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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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louies Blue Bird
  • replies: 1

Hi all. I need some help with a situation. I have been battling with anxiety and depression for over 10 years now and am about to embark on a new working chapter in my life. for the last two years I have been working part time to help with my anxiety... View more

Hi all. I need some help with a situation. I have been battling with anxiety and depression for over 10 years now and am about to embark on a new working chapter in my life. for the last two years I have been working part time to help with my anxiety symptoms but due to financial situations I am having to go back to work full time for the first time in 2 years and I am feeling very anxious about working full time again. I'm scared I am going to get unwell again and it is causing me to have anxiety at the moment not sure what to do or how to take this any information or help would be greatly appreciate cheers Bluebird

plodalong Anxiety has come back
  • replies: 2

hi, haven't posted here for a while. I guess things have been going ok. thought I would start a new thread, as its been nearly a year! husband left 2 years ago under very dramatic circumstances, I have the kids. he does nothing to help - severe issue... View more

hi, haven't posted here for a while. I guess things have been going ok. thought I would start a new thread, as its been nearly a year! husband left 2 years ago under very dramatic circumstances, I have the kids. he does nothing to help - severe issues. We were and are at risk from him. Just having a feeling sorry for myself time. Do people feel sorry for me, or worried I will ask them for help? Are people gossiping about my situation? probably. I might be doing obsessive thinking about a few things. Its horrible. Desperately trying distraction. If anything goes wrong with the house it is a BIG deal. Probably because my ex husband told me I was a stupid **** and should leave repairs and anything technical to him. That didn't help. Actually I have got things sorted better than he did!? anyways..So I know how I am feeling. If there is a bottle of wine in the fridge I will grab it. Don't worry I don't drink the whole thing, just a glass here an there. I am increasing my dose of medication for a while. Think I need to. Facebook doesn't help me at all. People overseas on these great holidays, and getting their nails done! are you kidding!?? I don't go on Facebook a lot. I could post about my day..look at me I am obsessing about the possum in the roof to the point of making myself sick. There are no photos to show. I am just really sad about the trauma we have been through, and can't stop crying today. Thanks for reading. Sorry this post goes a bit all over the place. Have to be a bit vague for safety reasons. Getting through school holidays is really hard too. Take care all.

WhatsThePoint Does anyone else have "what if" anxiety and just tends to stay home most days?
  • replies: 1

My anxiety is different. I don't have the heart palpitations or panic attacks, instead I go over in my head everything that could happen if I go ahead with my social plans. i isolate myself (I have depression too), I like to stay home (my safe place)... View more

My anxiety is different. I don't have the heart palpitations or panic attacks, instead I go over in my head everything that could happen if I go ahead with my social plans. i isolate myself (I have depression too), I like to stay home (my safe place), I am very unreliable always cancelling on plans with friends, I can't work because I always get fired from too much sick leave or I resign because I just stop going in. And I'm only like this when I'm in a relationship! At the moment I'm separated from my 16 month olds father, third failed relationship because, again, he can't handle my depression, anger and anxiety. When I'm single I'm a different person. At the moment I'm going through child custody, child support, lawyers etc so I'm a mess. I've tried psychologists for 10 years on and off, different medications and I'm feeling so hopeless at the moment, like my 16 month old deserves so much better and I can't be the happy, energetic mum she needs me to be. Is there anyone else out there like me? I compare myself to all of my friends, whom are very successful, whom love life and are in happy relationships. It seems so unfair.

Alfie7 Panic attacks, Sore Muscles, Tightening of the Chest and Lump in the Throat
  • replies: 2

Lately I have found it hard to get comfortable sitting down and also when I lay down to go to sleep. I been getting a sore left shoulder with a burning feeling in the joint, then I overthink things and my heart starts racing and it feels like my ches... View more

Lately I have found it hard to get comfortable sitting down and also when I lay down to go to sleep. I been getting a sore left shoulder with a burning feeling in the joint, then I overthink things and my heart starts racing and it feels like my chest is tightening at night time. During the day I sometimes get a lump in my throat and feel sick in the stomach. I have only been experiencing this since New Years day when I had my first Panic attack thinking I needed to go to hospital. I have since gone to the Doctor and they just think my Blood Pressure was high because of the recent stress I have had. These panic attacks leave be anxious thinking I have a serious health issue except the doctors don't think I do and I am only young. I believe my triggers are when my shoulder gets sore and when I feel sick in the stomach is their any quick tips to minimise muscle tension and Nausea? I am currently exercising and started clean eating but is there anything else that will help as I hate this horrible feeling I have been experiencing. Alfie

Fifodad12 Blue still...
  • replies: 1

Ive been an underground driller FIFO for about five years. Two and a half years ago my world was turned upside down by a deceitful ex wife who left me for her boss, left a huge amount of debt for me to pay alone, and worst of all attempted to estrang... View more

