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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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Shannelle Managing crippling anxiety at work
  • replies: 5

Hey, I’m a 24 year old young professional female who is starting to find the brunt of work life and financial hardship increasing my anxiety and depression to no ends. My family all have serious mental health issues including generalized anxiety, bip... View more

Hey, I’m a 24 year old young professional female who is starting to find the brunt of work life and financial hardship increasing my anxiety and depression to no ends. My family all have serious mental health issues including generalized anxiety, bipolar disorder, severe depression but for years I thought I could manage my anxiety and depression without seeking help or taking medication. For a long time, I actually thought I didn’t suffer any mental illness and even now I still question myself. It’s only been in the last year and a half that I’ve found I seem to be sinking lower and lower. My boss has pulled me up numerous times in the last year and questions everything from forgetting things at work, for stumbling my words or having to leave a meeting when I have a panic attack. She says that when I first started we were on the same page and now she feels like she doesn’t even know who I am. I wish I could tell her that I feel the same way! I feel hopeless at work, like I can’t do anything right which really gets me down and most days I can’t concentrate for longer than 5 minutes on any work. Every time someone goes into a meeting or through a door where I can’t see them, I am paranoid they are talking about me and that they are going to fire me or I make up the most absurd things in my head to the point where I cant think of anything else except that. I am constantly chewing on pen lids or biting my nails quite badly and at first it was only at work, but now its happening at home or when I’m with friends. On top of this I have been in debt for about a year and the thought of even opening an envelope or mail is almost impossible. I haven’t been able to answer a phone call outside of work for months, and even when I answer a call at work I find that my words come out stewed. This is so strange to me because I’ve always been so confident and vocal and to think I’m now someone who can’t even get words out of my mouth or that I stutter my words on a daily basis is really messing with my overall confidence. I really need to seek help, but even then I feel embarrassed and that I’m making it all up in my head and I’m actually fine. I don’t know when I became such a blur but its taking over my day to day and I would really like someone to talk to about it.

Guest_10473 OCD, Anxiety & Food Poisoning
  • replies: 3

I have been sick since early Monday morning. I haven’t eaten anything since then as I just throw it up. When I drink fluids they are just coming straight out the other end. I had been to the toilet 16 times between Monday am and Tuesday am. It really... View more

I have been sick since early Monday morning. I haven’t eaten anything since then as I just throw it up. When I drink fluids they are just coming straight out the other end. I had been to the toilet 16 times between Monday am and Tuesday am. It really worries me feeling so sick. I haven’t been able to take my medication and keep it down. I saw a GP on Tuesday morning to see if there was something I could get to make me sleep through it all so that I won’t feel so bad. The GP also wanted me to drink more fluids but every time I do I have to go to the toilet. The GP thinks it is most likely food poisoning because of the cramps. The GP prescribed me some anti nausea medication. When I got home I took it and kept it down so then I decided to take some sleeping tablets so that my brain could have a break. Except the row in the tablets was uneven so I really had to take the rest of the row so that it matched. I told my husband and he freaked out and called my mum, she called nurse on call and they said to go to the ED at hospital. So we spent 4 hours up there and eventually left as they told my husband it wasn’t a priority and could still be another 2-3 hours till I saw someone. So nothing really bad happened. I just slept all day. I have had a few sips of hydralyte this morning and within half hour was back on the toilet. Is it really that bad to take sleeping tablets again today? Can I get dehydrated if I am not drinking anything - it seems like the more I drink the more I go to the toilet. I haven’t been urinating much, it is just coming out the other end. I just wish that I could be sedated and wake up in a few days when these symptoms have passed.

Liana7 New to this forum, have panic attacks and anxiety .
  • replies: 2

I feel very anxious before my husband surgery, my panic attacks were under control lately but they are coming back.

I feel very anxious before my husband surgery, my panic attacks were under control lately but they are coming back.

