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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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Gemair how do you get help when you can't afford to?
  • replies: 4

I'm struggling at the moment! My husbands business is not financially viable but yet he won't do anything to improve the situation - although he does do work and he does help out, so I'm not trying to have a go - but financially it is not working. Fo... View more

I'm struggling at the moment! My husbands business is not financially viable but yet he won't do anything to improve the situation - although he does do work and he does help out, so I'm not trying to have a go - but financially it is not working. For the last few months, we have struggled to pay the mortgage and have gone on a strict budget where food and things are concerned. My hair is even showing the grey as we can't afford what we used to. I can't afford to see our doctor or get help, but things have got to a really bad stage. I even broke down in the supermarket yesterday (as my husband told me about another bill that had come in over the phone). I am not sure how to fix things financially, but my anxiety levels are at a real high and I know that I am not coping but most of the time I put on a smile and mask everything that is going on. I have two young kids who I try to not let see me in breakdown mode, but the truth is I'm falling apart. I still work four days a week and I can't afford to give this up and our children still do after school sport although we even cut this back this year. How do you get help when you can't afford to?? the last time I was at my doctors they said that there weren't any help that were free (I think I have used my medicare free limit - I have had PTSD from childhood goings on), but I haven't been like I am for a very long time.

sonicjaguar Getting Irritated By Everything
  • replies: 5

Hi all, First time posting here. I was diagnosed with chronic anxiety/depression a few years ago and it's been an uphill battle as you would all know. Lately however I find myself getting annoyed by many trivial things such as the way someone eats, o... View more

Hi all, First time posting here. I was diagnosed with chronic anxiety/depression a few years ago and it's been an uphill battle as you would all know. Lately however I find myself getting annoyed by many trivial things such as the way someone eats, or a coworker comes into the room and noisily sits themselves down at the table and begins to munch and make a variety of annoying noises. It also happens when I see people on the tv, like they have a face that genuinely annoys me to the point where I can feel it bubbling inside me. Or the way the someone talks or makes various sounds. It seems to be that I'm noticing every tiny thing that is happening around me. I have always had a mind that seeks out things in great detail, and maybe that is a cause of these feelings, but I find it to be very uncomfortable. Almost like if you combined misophonia with a visual equivalent. Does anyone know of any ways to stop me getting so annoyed at every tiny thing? It's all so trivial and pointless and I know that but I can't seem to stop it happening... Thanks and a happy new year to you all.

xxNad Health Anxiety/ Panic Attacks
  • replies: 4

Hi All, I’ve decided to write this post to see if there is anyone else out there who is quite like myself. A quick background I am a 22 year old female, I’ve just completed my Bachelors degree and I’m struggling with Health Anxiety. It all began abou... View more

Hi All, I’ve decided to write this post to see if there is anyone else out there who is quite like myself. A quick background I am a 22 year old female, I’ve just completed my Bachelors degree and I’m struggling with Health Anxiety. It all began about 3 months ago,I remember being sick with a simple influenza virus at the time and like any virus the coughing began not long after. This cough progressed for over 2 months with chest pain as well as headaches. I was sent firstly for an MRI of my head (came back clear) and did a blood test and throat swab. My blood test came back high in a particular hormone which worried this new doctor who urgently wanted me to take another brain MRI, this doctor pretty much told my mother and I that I most likely had a brain tumour. This stressed me out like crazy and I began googling everything, that same night I woke up in a sweat. My heart was racing like insanely, I couldn’t breathe, my vision was declining, my skin felt as if it was on fire. I woke up my parents and thought I was either dying or having a heart-attack they rushed me to the hospital, they performed more blood tests (came back normal), 2 ECGs (normal) a Chest X-Ray for my cough which had been going on for more than 2 months (normal) and also a Chest CT Scan ( which showed a minor collapsed lung but other than that normal). The doctor at the hospital believed i had a panic attack However, with all these tests done I’m still not content. I’m still coughing and have been told my coughing is most likely an anxiety cough. What worries me is if I have something in my oesophagus and now all I can focus is on that. I still experience frequent chest pains, burning sensations particularly in my neck region which makes me worry I have some form of lymphoma. I feel so ridiculous writing this. I have sleepless nights, I cry nearly everyday and am constantly worrying I’m dying. My parents are trying so hard, but I feel like a lost cause as I think something is honestly wrong with me. I have booked to see a psychiatrist and waiting on this. My Symptoms: -Chest Tightness -burning neck -Sleepless nights -Cough -Headaches -Muscle Pain -Weight Loss My Tests all done this year: -2 ECGS -Abdominal/Pelvic Ultrasound -Blood Tests (5 this year) -D-Dimer Test -Leg Xray -2 MRIS (head) -Chest CT -Chest X-RAY I wanted to know if anyone else experiences the symptoms I have or suffers from health anxiety. Any tips would really help.

