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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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Guest_554 New here....
  • replies: 19

Hi all. I have had anxiety for about 10 months. The worst feelings can happen, pressure feeling in the head, ringing ears, lightheadedness, skipped heart beats, tingling toes and fingers, sore shoulder blades... the list goes on. I am getting better,... View more

Hi all. I have had anxiety for about 10 months. The worst feelings can happen, pressure feeling in the head, ringing ears, lightheadedness, skipped heart beats, tingling toes and fingers, sore shoulder blades... the list goes on. I am getting better, self help. Massage, accupuncture, deep breathing exercises. I mostly notice I am worse of an afternoon whilst I kitchen.... anyone else have similar sensations? B.

biddles Extreme anxiety
  • replies: 5

At the moment I am feeling a lot of anxiety it feels like I am loosing my mind this really scares me. Has anybody felt this will it pass?

At the moment I am feeling a lot of anxiety it feels like I am loosing my mind this really scares me. Has anybody felt this will it pass?

AKay_ Struggling with generalised anxiety
  • replies: 3

I am really struggling with my generalised anxiety at the moment. I've always had anxiety and managed it on and off with AD and meditation/yoga, sometimes better than others. After my daughter was born 10mths ago, I suffered PND. I actually think I h... View more

I am really struggling with my generalised anxiety at the moment. I've always had anxiety and managed it on and off with AD and meditation/yoga, sometimes better than others. After my daughter was born 10mths ago, I suffered PND. I actually think I had depression during pregnancy also-I did not enjoy it at all and felt very disconnected to my baby. I have a very supportive husband and some family, however they all work full time. The rest of my entire family live 11 hrs away interstate. My Mum who I was extremely close to passed away 5 years ago. She would have been my 'support network'. I have slowly noticed my anxiety getting worse and worse over the past few months. We have moved house which I found extremely unsettling and difficult, a friend passed away from cancer, my daughter started childcare (I decided to put off returning to work for some months so I could try look after myself better as I feel like I never get a break). Over the past 2 months, a relative has also died and my daughter and husband had gastro and a cold over the period of a month. Because of this, my worries and anxiety have gone through the roof. My stomach is so upset and I have been vomiting over a couple of days - I thought I had gastro but I've realised now it's like I've had terrible anxiety. I've tried meditating but it just sends my breathing and stomach into a spin. I worry about anything and everything. Today I worried about whether I did have gastro and would make the rest of my family sick. Then I panicked about what I'd do if that happened as I don't have any support to come help. Then my husband went out with my daughter and was gone a lot longer than expected. I couldn't get onto him so I panicked they'd been in a car accident. The same happened when he went out tonight and was gone for longer than expected. I am also terribly paranoid of getting an upset stomach again - it's a vicious cycle!! I've never quite been this bad - panicing about completely irrational things. I'm on an AD due to my PND and going to try make an appt with the Dr this week as well as my psychologist. I don't know what else I can do for myself in the meantime

SG1993 Work causing Anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi, my first post here and looking to seek some assistance. I am quite concerned with the possibility of developing some kind of Anxiety and/or Depression disorder due to my job and based on how it has been affecting my well-being and quality of life... View more

Hi, my first post here and looking to seek some assistance. I am quite concerned with the possibility of developing some kind of Anxiety and/or Depression disorder due to my job and based on how it has been affecting my well-being and quality of life. I've been employed in a Government job the last two years. Starting this job I was quite happy and keen seeing that it has been my dream job, however this all soon changed. A few months into my job, I went through some issues with a now ex-spouse which was quite distressing for me involving legal action etc. I sought help and advice from my workplace to be moved closer to home in a bid to deal with these issues, with my workplace not allowing me to move closer to home and being un-supportive.. To cut a long story short, in this time in my work place I have been bullied and have been branded a "trouble maker" by senior colleagues for speaking up about certain issues, which had at the time resulted in me becoming quite nervous and even anxious before going to work. Before work I would get heart flutters, some mild feelings of sickness in my stomach and just emotional detachment to loved ones at times when I would know that I would be going back to work. I still experience these to this day - however prior to this I have been fine with nil symptoms, and am normally a happy and out-going person. Outside of work I do enjoy life and I feel I have zero anxiety or depression symptoms. Outside of work I am able to enjoy time with my spouse, family and friends and keep quite active, however whenever it comes to my current job I seem to just "break down" and feel anxious before and during shifts, missing my spouse and also thinking about other occupations. I'm looking for advice on what to do here, as whenever I am going back to work or at work I seem to have a roller coaster of emotions and feelings which I find extremely draining and even negatively impacting my work performance. My biggest concern is developing a disorder of some sort, as these ups and downs are quite large for me. I've been using sick leave at times because sometimes I just cannot front up to work, where-as in the past and in previous occupations I would never do this due to job satisfaction. I dream about work nearly every night, and taking holiday's for weeks to even a month hasn't seemed to alleviate the problem going back to work. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks.

