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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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Molly123 How do I help someone with anxiety
  • replies: 9

My husband has always been a happy fun person but recently he has been having sleep issues and now.anxiety....having a tightness of chest and difficulty breathing .... it come on him out of the blue for no reason. He also gets feelings of anxiousness... View more

My husband has always been a happy fun person but recently he has been having sleep issues and now.anxiety....having a tightness of chest and difficulty breathing .... it come on him out of the blue for no reason. He also gets feelings of anxiousness on and off and it's really got him down. He is on medication but each time his body gets used to it ...seems to return again. He is always tired and just sad.... sometimes angry. It's so hard as I worry about him but try to stay positive but I miss my husband...I don't know who he is anymore and I'm terrified he.will never be the same. Help.

AtxSi Hi all - role play troubles.
  • replies: 8

Hi all. Not sure if this where I post my troubles or just the intro, but here goes. I'm a 28yo male medical student from Australia. I'm usually a very sociable and friendly guy, I used to run and own a small business and did all of my own quotes, mee... View more

Hi all. Not sure if this where I post my troubles or just the intro, but here goes. I'm a 28yo male medical student from Australia. I'm usually a very sociable and friendly guy, I used to run and own a small business and did all of my own quotes, meetings etc. But since starting med school, there have been a tonne of role play scenarios (you are a patient interested in vaccines/you are a doctor, how would you discuss vaccines with a patient etc.) and for whatever reason I cannot put myself in the role, it brings out my inner neurotic traits or something. The situation gets worse with simulated patients (actors with fake relevant symptoms). To the point I sometimes can't even speak. There is a very rigid structure to what we're required to say, and I struggle at role playing, remembering my lines (and I've read them 1000's of times) and listening to the patient. It's gotten so bad I just cut some compulsory classes which will have be sent to a disciplinary board. I'm here now looking for anyone who has ever experienced this before. I'm fine on hospital placements with interactions with real patients. The problem seems to be with 'acting' in front of others, Imo. And that's a big problem as it is a barrier to graduating. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me

Hippychic New to BB old slave to anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi, well, here I am! On the outside people see a calm, caring, supportive, educated, creative mother and health professional. In real life I'm a terrified, totally dependant mess and shell of a person. I have experienced anxiety and panic attacks tha... View more

Hi, well, here I am! On the outside people see a calm, caring, supportive, educated, creative mother and health professional. In real life I'm a terrified, totally dependant mess and shell of a person. I have experienced anxiety and panic attacks that I can remember from my early teenage years, I'm told I was always an anxious child. I have had several negative experiences in childhood, and a strong family history of undiagnosed mental health conditions - so yay me - the trifecta for risk of developing a mental health issue! I was in denial for many years, then I stepped into seeing psychologists, psychotherapists, did mindfulness, meditation and started telling friends and family that I have anxiety. I have two beautiful sons ages 8 and 11, I'm now in my early 40's and after an emotionally taxing 7 years of divorce issues finally have a supportive ex husband and unbelievably supportive, strong and secure current partner. After re-establishing my career (after kids) that I always found stressful, I now have a job that I love (but don't feel good enough for) and am financially on the up. By all accounts, my life is in the best position it's ever been - but I'm far from it. I got to a point where I became frustrated that I could not take my kids anywhere on my own, I can't even take myself a decent distance from home alone. I stress if I am at home alone with the kids, though they have been an amazingly mature support for me recently. But even that stresses me to not burden them with the emotional distress of me not coping. My recent career advancement has involved my studying the impacts of early childhood experiences both relevant to mental health and family violence - too close to home as a previous child and current parent. I hit breaking point and saw a psychiatrist to try medication which I have always been adverse to - also because taking medication triggers anxiety as I have experienced a number of adverse reactions to various meds in the past - I also have health anxiety! So, I tried a ssri knowing it would exacerbate anxiety initially. First three days were awesome - placebo effect! Then I crashed, the anxiety became unbearable, I lasted 6 days. A referral for dose titration as an inpatient is now in process. Im terrified. I don't know what's right for me. I don't feel like I can go through the med effects again, I can't stay like this either. If I take the meds again for longer and it still doesn't work or gets worse will I ever be ok again?