Meowface Food & Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Does anyone else find themselves obsessed with food when dealing with anxiety? I've had all extremes - avoiding food (and losing way too much weight), thinking about shopping lists/products all day, over eating, feeling anxious until I know what we'r... View more

Does anyone else find themselves obsessed with food when dealing with anxiety? I've had all extremes - avoiding food (and losing way too much weight), thinking about shopping lists/products all day, over eating, feeling anxious until I know what we're eating, over thinking eating out, meal planning or even when preparing food for others or even always going to the groceries. I think it's a control thing because it's something you can sort of have control over. Interested if anyone else relates to this pattern....

eckybecky How can I find independence?
  • replies: 3

Hello, I'm 32, three beautiful children and an amazing husband, but I am struggling with my anxiety. Its mainly social anxiety. I never leave the house by myself. I don't drive, I always have my husband or mum mum with me if I have an appointment wit... View more

Hello, I'm 32, three beautiful children and an amazing husband, but I am struggling with my anxiety. Its mainly social anxiety. I never leave the house by myself. I don't drive, I always have my husband or mum mum with me if I have an appointment with someone. I never invite friends around, and in doing so I really don't have any friends as I am too cut off. I don't look anyone in the eye and very rarely hold a full conversation with someone other than family. Its horrible being so dependent on my family. I would love to be able to duck down town to buy milk, or go for a walk, or go to church, which I have missed for years and would love to go back. I just don't know how to overcome this fear. Right now I'm shaking and crying because I am talking to you guys, even though you don't know who I am and you all understand mental health issues. Whenever I send a text or email to someone, even someone I know and trust, I instantly freak out and wish I hadn't sent it, even if it just said hello or how are you. i know I will feel this way as soon as I post this but I am desperate. I'm not seeking an instant solution to this problem but would love to hear from those in similar situations who may have some advice or support? Thank you for listening to me

EllieC A bully in the family
  • replies: 3

Hi Beyond-bluers Looking for advice on how to deal with a member of my extended family who just sends my social anxiety through the roof. My maternal extended family have always been very close, and they have been an amazing support to me when I have... View more

Hi Beyond-bluers Looking for advice on how to deal with a member of my extended family who just sends my social anxiety through the roof. My maternal extended family have always been very close, and they have been an amazing support to me when I have had a hard time. I am not the only one in the family to suffer from some mental health difficulties, I have a cousin on that side who suffered a very traumatic experience in her teens and as a result has developed PTSD and a lot of anger around what happened to her. All of us have tried to be supportive of her as she tries to heal. Unfortunately, some of her anger seems to express itself in the form of really excessive nastiness towards a whole range of people, including us. Over the years she's repeatedly taken these little digs at my weight and appearance, my job, the course I'm studying, and suggested that I don't even have proper anxiety because I don't even know what it's like to have bad things happen to me so I should "just get on with it". The worst thing she's done was when she made a racist insult about my ex-boyfriend's mother to his face (which is not why he's now my ex, although I wouldn't have blamed him if he had bolted at that point). Weirdly enough the final straw was hearing her tell somebody else that people from my hometown don't know anything. I'm just so sick of being insulted by her. Frankly, we're just two people who shouldn't be in the same room. The rest of my family find her rude, but say they can just let her comments roll off their back because they know what she's like. But my social anxiety makes that impossible. So I've gotten to the stage where I haven't been attending any family gatherings because she's always there for them. Not only am I scared of what she will say to me, but I feel so attacked by her that I'm worried I will lash out and say something awful back - I've certainly been thinking a lot of uncharitable thoughts about her It finally hit me this weekend because there was a family dinner for my late grandfathers birthday and I just couldn't bring myself to go and face her. I miss spending time with my family. Everybody is scared to say anything to her because she is very manipulative and her mother has already been emotionally blackmailed by her into cutting ties with several of their old family friends that have somehow upset her. I don't know how to deal with this or whether I should just cut ties with all but my immediate family, because I can't take her anymore.

