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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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Peace_Seeker Anxiety symptoms and diet
  • replies: 18

Has anyone who has or is predisposed to anxiety noticed an increase in symptoms when they have gone from eating meat to being vego or vegan? I became vego about four months ago and my most recent spiral into PTSD and panic attacks started 5 weeks ago... View more

Has anyone who has or is predisposed to anxiety noticed an increase in symptoms when they have gone from eating meat to being vego or vegan? I became vego about four months ago and my most recent spiral into PTSD and panic attacks started 5 weeks ago. My therapist thinks there might be a connection. I can't find any studies online that support the theory however logically the scientific theory is sound. Before this downward turn I was doing fantastically (and have a great bunch tools) and there has been no obvious trigger for this so I'm playing with this theory a bit. I'd love to hear other people's experience with going vego. Thanks

Matt3 Do what you love!
  • replies: 2

Two years ago I woke in the night thinking I was having a heart attack. I was rushed to hospital and thought I was going to die. I was sent home and told to find a cardiologist. This really freaked me out. I started to get short of breath and shakey.... View more

Two years ago I woke in the night thinking I was having a heart attack. I was rushed to hospital and thought I was going to die. I was sent home and told to find a cardiologist. This really freaked me out. I started to get short of breath and shakey. I eventually saw a GP who diagnosed me with PTSD and severe panic disorder. I'd never had anxiety and was fit and healthy. WHY ME? 6 months went by without me being able to function properly and subsequently I ended up being housebound. My world was upside down. I'd lost my job, quit playing basketball and couldn't even take my kids to the park. It was totally debilitating and I felt scared and ashamed. Then one day the strangest thing happened. It was a Thursday afternoon in January 2016 and I was at home still struggling with my breathing and trembling, despite being on new medication. I opened up my inbox on my phone and saw a story in my local newspaper about a historic Redwood forest in Warburton. The photos were magical and it was luring me to go and photograph it. I picked up my camera, jumped in my car and set off on my first photography mission since having my breakdown. Now I didn't used to believe in spirits, ghosts, the afterlife or anything like that, but on that day in the forest I can only describe the feeling as ethereal. It was like the ancient trees were talking to me and telling me that everything would be okay. I sat and meditated for the first time ever. I must of been there, sitting in this forest for hours. When I left, something had shifted. It was like my burdens had been lifted. I started to feel better. So much so that a week later I set off on a photography road trip. It was like I finally understood that the material things in life don't bring you happiness. You must do what YOU LOVE. I continue to heal every day. Little frustrations no longer bother me. I'm on a journey to spread love and light through my photography and my experiences. No matter how dark the world can seem, always remember that LOVE is the answer. I'm here if anyone ever needs guidance or a friend.

jellybelly12 anxiety that needs help straight away
  • replies: 2

I have anxiety and its getting worse. I don't know how to control it. I also have depression, I need some advice on how to get through both of these. it got to a point I couldn't breath and had to sit down and get everything to work normal again View more

I have anxiety and its getting worse. I don't know how to control it. I also have depression, I need some advice on how to get through both of these. it got to a point I couldn't breath and had to sit down and get everything to work normal again

Mattmann Anxiety and OCD
  • replies: 3

Hello, I am certain that I have depression/anxiety. But I have autism and OCD. I am currently on antidepressants. I have a wife and two kids. My reason for having depression/anxiety is that I struggle to cope with life. Here are some things: Getting ... View more

Hello, I am certain that I have depression/anxiety. But I have autism and OCD. I am currently on antidepressants. I have a wife and two kids. My reason for having depression/anxiety is that I struggle to cope with life. Here are some things: Getting upset after an argument. Feeling like I am a waste of space. My parents divorced when I was little. I have no job and an unsuccessful education. I eat a lot when I am hungry and bored. I struggle being on a pension and always low on money. I don't get to see my friends as much in person (we only keep in contact via Facebook). I am obsessed with a friend who I used to study with. I often get angry and annoyed easily (over silly things such as not having enough hot water for my shower). I badly suffered from OCD (with showering, washing my hands and checking if my door was locked/if taps are turned off) when I was in my late teens/early 20s and my mum resented it. I get talked out of doing/having what I want. Used to get bullied at school.

LEL93 Vomiting Phobia
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone. I am 23 and for as long as I know I have live with this anxiety of being petrified of getting sick, others being sick near me etc. It gets so so bad I can't breath and shake. I dont want to eat, I try and avoid everything I can. Which is... View more

Hi everyone. I am 23 and for as long as I know I have live with this anxiety of being petrified of getting sick, others being sick near me etc. It gets so so bad I can't breath and shake. I dont want to eat, I try and avoid everything I can. Which is really becoming unfair and selfish to my two little kids. I'm too scared to take my 2 year old to a playground in case he gets sick. My poor 2 year old has been so sick this past week vomiting and in hospital. Not confirmed what it is. But after 3 days of nothing bad vomited again tonight and sending me absolutely crazy. I can't cope and deal with it very well. He just wants cuddles and I can't stand to be near him It's absolutely horrible and I'm feeling like the worst mum. Its even that I don't like myself or hubby drinking in case we were to get a hangover, I check every mouthfull of food I do eat so I don't get food poisoning, I hate public places, school holidays. Its really effecting my life and would love Anh advice you have?!

mchal4 OCD thoughts about getting yelled at...
  • replies: 2

Hi all ! Can anyone else relate to flashbacks about getting yelled at, maybe by a superior or supervisor ? How should you handle or deal with these ? Thanks.stay safe.

