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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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EmiJ 33F and being a coward has ruined my chances
  • replies: 2

In this day and age its not hard to feel like if you haven't got things and yourself sorted out by your 30s then you have absolutely no hope whatsoever. It makes it harder when you are such a coward that when you do get an opportunity you run like a ... View more

In this day and age its not hard to feel like if you haven't got things and yourself sorted out by your 30s then you have absolutely no hope whatsoever. It makes it harder when you are such a coward that when you do get an opportunity you run like a bunny who just heard a stick snap. Since I was 26 it all seemed to go to heck for me I have had more jobs then anyone should be proud of but even if it's something I enjoy the minute I feel judged, scared or inferior that's it I run for the hills. Then when I do have a job I'm that selfish unreliable one who can only see my anxiety and not how me constantly calling in sick affects others. I don't sleep without nightmares or crazy dreams that I don't even know how my brain manages to come up with such madness. I have no doubt that it might be because day and night I have every single mistake and regret chasing me like a damn serial killer from one of those films. No surprise that I have now burned more bridges then I can bare and just feel like I should give up. I have tried taking responsibility and owning up to my faults but unfortunately that doesn't create a time machine that would help me erase any of this. I also wonder if its sometimes me trying to turn myself into a different kind of victim by self blaming and that perhaps it might be a whole different kind of coping mechanism. All in all I am tired of the failing and the embarrassment and I honestly do not see any point in trying anymore.

Numb Just Humiliated Myself
  • replies: 8

Hello there I suffer from depression, anxiety and very low self esteem. Worst part, I never seem to be able to learn from past mistakes. I stood up for myself this morning, and was torn down by others. The thing is, I know in my heart and by their pr... View more

Hello there I suffer from depression, anxiety and very low self esteem. Worst part, I never seem to be able to learn from past mistakes. I stood up for myself this morning, and was torn down by others. The thing is, I know in my heart and by their previous actions, I needed to protect myself. So I spoke up, politely, with respect but to the point. I was instantly met with opposition, I stood my ground, but self doubt flooded over me. I was unable to continue my (rightly so) defence, and retreated. I am so upset, confused and why the heck, can't I flick off unjust negativity! I always doubt, loathe, second guess and question my perception of reality. Absorbing needless humiliation. I am actually crying whilst typing this.

Guest_07705316 struggling with dread when doing uni everyday
  • replies: 1

I have anxiety, depression and agoraphobia that I’ve been dealing with since I was 19. I only started seeing a therapist now (I’m 26) but this has affected all aspects of my life since I’ve never had a passion. I did get a Bachelor’s in a random fiel... View more

I have anxiety, depression and agoraphobia that I’ve been dealing with since I was 19. I only started seeing a therapist now (I’m 26) but this has affected all aspects of my life since I’ve never had a passion. I did get a Bachelor’s in a random field just to appease my parents but have never worked and now can’t work even though I want to. So I decided to get a Master’s in Speech Pathology for a stable profession and since there are lots of opportunities…but I underestimated how intense the content, clinical expectations and assignments are and now I’m having breakdowns everyday, can’t sleep, can’t eat and dread waking up in the morning because I don’t want to do this anymore. I want to push through because if I drop out…well I’ll just go back to being a bum. I have no other career alternative/option if I do quit. This was the one thing me and my family were banking on. Does anyone know what to do? Everyone around me tells me to keep pushing cos I’m only in week 2.

jemma09 Pets are unwell - causing my mental health to decline
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I hope you’re being kind to yourself today I haven’t been here in a bit, but I’m having some struggles so wanted to pop back in. 2/3 of my pets are unwell at present. I have a dog that is not herself due to a leg injury. She has been ref... View more

Hi everyone, I hope you’re being kind to yourself today I haven’t been here in a bit, but I’m having some struggles so wanted to pop back in. 2/3 of my pets are unwell at present. I have a dog that is not herself due to a leg injury. She has been refusing to drink water and appears depressed.My cat has just been diagnosed with an unknown brain disease because she’s started having seizures (it’s only been me seeing the seizures and they’re scary as heck!). At present she has a great quality of life, and so far is normal between her seizures. We also try our best to support them like keeping the house with soft zones for the cat, and giving flavoured water to help the dog.However - it is the unknown of what will happen or how/when their conditions will progress that has impacted me.Especially because they both appear normal most of the time… but there’s hidden diseases in the background. I have an anxiety disorder and OCD. Lovely combination of course! So this leads to be me becoming obsessive, constantly checking, constant intrusive thoughts and therefore it is becoming difficult to live normal life (eating enough, drinking enough, being able to sleep). I do recognise we need to provide support to our pets that are unwell, but it is very upsetting seeing them suffer with illnesses especially when they are your companions. I have family members who are nonchalant about it and say ‘it’s the new normal’ and we shall just continue on. But when you have mental health conditions, it doesn’t work that way. I keep thinking - I better cancel all my future travel just in case, I better start preparing for their deaths, I better not go to my classes anymore, I should quit my job to care for them. But this is extreme, I know that. But these thoughts keep coming in my mind. I have surveillance cameras set up in the home to monitor the pets and watch out for any issues. But I end up watching them 24/7 even when I’m home. I don’t want to leave them alone. I keep researching their illnesses. I keep thinking they will have a new health emergency or they will suddenly die any second so I’m constantly searching for new symptoms and signs. "When will the next thing happen?"My brain jumps to extremes and my emotions and baseline feel very unstable. I have taken a day off of work today to rest up and try to have a normal relaxing day. I’ve booked into a GP tomorrow to get a new referral for therapy and also will try to see a psychiatrist. I’ve never wanted to take medications before but because it’s impacting my wellbeing I am considering that an option also. if anyone has any extra advice, that would be much appreciated. thank you so much for reading 🫂