olga do you feel the same?
  • replies: 5

Hi, everyone. I am 28 y.o. Lately i've been going through anxiety and panic attacks. They come out of nowhere for no particular reason. I don't seem to relax anymore. constantly concentrating on my physical symptoms and feeling that i am going to die... View more

Hi, everyone. I am 28 y.o. Lately i've been going through anxiety and panic attacks. They come out of nowhere for no particular reason. I don't seem to relax anymore. constantly concentrating on my physical symptoms and feeling that i am going to die. Been to the doctor and done all sorts of blood tests all turned out good. I work in aged care for 8 years but decided to quit as it makes my anxiety worse. Can't see sick and dying people anymore. I get thoughts that i am going mad sometimes. As if my mind totally deattaches from reality. I've never been like this before. I always used ro be very happy, easygoing girl. Now i feel like that person is dead and I am like robot. Everyday is the same to me i get stuck in anxiety, fear of death or going crazy. Doc put me on mediciation which i've been taking for 3.5 weeks. Also i've been to psychologist. Does anyone feel the same? How can get back to my happy self?

Kayleeh Health Anxiety- thinking I have a neuro disorder
  • replies: 3

I have alsways had anxiety around health but the last few months Ive literally been obsessed. It started when I had insomnia for a few weeks then I noticed twitching of my thumb so I googled it came up with parkinsons , ms, als I googled and googled ... View more

I have alsways had anxiety around health but the last few months Ive literally been obsessed. It started when I had insomnia for a few weeks then I noticed twitching of my thumb so I googled it came up with parkinsons , ms, als I googled and googled freaking myself out!!! eventually I pushed it to the back of mind. A few weeks ago I noticed when Im sitting or laying down I jerk but they are the tiniest little jerks that sometimes they wont visually move the area, I dont notice any during the day unless im sitting but this doesnt seem to be a comon anxiety symptom so now im actually convinced there is something wrong with me and god im scared im so so scared. I twitch and jerk has anyone got this and could it be anxiety? Ill be going to the doctors next week.

Countrymusicgirl Help me understand my anxiety
  • replies: 6

Recently my anxiety has been bad enough that every day is a struggle to get up because I don't want to face the world. I've gone from mentally numb because of medication to being so anxious I'm feeling sick to eat, I'm waking up anxious but the major... View more

Recently my anxiety has been bad enough that every day is a struggle to get up because I don't want to face the world. I've gone from mentally numb because of medication to being so anxious I'm feeling sick to eat, I'm waking up anxious but the major thing that I'm struggling to deal with I'm not feeling numb anymore I feel empty, I've deattached myself from my emotions, I don't have any emotions. It's hard to explain it's like I'm not in my body I feel lost inside of me. I don't know who I am anymore. Can someone make sense of this ?

JBat New job causing my anxiety to flare up quite badly. What do I do?
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I started a new job 3.5 weeks ago and am unhappy and it's causing my anxiety to flare up because I don't know how to handle in. Just resign I hear you say, well I tried that but then because I felt guilty, I said I would stay and work from ho... View more

Hi all, I started a new job 3.5 weeks ago and am unhappy and it's causing my anxiety to flare up because I don't know how to handle in. Just resign I hear you say, well I tried that but then because I felt guilty, I said I would stay and work from home the majority of the time and go into the office on Thursday's. The thought of going in tomorrow makes me feel sick. They don't know about my depression and anxiety as I am embarrassed and don't want to be judged. I have lied (I know it's wrong) and said I cannot get childcare and this is why I cannot remain in the job but really it's because my anxiety is so bad. Last Thursday when I was in the office I had to get my friend to call with an "emergency" so I could leave. What do I do?