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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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OldHeadNZ The differences in Mental Health Support Services across Melbourne
  • replies: 1

Hi there. My names J. I'm originally from NZ but moved here to Melbourne in 2016.From time to time I suffer manic episodes that need medication to address and resolve.I'm now currently going through my 3rd episode since moving here.The first one, I w... View more

Hi there. My names J. I'm originally from NZ but moved here to Melbourne in 2016.From time to time I suffer manic episodes that need medication to address and resolve.I'm now currently going through my 3rd episode since moving here.The first one, I was living in the City so I sought help at Alfred Hospital and they fed me, medicated me, called my Wife and even walked me to my tram stop home. From there I received the best support I've had to date. They got me through the episode and honestly just did an amazing job. 3 years later (episodes roughly happen every 3 years) I'm now living in the Outer Western Suburbs. A good 40min drive from the city.Second episode hits and I seek help like before. But that's where everything goes wrong. The Nurses/Dr's/HCA's/Lab Techs are just underfunded. Simple as that.When there's not enough staff to manage the workload mistakes happen.I was prescribed a toxic amount of Lithium as a mood stabiliser and ended up staying a night at Sunshine Hospital to get me through it. I've been diagnosed as having a Schizo Effective Disorder. A mix of bipolar and schizophrenia.Manic episodes are essentially me being super into my feelings.When I'm sad I'm super sad, when I'm happy I'm super happy.I'm talkative, I'm social, I'm ready to party essentially. I have poor impulse control with spending. My thoughts race a mile a second. I have short term memory loss. The list goes on But with the right support and medication I can get through the episode without any major hiccups. I say all this, because I feel like there's others out there like me.Whether it's bipolar or depression or psychosis or whatever As long as you have the right support, you'll get through. I'm now towards the tail end of my 3rd episode. Still living in the Western Suburbs, so still have to go through this system. And would you believe it, it's worse. A lot worse. Dr's who can even list the side effects of the medication they're prescribing. Staff turnover must be insane, because in 3 weeks I've never met the same person twice.It's always "oh hi I'm ****, it's my first day" or "o I'm just covering for ***" I signed up for the whole MyHealth record thing so I assumed my previous notes were in the system...I assumed wrong.They apparently have no record of my previous care or are unable to obtain it. So we start from scratch and hope for the best. I'm rambling now. I apologise. The point of this discussion is to hear from other people about their journey through whatever Mental Health Support System they are zoned for. Because I believe the differences in quality are ridiculous.

glrlly Work life stress
  • replies: 2

Having a really hard time with work at the moment. The anxiety and stress is taking a toll on my body to where I’m vomiting and having bad stomach issues from it. I feel like it’s consuming my life. I’ve neglected friendships and relationships, i don... View more

Having a really hard time with work at the moment. The anxiety and stress is taking a toll on my body to where I’m vomiting and having bad stomach issues from it. I feel like it’s consuming my life. I’ve neglected friendships and relationships, i don’t want to leave the house anymore. My workplace is a very tense environment to put it politely, it’s small family owned business with less than 10 people working there. My bosses are a married couple who argue and yell quiet often in front of or over my desk. I have a co worker who is also speaks down to me often and uses a nasty tone. I’ve also been told people are calling me the r word at work some reason they felt the need to tell me. I’m currently applying for other jobs but the toll of this job just seem like it’s consuming me and my life. I could really use any advice or anything really. I feel stupid for even complaining about this stuff cause i feel like im blowing it out of proportion and its not bad at all

Academic Return to work (again)
  • replies: 2

Hi there, I had a panic attack in the car yesterday on my way to see a friend. It prompted me to quickly question if I can cope with work. I am an academic and this is the third time I have tried to return to work (I've tried a few different employer... View more

Hi there, I had a panic attack in the car yesterday on my way to see a friend. It prompted me to quickly question if I can cope with work. I am an academic and this is the third time I have tried to return to work (I've tried a few different employers and taking what might be regarded as a sideways move). I have had some reasonable adjustments. I have had a number of ongoing mental health issues that have interfered with my ability to work for more than 10 or 11 years now. I was completely off work due to mental health reasons for about 5 years. I have tried (and am on) numerous medications. I'm currently on the Disability Support Pension and I'm trying to go back to work. But this most recent episode has cast serious doubt on my ability to cope. I'm very accomplished. But, among other things, I have had very severe anxiety which manifests itself in a range of ways. I'm seriously re-considering if I can cope with work again. I'm thinking I will see my GP on Monday. Welcome any advice or direction.