Eternally_Anxious Job anxiety affecting my life
  • replies: 5

Hi there, I’m new to the site, and i have an appointment with a psychologist in 2 weeks, but i’m after some advice on how to manage my situation in the meantime if anyone can help? I recently started a new and higher level marketing position at work,... View more

Hi there, I’m new to the site, and i have an appointment with a psychologist in 2 weeks, but i’m after some advice on how to manage my situation in the meantime if anyone can help? I recently started a new and higher level marketing position at work, and although it hasnt been that long (less than 2 months), i’m feeling incredibly overwhelmed, anxious and ready to quit because i really don’t feel like i’m the right person for the position. I recently graduated with my marketing degree and have had some marketing experience in the past, but now that I’m part of a much larger marketing team, i feel so inexperienced compared to everyone else and i feel like the most hopeless person there. I don’t feel like i belong because i’m such an introvert (yes very unusual for a marketer) and everyone around me is so extrovert, so trying to fit in is proving difficult and i find myself avoiding social situations because i’m socially awkward and really not confident. When anyone asks me a question (even the simplest question) i panic because 9 times out of 10 i dont know the answer and feel completely stupid when it’s often something i’m expected to (and probably should) know. Often my boss talks over me and answers questions on my behalf which doesn’t really help my confidence levels either. I am so insecure about being unable to successfully and confidently perform my new responsibilites in the role (including client relationship management, face to face marketing, chairing and contributing to meetings, etc) that i dread going to work each day and my social and work anxieties are starting to take over my life. I’m having trouble sleeping, my appetite is gone, i’m emotional at the drop of a hat and i constantly have that heavy panicked butterly feeling in the pit of my stomach. I’ve lost interest in all of the things i usually love doing... drinking coffee, alcohol, socialising, etc and when i finally get a break from work and the weekend is here, i don’t even feel like leaving the house. It’s starting to cause a rift between my husband and i and i’m scared that my ups and downs are going to become too much for him and he’ll leave me. I earn an average salary (although its the best salary i’ve ever had and good benefits as well) yet i feel completely trapped because i want to quit, yet i can’t because we really need the money. Plus trying to secure another job is daunting in itself. Does anyone have any tips for how i can feel better sooner without medication?

rachulip Applying for a new job
  • replies: 7

Hello, First time posting here, I am currently in an industry that I am losing passion for. It is making me so anxious that I feel like i am not performing to the best of my ability. I am so stressed and anxious, I cannot think clearly and make decis... View more

Hello, First time posting here, I am currently in an industry that I am losing passion for. It is making me so anxious that I feel like i am not performing to the best of my ability. I am so stressed and anxious, I cannot think clearly and make decisions, I do not feel supported by my team and not to mention the wage is not good and the communities perception of my industry is also so disheartening. I don't want to go anymore, I feel like I just want to run away, it's becoming so overwhelming, I just don't know how I am going to keep going until I find another job. I desperately want to find a new job, in a new industry... except, I can't bring myself to hit the 'apply' button online for some jobs that I have found. I don't know what is stopping me, I so desperately want to get out of the industry (I've been in this industry for five years and at this particular company for nearly three years) but I just can't bring myself to apply, I am so nervous about going to an interview and messing up any questions that they are going to ask me, it's making me feel sick! I've put a lot of time and effort into the current industry that I am in, completing a certificate III and a diploma and I know the industry almost like the back of my hand, so I guess it's a comfort zone thing but I know that I cannot stay there any longer, I don't think it will be good for my mental health. Has anyone else felt like this? How did you overcome these feelings? How did you take that first step? Thanks in advance for your support!

Mrfitz Odd question but thankyou
  • replies: 3

Gday not sure if riite group to post this on but... So im tryin to quit my smoking but i think its hard for me as i get full on anxiety attacks just going out into the public and tryin to go places eg coffee food etc on my own and my smoking seems to... View more

Gday not sure if riite group to post this on but... So im tryin to quit my smoking but i think its hard for me as i get full on anxiety attacks just going out into the public and tryin to go places eg coffee food etc on my own and my smoking seems to be like a step back from reality for me n help calm me . Like how some people need music up so loud or have few drinks ya no . If i feel down ill get a coffee n go cruising havin fair few ciggs . Wondering if anyone has same sorta issue or advise

Alex4 Anxious feeling not going away
  • replies: 2

Hi I just joined, I'm feeling really anxious. I can't type properly and I'm having a flip out, I had a panic attack, and have to look after this place I'm volunteering, I'm the only one here but I'm trying not to have another screaming fit and I can'... View more

Hi I just joined, I'm feeling really anxious. I can't type properly and I'm having a flip out, I had a panic attack, and have to look after this place I'm volunteering, I'm the only one here but I'm trying not to have another screaming fit and I can't talk to the customers properly, there's only me here but I keep having breaks to cry and scream, I've got autism and the people are hard enough to talk to when I'm not anxious now I'm crying in front of all of them and I have to keep the place open I don't know what to do