Mattsmum Employment anxiety
  • replies: 2

Long story short I was fired a few days ago. Now trying to find a new job. I manage ok til I start job searching then it’s all downhill from there. I start looking and my stomach turns to sick knots and I become a mess. I’m booked in to see a psychol... View more

Long story short I was fired a few days ago. Now trying to find a new job. I manage ok til I start job searching then it’s all downhill from there. I start looking and my stomach turns to sick knots and I become a mess. I’m booked in to see a psychologist who can’t see me til November 21st 🤷🏼‍. So the longer story. Is me trying to work out where is this all coming from? Rewind 3 years ago I was happily employed had been with the same company 8 years when my marriage ended. My 45yo husband took off with a 21 yo! Needless to say I was stressed. Work kept me sane but I had noticed I was beginning to make mistakes, needless to say one of those mistakes cost me my job. I had been studying while at this job and was lucky enough to land a great job within 2 weeks. However this job was way way above any experience I had and the job lasted 9 months before I lost that job. It took 11 months to get the job I just lost and it was a much more simpler job than previously. The fear was there that I wasn’t good enough. I was trying to be careful not to make mistakes but surely enough the boss asked for a meeting and explained he wasn’t happy with my performance. Surely someone degree qualified would not make such mistakes. He gave me 2 weeks to fix everything up which I thought I did but during that time more mistakes had been found. I’d expect any new person to be simply given direction on how things were wanted done but it was expected that I just know these things. the whole 2 weeks I went to work feeling so sick and anxious. I knew it was just a question of him finding something wrong to get rid of me and he did. I was relieved to be let go so I could stop feeling sick not to mention the boss had some serious anger issues himself. I need a way to move forward somehow. I feel like my life has been painted a portrait of me that is a complete misrepresentation. I know even if I picked up a new job tomorrow I’d be faced with the same issues. I forgot to mention my parents moved in with me plus my sister when I separated. So I feel a duty of care to support them too.I need help! If it takes another year to find a job I’ll go nuts!!! thanks if you read all that Mattsmum

Semolinah Not Eating
  • replies: 3

Last month I started having anxiety and panic attacks. For this last months I've eaten about 1000kj a day, because I just don't want to eat. I was starting to eat but when they started me on medication last week I've gone back down to not eating. Is ... View more

Last month I started having anxiety and panic attacks. For this last months I've eaten about 1000kj a day, because I just don't want to eat. I was starting to eat but when they started me on medication last week I've gone back down to not eating. Is this okay in the short term? I'm also 'blocked' up because of it and have reflux. What can I do to eat more when I just don't want to eat?

Jemz14 Irrational fear of anaphylaxis- just started new medication
  • replies: 8

Hi im a 32 year old female with extreme anxiety and panic Attacks. I was on a medication for about 10 years which I think I build up a tolerance to. I started a new medication on Monday but it sparked severe anxiety about me getting a serious anaphyl... View more

Hi im a 32 year old female with extreme anxiety and panic Attacks. I was on a medication for about 10 years which I think I build up a tolerance to. I started a new medication on Monday but it sparked severe anxiety about me getting a serious anaphylaxis reaction. I took it and ended up so hysterical and distraught I was admitted into a emergency psych ward which was awful in there. Day 4 on the new meds now am I’m at home but I still fear so greatly that I will have anaphylaxis each time I take this tablet. I have been seeing my GP daily for reassurance and now it’s the weekend I can’t see her til Monday and I’m TERRIFIED can anyone help me with ways to get through the next couple of days. thanks heaps

SushiCat What Is Anxiety Really?
  • replies: 1

I know that everyone knows that anxiety is being anxious. But what exactly is being anxious? Sometimes, when I'm nervous or frustrated, I get these almost panic attack things where is start breathing really fast and only my imagination can calm me do... View more

I know that everyone knows that anxiety is being anxious. But what exactly is being anxious? Sometimes, when I'm nervous or frustrated, I get these almost panic attack things where is start breathing really fast and only my imagination can calm me down. Most people would suggest breathing deeply, or getting a stress ball. Normally, I wouldn't just breathe deeply. So breathing deeply while having one of these panic things just makes me more nervous, because I have to face the face that I am not in control. I hope I have explained this well enough. What I am trying to say is do I have anxiety? And also, do things that work for most people (ie: having a stress ball) not work for everyone? Is anxiety hardly ever the same in everyone?

