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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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humbleb My journey with ... anxiety?
  • replies: 11

Hi everybody.. i just joined here today. I am hoping to find some understanding from people who also suffer and... is this really just from stress? Anxiety? Mental and nervous system? i have had anxiety for 8 years.. moved to big city and had series ... View more

Hi everybody.. i just joined here today. I am hoping to find some understanding from people who also suffer and... is this really just from stress? Anxiety? Mental and nervous system? i have had anxiety for 8 years.. moved to big city and had series of panic attacks every year or 2. In the beginning it was confusing but came to understand that it was anxiety/panic disorder. Symptoms were as normal.. beating heart, intense fear, can't breathe, chest pains. each series of attacks were different with symptoms varying. Now this is where I'm very confused now. In November I had my series of attacks again. Was not heart or pains so much but, a full rush of blood or adrenaline shooting around my body.. mainly arms/chest area. And then panic. Even felt this hard hitting dizziness like bang hit my head and a nearly fall down.. this time I've gone 'right' it's time to fix this once and for all, I can't go on like this. So I quick my 2 jobs and got on a hopeful path.. ( also 4 to 5 years prior were very stressful and have had a lot of worry) i contacted beyond blue who put me in touch with nsw mental health who referred me to an anxiety clinic. I could not get in for assessment for 2 months so I had a waiting period. In the meantime my gp put me on medication, during this period I had symptoms of panic and the blood rush/adrenalin feeling. Also noticeable was my ability to focus, memory loss, was really poor. Became more emotional. At times when it was bad it was hard to talk and I would be very slow. at the assessment I answered questions with my most recent symptoms and after 10 minutes I was declined treatment there. He said I don't suffer from anxiety. So I've left there really lost and confused and have been getting scans, blood tests, mri's trying to find myself. I'm now started seeing a psychologist. What I'd like is some understanding of my current symptoms and why I feel like I'm deteriorating.. i stopped the medication about a month ago... I always now feel very vague, like it's not real, reality is not as clear.. getting much less clear in my head, very strange feeling. Every 2 weeks this feeling intensifies and hits me suddenly and lasts for a few days with heavy head, very fatigued, I 'have to' sleep as it's the only way to stop it. All day. Some nerve pinches and pains. I've always had ringing in my years but it's quite strong consistently now. I wish write more.. so scared. Yesterday sitting quiet at cafe, then bang hits me so quick and have to home.

Dairymilk88 Constant crying/teariness
  • replies: 5

The past six months or so, I have noticed a big increase in my crying or teariness. I used to be the kind of person who barely let things upset them. Now I am constantly on the verge of tears if I get overwhelmed with something, and cry in privacy mo... View more

The past six months or so, I have noticed a big increase in my crying or teariness. I used to be the kind of person who barely let things upset them. Now I am constantly on the verge of tears if I get overwhelmed with something, and cry in privacy most days of the week... sometimes multiple times a day. I just don't feel like myself lately. I have just entered into a new relationship (he is nothing but brilliant and supportive) and started working full time in the last 12 months after graduating uni (also having doubts about my chosen career) I've never felt like this before. Needing some guidance on what this could be or what to do next.

TraceyTreacle Blank just blank
  • replies: 2

When anxiety has gotten the best of you - you get up you fall down you get up. I am so exhausted physically and emotionally that deciding whether to shower or not is an issue......... I feel blank and heavy

When anxiety has gotten the best of you - you get up you fall down you get up. I am so exhausted physically and emotionally that deciding whether to shower or not is an issue......... I feel blank and heavy

Lunasgirl Sick of anxiety symptoms
  • replies: 7

It seems like I get all sorts of anxiety symptoms which lead me to being really anxious that something is wrong with me. I'll just get used to one symptom and convince myself that it's just anxiety and then it goes away but then a new one just pops u... View more

It seems like I get all sorts of anxiety symptoms which lead me to being really anxious that something is wrong with me. I'll just get used to one symptom and convince myself that it's just anxiety and then it goes away but then a new one just pops up in its place and I have to start all over again with being anxious about it until I can convince myself that it's just anxiety again and calm down. Does anyone else get this?