Ive been an underground driller FIFO for about five years. Two and a half years ago my world was turned upside down by a deceitful ex wife who left me for her boss, left a huge amount of debt for me to pay alone, and worst of all attempted to estrange me from my children if I didn't pay what she wanted for child support. It was a dark time in my life that had me completely lost and broken. I would say looking back the weight and shock of it all sent me into a depression which I struggled with alone. But I tackled it all and triumphed rectifying most of the issues that stemmed from that situation and have a working relationship with the children's mother which sees me having them full-time on my breaks from work and doing well in my job and getting financially right. Things are on track and I'm doing better than I was. But, I am having some really sad thoughts and feelings of inadequacy. I was hit pretty hard by what happened. During that time I pushed friends and family away because I was so embarrassed by it all and started drinking heavily and still sort of do. I can't seem to allow myself to develop the motivation and energy to invest in a relationship or make and maintain friendships despite the fierce loneliness I feel every waking moment which is nearly always because I can't get to sleep without assistance and if I do manage to sleep it's not for long. I am far from home my support network is small and overseas for the most part. I can't help feeling that I should be better than I am. I find myself comparing myself to everyone in my life and that I meet. I don't know what is wrong, I know I have something. I have some sort of depression or anxiety thing but I've not really reached out for help. Things are good looking in from the outside I guess. I have straightened my life out and am in a good position, I should be happy but i am just so lonely and the thought of letting people close to me scares me. I'm afraid I'll fall short or fail them. I feel like these feelings a holding me back and don't know how to shake it. Some help would be nice, but I get hardly any time at all to get it sorted. It's been a struggle since it happened but the struggle inside still feels just as intense now as it did then. Any ideas for me?

littlewildraven Brain in a spin over whether or not the Fast Food industry is for me.
  • replies: 2

Heya, After scrolling through the many online forums for the past week now of employees of Maccas expressing their dislike of working there I would like to ask for advice. I started my first job two weeks ago. I'm almost 19, I finished school late la... View more

Heya, After scrolling through the many online forums for the past week now of employees of Maccas expressing their dislike of working there I would like to ask for advice. I started my first job two weeks ago. I'm almost 19, I finished school late last year and after 6 months of searching I finally got accepted to work for McDonalds. I have struggled with Anxiety and Depression for years, so this was a massive achievement for me. First few shifts were okay, the staff are mostly lovely. Regardless after my third shift I came home in tears as I knew this place wasn't for me, for despite the overall kindness and training, I really disliked the way some customers treated me and the copious amount of work I was given compared to my fellow trainee. After being told by numerous people that understandably "I'll get used to it" and the fact that I'm too afraid to even talk to the head managers to resign, I decided to push on through to my second week. This week I was on front counter. During my last shift, the head manager who I had originally found to be more approachable than the other, grew incredibly rude as the 3 hour shift progressed. At one stage I was 'assembling' an order, and said manager bluntly said "move' and immediately bumped me out of the way to assemble the order herself, causing me to almost spill fries onto the ground. Being sensitive this made me even more anxious and weary, as customers were literally right behind the counter and witnessed it. A little later a wave of customers had ended, so instead of standing around doing nothing, I decided to do a spot clean and quickly make the fries station look more presentable. All of a sudden I hear the manager barking, "Are you just going to pretend that there are no customers waiting or go and serve them!". I quickly stop what I'm doing and rush to serve the customers. After that, my already nervous heart could not stop beating fast, I felt even more on edge and I couldn't settle down. Before my shift today I had a panic episode that didn't leave until about an hour later due to my work shift that was getting closer. I ended up getting my dad to tell them I couldn't make it. I couldn't do it myself as I was a hyperventilating mess. After a rough 5 years of pushing through school that I hated, I'm so scared of my mental health and sleep declining again. But after having such a hard time getting a job in the first place, I'm worried I won't be able to get another... What should I do? Money > Health?

Zacs_Mum Anxiety, Depression and Medication
  • replies: 7

Hi there, I’m new here and this is my first post. I am terribly scared as I’m sure the medication I am on is not helping and actually having the opposite effect. Since moving from NZ to Australia 5 years ago this is when anxiety took hold of my life.... View more

Hi there, I’m new here and this is my first post. I am terribly scared as I’m sure the medication I am on is not helping and actually having the opposite effect. Since moving from NZ to Australia 5 years ago this is when anxiety took hold of my life. I had never experienced it before and didn’t know what was happening. I have tried many different medications to help with the anxiety & depression and they only seem to work for short periods of time then stop working and I’m back to square one again. It is the most awful and devastating feeling in the world, thinking this is it, this is how the rest of my life is going to be. No one seems to have the answers and psychological help has not really worked. Unfortunately now I am addicted to Paxam which I am trying to get off. I don’t think medication is the answer but am now stuck on it due to the withdrawals being so horrific. Every day is a struggle and I want to be better so I can be strong for my family - feeling devastated

Bibendum Anxiety, Depression and Heart Palipiations
  • replies: 5

Hi Guys, I feel I owe it to you all to post about my problems as I have often cross referenced what I suffer on these forums. I have serious forms of Anxiety (where i fear death at every turn), depression and heart palpitations. I am convinced I am g... View more