RedRose123 Can I be forced to work more hours at my job then I'm contracted to?
  • replies: 2

I'm not sure if anyone here would know but I need some advice...Due to my anxiety (and depression) I work permanent part-time 4 hour shifts, 4 days a week. I feel like I have quite enough hours as it is. Some times it feels like way too much as it is... View more

I'm not sure if anyone here would know but I need some advice...Due to my anxiety (and depression) I work permanent part-time 4 hour shifts, 4 days a week. I feel like I have quite enough hours as it is. Some times it feels like way too much as it is. I've really been struggling. On Friday my boss mentioned that she needs me to work more hours. Due to what was going on at the time we couldn't really discuss it. It was just said in passing. But I want to find out my rights before we do. I want to say no. I'm honestly already at my breaking point. I do not want more hours. Can I be forced to work more then I'm contracted to on a regular bases. (My boss does know about my anxiety and depression which is why I work part time in the first place). It's not that I want to make things difficult for her. I'm just trying to look after myself. As far as I can tell from reseching the law she can't. I feel so stressed now. I don't want my boss mad. But I'm already sick enough. Please help.

azarrah Panicked beyond exhaustion by health anxiety
  • replies: 12

Hey all, so I know health anxiety is a common trend here. I suffer from it also, so I always try to offer my support to other people who are going through the same thing. But now, I could really use some reassurance of my own... Basically, a few days... View more

Hey all, so I know health anxiety is a common trend here. I suffer from it also, so I always try to offer my support to other people who are going through the same thing. But now, I could really use some reassurance of my own... Basically, a few days ago, I found this mole underneath my chin. It's new, it's large, it's dark, it's different, and it's slightly irregular. You can see the problem immediately, I'm sure. I think it came from a pimple, but whatever it used to be, it's a dodgy-looking mole now. I did what you shouldn't do: I turned to Dr. Google for help, which naturally told me I had melanoma and should go to a doctor right away because melanoma can kill you within 6 weeks. Joy. Normally, I ignore that stuff. The problem is, this thing actually does look rather like a melanoma, and it is new, and it has come in very quickly. It fulfils most of the "warning signs". It would honestly be stupid not to get the thing checked. By a complete coincidence, I have a surgeon's appointment to get another mole removed - for purely cosmetic reasons - in two weeks. I don't think I can wait that long. Is it even wise to wait that long? I'm going to explode with dread! I was kind of okay with it until tonight, when an article I was reading said two terrifying things: if the (potential) melanoma is raised already, and if little black dots can be seen in it, you're in trouble. Well, my mole friend has both of those things. This cold panic just washed over me. To reiterate, I know it's unlikely. But it's not impossible. That's the problem. I just can't stand the thought that this mole might, possibly, be growing and doing evil things while I live a normal life. I can't stomach it. I want to throw up, I'm so scared. I guess this is partly health anxiety, and partly legitimate fear. I know the likelihood of my mole being a melanoma is very slim, but the possibility is there, and it does fulfil the criteria. How do you guys deal with such panic, in the meantime? Meditation doesn't work for me, unfortunately.

