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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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lmslms First time user here. Anxiety symptoms
  • replies: 13

Hi everyone. First time user here. I have depression, panic disorder and anxiety disorder. At the moment anxiety is at a high for some unknown reason. Just in relation to some of the symptoms that I have been having, which I have never had before. Im... View more

Hi everyone. First time user here. I have depression, panic disorder and anxiety disorder. At the moment anxiety is at a high for some unknown reason. Just in relation to some of the symptoms that I have been having, which I have never had before. Im getting muscle spams, twitches, tremors in the hands, arms and legs. have people experienced this. Do other sufferers out there get the massive fatigue and tiredness aswell? And do you find that when you concentrate on a symptom, it makes it worse? thanks

Xaflee Struggling with panic/anxiety at work
  • replies: 2

First time posting here... I've always suffered from depression and anxiety but over the past month it's become very bad. It's mainly my job. It's the kind of place where they rely on a few particular people for everything under the sun and I'm unfor... View more

First time posting here... I've always suffered from depression and anxiety but over the past month it's become very bad. It's mainly my job. It's the kind of place where they rely on a few particular people for everything under the sun and I'm unfortunately one of those! It's become a burden because I'm so overworked. Even though I arrive and leave on time and don't stay late (I decided it wasn't worth it, I'm not paid enough nor have the title for that kind of commitment!), it's still weighing me down. I recently have found it incredibly hard to make it through the work day. I started having panic attacks more frequently recently, sometimes I have them at my desk where I just sit there and try to do one task but I feel like a zombie and can barely function. Other times I get home and just collapse, sobbing, where I then have a dreadful evening to the hardship of my partner. I actually had to have a nap in a quiet room at work at lunch the other day after the adrenaline left me exhausted. It's not one problem - the overload at work is one, but it's also the attitude of management. They don't particularly care about the health of their employees, there's no support for admin/support workers (just the sales staff) and no one listens. I've asked repeatedly for another resource but they all just say "in time" or ask me to be "understanding" with a wink/nudge. I've been there nearly 4 years. Unfortunately I rely on my salary and leaving isn't an option just yet (I can leave in another 6-9 months without financial strain). It's particularly jarring because otherwise it's a "close" workplace and everyone is on very good terms, lots of laughs and everyone knows a lot about each other. I've been to the doctor and they wrote me a certificate for a whole week - she encouraged me to stay home for a few days at least, to rest - but I feel so guilty about it. I take mental health/sick days here and there where I need them but struggle with the guilt. If I don't go in a lot of key things won't get done (I'm the only one who knows how to do them) and I don't know how to deal with that. A few colleagues know about my struggles and empathise, they certainly don't blame me (and I know they won't tell management about my personal issues), but I feel bad all the same. I'm just struggling knowing it's the weekend and Monday is nearly here. When I think of going to work my heart starts racing again and I feel like crying. I just want to curl up in a ball and sleep.

white knight Relaxing music and messages
  • replies: 5

Im living proof relaxation works. It should be part of your plan to reduce your anxiety. Feel welcome to list your videos or messages. Please dont use web addresses. Here is a few of my favourites google Leo Rojas Der Einsame Maharaji Prem Rawat suns... View more

Im living proof relaxation works. It should be part of your plan to reduce your anxiety. Feel welcome to list your videos or messages. Please dont use web addresses. Here is a few of my favourites google Leo Rojas Der Einsame Maharaji Prem Rawat sunset Maharaji prem rawat the perfect instrument Tony WK