Guest_902 Looking for career advice
  • replies: 11

Hi all, A bit of background- I'm male, 29, with two degrees, one in arts and one in health science. I've recently come out of a job which I attained after finishing health science. After five months I chose to leave that role, primarily due to commut... View more

Hi all, A bit of background- I'm male, 29, with two degrees, one in arts and one in health science. I've recently come out of a job which I attained after finishing health science. After five months I chose to leave that role, primarily due to commuting issues, but also as I was put in a situation where information was purposefully withheld from me which could potentially have caused me physical harm from a dangerous client. I've returned to my previous role in retail, temporarily casual but soon to be full time. The salary is less, but not by a great margin thankfully. I'm currently living with my partner who is on a decent wage, so money isn't too much if an issue though it does play on my mind when bills hit all at once. I guess what's been bothering me is, have I just spent nearly 8 years of my life, pretty much my entire 20's, studying just to end up in a role which doesn't need any formal qualifications? I do like the role I'm in now (sales in running shoes), and there is always the potential for me to progress in this role, or to look at degree related roles down the track. What frightens me though, is that if I'm not working in my studied field for a couple of years, will it be too difficult to get back into it should I choose to try and do so at a later date? I guess I just really want those 8 years to mean something. As said, working back in my old job is enjoyable. However, it was also a choice made to get out of the old toxic job I was working before (the uni-related role), as well as no other suitable uni-related roles in my local area currently being available. Working closer to home was the big cincher for me, as I was learning that driving two hours a day to/from work was taking a huge toll on me mentally, sometimes leaving me unable to sleep on Sunday nights, knowing what was coming the next morning. It was a commute notorious for road fatalities (one every three weeks roughly). Apologies if this sounds like a bit of a ramble. I find it cathartic to share my thought processes to see what others can make of it. I guess I feel a bit like, at 30, I should be in a better position. Cheers, andy19

ciclista Living with Anxiety and Depression - caring about everything and nothing at the same time
  • replies: 13

Howdy team, sharing my experience with living with mental health issues. Living with Anxiety and associated depression for some 40 years now. Been very, very good at hiding my illness to my own detriment, putting on a brave face and "coping" through ... View more

Howdy team, sharing my experience with living with mental health issues. Living with Anxiety and associated depression for some 40 years now. Been very, very good at hiding my illness to my own detriment, putting on a brave face and "coping" through various life challenges along the way. Ranging from avoiding social outings as a child, to working myself up to the extent of physical illness prior to sporting events, to not wanting to get out of bed and close off to the world, to going that flat out at work to please all and sundry around me that when works finished for the day I fall in a screaming heap and find it difficult to cope on the subsequent days. Has spanned such a long period of time that it has become the norm to deal with it on a daily basis, however, recent Australia wide changes and restructures by my employer have ramped up the anxiety and associated depression back up to 11/10 and find it hard to stop the " noise" at work and overflows into home life. Recently opened up to close friends and family including wife and young children about my struggles and also started my own little Home charity to fix and donate old bikes to kids to get them exercising in the hope to not have to go through what I do. Have finally also started seeing a psychiatrist to get some help with regards to controlling the all encompassing anxiety which has been more prevalent since work changes. What helps me, well, definitely my sport, Cycling, surfing and also my family, my wife and my two young kids. Just starting to challenge my thoughts and it will be a long road to practice techniques to live a happier/healthier mindful life. Thanks for listening. Cheers

Munro Afraid to sleep
  • replies: 5

Hi. Im new here. Ive recently started getting tingling on one side of my face and after 2 doctors not having a clue it was decided i have nerve pain and i would just have to deal with it. I googled this condition and it scared the hell out of me. Ive... View more

Hi. Im new here. Ive recently started getting tingling on one side of my face and after 2 doctors not having a clue it was decided i have nerve pain and i would just have to deal with it. I googled this condition and it scared the hell out of me. Ive now noted waking up with a dreadful headache. Now im too afraid to go to sleep because i dont want to wake up with these headaches. I saw a new doctor today and he suggested i was suffering from anxiety and he is going to send me for mental health assessment. In the mean time i am terrified to sleep. Any ideas please? I am desperate.

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