiety creep up and up. tonight I stopped coping and went into a full blown panic attack. BUT she is packed and ready, but online i cant really explain why i feel so shit - but ill try, She was all ready but then she checks in with her dad (my ex), and the ex family, and they question everything. and then she questions me , and my anxiety ramps up, why do they undermine me? She is ready, we have got everything ready together, but they get under her skin and she turns on me...

kaykay92 Horrible physical symptoms
  • replies: 5

Hello everyone and thank you in advance for reading, I'm 24 years old and have had issues with both depression and anxiety from the time I was a teenager but was able to, for the most part, manage my symptoms through diet/exercise, meditation and see... View more

Hello everyone and thank you in advance for reading, I'm 24 years old and have had issues with both depression and anxiety from the time I was a teenager but was able to, for the most part, manage my symptoms through diet/exercise, meditation and seeing a naturopath/taking supplements. After feeling quite low last year I decided to give an antidepressant a try, and took it for about 8 months before I convincing myself I didn't need it and could handle things in a natural way. So with the help of my GP, I weaned off over a longer period. That was about 3.5 months ago and since then my symptoms have gotten worse and worse, to the point that they are far worse than even before I decided to take the drugs.. Now my main issue is anxiety, I've been suffering panic attacks for the first time in my life and feel horrible physically. I have constant headaches, dizziness, upset stomach, feel very weak and unable to exercise how I previously had been. Concentrating at school feels impossible where it never has been an issue for me. My chest is constantly tight (like someone standing on it) my heart races, and I now have what is considered high blood pressure for my age, which deeply saddens. I believe I've developed "health anxiety" and am constantly fearing something is wrong with me, especially my heart and have been going to the doctors almost every week. They say all the above can be chalked up to anxiety because all tests (blood, ECG) are normal. I'm doing my best to keep it together but it truly feels like my body is falling apart. Apart from the health anxiety I do not "think" anxiously... so sometimes it feels like my body is the one with the problem, but I know the mind and body are deeply connected. Even when I feel excited to go to class, my body reacts in these terrible ways, so its awfully confusing. I've been seeing a great CBT therapist for the past month and that has been helpful, but I do feel I need something more because of these physical symptoms. My doctors have recommended I begin antidepressants once again and I have resisted but now feel that perhaps I should as I cannot continue feeling this way and truly believe I have exhausted all other options. I have some fear regarding starting them, despite being on them in the past, and feel somewhat shameful of needing them which I know is stupid. I'm curious if others have experienced similar, nearly 24/7, symptoms and if they've chosen antidepressants to help with them? Thank you!

Safeasmilk Anxious about working future
  • replies: 5

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any advice or had been in a similar situation. I love my workplace and colleagues but I have been doing the same roll for the past 3 and a half years. I am starting to worry where my future lies within the compan... View more

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any advice or had been in a similar situation. I love my workplace and colleagues but I have been doing the same roll for the past 3 and a half years. I am starting to worry where my future lies within the company and wondering if there is any chance to take on more responsibility and or increase my pay. I think my role maybe limited to my current duties and I find I fear approaching my boss for more to do, but I'm starting to feel unchallenged. I don't want to seem ungrateful as they showed faith in me and gave me my first opportunity and it is a great work place which has given me excellent work/life balance but I am increasingly getting frustrated which is starting to show such as today. Finding a new job is an option but at the moment I am currently trying to get finance approved for a house which will make it difficult. Anyway thanks for listening to my ramblings, any advice would be great. Thanks Ben

kned Having conversations
  • replies: 6

I've worked out over the years that im generally a quiet person and very internal with my thoughts and feelings. I dont know whether it's my nature or social anxiety (which I do have). I really struggle at times when I don't know what to say. I feel ... View more

I've worked out over the years that im generally a quiet person and very internal with my thoughts and feelings. I dont know whether it's my nature or social anxiety (which I do have). I really struggle at times when I don't know what to say. I feel like people find me awkward and avoid having to talk to me. When I get to know someone well, I open up a lot more. Even in my job, I've become known as the quiet one. I'll happily be apart of the conversations, giggle and laugh and use non verbal communication to agree/disagree but I barely speak unless I really have to. My colleagues make comments about it and I feel humiliated at times. Sometimes I have things I want to say but get too anxious to speak up. Other times I don't have anything to say and im happy to just listen and be involved without saying a word. Is this something to accept as being who I am? Or is there a way to get past this? I've worked with a therapist before who gave suggestions on small talk but I sometimes think it's not that, it's just that im quiet in general and literally have nothing to say, preferring to remain out of the focus/attention.