FionaMac Anxiety is winning
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone. 22 years after being diagnosed with acute anxiety syndrome I hit the wall last night. I got to the point where I had to ring Lifeline - never even considered it before. The person I talked to was fantastic and stayed with me for almost 2... View more

Hi everyone. 22 years after being diagnosed with acute anxiety syndrome I hit the wall last night. I got to the point where I had to ring Lifeline - never even considered it before. The person I talked to was fantastic and stayed with me for almost 2 hours. Feeling frustrated and ashamed. I've tried to deal with it every way I know how. Tried medication years ago but it only worked for a short time - maybe the drugs are better now - I don't know. I also got sacked for admitting to my employer that I was on medication for it. Not sure where to go from here.

Becky087 How Do You Manage Your Anxiety?
  • replies: 6

Hi, my name is Beck, and I have Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety and go through bouts of depression (though my last one hasn't been for months, thankfully). I'm a full time University student, which finds me in constant social situations,... View more

Hi, my name is Beck, and I have Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety and go through bouts of depression (though my last one hasn't been for months, thankfully). I'm a full time University student, which finds me in constant social situations, and whilst I'm comfortable enough with the friendships I've formed and the classes I'm taking, it is a constant struggle and I always think my peers are judging me, though logically I know they're probably not. What I'm wondering is, how do all of you manage your Anxiety on a daily basis? What kinds of things do you do to interrupt the negative thought patterns? I'm only new to doing this sort of thing, I was diagnosed three years ago and have basically been in denial about it for the last two and a half, and I'm only now seeking help. My counsellor gives me all kinds of advice that she says is very helpful, but I want to hear from those who know what it's like, do they really work? Any advice would be appreciated!

Max26 Social Anxiety
  • replies: 6

Hey, this is my first post here... not sure really how this thing goes, but I'll give it a try. I suffer from social anxiety among other things, but I have to say this one is the most disabling one on my life. Im 25 and feeling the pressures of socie... View more

Hey, this is my first post here... not sure really how this thing goes, but I'll give it a try. I suffer from social anxiety among other things, but I have to say this one is the most disabling one on my life. Im 25 and feeling the pressures of society on my shoulders, I can also feel my anxiety holding me back. I feel as if I'm living my life on the sidelines. I want to break this habit, I don't want to be to scared to pursue a career or anything else because I'm afraid. Just not don't where to start...

Sophie3 Food Insecurity - Unlinked to Eating Disorders
  • replies: 3

Hi there! Advice Needed​! I was seeking some advice from anyone who can relate to my situation. TLDR; I constantly think about what I'm going to eat next, and it affects my life to the degree that I think about food while talking to friends or watchi... View more

Hi there! Advice Needed​! I was seeking some advice from anyone who can relate to my situation. TLDR; I constantly think about what I'm going to eat next, and it affects my life to the degree that I think about food while talking to friends or watching movies. I'm scared the problem will evolve into something more serious when I leave home. I need tips on how to become less anxious that I won't receive my next meal. Background: As a young child, I had many intolerances for food and as a result have always craved foods I couldn't get much of, usually sweets and breads. I have had anxiety for my whole life, in varying degrees throughout. I have never had an eating disorder. The Situation Now: I'm 17 now and I'm doing pretty okay. However, I struggle with healthy eating, and binge eating. I constantly think about food and always have. Even when involved in a different activity, thoughts of food and what I will eat next greatly distract me from the task at hand. I am currently, and always have been, a healthy weight for my age and do not suffer any weight-related health problems.

upsidedownalice How do you stop yourself saying mean things to your partner when you've been triggered?
  • replies: 2

I have anxiety and PTSD as a result of a crappy upbringing (I was raised by a narcissist with BPD - it was pretty awful). As is often the case with anxiety, I am often triggered by things my partner says or does. Suddenly I find myself in deep anxiet... View more

I have anxiety and PTSD as a result of a crappy upbringing (I was raised by a narcissist with BPD - it was pretty awful). As is often the case with anxiety, I am often triggered by things my partner says or does. Suddenly I find myself in deep anxiety quite suddenly and without warning for either of us. I tend to verbally lash out and make mean and unfair allegations and claims, which I regret later, once I've calmed down and done my CBT exercises. As an example, last night my partner asked me to put down my phone as we were sitting down to watch a movie after putting the kids to bed. I was already feeling a bit stressed due to the conversation I was engaged in online and when he 'told me what to do' I was instantly triggered. I told him to stop controlling me and that I deserve to have a life outside of our relationship. And other such unfair statements. I'd love to hear from other people who do this and what you may have found helps you rein it in while in the moment. Also if anyone has suggestions for how to snap myself out of it when I'm triggered, and / or learn to recognise I'm not under attack that would be much appreciated. I'm finding it's really damaging my relationship. : (

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