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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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Chris_B Forums etiquette: give support to receive support
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newb... View more

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newbies are welcomed when they first post, and we understand that it’s a big step to post for the first time on a forum like this, especially if you aren’t feeling great. It’s important to remember, though, that these forums are a community of real people, just like you, not a one-on-one support environment like going to see your psychologist. To get the best out of being here, one of the best tips we can offer is give support to receive support. Being a good community member means: participating in different threads (not just your own), replying to people who have taken the time to reply to you (even if it’s just to say thank you), and... posting words of emotional support and encouragement when you see others who are hurting and reaching out. You don’t have to feel obliged to solve the problems of others: that’s not what we’re here for. But you can offer empathy and what you’ve learned from your own life experiences, even if it’s just a line or two, eg. “I don't know what to say, but I want to give you my support and tell you I care about what is happening to you and hope life will get better soon.” Try to develop an interest in the journeys of others here on the forums. You may be surprised at how good being an active, caring member here can make you feel. For those of you who have had good experiences giving support here on the forums, please post in this thread here and let us know how it has helped you on your journey.

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Amberlourob fighting hard but tired
  • replies: 6

Hello, I'm new here and have been reading through the forum posts and am quite encouraged by the support shown here. I'm a wife and mum to a two year old and have experienced anxiety for most of my life. I developed OCD at 8 and unfortunately wasn't ... View more

Hello, I'm new here and have been reading through the forum posts and am quite encouraged by the support shown here. I'm a wife and mum to a two year old and have experienced anxiety for most of my life. I developed OCD at 8 and unfortunately wasn't treated for over a decade. At 18 health anxiety kicked in big time and has lingered ever since. I began my recovery journey at 20. Being diagnosed by a psychiatrist, seeing a psychologist and working with my GP. I then got married, found a great counsellor and was managing well. After my son was born I experienced a severe, rare complication and was rushed to hospital when he was 7 weeks old and I had to have surgeries and eventually a hysterectomy to save my life. It was a setback to say the least. I was proactive in getting support and dealing with the trauma. I was doing so well that I was working with my GP to come off my medication. That ended badly and has seen my health anxiety ramp up to an extreme level. I'm back on my higher dose of medication, I'm seeing a psychologist for trauma work and go to my GP it seems constantly. I'm doing everything I can and still failing I'm exhausted and scared and want my life back. I guess what I'm saying is, do you guys think I can beat this? Because I'm feeling beat. thanks

pinkfloyd33 I exist but I am not living anymore.
  • replies: 10

Hello beyondblue readers, I am reaching out to anyone there who suffers from anxiety, unwanted thoughts and depression like me. I have had anxiety since Jan or last year and it has become so much worse this year, I promised myself it was going to be ... View more

Hello beyondblue readers, I am reaching out to anyone there who suffers from anxiety, unwanted thoughts and depression like me. I have had anxiety since Jan or last year and it has become so much worse this year, I promised myself it was going to be a good year but so far I have broke that promise.I feel like I am living in a dark hole and that nothing good ever comes in my life anymore.My unwanted thoughts are robbing me from having a good and well maintained life, I am stressing myself out for no reason and I don't know what to do, I am so scared and when I look into what long term anxiety can do to the body I burst into tears.I had a fear about death for quite sometime last year and as of last december I had a very bad incident of little hours of sleep in a week.It was so bad that I was drinking to pass out but of course that makes me SO MUCH WORSE! I have been okay with been able to sleep but it's only because I have taken something to make me sleepy and then the next day I am drowsy and spacey. I am always thinking about fearing of not been able to sleep, it's so bad that I don't work anymore, I don't plan any events with anyone or even see anyone because I panic about not been rested.. I wanted to make music with the most humblest person I know but because of this fear I not longer get involved in music anymore.I just can't seem to get my mind of this and it's destroying everyday, I just do the same thing everyday feeling sorry for myself and crying so much it makes me head hurt.I am booked to see a psychologist in 3 weeks and I have medication in my dressing table draw but scared to try it. Please someone help me or if anyone could reach out to me I'd be most grateful.Thank you kindly, Jessica.

