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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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TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsN I'm new here.... + Medication
  • replies: 18

SO... long story short, I've had a bit of a battle with Generalised Anxiety and Depression over the last few years. It took me a while to get the courage up to get to the point where I had to admit that I needed some help by way of medication. I've h... View more

SO... long story short, I've had a bit of a battle with Generalised Anxiety and Depression over the last few years. It took me a while to get the courage up to get to the point where I had to admit that I needed some help by way of medication. I've had some varying experiences with counselling etc prior, and I had some good patches after, but the cold, hard reality of GAD has come back to bite me time after time. My doc has me on medication. That's easy to manage, but I'm still coming to terms with the side effects. The first day or so, I had quite the headache. Since then, I've just been really vague, or "foggy". I can function and do what I need to do at work, at home with the family etc, but it's a conscious battle to force myself along, rather than to allow myself to procrastinate and "zombie out", so to speak. Is this kind of thing normal, and when should I expect to see some benefit? The doc told me that I'd feel a little off for 2-4 weeks while the medication "sinks in", and everyone is different I suppose. I decided to join a gym last night, so hoping that can help too. A bit of my back story... I was in a good paying job, but I really hated it. The work itself was just ok, but the management and red tape were ridiculous. I've managed to find myself a better paying job, in a slightly different field, but with a hell of a lot less stress, so that's great. On the home front, I have a 3, nearly 4, year old daughter an early-teen step-daughter. I really struggle with my step-daughter, she's really hard work. We are cut from different cloth, and the influence her father has on her means we'll probably always struggle. My youngest daughter is a daddy's girl, she's my shadow. I love her with all a father can, but yeah... she's hard work, as are all toddlers! There isn't a moment's rest when we are home together, meaning I get very little peace (which I thrive on), and I don't really have much of a sanctuary away from the home struggles. My partner and I have had an up and down relationship, especially the last 2 years. At one point, I was living out of the family home for a month, while we decided where we went from there. We are back together, and things are still up and down. When it's good, it's really good, but when it's not.... yeah, it's horrible. Anyway - any advice, ideas or otherwise are all greatly appreciated! Cheers, Nath

cheeko1001 Social anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hey im 28 and having been suffering deppression for many years. A little history about my past. During my schooling years I got bullied constantly because I was short, didnt have any teeth and throughout ths years it has had a massive effect on my li... View more

Hey im 28 and having been suffering deppression for many years. A little history about my past. During my schooling years I got bullied constantly because I was short, didnt have any teeth and throughout ths years it has had a massive effect on my life. I have got implants for my teeth so that's a plus. However due to the constant bullying I suffer from a bit of anxiety and its very hard for me to make friends. I just dont want to be hurt anymore. So basically I have isolated myself and just keep to myself. However I cant do this forever and its getting very lonely. Please help

bluewater Worried about news
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone; Always online hardly ever post I have been diagnosed with GAD as well as depression so im no stranger to worry and PTSD after two very close people passing away! I have come far with CBT therapy but I just cant handle hearing any bad new... View more

Hi everyone; Always online hardly ever post I have been diagnosed with GAD as well as depression so im no stranger to worry and PTSD after two very close people passing away! I have come far with CBT therapy but I just cant handle hearing any bad news from people I love as in family and friends obviously i do get its the generalised anxiety taking hold. As an example my Sister called to let me know my nephew was not well and going to hospital and I immediately came close to panic and when i hung up the phone needed medication its like im waiting for my next big trauma and worry about my health should it ever happen again. I dont know if I could handle it again.

sapphirerain Having a lot of trouble sleeping
  • replies: 3

Hey guys, This is my first post here. I've been dealing with anxiety for about four years now, though I currently see a great therapist every few weeks who helps me. I also take medication when I feel I need it, which has been an absolute life saver ... View more