Catlady3999 Partner of Crime
  • replies: 1

Recently my now ex partner committed a serious crime and i feel like i lost everything ive had to change jobs and even then I feel like people know.my closest friends turned out me I feel like I have nothing left, I don’t know what to do I feel like ... View more

Recently my now ex partner committed a serious crime and i feel like i lost everything ive had to change jobs and even then I feel like people know.my closest friends turned out me I feel like I have nothing left, I don’t know what to do I feel like everyone I speak to secretly hates me It just feels like everytime i start to make some progress in moving on, another person turns on me I’m just struggling because I’ve done nothing wrong and I’ve tried to do the right thing but no one seems to believe me and trust me anymorei feel so alone, everyday is riddled with the anxiety of someone hating me for something I didnt do

Guest_03644631 Relationship
  • replies: 1

Does anyone suffer from bad anxiety that’s makes you push your partner away I’m also seeking mental health assessment this week but really just need advise thank you

Does anyone suffer from bad anxiety that’s makes you push your partner away I’m also seeking mental health assessment this week but really just need advise thank you

J1980 OCD and Intrusive thoughts
  • replies: 1

Hey there, is there anyone out there struggling witj OCD and Intrusive thoughts? Ive struggled for a long time and havent had much success due to the nature of my thoughts. My thoughts are quite vile and disturbing which is why Im finding it so hard ... View more

Hey there, is there anyone out there struggling witj OCD and Intrusive thoughts? Ive struggled for a long time and havent had much success due to the nature of my thoughts. My thoughts are quite vile and disturbing which is why Im finding it so hard to manage. Im a loving husband and father who just wants peace and for my brain not to be constantly throwing these absurd thoughts and images at me. Im a good man!Can anyone relate?

Adsy24 Anxiety and OCD thoughts about past
  • replies: 8

Hi all and sorry in advance for my absolute novel!I’ve been diagnosed and battled Anxiety and OCD/Intrusive thoughts for almost 20 years now. I’ve always been quite an anxious person, but the true battles begun after years of drinking heavily at soci... View more

Hi all and sorry in advance for my absolute novel!I’ve been diagnosed and battled Anxiety and OCD/Intrusive thoughts for almost 20 years now. I’ve always been quite an anxious person, but the true battles begun after years of drinking heavily at social events and on weekends. This is how it all started, I would drink excessively, then have intrusive thoughts of doing something wrong while intoxicated. These were my triggers and it took me years to realise that alcohol and myself don’t mix. I no longer drink or smoke and I’ve never taken illicit substances. I would have an episode, battle my mind for weeks/months while going to my psychologist and taking my medication. Calm would follow for years, but then I would have an episode after missing medication or having a couple of drinks (at my own detriment) and I would have to go through the whole anxiety and dread fueled process again. This time has felt different though, one single thought of a past event from 4 years ago has sent me into a spiral that has ripped my soul apart. It took 4 weeks to gain some relief, but then a few more intrusive thoughts have sunk their claws in when I felt I was on the mend. Has anyone had this before? Has anyone felt relief only to have it stripped away so quickly? I’m just really struggling with it all, so any advice or support would be greatly appreciated. Kind regards, Adsy

Mario_Sonic My Ongoing Fear
  • replies: 35

Hey guys, Liam here. I just wanted to talk about something that has deeply affected me for a long time now and that something...is my fear of losing my family...Basically, from when I was born to when I was 13, I was a youthful, happy person...but wh... View more

Hey guys, Liam here. I just wanted to talk about something that has deeply affected me for a long time now and that something...is my fear of losing my family...Basically, from when I was born to when I was 13, I was a youthful, happy person...but when I was 14, so this was in September 2019, my Nan had a fall and broke her arm. This was something I didn't see, but I was there when it happened...I had my two cousins with me at the time, boy and girl and my girl cousin actually witnessed Nan fall which deeply traumatized her...anyways...point is, after this incident, in 2020, I lost my Grandpa and my Nan's best friend five months apart from each other so in the months of July and Februrary...then in 2021, as a couple of you may know, my dear friend was murdered in September of that year...these three deaths all mean something to me because they've given me this belief that I'm going to lose my family and if I do lose them, the only option I'll have left is to end my life because I can't live without my family...especially my Nan and Pop...they're not just a part of my life, they are my life and they're a part of me...I love my Nan and Pop and all the rest of my family dearly...my fear has gotten so bad that I've started having nightmares about losing them all, seeing them all dead, me being beaten up by my enemies, and me being killed in an electric chair ever since Nan's fall...I guess that's why I feel like I need a girl I can talk to so I'll never be alone... *Crying* -Liam

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