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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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JayHawk Looking For Support For Bad Anxiety - Home Alone
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone I'm in my early twenties and I live in country Australia. I have bad anxiety and for the first time my parents are going away without me and I'm going to be home alone for 3 days. I'm really, really anxious and I'm looking for a place whe... View more

Hi everyone I'm in my early twenties and I live in country Australia. I have bad anxiety and for the first time my parents are going away without me and I'm going to be home alone for 3 days. I'm really, really anxious and I'm looking for a place where I can connect with peers and find some support and some people to talk to in order to get me through. Suggestions for how to get through, strategies, company and support are what I'd really like over the next three days. Looking forward to hopefully connecting with some of you.

Chris_B Anxiety after night out drinking?
  • replies: 11

Anyone who’s experienced a night out drinking is familiar with the hangover – the fuzzy head, the crook stomach, the desire to sleep long into the next century. But did you know that it can also be quite common to feel a bout of anxiety after a night... View more

Anyone who’s experienced a night out drinking is familiar with the hangover – the fuzzy head, the crook stomach, the desire to sleep long into the next century. But did you know that it can also be quite common to feel a bout of anxiety after a night out drinking, particularly if you are already prone to feeling anxious or experiencing panic attacks? The anxiety can be triggered as your body works to remove alcohol from your system, with blood sugar levels dropping. Yes, that same chemical reaction that causes you to crave a Macca’s run at 2am can also affect your mood. Some antidepressant medications also interact with alcohol to increase ‘rebound’ symptoms of anxiety. Once that anxiety starts to kick in, your brain can go into overdrive. You start thinking (and overthinking) your actions from the night before. The anxiety-fuelled hangover is so common it has even coined the slang terms “hangover anxiety” and “boozanoia” in recent years, so if you’re reading this thread after a night out with a stomach tied up in knots, then please know you’re not alone. Here’s three things you can do about it: 1. Be kind to your mind when hung over – You know that the headache will fade and the stomach will settle, the anxious feelings will also subside. Remember, they’re part of the hangover too. Draw on thought-challenging, mindfulness or distraction techniques as you need to: think of them as bacon and eggs for the brain! 2. Get a good night’s sleep – You’ve probably been out late the night before, and even if you slept in when you got home, alcohol disrupts sleep so it won’t have been quality rest. Try to get yourself an early night and allow your body and brain some time to recover. 3. Drink moderately and know your limits next time – Abstaining from alcohol altogether isn’t always a realistic option, but you can learn from your hangover experiences and limit your drinking in future. Slow down a bit, substitute a soft drink in between rounds, set a limit and keep track of how much you’ve had. And don't forget to eat first! If you’re wanting support around limiting or abstaining from alcohol, then please also join our Battling The Booze thread. Have you ever experienced ‘hangover anxiety’? Did you try any of the tips above? Do you have any tips of your own? Please share your stories and thoughts in the thread below. UPDATE 5/9/19: Check out this new Beyond Blue article on hangover anxiety by award-winning journalist and author Jill Stark.

Thehermit Drowning in worry and stress and struggling to keep head above water
  • replies: 4

I am a 31 year old male who is slwsys confused and always worried about who I am and what I am doing with my life. I feel there is no one aspect in my life in which things are going well and and am constantly worried and anxious about it all. At face... View more

I am a 31 year old male who is slwsys confused and always worried about who I am and what I am doing with my life. I feel there is no one aspect in my life in which things are going well and and am constantly worried and anxious about it all. At face value I have a good job but everyday I struggle to get up and go to work and I try to come up with reasons why I shouldn't. . I feel Iike a joke and I that don't deserve to be there and its only a matter of time before I am found out and kicked out. This scares me even more as the be eldest of the family. I feel there is always pressure to do well. My relationship with my siblings is average at best, I don't talk to my sister and I exist with my bro in the same house. I feel so much like a failure that I avoid speaking to my parents who have sacrificed so much for me. I destroyed a good relationship out of indecision and doubt and now am always worried bout whether I am worthy of anything like that again. I am blessed with wonderful friends who are all gifted and doing well. I am really happy for them.....but I feel so inferior in contrast to them. I feel like I have become such a burden that I keep to myself....all of which adds to my loneliness. All of the stuff I used to enjoy just seems like to much effort now and I really don't pursue those interest as much as I used to. In order to cope I find I have begun to pick up bad habits which make me feel like even more of an imposter as I try to keep them secret. I drink alone more, I spend my free time in bed and indulge in other things that I prefer not to discuss but make me feel like even less of the guy I want to be. I feel like all of this is really beginning to take it's toll, I have gained like 20kg, I have been diagnosed with seriously high blood pressure and am currently being tested for other health issues.........I feel like I am drowning in worry and it's only a matter of time before I can't keep my head above it all..