ConZo Help, honest advice needed.
  • replies: 9

I'm struggling with health anxiety and it has really started to consume my thoughts for 90% of the day. I was affraid of doctors until I recently forced myself to get a regular GP after having what turned out to be panic attacks, he has confirmed anx... View more

I'm struggling with health anxiety and it has really started to consume my thoughts for 90% of the day. I was affraid of doctors until I recently forced myself to get a regular GP after having what turned out to be panic attacks, he has confirmed anxiety but puts me through every test he can saying that it's for my own good as I respond to reassurance. The doctor suggested I take something and after three different scripts because I read side effects and freaked out we settled on medication and I started therapy on a mental health plan, he advised the two will compliment each other for a better result. The problem is I'm two and a half weeks into my medication and I am still consumed by health worries to the point I sit on Google constantly when I know I shouldn't worse still the pills side effects diahrea (which I already had) and sleep interruption are making it worse. I wake up at 3 or 4 am every day regardless of exercise and bed time, I have also stopped all alcohol and coffee in the last three weeks. I keep getting told to hold on as they take 4 to 6 weeks to start working but whether it's about the meds or some other ailment this health anxiety crap really has me fully consumed. I have two young boys with my partner, 4 and 2. I feel like I can't even look after them at the moment. My partner is also going through a tough time at work and with looking after the boys practically on her own so she is worn out and simply has had enough of trying to reassurre and I don't want to wear her down to. My question is where to from here? I'm scared of these tablets, scared of many different health ailments and I cannot stop obsessing. My therapy visits are always tep weeks apart and I cannot afford to pay to gp more frequently but I am just so scared of worrying so much, the anxiety and where this all goes. The therapist said my anxiety and health anxiety got to the point where I practically had a break down. How do I man up and stop looking for reassurance? I've tried books, talking to people, motivational material and it all only ever works for a day. I'm scared it's turning into depression now as I am getting more and mor down about the constant worry and taking pills etc. Thank you.

lindam Depression and anxiety ... so tired
  • replies: 10

Hi I'm new here. Have read quite a few threads and can totally relate. I have high anxiety and depression though I feel my anxiety is the cause of the depression. I wind myself up to the point where the depression sets in. If you want the worst case ... View more

Hi I'm new here. Have read quite a few threads and can totally relate. I have high anxiety and depression though I feel my anxiety is the cause of the depression. I wind myself up to the point where the depression sets in. If you want the worst case scenario, well my mind will come up with it. I never seem to have any real peace in my head and if I do I am always preparing for the next bad thing that will pop into my mind. I've been told I have PTSD from a violent relationship in the past. I'm no longer really scared of him... my problems are what my mind dishes up for me. I consider myself very lucky as I managed to get out alive and I have 5 great kids. They are mostly grown and I still feel a bit lost at times because being their mum was my job and I loved it. However I am just so damn tired and really sick of living with my mind and all of it's creations. It is so hard to pull myself out of it most of the time. I know it's bad when music doesn't help as I love love love it. Is this tiredness and maybe even laziness a thing you experience. I would hate to think I am simply lazy.

Emlm My anxiety is ridiculous!!
  • replies: 5

Hi, I feel absolutely pathetic right now. Like a child actually. It feels like it's such a unimportant issue but it's constantly wearing on me. I'm a grown woman, a mother. I should be able to do this!! It's all regarding me driving a manual car. I c... View more

Hi, I feel absolutely pathetic right now. Like a child actually. It feels like it's such a unimportant issue but it's constantly wearing on me. I'm a grown woman, a mother. I should be able to do this!! It's all regarding me driving a manual car. I can't do it! It's silly but I get panic attacks as soon as other vehicles are around. I can drive, I no that, but as soon as I have to drive a manual or there's talk about me driving a manual I lose it. We are meant to sell my car, my partner and me have set a goal of 6 months. Than I'll be driving his which is the manual..... we currently have 2 cars plus his work vehicle so one car has to go and it's mine. Mine can't tow and his is the newer one and 4wd. I will litereally stop the car and get out if I freak out too much. I feel very unsafe and like I'm a danger to everyone. I'm a capable driver in any automatics. Never had a fine or been pulled over. I don't no what to do. It's really pathetic. If there's no one around I'm fine, I can drive fine. What is wrong with me?!? My partner says "you'll be fine, just get over it". Than when I say I can't he says he'll just sell it than because it's just sitting in the shed and wasting money. I feel guilty and it's causing more stress than it should. Is there anyone else who has this crazy feeling? How to I try and get past this? I have suffered from a mood disorder before and I don't want this to take over and me to spiral down.

bogankhaleesi_ Hey Newbie & Suffering Extreme Anxiety ATM
  • replies: 4

Hey, I'm 28 yrs old and have had anxiety and depression since i was 22. Been on anti-depressants for about 3 years now and i also am an alcoholic. I've been suffering extreme panic attacks and anxiety for about 4-5 days now. Usual symptoms like heart... View more