Hi all ! Can anyone else relate to flashbacks about getting yelled at, maybe by a superior or supervisor ? How should you handle or deal with these ? Thanks.stay safe.

borderline_insanity Anxiety With Potential Relationships
  • replies: 3

Anxiety has been a constant struggle almost my whole life, one of the worst triggers being potential relationships. I'm completely fine when someone is interested in me - the problem arises when I start to feel the same way towards them. It terrifies... View more

Anxiety has been a constant struggle almost my whole life, one of the worst triggers being potential relationships. I'm completely fine when someone is interested in me - the problem arises when I start to feel the same way towards them. It terrifies me beyond comprehension, and I start to over think it, resulting in frequent panic attacks that eat away at me. Usually I love the idea of being in a relationship, so I guess I'm wondering why I get so unbelievably scared when the idea becomes an actual possibility. I'm currently in this position now and I don't want to run away from something potentially great just because of unnecessary fears that I can't explain. Why do I feel like this and how can I manage/overcome it?

Becky087 Negative Thought Patterns
  • replies: 9

"I'm never going to be good enough for anything." "I never do anything right." "Why did I say that? I'm so awkward. Everyone hates me." "I'm ugly/I'm fat/I look terrible without make-up/I have no style." "I hate myself/my personality/the way I look."... View more

"I'm never going to be good enough for anything." "I never do anything right." "Why did I say that? I'm so awkward. Everyone hates me." "I'm ugly/I'm fat/I look terrible without make-up/I have no style." "I hate myself/my personality/the way I look." "My dreams/goals are unrealistic and I'll never achieve them." If any of these sound familiar, please tell me how you deal/manage when you start to get into these spiraling negative thought patterns. These same questions come into my head literally every day and I believe them. When others tell me I'm pretty/nice/they like me as a person/not fat/going to get where I want in life/talented/capable, I don't believe them and think they're just saying these things to be nice. I have no self-confidence or self-worth whatsoever and am constantly very self-conscious. It's exhausting and everything I've tried just doesn't work. Any advice?

Wornout_worrier Anxiety about WW3-
  • replies: 3

I have always been anxious, which increased 10fold when my daughter was born with a heart defect. I hardly leave my children. I work as close to their school as I can manage, and try to survive on a small wage as best possible to enable me to spend a... View more

I have always been anxious, which increased 10fold when my daughter was born with a heart defect. I hardly leave my children. I work as close to their school as I can manage, and try to survive on a small wage as best possible to enable me to spend as much time as I can with my two kids. I have always had this cycle of anxiety, where at the times I feel shaky and scared , I suddenly find myself planning and prepping for disaster spending endless hours on the internet figuring out how on earth I am going to keep myself and my kids alive in a catastrophic world. It gets so bad I don't sleep. Now with the recent news my anxiety is skyrocketing. I have also just interviewed for a new job and it seems highly likely I will get the position. It is in a shopping centre I am convinced would be a terrorist target, which is the reason I quit my job there 2 yrs ago. I keep telling myself to calm down, that I can't control everything and that a promotion would be beneficial for my family. Any other suggestions?

leigh1972 ANXIETY - CATASTROPHIC THINKING
  • replies: 7

I have had anxiety for as long as I remember and have mostly self-managed throughout my life with regular top ups of counselling when needed. I have found that my anxiety changed as I evolved as a person. When I was young my anxiety manifested in pan... View more

I have had anxiety for as long as I remember and have mostly self-managed throughout my life with regular top ups of counselling when needed. I have found that my anxiety changed as I evolved as a person. When I was young my anxiety manifested in panic attacks, then as I got older into social anxiety. When I became a mum, it was back to panic attacks and also PND. Now in my 40's I am being visited by a seemingly unending flow of catastrophic thoughts - everything from being killed in a car crash to someone murdering my daughter. As a logical person I know this to be unlikely but once you pick up the thread of those types of thoughts, they are very hard to let go of. I find I can be having just a normal thought when it suddenly segways off into an absolutely diabolical scenario! Lately, I have been having night time anxiety... waking up consumed with terror over a 'noise' or else waking up petrified from a nightmare where I am being pursued. I am thinking its because my parents are embarking on their first overseas trip in early May, I have started a new job and my daughter is going away for a week in May as well. Any 'change' acts like a trigger for my anxiety to take hold. I have tried breathing through it, getting up and reading a book and getting up to have a cup of tea. I also self-talk but it seems the voice of my anxiety is stronger. Does anyone else suffer catastrophic thinking?