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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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Hope_for_the_best Public bathroom anxiety???
  • replies: 13

I am having a stressful time with my studies and as a result, I become overly sensitive to the surroundings. I raised some concerns about my stress symptoms earlier, (https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/weird-symptoms-duri... View more

I am having a stressful time with my studies and as a result, I become overly sensitive to the surroundings. I raised some concerns about my stress symptoms earlier, (https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/weird-symptoms-during-times-of-intense-stress-) but this particular “anxiety” stands on its own so I would like to make a new thread. I know no one likes public bathrooms. I don’t like too, but I was fine with using one if needed until I got a diarrhoea at a shopping mall last year. I should have avoided greasy food when my digestion was not great under stress, but somehow I ate a creamy pasta for lunch and went shopping in a mall when I needed to go very badly. I went, the bathroom was quite clean actually, but the ventilation was not that good. My diarrhoea smelt awful and made me gag. I rushed out of the bathroom as soon as I finished and I felt better after breathing in some fresh air. But since that incident, I started to be uncomfortable with public bathrooms. I still go and eat out as usual, but I get obsessed with smells in public bathrooms and I avoid using one if possible. My gut is usually very obedient so I only need to pee most of the times. Still, it becomes a lot of struggles in mind before I ever walk in and use a public bathroom. I talked to my psychologist about that. She says it is normal to hate public bathrooms and if I do not stop going out because of them, it is okay. She asks me to be patient and allows myself some time to get over it. Over the year, I improved a lot on my own. At least, I think less before using a public bathroom these days. However, I still have the struggling thoughts of going or not at times. I wish to get back to before asap, i.e. use a public bathroom without a second thought. Any suggestions? Thanks.

azarrah What happens in therapy?
  • replies: 7

Hi all, I've been absent for the last few months as the anxiety I was experiencing for the first half of this year finally died down. Yay! Unfortunately, in the last few weeks, it's reared its ugly head back up again. This time, it wasn't so severe a... View more

Hi all, I've been absent for the last few months as the anxiety I was experiencing for the first half of this year finally died down. Yay! Unfortunately, in the last few weeks, it's reared its ugly head back up again. This time, it wasn't so severe as I knew my physical symptoms are a manifestation of anxiety, and that I wasn't to drop dead from some hideous disease (OK, there's still a part of me that thinks that, but at least it's not overwhelming anymore.) Nevertheless, I'm tired of just dealing with it, and I want to be more proactive in getting anxiety under control. I don't want to feel dizzy and spacey and foggy anymore, don't want to be shaky and out of breath, don't want to find myself hyperventilating and almost passing out when I get too excited or sad. I feel like I keep myself within this tightly regulated box, so that I don't feel super bad, but it's really not a great way to live and I think I need a better strategy. When I was first diagnosed, my doctor offered to refer me to a psychologist, but I refused at the time. Now I wonder whether it would be helpful. I know absolutely nothing about psychologists, except that you're supposed to talk to them about your feelings, which does not particularly appeal to me (but I'll do it, if I have to). It would be nice to get some clarification on the whole situation, because this is really a foray into the unknown for me. How does therapy work? What do you do? How do the sessions run? What should one do for it to be most helpful? I would really appreciate some enlightenment! Many thanks, Az

Redbeard Drinking ultimatum and night panic attacks and feeling on edge all day
  • replies: 2

I have been a drinker for at least 20 yrs , i have recently had a huge day on the cans and passed out even before the game. Mrs had a chat to me about it and what its doing to our relationship. I seem to be worrying all the time and waking up at nigh... View more

I have been a drinker for at least 20 yrs , i have recently had a huge day on the cans and passed out even before the game. Mrs had a chat to me about it and what its doing to our relationship. I seem to be worrying all the time and waking up at night having racing heart and sweats. I constantly think I'm dying or going to, and i have stopped drinking now but a few days up to now i just had a few as i was on holidays. I have probably gone to the docs 3 times for tests and all come good and seem to stop for a while then i start thinking again about it again. I have also seemed to have lost my appetite. Most all the time just at night.

wonderinginwonderland A little help with chronic anxiety strategies & to help my family understand how to handle my anxiety?
  • replies: 2

I suffered eighteen years with anorexia, depression, anxiety... the list goes on. I had a rough childhood, but was also lucky in many ways. I would like to tell my story but first I need some advice. I have recovered recently from depression and anor... View more