Hey guys, This is my first post here. I've been dealing with anxiety for about four years now, though I currently see a great therapist every few weeks who helps me. I also take medication when I feel I need it, which has been an absolute life saver for me. Over the past few weeks, however, my sleep has been poor. It takes me ages to fall asleep and I often wake up far too early without an alarm (4:30, 5, 6AM etc). Even if I go to bed late, I'll still wake up extremely early. This has been making me feel tired, irritated and sluggish during the day. When I go to bed, I feel like my thoughts are racing and rushing around in my mind and I toss and turn. I think about everything from the past, the present and future. I do try to breathe deeply and I even try to meditate, but nothing works. A few things have been on my mind, I guess. The first is that I begin a new job next week. I'll be with the same company I've been with for several years, but I'm getting re-located and will be at a new store with a different team of people. I have the exact same job, but I'll have to interact and get to know many new people. It was a hard decision to make the move, but my heart tells me it was the best choice, as the new store is five minutes from my house (as opposed to 45-50 minutes in heavy traffic). Secondly, I've been holding in my feelings for someone I've liked for a very long time. Her and I have worked together for several years (at the company above) and are of similar age, but because she was my manager I couldn't express my feelings. Though, we've recently been out together a few times - to lunch, and the movies (which has gone very well). I should mention we're both gay. Something tells me she might feel the same way, though I'm not 100% sure. As I've just left the store, we won't be working together anymore, meaning that I suppose I can now tell her I like her. I don't know why this is causing me so much worry or why I can't stop thinking about it. I guess part of me is a little afraid it won't work out. Anyway, thank you for reading. If anyone has any advice on how to reduce worrying before bed and improve sleep, it would be greatly appreciated. I'll be sure to bring it up with my therapist in our next session.

plippy Looking for tips on 'calming my farm'
  • replies: 2

Hi, I need help. I am too highly strung at the moment and am looking for tips on how to relax and not let things get to me. i swear i never used to be like this and lately feel that i'm getting worse. I just want to go back to the care free person I ... View more

Hi, I need help. I am too highly strung at the moment and am looking for tips on how to relax and not let things get to me. i swear i never used to be like this and lately feel that i'm getting worse. I just want to go back to the care free person I used to be. I have a great partner, a supportive family and close friends that i can talk to about anything, i am very lucky in life and logical me understands this and swears she is going to let go and just enjoy life, but a day or two later irrational me appears and starts to worry about everything and feels that my world will implode if.... (the dishes aren't done, or the dog isn't walked at this exact instance...trust me i know this is irrational, i just don't know how to shut it off) which in turn creates stress and tension between myself and my bf. i know this is going to be an ongoing battle but any tips or advise you can give to get me started would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Sunflowerrs Had a panic attack in a supermarket:(
  • replies: 18

I just thought I'd write here, its helps. I went to the supermarket today, I'm low on food. and had to leave the basket of food and run out of there. I normally try to stick around and let the feelings pass, but its been a hard day so it was intense.... View more

I just thought I'd write here, its helps. I went to the supermarket today, I'm low on food. and had to leave the basket of food and run out of there. I normally try to stick around and let the feelings pass, but its been a hard day so it was intense.. It just sucks because I really need some food right now. Also I thought I was doing really well, I haven't gotten to that point of panic in ages. and to know its still there sucks so much.

Chick1 Dealing with anxiety: Issues with work and stress
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, This is my first time posting and being a part of Beyond Blue online. Over the years I have suffered from a lot of anxiety and OCD type traits. It's been really difficult for me to deal with my own behaviour, which I know myself is not a... View more

Hi everyone, This is my first time posting and being a part of Beyond Blue online. Over the years I have suffered from a lot of anxiety and OCD type traits. It's been really difficult for me to deal with my own behaviour, which I know myself is not a rational way to behave. I have problems with needing to constantly move things, not in any particular way just needing to move everything that I notice has been touched by someone else- this mainly is only inside my home as I can control it in my work environment. The problem has been a lot worse lately. I am working for a company that is high pressure and i have been at this role for almost 8 months. I am yelled at constantly, but not just told off they scream at me in front of the other staff members, tell me I am hopeless and swear. I am constantly blamed for things that aren't even my fault. I thought that i was coping with the yelling, as I could go home and continue to work ignoring the problems, I don't even cry about it anymore. Although, I have noticed that there are physical effects from this that is contributing to my anxiety and my behaviour. I have been sleeping for hours on end, I go to bed at 9pm and sleep through until 7:30am- I have to leave the house at 8am for work and I use to walk my dogs every morning but I find that I cannot get myself out of bed anymore until I am almost running late every day. At times, I have been so stressed about going to work, that i have had issues with being sick. They offered me a full time job, but i could not afford the pay cut. They removed the offer and advertised for my replacement, who I will be training. I have not been told that I will be loosing my job, at this stage they have said that they are a back up in case I want time off- but I know this is not the case. I thought that i was okay and coping, but everything seems to be not only effecting me but it is having terrible consequences on my fiancé, who does not deserve to go through it. My fiancé has told me that I am nasty at the moment, that I keep talking about my job and making niggly comments to him about everything. Everything is annoying me but I don't seem to realise. In my sleep, I continually push my partner off of me, I won't let him near me but I don't know it is just sub consciously happening. On top of this, I cannot control my need to move things anymore- I know i need to see someone about this to but i guess that i dont want to admit to myself that i have an issue.