Kaelon Health anxiety brain tumor (25)
  • replies: 8

Does anyone else here suffer from health anxiety?I thought I had left it in my past after suffering debilitating month long anxiety attacks about having ALS, HIV, some sort of bird flu and a few others.And at the moment I feel utterly convinced I hav... View more

Does anyone else here suffer from health anxiety?I thought I had left it in my past after suffering debilitating month long anxiety attacks about having ALS, HIV, some sort of bird flu and a few others.And at the moment I feel utterly convinced I have a brain tumour. My symptoms are as follows: - trouble recalling the right word or name of a colleague - constant brain fog and headaches (seven weeks going now) headaches are relieved with ibuprofen - occasional ringing in my ears - constant post nasal drip down the back of my throats despite no blocked noseI've been to a doctor who gave me numerous cognitive and neurological tests. All of which I passed perfect. He's booked me in for a blood test and an MRI. However due to the holiday season I'm unable to get these tests done for a week and a bit.All I can do is sit in my room and obsessively read threads of brain tumour stories and initial symptoms having a mild panic attack every time I find one that matches my symptoms.Has anyone else suffered from this and can you offer any advice?

kned Anxiety and work
  • replies: 9

I'm due back at work soon, after a year off with my second baby. I have a history of Anxiety and social anxiety and the past year I've felt the best I have in ages! I guess I didn't have the stress of work, I was busy focusing on my kids and feeling ... View more

I'm due back at work soon, after a year off with my second baby. I have a history of Anxiety and social anxiety and the past year I've felt the best I have in ages! I guess I didn't have the stress of work, I was busy focusing on my kids and feeling comfortable in my own abilities. I have been looking forward to my return to work. I've missed my workplace and the clients I work with. I was excited until yesterday where I had a meeting with my boss. My boss has told me I'll be returning to a different role. At first I was flattered that they want me to do this role. But once it sunk in, I started to panic. Im so upset that I can't do what I was doing previously. The role is similar but I'll be moved from my office (and the colleagues I know) to working on my own, from a hot desk in a busy office. The role involves lots of approaching people... Something that I don't feel comfortable doing at all with my social anxiety. I've been feeling anxious enough about returning to work, and now this on top has caused me to completely panic. I rarely slept last night and feel so sick today. I could talk to my boss but what can I say? That I have Anxiety about this new role? That I want my old role back but know this is being filled by someone else already? I'd look weak and really being socially anxious is not something I see them accepting. I'm at the point where I want to quit, which is extreme. We cannot afford for me to quit. I do like employer and I want to work . I just don't want the new role they propose. I also don't want to be anxious all the time, that will then affect my husband and children. I get distracted, irritable, panic.about irrational things (kids getting sick or harmed, losing my husband etc) when my anxiety is bad. I want to be relaxed and calm like how I have been. I can't see a way around this. I also don't want to have to see a psychologist just to be able to function at my job. I'm not sure what advice people can give but I need to write this down, possibly to those who understand how I'm feeling. I don't know what to do..

Acnalb New here
  • replies: 4

Hello i am new here. I really dont know what to say. But all i can say is, i am really confused and scared of my anxiety.

Hello i am new here. I really dont know what to say. But all i can say is, i am really confused and scared of my anxiety.

Panicker I have travel anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hello my names Nathan I'm from the uk but I'm traveling around Australia I have OCD, anxiety and depression do this makes things ten times harder I've been living in hostels for 3 months now and the noise and the people are really starting to piss me... View more

Hello my names Nathan I'm from the uk but I'm traveling around Australia I have OCD, anxiety and depression do this makes things ten times harder I've been living in hostels for 3 months now and the noise and the people are really starting to piss me off now, there's noise everywhere you try and sleep there's someone snoring or someone talking loudly on the phone being obnoxious laughing loudly, we have a film room but there's still rude idiots who talk through the film and there's music blaring out people being idiots making stupid noises outside showing off, I can't even go to room watch something as the wifi doesn't work. Sorry to go on I'm going on a trip around Australia in a few days with an organised group I'm scared that their all gonna be a bunch of morons I've had bad experiences before in Tasmania where this girl I was attracted too treated me like crap she gave me such vulgar looks we were at wineglass bay in Tasmania beautiful place I honestly felt horrible I was so anxious crying all the time not one person asked if I was ok, I'm really sorry to go on I just really don't want this to happen again I want to travel that's my life life goal don't want anyone to spoil it for me I'm worried if it happens again I'm gonna really lose my temper and hurt that person please help me I need a support group to help me I don't wanna feel like I'm the only one thanks Nathan