I suffered eighteen years with anorexia, depression, anxiety... the list goes on. I had a rough childhood, but was also lucky in many ways. I would like to tell my story but first I need some advice. I have recovered recently from depression and anorexia. But my anxiety blew through the roof. I found out that because of the harm I had caused to my body through malnutrition over all those years, that I most likely have osteoporosis, and they are investigating other issues that are causing my body to shut down. It feels like my body is falling apart. I get super anxious, have panic attacks and lash out at my family and loved ones. I don't mean to, and I always apologise soon after because of how regretful and guilty I feel for doing that to them, they don't deserve it. And I'm a really caring person and I don't want to ever upset anyone with my words. It's not like I say mean things, but I get so panicky and flustered and I feel trapped like I need to escape, and all my feelings and thoughts come spluttering out at the people I love. I have so much to live for and so many opportunities but the anxiety is triggering the depression and eating disorder. I fear the other illnesses will return if I don't get my anxiety under control. I have psychs and doctors. I've been in clinics and hospitals since I graduated high school 8 years ago. So I never really got to grow through that period normally like those around me. It became too much for my friends to see me this way, or to accept my issues, and they all drifted away one by one. Even though I always had a smile on my face. The reason I'd rather talk on here is because I feel like I'm putting way too much on my family, they are dealing with a lot and they supported me so much I don't want them to think I'm unwell again. My boyfriend is having trouble with how to handle my attacks. I know I've found happiness but the anxiety is taking over everything and wearing me down. I'm starting to wonder if I may actually have panic disorder. I guess my question is: is there anyone with advice or strategies or who just understands what I'm going through by leaving multiple disorders behind and being struck with ONE GIANT heavy one? Can anyone give me advice on how to help my boyfriend and family understand me more? We communicate well. But I need to know that I can overcome this. Have you? I honestly never felt this anxious before. Why am I so upset and angry over tiny things? Why can't I learn from my mistakes? Any advice?

Talafa The aftermath
  • replies: 1

Good afternoon all, Tell me has anyone come out of an emotionally abusive relationship in this group?? I spent 5 years in one and now that i am out and have been for some time i am in a new relationship of 2 years and i am struggling with asking for ... View more

Good afternoon all, Tell me has anyone come out of an emotionally abusive relationship in this group?? I spent 5 years in one and now that i am out and have been for some time i am in a new relationship of 2 years and i am struggling with asking for my worth and communicating because of a crippling fear of upsetting them and them leaving. I hate the feeling and it spins me out when i think they may be pissed off at me even though minor disagreements are normal and healthy. Tam

amalee78 Anxiety and the gym
  • replies: 1

For the first time in 4 years I'm pain free and joined a gym to try and get healthier and stronger now that I'm feeling better. Well, yesterday I went to the gym and they put me on this body scanning machine to check my body composition (which I didn... View more

For the first time in 4 years I'm pain free and joined a gym to try and get healthier and stronger now that I'm feeling better. Well, yesterday I went to the gym and they put me on this body scanning machine to check my body composition (which I didn't feel great about to begin with). The results showed I have a high amount of fat in my body and a low amount of muscle - I did tell them I haven't been able to lift more than a litre of milk without pain in the last four years. But she said I am at high risk of diabetes and all that stuff. My mother in law has told me at least a dozen times since she found out I joined a gym that I have put on so much weight etc etc.... Because of this I have started worrying my fat is going to kill me. I did my first hour class of strengthening activities for abdominals and back yesterday, which i absolutely loved - but today my stomach muscles are sore and I am worried that my tumour is getting bigger. I keep telling myself it's just sore muscles - but then I worry it's the tumour getting bigger which is making a different part of my stomach sore. I do realise I probably sound a bit crazy, but I am in some sort of tizzy at the moment and just don't know how to get myself out of it. Generally I can't bear to look at or touch my stomach at all, and the soreness I'm feeling today has really got me going. I would love some words of wisdom...