Plutonicmermaid Brand new to beyondblue and freaking out! (anxiety and depression)
  • replies: 3

Hi, I'm new here this is my first post on a site like this ever. Im feeling very nervous all the time, little things will just set me off and I would loose control of my emotions whether it be crying or yelling and slamming doors. In my head, I knew ... View more

Hi, I'm new here this is my first post on a site like this ever. Im feeling very nervous all the time, little things will just set me off and I would loose control of my emotions whether it be crying or yelling and slamming doors. In my head, I knew I was overreacting but I just couldn't control how I felt. My doctor put me on some anti-depressants and they seemed to be working and then when I started a new job I just lost control again. I would get up at 4.30am to head to work for 5 am. On my trip to work, I would have to stop my car and be sick on the side of the road everyday. Even when I would get to work I would have to stop several times to sit or be sick. Sometimes I would get so bad I would faint. I was the only one at work until 7 am. Then I would have to go back at 2 pm in the afternoons to clean until 6 pm. It was really hard to try to hide my feelings and panic when there were other people there. Some people think I was being rude and ignoring them but in actual fact, I was trying to get away from them as fast as I could and hide somewhere to get my breath back and try to calm down. I had no idea why I felt that way I just felt like I was going to die or I was going to fail. It's hard to explain. Anyway, any job I get I always feel like this and I have to make sure I do everything perfect. I don't want to stuff anything up or get in trouble and when I do I usually dwell on it. This latest job has been the worst I have ever been. Its hard to find work in a small town that I currently live in and when I feel like this it makes me mad at myself because I'm not afraid of hard work it's just the people or the atmosphere I have issues with. I work hard when I have too and am not afraid to get a job done. I have to go to my counsellor on Wednesday and I can't stop worrying about it. I find it hard to explain how I feel and what's going on in my mind. I am worried my doctor and counsellor think I am making this all up and same with my family. When my mum goes grocery shopping I sit in the hot car for about an hour and just sit there. When I do go into the shops Its usually early in the morning at like 7.30 because no one is around then and I can just get what I need and leave. I don't go out to parties or social events. I don't know I'm just really confused and mad and scared that I may never feel or be normal. Does anyone else feel similar or am I the only one? P.S. Sorry for the novel

TheBigSpecialPig Hi? I'm new-ish?
  • replies: 2

Hi? I'm kinda new to bb and umm i'm 13 and I've been Diagnosed with anxiety for 2 years. (sorry if I say lol, it's a coping mechanism) and my parents... they either are too apethetic or lazy to do anything about my diagnosis so here I am. Ok I can't ... View more

Hi? I'm kinda new to bb and umm i'm 13 and I've been Diagnosed with anxiety for 2 years. (sorry if I say lol, it's a coping mechanism) and my parents... they either are too apethetic or lazy to do anything about my diagnosis so here I am. Ok I can't write anymore.

azarrah Today's successes
  • replies: 7

Do we have a thread for this? Apologies if we do. I thought it would be nice to have a place where we can share our the successes of the day. They can be little steps forward or an enormous stride; we'll celebrate them all! Even if you think today ha... View more

Do we have a thread for this? Apologies if we do. I thought it would be nice to have a place where we can share our the successes of the day. They can be little steps forward or an enormous stride; we'll celebrate them all! Even if you think today has been terrible, something good has happened, no matter how small. They can be anxiety-related, school- or work-related, anything you like! Post as little or as much as you'd like. Let's support each other I'll start: Yesterday, I was panicking about an exam, in tears because I couldn't sleep and I thought all of my hard studying would go to waste as a result of my own brain's inability to calm down. Today, I kept a level head when writing the paper, and I think I did relatively well! I also overcame my intense fear of backwards skills in gymnastics, by doing my first ever back hip circle on the bars. Very exciting for me - it has been two years in the making. Now to perfect it, with more confidence and without a spot... What did you achieve today?