CG90 job anxiety
  • replies: 2

hi, first time poster so thanks for taking time to have a read. Been out of work for just over 10 months. The area of work i'm interested in appeals to me on a lot of levels, I've been studying a course online and overall it's pretty good (can be cha... View more

hi, first time poster so thanks for taking time to have a read. Been out of work for just over 10 months. The area of work i'm interested in appeals to me on a lot of levels, I've been studying a course online and overall it's pretty good (can be challenging but i'm learning a lot which i like), I'm hoping to get it finished soon. I recently had a job interview for the industry i'm interested in and this is what is making me anxious and nervous. Was told by the interviewer that i'd be told early in the week whether or not i'd get a second interview. i was expecting Monday or at the least Tuesday but i'm yet to hear anything. I felt the interview went well but you can never be sure with a job interview. I was told either way i'd be told and to not hear back is making me feel a bit lost. I've read various articles about calling and not calling them back myself. It's the first interview I've had in months and the actual job itself was really appealing. I'm reluctant to call back as that may go against me. I know there will be other opportunities in the future (especially once i pass my course) however i'm feeling a bit let down as i was feeling really good with getting an interview but to still not hear back is a bit disappointing. I was hoping to get a job before Christmas or the end of the year but it probably wont happen. I'm dreading relatives on Christmas Day asking me about the situation, most i only see once or twice a year but i'm still dreading the questions coming from them. The longer i'm out of work the worse off it will be. I know something will happen eventually but it's been long enough already and i'd rather work than go into 2018 and still be out of work. I'm trying to stay positive and do various things like eating well and doing a bit of exercise as well as studying my course. I'm just hoping that this situation doesn't drag on much longer. Thanks for your time, appreciate it.

Brightlight What exercises reduces your anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi I’m interested to know what exercises help reduce your anxiety? i find if I do cardio every 2nd day it reduces my anxiety and when I stop I’m a train wreck. i find it hard to exercise cause of the medicine I’m on and looking for ideas on what othe... View more

Hi I’m interested to know what exercises help reduce your anxiety? i find if I do cardio every 2nd day it reduces my anxiety and when I stop I’m a train wreck. i find it hard to exercise cause of the medicine I’m on and looking for ideas on what other people think or do to stay active ? thanks

Brightlight What foods / drinks trigger your anxiety
  • replies: 4

I have been doing a number of test for food allergies and over the last 2 years and found what triggers my anxiety more. anything with Gluten in it so now I stay away from gluten coffee or a stimulant fresh milk, I have kept a log and worked with my ... View more

I have been doing a number of test for food allergies and over the last 2 years and found what triggers my anxiety more. anything with Gluten in it so now I stay away from gluten coffee or a stimulant fresh milk, I have kept a log and worked with my doctors to prove these do trigger my anxiety at different levels. Anyone else tried cutting out food which might cause you to be more anxiety at all ?

Lisa162 Health Anxiety in full force
  • replies: 3

I suffer like many others from Health anxiety. I havent had an eposide for a couple of months but today it is out in full force. My health anxiety is toward myself but also my loved ones. My son and daughter had Gastro last week, it started off just ... View more

I suffer like many others from Health anxiety. I havent had an eposide for a couple of months but today it is out in full force. My health anxiety is toward myself but also my loved ones. My son and daughter had Gastro last week, it started off just my son and my immediatte reaction was that he had some sort of serious illness, as it was the middle of the night I even thought he had had a seizure and was vomitting because of that. So silly I know. Anyway I was so relieved when my daughter got sick the next day and then myself as that goes to show it was a bug and not a more sinister illness my son had. Anyway he had a busy, active weekend and has a sore calf muscle. Well this has sent me into overdrive convinced again it is a more sinister illness. I ask him all the time how he is, how his leg is. Im sure he even lies to me when he does feel unwell because he knows I will stress. The sad thing is both my kids are now showing signs of health anxiety and have a phobia of other people vommiting. Does anyone else have experience like this? I try not to let them see me stress but they know as I am continuously pestering them when they are sick. I cannot eat when I have an episode and google ALL the time, so normal everyday life is a struggle. I havent been to a doctor about this but I feel I may need to, is there medications I can take to help calm me down during an attack or what other methods do we use to cope? Thank you

MrsEM Anxiety has taken over my life
  • replies: 3

I've been on the forums for a few months now but haven't been brave enough to post until now. This crazy thing called anxiety has taken over my life. It started off in January when I kept feeling dizzy all the time. The doctor said I had vertigo and ... View more