Missberri Work anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hello, I've been struggling for a long time with anxiety at work. I've had social anxiety all my life and I've had periods where it improves but a lot of the time I just feel constantly anxious. For my current job I pretty much work from home everyda... View more

Hello, I've been struggling for a long time with anxiety at work. I've had social anxiety all my life and I've had periods where it improves but a lot of the time I just feel constantly anxious. For my current job I pretty much work from home everyday. I've been at this job for about 4 years. Working from home has been helpful with managing anxiety but I also feel like it has made my social anxiety worse. I hate virtual meetings and I always feel on display when I talk in them so a lot of the time I just dont talk. My team is constantly trying to get us to do team building catch ups and ice breakers and things and I just feel like I've had enough. Its exhausting me mentally and I feel like I cant escape it. It sounds so stupid because I dont even go into the office and barely have to deal with people, but I just prefer doing my work without constant chatter on teams and constant meetings to catch up on this and that and play forced games and talk about myself and stuff like that. I feel like wfh has made me more anti social. But theres no point going to the office because pretty much no one goes. I want to get a new job so bad. Not only because of this but because im so sick of my job. It has been repetitive for 4 years and im at a point where im just having no growth at all. But I keep getting rejected for my applications because the employment market is tough right now. I also dont know if a new job is going to fix how im feeling. I feel like my team is starting to get sick of me being in the background and theyre starting to dislike me. I wish I knew how to improve my situation or just leave im just not enjoying it anymore and I'm so tired of it.

Kyle Trying to move on from drug induced psychosis and deal with constant and never ending anxiety
  • replies: 3

So I had undiagnosed drug induced psychosis. Pretty horrific episodes and memories from when I was 18 to 19.Now being nearly 2 years clean and staying away from everyone I knew in that lifestyle. I still feel like I am mentally there. This is where t... View more

So I had undiagnosed drug induced psychosis. Pretty horrific episodes and memories from when I was 18 to 19.Now being nearly 2 years clean and staying away from everyone I knew in that lifestyle. I still feel like I am mentally there. This is where the anxiety starts. As soon as I leave the house I am super aware I am outside I am in the world and believe I am some main character of some sort that everyone is looking at, and that everyone knows who I am and who I use to be. I don’t know if it’s still there from when I was a teen and I thought I was the coolest and most tough kid in the world or what. I don’t get it, I don’t get why I always feel and believe like I am a “criminal” of some sorts, and I think people in that world are “noticing me”. Saying this kind of makes me realise it could be me trying to overcompensate for how I actually am. But also unsure if it’s got anything to do with psychosis.The anxiety has taken a toll I am at the stage where I’m angry with feeling this way all the time but also too tired to be angry and too upset I think. I’m just pretty tired with feeling like this. Anxiety has always been with me since I was young.Even driving, I genuinely believe every car driving past is looking at me, and if I go to the shops, same thing, which after asking chat gpt, which described it as being in a flight fight freeze response, which I think I am in the freeze as soon as I leave the house. I just stare off straight, but am looking at everything I can except I’m still looking straight.I don’t know what to do about this as am pretty sure counselling is not for me, and medication is something I definitely would not try.

Tormented Fear of asbestos fibres on clothes
  • replies: 2

I am currently suffering from severe ocd mainly relating to asbestos. I currently fear that asbestos is everywhere, especially following the mulch contamination in NSW. Ironically I was recently triggered by seeing what I thought was asbestos on the ... View more

I am currently suffering from severe ocd mainly relating to asbestos. I currently fear that asbestos is everywhere, especially following the mulch contamination in NSW. Ironically I was recently triggered by seeing what I thought was asbestos on the ground on my way to an appointment with a psychologist regarding this issue and my extreme. I am ashamed to say that when I returned home this triggered me to strip off all of my clothing as well as my shoes in the garage and double bag them and throw them in the bin. I also removed the car mat but forgot to throw it out as well. Because of my anxiety I have developed a fear of washing my families clothes and can often was the same load over and over again. My mother recently came to my place and offered to take the washing and do it for me. Because she walked out of the house via the garage and near the car mat and some laundry of the laundry was spilling over the laundry basket, my immediate thought was that the mat has now contaminated all the clothes and my daughters sheets. My mum told me not to worry that she would put disinfectant in the was, but I am convinced that washing them once will not be enough. I am so scared and paralysed with fear. Im so ashamed and feel so responsible for everyone’s safety. What do I do??

