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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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TenLetters Work anxiety - advice/help please!
  • replies: 8

Hi all, newbie poster here, long time reader. I'm in a sticky situation and I'm reaching out for help and advice. Long story short, I've started a new job about 2 months ago in a corporate role in the city. After coming out of the induction process a... View more

Hi all, newbie poster here, long time reader. I'm in a sticky situation and I'm reaching out for help and advice. Long story short, I've started a new job about 2 months ago in a corporate role in the city. After coming out of the induction process and company onboarding etc., I've come to the realisation that I have been hired into the wrong job, and it's causing alot of anxiety. I'm one of 4 of a brand new team built, but the other 3 on my team have a completely different skill-set. Because my skill-set and experience is different to theirs, I'm completely dismissed if I ever make a point or a suggestion. A few weeks of this, and I'm now a ghost in the office. Meetings are held without me, discussions and conversations go quite when I arrive at my desk, and each day I'm feeling more in the dark. Although a very smart guy, my boss is non-communicative. I haven't had a single 1-to-1 since starting, barely says hello in the mornings, and will only engage in a conversation if I ask a question. Within the department I have learned of person x has a history with person y, and manager a is in a power struggle with manager b. etc. etc. With a combination of the ghosting and all the dysfunction across the area, it is toxic, and as a result has left me depressed, anxious, and isolated. I just hate it. I'm scared to raise my issues though to HR, because as I'm a new starter, I'm in probation. I don't want to be labelled a trouble-maker and then be let go suddenly due to 'budgeting'. I believe the core issue is management communication, which means that the people I should raise this to are the people that should be addressing this and managing the situation. So where can I go? I haven't been eating much at all in the last few weeks, have been going to bed at 8pm and have trouble concentrating whilst in work, leading me to be underperforming, not helping my credibility or reputation. If I tell the company I believe they have hired me into the wrong position, can they just turn around and go "tough luck" or do they have an obligation to improve/change the situation? If I say nothing, I look like a bad employee (which I am absolutely not), and wont get passed probation (if I make it that far). I don't want to explode, but it's affecting my personal time, including weekends, so I must do something to protect my own health. Would love to hear your thoughts

HayleyB Anxiety when driving
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I am 18 and still on my learners licence and am trying to go for my P's but need to get my hours up, I live in the country where there isn't much traffic and lights and roundabouts and all that 'fun' stuff. My parents and just about ever... View more

Hi everyone, I am 18 and still on my learners licence and am trying to go for my P's but need to get my hours up, I live in the country where there isn't much traffic and lights and roundabouts and all that 'fun' stuff. My parents and just about everyone around me has been pushing and pushing for me to drive more, i've driven quite a bit but going out into the city were there are double lanes and roundabouts and traffic just stress me out so much because i know that when i get anxious over something i can only focus on one thing at a time, and with driving i know that there are many things to think about and it just makes the whole situation unpleasant. I'm just tired of everyone having a go at me because they just don't understand, i don't just find it 'scary' as they describe i feel absolutely terrified and i just don't think that it would be best for me to be on the road stressing out and possibly causing an accident.

livm88 Almost 29, should have moved out of home by now....but scared to move to a sharehouse with strangers?
  • replies: 8

I've been thinking about finally moving out of the family home for over a year now, but as a shy person (with no friends, and never good at making them!), i'm reluctant to take any steps towards moving into a sharehouse. I'm worried I won't fit in (e... View more

