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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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nic98 Anxiety has reared its ugly head
  • replies: 18

Hi I'm posting for the first time. I've a history of migraines intertwined with anxiety. The anxiety I've managed with medication for several years but a few months ago had to change it to try a migraine treatment. Anyway, after recently changing bac... View more

Hi I'm posting for the first time. I've a history of migraines intertwined with anxiety. The anxiety I've managed with medication for several years but a few months ago had to change it to try a migraine treatment. Anyway, after recently changing back to my original AD, my anxiety has increased. I'm also coming off triptans atm. I'm highly anxious in the mornings and am needing some support

EllieC Who I want to be vs my anxiety
  • replies: 9

Hi guys, young woman with GAD here One of the hardest parts about anxiety sometimes is the constant struggle between what is ethically right and what is right for my anxiety. I want to be the sort of person who is socially responsible and who is a lo... View more

Hi guys, young woman with GAD here One of the hardest parts about anxiety sometimes is the constant struggle between what is ethically right and what is right for my anxiety. I want to be the sort of person who is socially responsible and who is a loyal supporter of their friends, but I'm usually pretty afraid of conflict so I don't often show it. Today a friend of mine was copping very personal abuse on social media due to a cultural group she belongs to and I finally felt like I could do the right thing. I wasn't rude to these other commenters but I was firm, saying that I didn't agree with their views and they were being incredibly nasty to all my friends who are part of this cultural group I felt good about supporting my friend and speaking out on how much damage discrimination can do... until the first comment calling me a "fat loser" popped up. The second and third comment along the same lines just made things worse. Since then I've been feeling sick, shaky and crying on and off. I have a background of being bullied at school, especially for my weight (which led me into developing a binge eating disorder, so thanks classmates!), so the feeling of being ganged up on and made fun of has just triggered my fear and self-loathing all over again I don't know what the right thing is to do. I want to be this superhero who goes into bat for people who are being treated unfairly but I just find that whenever I do that I get abuse hurled at me and my anxiety sends me into a meltdown. But am I a bad friend and a facilitator of unethical behaviour if I stand by and let them be abused by trolls? On the other hand, I know that I have anxiety so should I be more protective of my mental health and not wade into these highly emotive situations? This is really eating me up inside tonight and my confusion about how to approach this is making me feel like both a fat loser and a bad friend. Normally I would call my Mum when I'm this upset but she doesn't understand social media and just tells me to delete Facebook whenever something on there bothers me. My friend did send me a private message thanking me for being supportive and saying that the other commenters were being mean (she used other words, which I won't repeat here), but I don't feel close enough to her to tell her all this either I feel a little silly posting here because I know other people probably have more pressing problems, but if I don't get a response I at least had to say this somewhere

kned Social anxiety treatment options
  • replies: 8

I'm really wanting to look at some ways to manage my social anxiety. Medication would be last resort. What has worked for you? Has anyone tried alternative medicine (herbs etc)? Did they work? What psychological techniques have you found useful. If a... View more

I'm really wanting to look at some ways to manage my social anxiety. Medication would be last resort. What has worked for you? Has anyone tried alternative medicine (herbs etc)? Did they work? What psychological techniques have you found useful. If anyone can share some links to websites or apps, it'd be very much appreciated. Cheers,

Wa_ranger I feel burnt out and anxious.
  • replies: 2

Hi This is my first post and to be honest I never thought I would get to the point when I needed to do this. My reason for posting is work related anxiety and no matter how much I tell myself 'I have done my best' I feel like the anxiety is winning. ... View more