miltiaink Feeling insecure about my body. How do I stop comparing myself to other people?
  • replies: 2

Hi, so as the title says, I can't help but pick apart how I look. I absolutely hate the fact that I do this. It's unproductive, and it makes me feel so shallow and unworthy. I find it embarrassing to talk to people, particularly on how I try to 'fix'... View more

Hi, so as the title says, I can't help but pick apart how I look. I absolutely hate the fact that I do this. It's unproductive, and it makes me feel so shallow and unworthy. I find it embarrassing to talk to people, particularly on how I try to 'fix' this. I often surf the internet to try make myself feel comfortable with my body, but it just ends up making things worse, as I compare to others. Then it becomes this endless loop, one that just drains me. Consciously, I know that it's not very important but my subconscious says otherwise. I feel trapped and weak, always wanting to be perfect. I really do want it to stop, and move forward with my life. Does anyone have any advice for me?

SKat work, food, anxiety and struggling to adult
  • replies: 4

HI guys. So as of late I feel like I am struggling a bit more than usual. I was diagnosed with GAD around 2 years ago and am on regular medication. I think I have had it all my life, since childhood as looking back I can now see what the signs were (... View more

HI guys. So as of late I feel like I am struggling a bit more than usual. I was diagnosed with GAD around 2 years ago and am on regular medication. I think I have had it all my life, since childhood as looking back I can now see what the signs were (trouble with sleep, concentration, feeling like I always needed to go pee, and just being a worry wart). So at the moment I am struggling at work. I am not as busy as promised and am not getting many hours. I was promised more but at the moment I feel like they are using me. I can not pay rent with my pay and I have been using my savings (before you ask it is legal as I am a contractor you get paid per job so if someone cancels then you won't get money). It is kinda a graduate job and my first post uni 'career job'. I am super stressed over it and I feel like a failure as an adult. I am kinda feeling like if this is the struggle I have to go through for this job then maybe I should quit and find another one. This job is a great opportunity in theory but practically it hasn't turned out that way. I do like what I do but it isn't sustainable, and I feel like they are trying to help me get more work but either it isn't must effort or it isn't working. I also only get a percentage, so they take majority, I would have thought they would do more to help me get more work. I have only been in it 3 months. I just struggle to get out of bed in the morning not having regular work and income. You can't do much if you don't have money to do things. I am in my late 20s I should be saving for a house or big holiday but I am not wanting to spend more than $10 dinner. I am also having cravings to eat lots of junk food. Like binge and get rid of it by either purging, exercising or spitting or combination of those. I have acted on it in the past and I got really into it doing it a few times a week. I am trying not to do it but with the stress and intrusive thoughts coming back stronger it makes it harder to resist. It is kinda like a release I guess. But I don't want to get sucked back into it. I don't want the side effects and constant thoughts about it and hiding it. Another struggle is I am on a mental health plan but as it still costs me money to see the psych, soI haven't gone in a few months. I did get my tax return and could go again but I'm worried it won't be worth it and I could spend the money better elsewhere. I am struggling financially Thanks for reading about my struggle and letting me vent.

nessie_lou Life stress or medication
  • replies: 4

Hi guys. I've have suffered from anxiety and depression on and off for 18 years. I have over the course of that time been on 2 different medications. The one I am on currently I have been so for 12ish years and have been managing. My anxiety issues a... View more

Hi guys. I've have suffered from anxiety and depression on and off for 18 years. I have over the course of that time been on 2 different medications. The one I am on currently I have been so for 12ish years and have been managing. My anxiety issues are usually around death, travelling and health. In the last 16 months my anxiety has been more prevalent... the last 16 months I have had the following happen...dog had to be put down, father was diagnosed with cancer, father in law passed away, sister in law passed away, my grandma was diagnosed with rapid dementia in june, had a fall broke her hip and is now in a home. So here is my question... would this stuff be the reason my anxiety is giving me grief or could my medication not be working anymore.

ci Failing! ! ! ! !
  • replies: 5

Haven't posted on here for so long but I'm trying to fight of a panic attack and I need to vent I'm sorry just need to get my frustration out. My head is spinning I feel like such failure how is this my life how is this me! I have ocd and been going ... View more