CourtneyJ Anxiety when travelling internationally
  • replies: 3

Hi all, Quick summary, 30 year old single female, introvert, diagnosed with GAD and depression over 10 years ago (but had it all my life). I currently take anti anxiety medication daily so on a day to day basis I function very well. So normally when ... View more

Hi all, Quick summary, 30 year old single female, introvert, diagnosed with GAD and depression over 10 years ago (but had it all my life). I currently take anti anxiety medication daily so on a day to day basis I function very well. So normally when I travel domestically and go on holidays I have no issues. In fact I VERY much prefer it. I like being completely on my own, lying in bed reading books all day and basically cutting myself off from the outside world. I do worry about the normal stuff (like my car getting stolen or my house burning down) but never about my own safety or anything. It's when I travel internationally that I have problems. I went to Bali 2 years ago for a 1 week relaxing retreat. I spent two days in a continuous panic attack (crying, shaking, hyperventilating, not sleeping) before I had to cut my holiday short and fly home early. Once I got back I had to spend 2 days at my parent's house recovering before I could bring myself to go home. The thing that seemed to upset me the most was the fact that everything was so foreign. The streets, the shops, the people there was nothing that was recognisable. My head was spinning because I couldn't seem to establish and point of reference to anything. And then I realised how far away from home I was and then I just lost it. Fast forward to today and my boss has asked me to travel to the Philippines for a week to meet and work with our partner company. Now this is slightly different because I will be going with someone (he's a great guy and he's really supportive about my anxiety but he is still my boss so I can't completely lose it) and I will be working all of the time (so less time by myself for my brain to become idle and let the anxious thoughts take over). But regardless of all the above I'm still worried about having panic attacks when I'm there. I can't blow this huge opportunity for my career. So my question is: has anyone experienced this too? And what techniques have you used to overcome your anxiety? Thanks & peace

Emma2727 Feel super spacey
  • replies: 3

I've always had state anxiety when it comes to attending social events, and often will pull out lame excuses to avoid going, but nothing extreme. Once I'm out though I've always been fine and most people would never believe what an effort it was to t... View more

I've always had state anxiety when it comes to attending social events, and often will pull out lame excuses to avoid going, but nothing extreme. Once I'm out though I've always been fine and most people would never believe what an effort it was to talk myself into attending as I'll probably be the last to go home. Lately, however, I've just felt spaced out constantly and have had three panic attacks at work when it's quiet and I had too much time to think over everything. Now I don't want to be left alone and will take any excuse to go out and be with others. When I'm home I fight with my family and have no desire to do any uni work. I'm half way through a law degree (I was always so driven) that I have no motivation to finish. The only way to describe how I feel is spaced out and when I'm alone I have constant butterflies which is so weird because I have nothing to be nervous about. I just want to be able to be motivated again and I don't know how

Hago Dreading returning to work.
  • replies: 4

Hello everyone, I've been struggling with depression and GAD for the last 2-3 years. Last year I was stood down from work because I had started to abuse alcohol to self medicate. I eventually got back to work after trying a handful of different anti-... View more

Hello everyone, I've been struggling with depression and GAD for the last 2-3 years. Last year I was stood down from work because I had started to abuse alcohol to self medicate. I eventually got back to work after trying a handful of different anti-depressants, and kind of kicking the drinking problem. 6 months later I've had another break down and have taken 5 weeks off work, haven't left the house bar one time to go and talk to a friend. I even talked myself out of catching up with said friend over the weekend, which would have been good. Now I'm at the point where I have to return to work tomorrow. How can I do this? The thought of having to try and interact with my workmates after hiding away for the last 5 weeks is doing my head in. I had quite a while off last year and now this. It's tough. I've got this idea in my head that everyone thinks I'm strange or weird, unreliable, I'm awkward. I'm trying to convince myself to just not care. Just turn up. But yeah, It's tough. Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated.

RealBobby Lost in life
  • replies: 3

Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong? For some reason I hate social interactions so I have no school friends, close to no hobbies and I had this business idea to help the environment that I thought was really good and I spent the last week... View more

Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong? For some reason I hate social interactions so I have no school friends, close to no hobbies and I had this business idea to help the environment that I thought was really good and I spent the last week researching about it, I tell my dad who's a businessman and he basically says it's a terrible idea. The business idea was pretty much the only thing that kept me going I don't know what to do with my life I look on Instagram and see all the amazing times my schoolmates are having while during my holidays I spend 8 hours a day on the internet which I don't really enjoy. Why am I so stupid socially and what are some good hobbies? I'm not looking forward to 10 weeks of school which will be a nightmare especially when the teachers always say 'our school is so welcoming and friendly' when I'm the only person that can't make any friends. Then I've got 6 weeks holidays where I'll probably do nothing but browse the internet.