Hi This is my first post and to be honest I never thought I would get to the point when I needed to do this. My reason for posting is work related anxiety and no matter how much I tell myself 'I have done my best' I feel like the anxiety is winning. I haven't gone into work today as I can't face it. I don't sleep well and if I do, I wake up regularly worrying about work. It's taken over my life, and my work life balance is all wrong. Sunday's every weekend consist of worrying about going back to work so I know I'm struggling. My main issue is feeling stuck and knowing this situation is not changing anytime soon so that fills me with dread. My work is quite specialised and there are no other jobs in my location to apply for. My office is a regional base for a multi-national company and it has gone through a downturn in the last 12 months to the point where I am the only full time person, and I have been there less than 10 months. I manage a small team who are either part time or casual staff, which also makes me anxious. I'm basically overwhelmed, new work keeps coming through, I'm behind on my current work and I have made mistakes that I know I would not normally make. Management know the situation is not ideal and they have given 'support' which I have accepted. I was made redundant in a previous job (through no fault of my own) and knowing that feeling of being out of work prevents me from resigning, although I would if I could. I am a resilient person, so up until now I have just got on with it, although I basically feel 'stuck' and completely alone. Is anybody else in a similar situation who could offer me any advice please?

MissBear26 Can't sleep
  • replies: 4

Hey, Can't seem to switch the brain off. It's not just the brain it is my whole body. So tired and as soon as i lie down it is like everything is magnified. Small sounds in the room. The light from the charger. The small itch on my leg. The stray hai... View more

Hey, Can't seem to switch the brain off. It's not just the brain it is my whole body. So tired and as soon as i lie down it is like everything is magnified. Small sounds in the room. The light from the charger. The small itch on my leg. The stray hair on my neck. Its too hot. Its too cold. I get so fustrated i want claw at my face and scream. I can't sleep next to someone cause i toss and turn till finally (after a long time) i sleep. If i do sleep next to someone all i can think of is that I can't move, to the point where i want to panic cause i so badly need to move. I get myself so worked up. Soooo i get up and try to reset. I will habe another shower. Change pjs. Brush my hair. Remake my bed. Get a cold drink and try again. This i found is the most effective way to get to sleep Tonight however just not working for me.

Clairevj19 Physical anxiety symptoms :(
  • replies: 3

Hi all i've been reading a lot of these threads and it is helpful to know I'm not the only person who feels like this. im 26yrs old and was diagnosed with anxiety about 7 years ago. All has been great but this past week has been hell. I changed medic... View more

Hi all i've been reading a lot of these threads and it is helpful to know I'm not the only person who feels like this. im 26yrs old and was diagnosed with anxiety about 7 years ago. All has been great but this past week has been hell. I changed medication as I thought it might be better for me in the long run eg having children etc. what I didn't realise is how horrible it would make me feel. I have a massive fear of having a heart attack or fainting and this last week I've had so many horrible physical symptoms eg chest pains, headaches, dizziness, shooting pains. Been to 2 different doctors who said my chest is fine and my health is fine. i spoke with my doctor and we decided it's best to go back on medication so I'm on day 3 now, waiting for it to kick in so I go back to normal. I feel good when I'm at home or at work, but as soon as I get in the car to drive it all the physical symptoms come back before I even think about it. As soon as I walk in the door at home I'm ok. does anyone have any tips on how to calm the physical symptoms? I have medication but I don't like to take it as I would rather be able to attack it myself. I know I'll be okay again soon but I just hate the way it feels!!!

Struggly Struggling with the past
  • replies: 4

I have major regrets about my past and its stopping me from living my life. When I was in my 20s I owned my own home. Then I got involved in drugs and ended up selling it for no good reason. It was a fantastic place in a great location. I then bought... View more

I have major regrets about my past and its stopping me from living my life. When I was in my 20s I owned my own home. Then I got involved in drugs and ended up selling it for no good reason. It was a fantastic place in a great location. I then bought the first house I saw because I was worried about losing my money on drugs. The real estate agent took advantage of me and I ended up with a much worse house for about the same money. That place started giving me panic attacks so I sold it in a state of anxuiety. Of course I sold it really chep. By then I'd really gone backwards. The I was so anxious about buying the next house I put an offer on one place buyt go so panicky I couldn't go through with it. It was a really nice place too. Finally an agent pushed me into buying a partly renovated house. It has turned out to be a complete disaster and money pit. That last one was 15 years ago. I am now so totally devasted at what Ive done. I regret what could of been. I know this might come across as shllow, btut its not about money but shame and humiliation. My father always told me I was useless. How can I get out of this. The ain is just unbearable.