Hi Guys, I feel I owe it to you all to post about my problems as I have often cross referenced what I suffer on these forums. I have serious forms of Anxiety (where i fear death at every turn), depression and heart palpitations. I am convinced I am going to drop dead any day now for any reason my brain can come up with. This in turn makes me very depressed and cause heart palpitations all day. Anxiety: I have suffered since the 31/10/2004. I could not be left alone for over 12 months from fear of dying. I would have over 200 attacks a day. I thought my heart was going to stop, I would have a stroke, I had cancer etc... The list goes on and on. Depression: I am so hard on myself. I hate the way I look, I hate my job and how people see me for it, I never go anywhere or do anything. My life is just stuck on groundhog day. This has lead to financial trouble. Family troubles and its just no way to live. Heart Palpitations: I have around 100 of these a day. Skipped beats mostly. I also get painful squeezing ones. They are very scary. I went to the hospital in 2013 (emergency) and they said I was fine... I was meant to have follow up test but I was too scared. I guess that's the trap of the illness... In the last 2 weeks the palpitations got really bad. I ended up in hospital again. ECG, chest X-Ray and bloods were taken. I was beside myself with fear. They all came back fine. I even have a resting pulse of 59bpm and blood pressure 127/76. Of course to me my heart has always beat too fast and I thought I had high blood pressure. I was told to have the 24hr monitor test and I went through with it. Scariest 24 hours of my life. I just received the results today and everything has come back normal... The purpose of writing this is to maybe help people who suffer things like I do. Hopefully it will give someone the strength to have the tests done or seek help to start getting better. It is possible. I know that now. I am committed to do this for myself and my loved ones. To the many peoples posts I read over they years thank-you. It helped me. The greatest journey starts with a single step.

Lulu89 Unsure
  • replies: 2

Hi All, I am not sure where to begin. I have always been a "stresshead" (not my term) and a worrywart, but of late it seems to have escalated. I am now experiencing panic attacks, which always come out of the blue (to me anyway) and are frightening a... View more

Hi All, I am not sure where to begin. I have always been a "stresshead" (not my term) and a worrywart, but of late it seems to have escalated. I am now experiencing panic attacks, which always come out of the blue (to me anyway) and are frightening as well as knots in my stomach, having little to no appetite, difficulty sleeping most nights, crying at the drop of a hat and just not myself. I am uncertain as to what is the cause or trigger but before I got speak to a doctor I thought I would try and find some support from others in the same or similar position or not at a all but are happy to listen. About me: 28, 3 children aged 8, 4 and 8 months. I work as a disability support worker with shift work hours however I'm currently only working 15-20 hours a week as I've come off maternity leave recently. I am partnered. My partner works shift work hours in management elsewhere. According to my father I have always been the queen of balance -working, study, raising children, taking them to their extra curricular activities and school, home duties shared with my partner etc and I am still managing to do it now however I just feel like I'm going through the motions. Am I just being silly? I feel like I'm not making sense..

Guest_7070 Leaving stressful job and too much change at once - feeling broken
  • replies: 10

For the last couple of years I worked 12 hour days and it wasn’t unusual for me to bring work home to complete on weekends. My family warned me that this wasn’t sustainable. Then three weeks ago after not sleeping due to stress, tension and anxiety, ... View more

For the last couple of years I worked 12 hour days and it wasn’t unusual for me to bring work home to complete on weekends. My family warned me that this wasn’t sustainable. Then three weeks ago after not sleeping due to stress, tension and anxiety, I resigned from my management job. Stupidly, I thought once I left my job I would feel better again quickly. Not having a job has made me feel empty and even though I want to look for work as soon as possible, I feel scared of the process and starting a new job. Two weeks ago I went to see my Doctor and just broke down in tears – it was very embarrassing. She thought it may be due to the lack of sleep and prescribed sleeping tablets to take for two weeks to try and restore my sleeping pattern. I had to wait while the Pharmacy ordered them. In the meantime I started to sleep again, so I didn’t end up taking them. Then one week ago my eldest son moved out with his girlfriend which broke my heart and the house feels so empty … I know I should be happy about that. Unfortunately I’m not sleeping again. I have decided to start taking the sleeping tablets for a week and see if that makes a difference. I will go and see my Doctor next week once she returns from holidays. I have also made an appointment with a Psychologist. I have done extensive reading about how to return from this horrible experience, but I think the constant reading of the endless information on the internet probably isn’t overly helpful. I have been trying to reconnect spiritually, learn mindfulness/meditation, walking heaps, positive talk, etc. and forcing myself to eat even though I have no appetite. I'm taking natural remedies for mild anxiety. I found the lead up to Christmas to be incredibly difficult – I just wanted it to go away. At the moment I feel broken and I just want to feel normal again. Has anyone else felt like this before? Any advice would be welcomed.

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