I've been on the forums for a few months now but haven't been brave enough to post until now. This crazy thing called anxiety has taken over my life. It started off in January when I kept feeling dizzy all the time. The doctor said I had vertigo and sent me on my way. I went back about a month later because I kept having it and headaches almost daily. She sent me for an MRI but it came back fine. A number of months went by but the vertigo seemed to stay around. I started to get really paranoid about it, always worried I might fall over. I stopped exercising, stopped wanting to go out. My husbands grandmother got very sick and we spent weeks visiting her in hospital. She eventually passed away which was very traumatic for my husband. I started feeling a funny sensation in my chest. A tight feeling. I felt my heart skip a beat. I went to the doctor and she sent me for an ECG, stress test, heart ultrasound and CTCA scan. Everything came back fine. My mum has atrial fibrillation and I convinced myself I had that too. Even though the doctors and the tests proved I'm healthy, I still don't believe it. We were due to go to Vietnam and Thailand for a holiday and I started freaking out the days before we left. What if something happened to me over there? What if I have to go to hospital in a foreign country? I started over thinking it and not wanting to go. I woke up the morning we were due to leave with chest pain and an upset stomach. I felt sick the whole flight over. The first night I had what I now know was a panic attack.. I woke up with severe chest pain, hyperventilating, a racing heart, shaking. I could not relax for the rest of the holiday. I had chest pain everyday, shaking, crazy thoughts, constant nausea and upset stomach. All I wanted was to go home. I started to Google my symptoms and that's when I came across Anxiety. I couldn't believe it at first but then things began to make sense. I thought when we got home I would "go back to normal" that didn't happen. To this day, I have chest pain most days, sharp head pains that stop me in my tracks, shaking, poor sleep, overthinking everything and in the last few weeks, problems with my throat. It feels tight, sore, feels like it's closing up. I have been back to the doctor and they tell me it's all anxiety related. I had 4 sessions with a psychologist but it didn't work out. I'm about to try a new psychologist and hoping it gets me back on track to being my old self

Jessten panic attacks with no clear cause
  • replies: 2

My Muscles keep having spasms and I Constanty have this gut feeling something is not right it has now been put down to anxiety but My question is how do u identify between your anxiety and when you have hurt yourself causing you to stress which then ... View more

My Muscles keep having spasms and I Constanty have this gut feeling something is not right it has now been put down to anxiety but My question is how do u identify between your anxiety and when you have hurt yourself causing you to stress which then sets off symptoms. I know physio helps but i can't seem to relax as i think i'm worried it will hurt

ConcernedAbt Just diagnosed with Panic Disorder
  • replies: 3

Hi guys; I am a 33 year old male who recently got diagnosed with Panic Disorder. I was under extreme stress due to work (Human rights lawyer) and financial issues at the time. I subsequently developed a fear of being in elevators for several months. ... View more

Hi guys; I am a 33 year old male who recently got diagnosed with Panic Disorder. I was under extreme stress due to work (Human rights lawyer) and financial issues at the time. I subsequently developed a fear of being in elevators for several months. Then in October of this year I experienced a panic attack out of the blue whilst sitting in my lounge room. Immediately after this first panic attack I developed really bad anticipatory anxiety to the point where I was looking out for any signs of another panic attack 24/7. Since October I have had several daily limited symptom panic attacks and now I constantly live in fear of having future panic attacks. I have also now developed a fear that I have untreatable panic disorder and that I will never get any better AND that on top of all this I will no longer lead a normal life and that I will come to a point where I will be suicidal. This in turn freaks me out more and increases the panic cycle. I have been seeing a psychiatrist and she has now put me on medication. I have also been referred to a clinical psychologist for CBT. I have been on the meds for 4 days now but I have not seen any major changes. Although I must say no matter how fearful I get I no longer get the full blown panic attacks or limited symptom attacks. I just have constant anticipatory anxiety: stomach problems, constant irritability, low mood, extreme tiredness, anxious state etc. I have been reading online articles on panic disorder and it has freaked me out even more. Apparently, 20 to 40% of panic disorder suffers do not respond to treatment. Can anyone who was on medication please tell me if it has helped them with their panic disorder. How do I know if I have untreatable panic disorder? Will I ever be able to have normal days? Thanks in advance