Tiny_fish Anxiety has changed me
  • replies: 8

Hi, I'm new to this all but it already feels good to be able to write this all down and see that I might not be alone. Anxiety has decreased my personality. I find that I don't talk as much is some social situations but worse is that is has made me t... View more

Hi, I'm new to this all but it already feels good to be able to write this all down and see that I might not be alone. Anxiety has decreased my personality. I find that I don't talk as much is some social situations but worse is that is has made me think I'm not a good person. I struggle with anxiety on and off and off and when it's at it's peak it turns my thoughts negative especially towards people who might have done something to upset me. I focus on the thing they have done towards me and I start to dislike them. Then once the episode is over I feel extreme guilt and like I'm not a very nice person for thinking mean thoughts about them. Anxiety also affects the way I sleep. I can lay in bed and my mind is just racing I know it's so unhealthy and I really wish I could live my life in a more positive and happy nature. I really want to find find a way to manage my anxiety and to feel when I'm happy and nice to people that's the real me and not an act. I no no longer want to feel unsure as to whether the nice happy me is the real me or the person I can be when having an anxiety episode. Can anyone relate? It can feel very lonely suffering from a mental illness

Andy21 Has my life turned to crap?
  • replies: 2

Okay guys. I'll give you a lowdown: - I recently left a job (and taken up a freelance position with the same company) and moved overseas to be with my partner. We recently agreed to end it (mutually) and now I'm alone overseas. I have a bummy not-hig... View more

Okay guys. I'll give you a lowdown: - I recently left a job (and taken up a freelance position with the same company) and moved overseas to be with my partner. We recently agreed to end it (mutually) and now I'm alone overseas. I have a bummy not-high paying freelance job that has seen my finances, I've spend more money than I can imagine cause I don't care. I've lost my confidence completely that I barely can conversate with people. On top of that, I found out my ex of several years ago is successful and for some reason it bothers me greatly. Now, yes I know, I can turn it around. But energy-wise, I'm so spend that I honestly can't be bothered. I have become apathetic to another level. I really struggle to find something that interests me or I care about. I just need to know: Has my my life has gone to the crapper? Like, is it as horrible as I am experiencing it, a mere blimp or have I truly hit rock bottom? Thoughts & Opinions are required!

KCMil Residual headaches or am I still anxious
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone. I'm new to the anxiety world. Whilst not clinically diagnosed with health anxiety disorder, my doc and I agree it's an issue for me. Without dragging on about the past, my recent experience is a spike in my blood pressure. I'm already me... View more

Hi everyone. I'm new to the anxiety world. Whilst not clinically diagnosed with health anxiety disorder, my doc and I agree it's an issue for me. Without dragging on about the past, my recent experience is a spike in my blood pressure. I'm already medicated for hypertension, when I discovered the spike in bp6 days ago, I collapsed in on myself. I had many anxiety symptoms. I quickly realised that anxiety was a big issue. And of course this will be exacerbating my high bp. Finally last night and today I'm feeling as though my anxiety has subsided. I no longer feel like I'm "loosing control", my stomach has settled and I'm looking at what I need to do with more clarity. I had a massage this morning to help with my back and shoulder aches. However I still have a headache in the back of my head, occasionally feeling as though it travels to my forehead above my eyes. My question to all of you is, does this make sense that despite feeling so much calmer, is this still a tension headache from the last 6 days of tough going? Or should I put it down to my elevated bp? Or am I possibly still suffering with anxiety in some weird way? I am not that experienced with these particular symptoms. Your experiences and thoughts may help me sort it out. Thanks in advance for your input.