Ly20 Feeling very anxious about meeting new friends, a little about myself and my story.
  • replies: 7

Hi there, my name is Lyall, im a 26 year old Australian guy and i get pretty anxious for no god damn reason and depressed sometimes, so its been hard to meet new friends and relate to people, i was told that this place might be good to meet like mind... View more

Hi there, my name is Lyall, im a 26 year old Australian guy and i get pretty anxious for no god damn reason and depressed sometimes, so its been hard to meet new friends and relate to people, i was told that this place might be good to meet like minded people who can understand someone like myself. I hope to meet some new people. I like a wide range of things, games, movies, obscure tv series and animation.. I really don't talk much to people about my problems (I really don't talk much at all) but perhaps my story could benefit someone, i do also like to help people. I would describe myself as a unique person who has a strong sense of who they are, i know that i have great morals and values and i am proud of that, i have had a past of being bullied and being put down because i am an easy target, perhaps too kind for my own good at times, so this can leave me vulnerable, alot of the time i find that i have difficulty expressing what is on my mind into words and some people assume i am finished in a conversation or that i mean something completely different to what i was trying to convey that can be frustrating and alot of the time i will just give up, giving up as also become a habit too and its something that i hope to work on and change. I have my ups and downs but i always try to put on a smile and relate to people as best i can, but inside it's eating away at me, life doesn't have time to slow down for you sometimes unfortunately. I am currently seeking support for my mental health problems. I have alot of trouble sleeping at nights these days, as i am a big overthinker and dweller also, it can be really hard to shut off my brain and shut out the bad memorys, i can remember every moment of shame, humiliation and bad moments from my life at night and it haunts me, i did have this under control for sometime in the past, i had to learn to really focus and train my brain but now its back worse then ever, it just happens for no reason it seems and i become frustrated. It has been happening for a long time now and enough is enough, i hope to find some help and relief, it does help to really talk about your issues, explore them and make them known to yourself, i think i am a logical person and this kind of thinking can really be positive, but i understand sometimes it just gets too much, i think people who go threw this kind of thing certainly have alot of courage and heart and its important to remember this, and it also takes courage to find support.

ElyseMc What to do, i feel lost
  • replies: 3

Hi, im new to this and I actually feel silly and a little embarrassed.. i have such bad anxiety and i guess some depression at times and I feel like I dont know what to do.. and i know that other ppl go through it too and so many people have lived an... View more

Hi, im new to this and I actually feel silly and a little embarrassed.. i have such bad anxiety and i guess some depression at times and I feel like I dont know what to do.. and i know that other ppl go through it too and so many people have lived and have situations so much worse than me that i feel like an ungrateful fool and not really worthy to even be on here.. but i just need to reach out and go outside my comfort zone and actually say what's on my mind and what's going on with me cause i feel like an emotional wreck and like i could explode. I am a perfectionist and find it so hard to live with myself because

mummabear23 Anxiety is winning
  • replies: 3

Hi, I am a newbie to this community forum, not sure why I decided to post tonight but I guess the typing is helping me to not overthink for now. I don't really know where to begin as there are not enough characters for what is going on in my head rig... View more

Hi, I am a newbie to this community forum, not sure why I decided to post tonight but I guess the typing is helping me to not overthink for now. I don't really know where to begin as there are not enough characters for what is going on in my head right now. I mean I have had major clinical depression since I was 14 with anxiety and panic attacks since 18. For the most part the depression is normally what consumes me but recently it has been the anxiety that is crippling me. I mean I figured I would have conquered this demon in the last 20 years, but it is stronger than ever. I guess I don't know who I am anymore or if I like who this person is? I haven't had it easy but its all relative to the individual. People comment all the time I don't know how you do it but honestly I am not doing it, I am just good at faking it and at the moment I am sucking at that. My problem is I worry too much about everyone else and think so little of myself. I have spent the better part of 2 years navigating my daughter's disability and now my son's too and in that time I have lost my identity as a woman, wife, friend....I have devoted so much time and energy into building my daughter up to be proud of herself and mothering my young son that I forgot about me. I love my kids, I move mountains for them but I can't seem to adult. I live vicariously through other people's social media yet it also reminds me of things I have lost...friendships, career, my smile. I want to deactivate it but I also need it to feel connected and in touch. The anxiety is making it hard to get up each day....some days I can't function at all. I cancel things at the last minute all the time as I did while I tried to work and parent, yet I sit here worrying about how I keep disappointing people...or maybe I am disappointed in myself. I have goals and dreams yet it all seems so out of reach. On the days I have no children at home, I sleep and eat my feelings so much so that I have gained lots of weight and hate looking at myself. My mum says I need to try and be strong and think of me, in theory I know what I need to do but in reality I had a major anxiety attack in my son's day care parking lot as I couldn't figure out how to reverse out in our new big van.....I feel helpless, I feel guilty, I feel inadequate...I feel consumed by anxiety and so depressed and this time it is proving difficult to beat. I can be my children's champion so why can't I be mine?