Haven't posted on here for so long but I'm trying to fight of a panic attack and I need to vent I'm sorry just need to get my frustration out. My head is spinning I feel like such failure how is this my life how is this me! I have ocd and been going so well made big improvement and quality of life so much better. But bang here I am in the dark hiding from my kids cause I can't breath the world is spinning and I can't speak with out bursting into tears. I tried to have a normal life I tried step up study to get qualified at something so I could contribute more to my family instead of feeling like a burden. But I'm failing at that too. Was diagnosed with fibromyalgia also last year and it feels like a cruel joke if it's not my brain torturing me it's my body giving me pain and making it almost impossible to walk. Today it's just reached breaking point everything feels to much! I just need to hide and switch off from the world but I can't I have to smile and show my kids and husband all is ok get them what they need and make sure they happy all while inside I feel like I'm imploding like at any point my frustration and disappointment will explode out of me and I will loose myself.

T4 panic attack or not
  • replies: 2

HI everyone I'm very worried about this i usually have panic attack which was minor and recovered quickly but 3 days ago I was in class all a sudden my ear started ring, heat surging in my chest I felt like I was about to collapse I quickly ran out a... View more

HI everyone I'm very worried about this i usually have panic attack which was minor and recovered quickly but 3 days ago I was in class all a sudden my ear started ring, heat surging in my chest I felt like I was about to collapse I quickly ran out and since that day on I constantly have that feeling I would just sit there I start hearing a ringing, loss sensation of body with chest pain and heat surges It last for a few seconds but comes on a lot in the day and I very frightening I so afraid to go out now because of this. Thanks in advance

_AnxiousMess_ Please Help...
  • replies: 6

I am really struggling with anxiety at the moment. The physical symptoms are starting to get the better of me. I feel like there is a constant knot in my stomach I'm dizzy spacey and just can't stop crying. But when I am at work I am focussed as long... View more

I am really struggling with anxiety at the moment. The physical symptoms are starting to get the better of me. I feel like there is a constant knot in my stomach I'm dizzy spacey and just can't stop crying. But when I am at work I am focussed as long as I keep my mind active I'm fine. Soon as I leave work I'm a mess. I have my first psychologist appointment on 28th of this month but I'm scared I will go crazy before then!!! Please help with any coping strategies you have to help me through... I would be forever grateful

dudu87 INTRUSIVE THOUGHTS.. MAY I GET INSIGHTS PLEASE?
  • replies: 14

I have these intrusive thoughts, I didn't even know my problem had a name for it. But I read about "intrusive thoughts" and I can absolutely relate to it. I have intrusive thoughts of becoming gay. I have nothing against gay people, I have many frien... View more

I have these intrusive thoughts, I didn't even know my problem had a name for it. But I read about "intrusive thoughts" and I can absolutely relate to it. I have intrusive thoughts of becoming gay. I have nothing against gay people, I have many friends who are.. And I'm not saying there is anything wrong with it.. I just get afraid I may become it, that's all.. It all started in one of my old jobs, a few years back when a lesbian took over as 2IC and then after a few weeks working with her on a morning driving to work (I remember as if it were yesterday) a thought popped up, it was related to what if I was gay?" and that's how it had started.. I even remember what intersection I was on when this all took place.. Light was red, and I was waiting to turn right onto the FWY.. Before this, I had never not once feared that I would turn gay. I was so happy with who I was, and what I had achieved (as I had anxiety before this job.. I had feared and convinced myself I was going blind.. but that's past now..) I get paranoid that I may walk gay, talk gay, how I sound when I'm speaking to someone, try to act more manly even when I get a hair cut.... =/ I know, I'm VERY aware how silly this is.. I only get sexually aroused by woman. I see myself with woman. I see myself with a kid. It's what I always wanted since the age of 16.. I have no sexual fantasy on men at all.. I do however know when a man is good looking/handsome.. And this to be honest scares me, as I made myself believe that a straight man can not determine whether or not other men are good looking.. I get scared to speak to my psychologist about this as I fear he will straight out label me as gay, and I'm the type of person (with my anxiety) to believe stuff, and make me worse then I already am.. Deep down I know I'm straight, I just can't help but feel this uncertainty So my questions are: Do straight men know when another man is attractive? What exactly does in the "closet" mean? Are they afraid of what society will think, or are they afraid to be gay because they want to be straight? (I know this looks like a stupid question. And I'm sorry if I look to be ignorant, its just with this intrusive thoughts, these weird questions pop in, and remain unanswered..) Again, please don't take me the wrong way, I help people as much as I can, I love gay people, I respect them, and they make awesome friends. It's just me and this fear, and I really want to get through this and get better.. Thank you all. Thank you