Hey, I'm 28 yrs old and have had anxiety and depression since i was 22. Been on anti-depressants for about 3 years now and i also am an alcoholic. I've been suffering extreme panic attacks and anxiety for about 4-5 days now. Usual symptoms like heart racing and dizziness and shortness of breath are there but some new ones are terrible headaches, vertigo, tremors and mental confusion. I have been trying to quit drinking, and have actually reduced the amount of alcohol i usually consume, but i am really concerned that something is wrong with my brain or my body because i feel like im losing my mind. Nothing that usually calms me down is working and the only time i get any releif is when i finally fall asleep or if i drink alchohol. I havent been to the doctors because i am scared to leave the house and scared to be alone. My mother lives in the UK, i dont speak to my father, and im currently staying with my best friend but he doesnt really understand anxiety and i dont know if he takes me that seriously but he is the only person i feel safe with. Im reaching out because i really need some advice, or even just someone to tell me they've been through something similar...really anything would be nice. I miss being normal so much and i really dont want to have to go to hospital.

cakesnpies BECAUSE! I can't always control it...
  • replies: 6

Hi Guys, Please forgive me if this post is not in the right spot. I'm furious, desperate, depressed, isolated, etc. to the point where I hate myself... This all gravitates around my ADHD, I loathe it. It's the 2nd time I've lost a job, all because I ... View more

Hi Guys, Please forgive me if this post is not in the right spot. I'm furious, desperate, depressed, isolated, etc. to the point where I hate myself... This all gravitates around my ADHD, I loathe it. It's the 2nd time I've lost a job, all because I don't say the right thing or interpret what people say. I feel like the victim of prejudice, corporate intolerance & a pariah. I'm trying to believe that I'm not worthless, but even the rocks against the waves give way to the timeless battering. Last year I approached my employer & declared I had ADHD, because felt I could trust them. Because the staff felt genuine & nice, to add to it I inquired subtly how they felt about staff with individuals with different neuro-diverse mindsets. It was very optimistic to say the least. So this whole big process was set in motion where my psychiatrist & another they organised gave insight into my condition & made some suggestions to accommodate. 1 of the BIG issues I have is my communication, which both specialists STRESSED, needed my emp. to liaise with my therapist. I wanted a bit of a buffer to clarify what I try to say... I don't like hurting people, I've been hurt my whole life, why would I want to continue the cycle? All they did was hand me the Discrim. & Bullying policy... I accepted it, out of respect because we've gotten this far, I'll play the game WIN : WIN... Anyway, I started to feeling isolated, slowly. I got pigeon holed into a role for 14 mth. I couldn't apply for other roles when I asked my manager, acknowledging my ADHD & the process. I had to wait till last July for my review but I was told the role is nowhere near where it should be, while seeing my colleagues progress & do other things I envied. I was being watched, I had to tell them when I was away from my desk if I needed a smoke or work related. I COULDN'T do password resets for staff??? I still had faith even though I was miserable... because I believe in the company. I now started "offending" people because I was alone. Eventually, I got a final written warning for a sent link (clean humour at my expense) to a "friend" & my then TL because it offended? Next were false allegations about making 2 colleagues uncomfortable because I spoke badly of a TL & some of the team. I don't know what to do, I just want to do the right thing, but it NEVER is... I'm tired of having to understand others when they don't want to acknowledge me for me. I think highly of the company except the soft "normals".

Missberri Freaking out about graduating
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone, I'm just freaking out a bit lately and would love to hear some support and advice if anyone has any! I'm about to finish my university degree and it has been a long time coming. I've always struggled with anxiety and depression and other... View more

Hi everyone, I'm just freaking out a bit lately and would love to hear some support and advice if anyone has any! I'm about to finish my university degree and it has been a long time coming. I've always struggled with anxiety and depression and other problems throughout my degree and it's made getting through it extremely difficult! This past year though I've really worked hard and done the best I could and I'm happy it's finally nearly over. I'm freaking out though because I'm really worried about what it's going to be like in a proper work place and if I'll even get a job or if I'll even do well. Sometimes when I talk to other students at uni they've already got so much experience and are doing all these side projects and extra curricular activities and I feel like I'm just not good enough or maybe I won't do well. I don't even know if I really enjoy what I'm studying but it's a bit too late to change it now.. I'm not sure if anyone else experiences this but it's really starting to get to me. I'm supposed to be doing an internship soon for one of my last subjects but even that is freaking me out.. I just don't feel like I'm up to the standard that people want in the workplace and I don't know how to feel more confident. It's making me feel extremely unmotivated and depressed with these last few subjects I'm doing and that's really not how I wanted to feel! I would really appreciate any advice though or experiences anyone else has with this because I am just feeling so lost right now