Meatballs Why haven't I received a diagnosis?
  • replies: 5

I went to the doctor to see if I had anxiety and they gave me the standard test you find on beyondblue and all over the internet. To be honest, I was expecting something a little more in-depth than that, but anyway, they referred me a psychologist an... View more

I went to the doctor to see if I had anxiety and they gave me the standard test you find on beyondblue and all over the internet. To be honest, I was expecting something a little more in-depth than that, but anyway, they referred me a psychologist and reminded me to 'think positive.' On our first session, the psychologist said 'you might have generalised anxiety and / or social anxiety.' I have now been seeing the psychologist for several months now and they still haven't confirmed whether I actually have anxiety or not. Since they have not told me 'yes you have anxiety,' does this mean I don't? I get panic attacks and have all the symptoms, I just don't want to self-diagnose. Or should I just assume I do, since I talk to the psychologist about coping with stress and exposure therapy and all that? I know it shouldn't matter, and it's not like I'm going to go around telling people, I just want to know. I want to ask the psychologist, but I'm afraid of looking stupid when they say 'oh honey, no, you don't have anxiety, you're just a bit of a stress-head' (I know they won't really say that, but that's how I'll take it).

contrarymary New Here - think family is getting fed up with my anxiety
  • replies: 3

I always think I am seriously ill eg headache = brain tumour, chest pain = heart attack. been anxious on an of for months, had chest pain went to hospital all the tests no problems now everytime get pain think heart attack been to hospital 4 times in... View more

I always think I am seriously ill eg headache = brain tumour, chest pain = heart attack. been anxious on an of for months, had chest pain went to hospital all the tests no problems now everytime get pain think heart attack been to hospital 4 times in 3 months done all the tests again and again nothing is wrong with heart. still get the pain get really agitated pace up and down or lie down getting more anxious. been to GP yet again today says it could be mental issue and try to relax I am not ill, says I should speak to someone who might be able to help. any one else on here think they are ill but not and how do they cope. had more blood tests a few days ago all clear as usual. My husband and daughter are getting fed up with me as I keep saying I need to go to hospital or doctor and they have to come home to take me. I am lying here typing this feeling agitated but trying to calm down I will be lucky to get any sleep tonight I am 62 would appreciate any advice from anyone with health anxieties

Overthinkingmum Anxiety always takes over - tattoo scare
  • replies: 3

Hi, I am new to this forum . I used to be on another forum but have been great with anxiety lately and it seems my account is no longer. Anyways this week it seems my anxiety is back with avengence. I was with a co worker while she got a tattoo a few... View more

Hi, I am new to this forum . I used to be on another forum but have been great with anxiety lately and it seems my account is no longer. Anyways this week it seems my anxiety is back with avengence. I was with a co worker while she got a tattoo a few weeks ago and I On impulse decided to get on with her - bad idea. A week after I have swollen lymph node right beside the tattoo ( the tattoo was on neck ) and now 2 weeks later I'm vomiting having muscle aches and diarrhoea. Of course I am thinking the worst . I have two kids and have been crazy in tears . I actually messages the tattoo parlour being what I feel was very rude as asking how they clean there equipment . The tattooist took the time to assure me the needles are one use only and everything else new every client no exceptions . This make me feel better br then of course anxiety voice kids in that any tattoo parlour wouldn admit to not having changed things and I'm back on the hep c and hiv wagon. Why does my mind do this and is there anyone at all who can ease my mind . I'm in a state of panic

Keeyana Sleepless nights
  • replies: 2

Its nearly 5am i have too many thoughts going on what will today bring? Im paranoid everywhere i go Im contemplating on whether i should skip class.. Only because i hate getting up doing group discussions and being put on the spotlight i hope no one ... View more

Its nearly 5am i have too many thoughts going on what will today bring? Im paranoid everywhere i go Im contemplating on whether i should skip class.. Only because i hate getting up doing group discussions and being put on the spotlight i hope no one sees how nervous i get or even the panic attacks appear randomly i feel like im battling with my own demons they appear to surround me everywhere i go like a sudden strike someone is trying to rob me. Im having weird flashbacks from my childhood i never asked my brain to collect these memories i wanted them to go away

Lind779 Help? I'm pregnant and suffering anxiety
  • replies: 2

I found out I was pregnant 4 days ago. 4 weeks in. We have been trying for a long time and I now can't believe its happened naturally, we were ready for IVF. My anxiety since finding out is at its all time high and I'm scared. Its 2am at the moment a... View more

I found out I was pregnant 4 days ago. 4 weeks in. We have been trying for a long time and I now can't believe its happened naturally, we were ready for IVF. My anxiety since finding out is at its all time high and I'm scared. Its 2am at the moment and struggling to sleep. Im on antidepressents and I was on a tablet that made me sleep better at night which they have just taken me off as its not a good one to take being pregnant. Now I'm back to waking up early which dictates my anxiety level.The earlier I wake up the worst anxiety will be. Just need help/ideas managing it because its not healthy for me or the bub. Anyone else managed pregnancy with anxiety? No bad stories please, need support