I've been thinking about finally moving out of the family home for over a year now, but as a shy person (with no friends, and never good at making them!), i'm reluctant to take any steps towards moving into a sharehouse. I'm worried I won't fit in (especially if it's a house where the others know each other or have already lived together a few years). I never go out or socialise (except with family), i'm afraid I won't have anything to contribute socially, and as someone who's been friendless for 15yrs+, i'm really not good at keeping up some kind of 'i'm normal' facade. I feel people will see through this, and especially start to wonder over time when they see I never have friends over or 'go out'. Another thing that worries me is, i've always found it harder to get to know and interact with people my age (especially other females!). I find myself less anxious when talking to someone in a much older age bracket. I don't have anyone I know to move into a house with me, I know my cousin wants to when she gets a job (or so she says), and there is my younger sister, but she has behavioural issues (due to cerebral palsy), and acts more like a 13yr old than her age, 22 (and seems to want to oppose every suggestion I have). So that leaves sharehouse the only option for now....but i'm reluctant. Also, while I have managed to be in steady casual employment since February (and still receive Austudy while I study full time), I might soon only be getting 5-10 hrs a week (as the retailer i'm working for has brought in a new rostering system which will limit everyone's hours). I'm worried it will be a strain financially (or I simply wont afford it!). Thanks for reading

amalee78 Anxiety during good times
  • replies: 3

I have just recently had some very good news in the form of a bit of a windfall. But I keep having these thoughts that something bad is going to happen to even up the score, so to speak. The thoughts are so intrusive I'm starting to get that feeling ... View more

I have just recently had some very good news in the form of a bit of a windfall. But I keep having these thoughts that something bad is going to happen to even up the score, so to speak. The thoughts are so intrusive I'm starting to get that feeling of dread about me, even though I should be feeling happy and relaxed right now. does anyone have any suggestions for me?

KMTE Health anxiety please help
  • replies: 4

This is my second time posting. I've been recently diagnosed with anxiety- health anxiety, ocd, panic disorder which has caused mild depression. I've been to three different doctors multiple times and had various tests for various health conditions t... View more

This is my second time posting. I've been recently diagnosed with anxiety- health anxiety, ocd, panic disorder which has caused mild depression. I've been to three different doctors multiple times and had various tests for various health conditions that all came back fine. I'm rural which means it can be along time between appointments with gps and mental health workers. I basically spend all day thinking I have various life threatening conditions wrong with me which my anxiety then tends to mimic the symptoms causing a flow on effect. I guess I just want to here other people's experiences with health anxiety and some of the symptoms they get to make me feel less alone in all this. Thanks

Emmy. Day after panic attack
  • replies: 9

Had a huge panic attack yesterday, haven't had one this servere in a very long time. (To say I feel devastated is an understatement). Anyway, what I'm wanting to ask is today I just feel exhausted, and still a little panicked too. Is this normal? My ... View more

Had a huge panic attack yesterday, haven't had one this servere in a very long time. (To say I feel devastated is an understatement). Anyway, what I'm wanting to ask is today I just feel exhausted, and still a little panicked too. Is this normal? My poor husband was so surprised to see me like that yesterday. It took me back 3 years ago to my first ever panic attack, that's how scary it was and how out of control I felt. Sorry rambling. Please let me know if you experience anything similar the day after? Many Thanks, Emmy

M_j_ Wakeup call and drinkers remorse
  • replies: 9

Hi- had the most horrible weekend and couple of days resulting in taking myself to gp and subsequently having to face my anxiety/depression/social anxiety that have caused me to have what id consider some kind of drunken psychotic episode. Feeling pr... View more

Hi- had the most horrible weekend and couple of days resulting in taking myself to gp and subsequently having to face my anxiety/depression/social anxiety that have caused me to have what id consider some kind of drunken psychotic episode. Feeling pretty ashamed and like I never want to leave my house again... as I'm generally able to convince people I'm a functioning adult -old enough to know better- its especially mortifying. Where do i go from here?

AdamW Significant Stress and Anxiety - Returning to Work
  • replies: 2

Hi Everyone, I hope everyone is having an enjoyable morning, in Adelaide the weather is very cold which sometimes makes getting out of bed even harder. My anxiety came about 3 years ago. I was living what I would describe as a normal happy life, good... View more