windywillow Anxiety - social, gad, financial stress just idk lols
  • replies: 2

Heyy, I'm new here. Thank you for having me. Honestly, everyone is so brave sharing. Anxiety is the worst sometimes. Extremely debilitating. I have been dealing with GAD and Social Anxiety for a very long time. I try to reframe it as a visiting frien... View more

Heyy, I'm new here. Thank you for having me. Honestly, everyone is so brave sharing. Anxiety is the worst sometimes. Extremely debilitating. I have been dealing with GAD and Social Anxiety for a very long time. I try to reframe it as a visiting friend.. Sometimes helpful, other times awful as hell. I just wanted to get off my chest that today has been a very up and down day I've been a walking panic attack, but I'm calming down slowly. I hope everyone's day has been kind to them. I've been dealing with ongoing financial stress and hardship. It really erodes at your sense of safety in the world, but i'm chipping away at it day by day. Talking about it is so hard as it brings up a lot of shame.Not sure what I need... probably the vent is enough, but I just hope everyone is well, I'm sorry about anything you're going through and you are strong (Even when you're falling apart)

Guest_22500827 Sexual Harrassment at Workplace
  • replies: 2

Lately i have experienced sexual harrassment at workplace. It's been under investigation for a month now. I am still working with the offender and everytime i see him and be around him, it makes me sick and my nerves are trembling inside. I am being ... View more

Lately i have experienced sexual harrassment at workplace. It's been under investigation for a month now. I am still working with the offender and everytime i see him and be around him, it makes me sick and my nerves are trembling inside. I am being offered to work in a different location until the investigation is finalized. However, i was thinking, why i am the one to be re located, why not the offender. They said they haven't informed the offender that i have made a complain about him. This made me feel like they are protecting him and not me. They are not sure what to tell him if they ask him to move to a different center. This is giving me so much stress and anxiety. I couldn't focus on my job, sometimes i freeze and couldn't remember what i was doing. Is there anybody here who can shed light and share their experience with me. Am i over thinking or over reacting, coming from someone who's experience sexual harrassment in the past. My entire body aches just by thought of going to work, seeing this person freely walking around in front me, no remorse whatsoever. As if he's not done anything to offend and humiliate his colleague. Such an unfair world.

Huntrix Struggling to go to work because of panic attacks
  • replies: 4

Hi there, I've been struggling alot with my mental health. I've currently been off work for 4 weeks from weaning off one anti-anxiety medication to another. I've now just was successful to go back to work for one day this week. Which I was so happy a... View more

Hi there, I've been struggling alot with my mental health. I've currently been off work for 4 weeks from weaning off one anti-anxiety medication to another. I've now just was successful to go back to work for one day this week. Which I was so happy and excited about. But the following days the panic attacks that ive been experiencing have come back again. I am currently seeing a therapist and we are trying breathing techniques but these panic attacks have coming from work that i used to have anxiety for. Now im at a job I really like and im still facing the same anxiety. Its extremely difficult for me and I feel incredibly lost. These panic attacks start in the morning before work and last untill I call out sick for the day. Im terrified of losing my job as every job has a limit and ive been fired before because of these panic episodes. I've been on this new medication for 2 weeks now and I really hoped it was going to be my saving grace. I've been generally happier and able to move around more which is why i started putting in the steps to go back to work. But now im scared that everything is going to repeat itself again and im going to be back at square one. There is alot of pressure for me to work as both my husband and I are paying the bills. Because ive had this time off he has been covering my half and he has informed me that we wont be able to afford doing so if this keeps happening. Which is understandable as I should be working. But when im in this state of panic I dont think of anything other than the fear its creating. Once its over the amount of guilt that I feel is overwhelming to the point where it makes me incredibly depressed. I dont know what to do anymore I feel lost.

Guest_10307 Out of place
  • replies: 15

I have always struggled with thoughts people just don't like me. I overthink every interaction, examine every facial expression, everything said in every conversation and my head tells me- 'We don't like you, your boring- if you were to disappear tom... View more

I have always struggled with thoughts people just don't like me. I overthink every interaction, examine every facial expression, everything said in every conversation and my head tells me- 'We don't like you, your boring- if you were to disappear tomorrow we wouldn't care." I burn myself out trying to people please - and I always need perfection from myself. I judge myself, even writing this- and by the time it's actually published (if I eventually hit post) you can guarantee its been re-written 50 times because I wasn't happy with how I portray myself. So with these two factors in play, I am so lonely- yet in a social setting often too scared to speak because the perfectionist in me doesn't want to say the wrong thing.