Maryjane93 Does anyone know how to combat this?
  • replies: 3

Hi all, So the past few months I've been getting bad anxiety and nausea in the mornings. I know the nausea is triggered by the anxious feelings I get in my stomach and chest. It's making it really hard for me to get out of bed in the morning. If anyo... View more

Hi all, So the past few months I've been getting bad anxiety and nausea in the mornings. I know the nausea is triggered by the anxious feelings I get in my stomach and chest. It's making it really hard for me to get out of bed in the morning. If anyone else has gone through this and found things that help I'd love to hear from you

_FallenAngel_ Dealing with mental health, managing work and colleagues. How do you deal with it all???
  • replies: 4

It is such a struggle for me to juggle weekly doctors appointments and the anxiety it causes by the lead up to being weighed however my manager is supportive so far with me taking time off and he does try to understand how possibly he can help me. Al... View more

It is such a struggle for me to juggle weekly doctors appointments and the anxiety it causes by the lead up to being weighed however my manager is supportive so far with me taking time off and he does try to understand how possibly he can help me. All these years I tried to keep it a secret at work as I thought, rather very naively that no one would ever find out about it but it was not long before the whispering around corners turned into out-right questioning and suddenly I found myself explaining and dispelling the stigma, stereotypes and preconceived ideas that my colleagues had already established about me, and some of the most rude and stupid questions that I can remember of the top of my head include: 1.) "HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DIETING FOR?" (this was ruthless and most offensive and hurt the most like a spear in chest. Sorry had to write this one in capitals. Actually they all were pretty thoughtless) 2.) "How could you not eat for so long? I could never do anything like that” 3.) "I never thought guys can have eating disorders!!" (this one should be given a prize actually. Asked by a girl!) So it all ended up as a bit of a joke really, but then I decided to have a bit of light-hearted laugh with my newly made friends about my situation than have them ignorantly gossip behind my back which no doubt they still do. I guess I gave their empty minds something to do. I didn't approach the union or management because I didn't want to make things from bad to worse. I guess once has to pick thier battles wisely in life. Whether they are stupid comments like above, team meetings or really awkward questions they all can make work so unpleasant and unhealthy place to be. And when it comes to staff night outs I still have to explain my manager firmly that I am unable to eat in restaurants and I nearly had a panic attack once when he said I have to stay back after work for drinks to meet our new REA. But I left after 5 min anyway as I abstain from drinking. My colleagues, mental health and work they all are driving me nuts. Somedays are worse than others but everyday is a struggle really and I would really like to know how other people cope at work and if their manager/supervisors are supportive and aware of it. thanks

Daisy129 Feeling Lost...
  • replies: 16

I'm relatively new here and finding this a little terrifying but maybe it will help to share I have been dealing with anxiety (GAD and social anxiety) and depression for my whole life but wasn't diagnosed til my 20's I am now in my 40s and have had p... View more

I'm relatively new here and finding this a little terrifying but maybe it will help to share I have been dealing with anxiety (GAD and social anxiety) and depression for my whole life but wasn't diagnosed til my 20's I am now in my 40s and have had phases of life in which I have been able to be happy and productive Right now though I am feeling quite lost, I have little children and am a single mum I am good at putting on a brave face and dealing with the challenges of being a mum when the kids are here but when they go to their dads I just get this horrible lost feeling The house is in such a muddle and I feel like I should use the time they are away to catch up on chores and clean but I just end up standing around the house looking at the mess and feeling overwhelmed I tend to just eat food and watch movies instead, and then feel guilty for not doing anything I keep trying to motivate myself to get out and go for a walk or do some exercise to get myself moving but I just cannot shift the feeling enough to get myself going....