Hi Everyone, I hope everyone is having an enjoyable morning, in Adelaide the weather is very cold which sometimes makes getting out of bed even harder. My anxiety came about 3 years ago. I was living what I would describe as a normal happy life, good job, mortgage, somewhat stable relationship and we just welcomed into the world our second child. At work the company I worked for went through a significant restructure and I moved into a role I wasn't qualified or suitable for as a Project Manager. Long story short, juggling a new job, having a young family and having relationship issues with my partner I went into a downward spiral. The stress I was experiencing impacted my life dramatically. I was diagnosed with Celiac disease, may partner and I separated and from the beginning of this year I have been of work because my anxiety was impacting my ability to do my job (all normal anxiety symptoms). I describe the working environment as being toxic. Having not worked for a while and my partner and I calling time on our relationship has left me with a somewhat identity crisis. I've worked in the same industry for 20 years and was with my partner for 10. Its been tough but I'm still here. I would like at returning to work but need to be cautious, I don't want to take on to much and end up where I was. I'm meeting my old employer tomorrow to see what its like going back into the environment. Part of me would like to go back their and openly talk about my experience as I think that's what is needed to reduce the stigma but its also tough and I'm not sure how to have those conversations. I worked in a department with 200 people. For a long time I felt like I had 2 many eggs in my basket and my basket broke. My basket I refer to as being my brain. I also feel like what I went through over 3 years has impacted me Psychologically as there are some things I don't feel I can do anymore. Returning to work feels like the hard decision. I wanted to see how others have gone in returning to the workplace and what their experience was like and how they find things today. What have you learnt from it? Mental illness is tough, even harder when people distance themselves from you or have trouble in understanding what it is like. I hope the children of the future don't have to face these burdens. Thanks

Sasim New job offer anxiety
  • replies: 2

Received new job offer. Having some social anxiety.Current job is mostly emails, sometimes meetings and phone calls. New job will involve staff control, more being with and among people. Nearly accepted and feel depressed. Afraid if force myself, can... View more

Received new job offer. Having some social anxiety.Current job is mostly emails, sometimes meetings and phone calls. New job will involve staff control, more being with and among people. Nearly accepted and feel depressed. Afraid if force myself, can break down. I'm 60, stay at current calm but less paid job or change? How to build this confidence to accept and go on with success?

MisterM I am confused as to who I am or what I want to be and it is making me have bad anxiety
  • replies: 26

Hi all, I am almost 33 years old and have just begun my second year of a four year teaching degree for secondary education along with an arts degree. I often have doubts as to whether being a teacher is for me. As I am learning psychology as part of ... View more

Hi all, I am almost 33 years old and have just begun my second year of a four year teaching degree for secondary education along with an arts degree. I often have doubts as to whether being a teacher is for me. As I am learning psychology as part of my arts degree and the fact that I find it fun to learn has had me thinking about becoming a clinical psychologist or developmental psychologist but I don't like the fact that it requires years of post graduation study. I also don't know if being a psychologist would be for me. There's things about both careers that scare me and make me anxious. My true passion is music, I love writing songs, recording demos. I also like visual art. I am an arty type pretty much and not a corporate professional conforming your appearance to the profession type, I have my hair long (the thought of having to cut it short to be either a teacher or psychologist bothers me as I feel better about myself looking how I want to). I hate conforming to societal expectations especially in the workforce when it comes to appearance. I just want to be myself, an artist, doing what an artist does and dresses and wears his hair like he wants to. I have my first teaching placement soon and I am so anxious about it that I cannot focus on my homework. What's stopping me from just being a musician full time? Well lately my passion and motivation has died down, especially since I started uni last year I have been working on my craft less and less. My guitars just gather dust. The fact that I am nearly 33, no chance of making it big time in the industry. The 20s are the best time to be a star musician, not some old guy. My lack of belief and talent, to be honest I don't like my voice or my guitar skills, I am not that good but enjoy writing. People say they like my songs but I think they say that to be kind and not hurt my feelings. How will I manage my finances without a 'proper career'. The fear of my conservative family's reaction if I were to quit uni and just focus on being a musician, especially my mum who is very abusive, bad tempered, critical and ridiculing of me. I don't know what I want in life and am confused, down and suffering bad anxiety. I feel like an aimless failure that has no aspirations in life and is so scared of everything. I did exceptionally well in uni last year, high grades, GPA average of 6 and over but still I am not sure about the direction I am heading. Just wanted to vent and hope someone can give me some advice.