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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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gel i feel there is no cure
  • replies: 4

genetically born with social anxiety. only 20 yrs old. extrovert stuck in introvert body. physically can't handle social situations so I avoid them because it messes me up more. If i don't sociallise and stay home, I hate myself for not socialising, ... View more

genetically born with social anxiety. only 20 yrs old. extrovert stuck in introvert body. physically can't handle social situations so I avoid them because it messes me up more. If i don't sociallise and stay home, I hate myself for not socialising, but if I was to socialise I hate myself for socialising because I couldnt be who I wanted to be and physically couldnt cope, talk and in so much distress and everything gets worse and the cycle repeats. Constant Anxiety whether at home or not. Anxiety symptoms if I go out: puffy eyes, grey whites of eyes, sore eyes, watery eyes, faint, gonna pass out, extreme dizzy, feel physically ill, dry mouth, physically cant talk sometimes, literally CAN NOT sociallise when I long to and wish to and want to but physical symptoms come and i literally physically can not no matter how much I need/want to. So I cant see a psychologist because I literally can not communicate my problems plus its genetic so I have nothing to talk about to find the issue and socialising like that would make it worse no matter how many times I went. For the last 2 years Ive been going to the doctor for it. Recently developed depression from going to doctors because nothing was working and I'll never be better because there is NO cure. tried SSRI, MAOI, antipsychotics, benzo's, and nothing works at all. WHAT CAN I DO?? IM WASTING AWAY WORTHLESS WITH NO LIFE, HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO DO THIS FOR? HOW COME NO ONE ELSE HAS TO GO THROUGH THIS TO LIVE JUST 1 DAY.

Jon_Smith Compare Anxiety Attack Symptoms!
  • replies: 9

Hi, I'm like to know of what I experience is "normal" for someone wiht anxiety and depression. Do other people have a similar experience, do I have it easy/hard compared to others, and what can I learn from how other people handle these attacks? So h... View more

Hi, I'm like to know of what I experience is "normal" for someone wiht anxiety and depression. Do other people have a similar experience, do I have it easy/hard compared to others, and what can I learn from how other people handle these attacks? So here's what happens to me and I'd love some comments on other people's experiences. I get a 5-10 second warning because it feels like my blood pressure plummets, my head spins and I feel faint. Then I get the gripping, terrifying fear in my chest and wave(s) of nausea in my stomach. There is a super strong sense of deja vu and it usually relates to my messed up childhood. It may last for anywhere from 10 - 60 seconds. When it finishes I really struggle to refocus, and often forget pieces of what's been going on the last few hours.

Lou1971 Anxiety ruining my life
  • replies: 4

7 weeks ago I came off opioids I had been on for 3 years and my depression and anxiety went out of control. I suffered both before coming off meds but not this debilitating. The physical symptoms r the worse fast heart rate, nausea , churning in stom... View more

7 weeks ago I came off opioids I had been on for 3 years and my depression and anxiety went out of control. I suffered both before coming off meds but not this debilitating. The physical symptoms r the worse fast heart rate, nausea , churning in stomach, feeling like there is something more wrong with me, chest pains, extreme fatigue , tingling under skin, shaking inside and out. I have just been put on some other medication it will b 3 weeks this Thursday but am not feeling anything yet. I have an awful sense of doom and gloom and find no joy in anything, I just want the days to b over so I can sleep and not feel these sensations but morning is worst it's all there again ready to give me another day of hell. I think everyday is my last as I feel like I'm dying inside. I never knew anxiety could b this bad. I get scared of doing too much as I think my body won't cope and I'll die. Any feedback would b appreciated.

Tim992 Anxiety physical symptoms
  • replies: 6

Hi there i wanted to check if there was anyone experiencing physical symtomps to myself. I have been told by my gp that all symtopms i felt in the last 6 months are the result of anxiety, and i dont want to go back just to hear the same thing and fee... View more

Hi there i wanted to check if there was anyone experiencing physical symtomps to myself. I have been told by my gp that all symtopms i felt in the last 6 months are the result of anxiety, and i dont want to go back just to hear the same thing and feel like i wasted their time. i experience these almost jolts, or what feel like flicks, in the back of my neck. It makes more of a thud or crunch npose rather than a click and occurs when im still at random times, it doesnt correlate to movement. Ive also noticed something similair to globus sensation, but rather than clicking when i swallow, its more that if i leave it there for a while there will be a loud click as if the pressure has crescendoed. i have been checking anxiety forums for anyone describing these symtopms and have not found anyone describing something like this. i really just want some reassurance that it is a result of anxiety so i know ive just got to deal with it myself. Thanks

Stormgrl101 WORRY/ANXIETY/PANIC
  • replies: 4

So I have gotten myself in a bit of a state. I have intense feelings that something BAAAD has happened. All because of the fact I sent my father a message asking what days he is working this week and he has 'seen' it but not replied. Usually he is pr... View more

So I have gotten myself in a bit of a state. I have intense feelings that something BAAAD has happened. All because of the fact I sent my father a message asking what days he is working this week and he has 'seen' it but not replied. Usually he is pretty quick to respond or sometimes he forgets to push send but I am adamant something has happened to one of my family members which is why he is choosing not to respond to me yet. I saw on a Police News post yesterday about a car crash happening and I am scared it may have been my brother. Of course there are many other people living in this city but I am so worried that it is him. I can't ask anyone in case its just nothing and I am overreacting for no reason. I have been sobbing and now don't know what to do. Does anyone else assume the worst thing has happened and how do you deal with it?? Is there anything to help this like should I mention to my psychiatrist or psychologist when I see them next?

Nervybella Anyone have experience with phobia of driving?
  • replies: 14

Hi im a 20 (nearly 21) year old who doesn't have a driving license. When I turned 16 and got my Ls I wasn't in a very good head space, but I didn't know it then. i though it was normal how I reacted/was at the time but looking back now I see that's a... View more

Hi im a 20 (nearly 21) year old who doesn't have a driving license. When I turned 16 and got my Ls I wasn't in a very good head space, but I didn't know it then. i though it was normal how I reacted/was at the time but looking back now I see that's around the time my mental health declined majorly for the first time. I am absolutely terrified of driving, I only got about an hour of my learners before I started having panic attacks. Even to this day I will have a panic attack if someone mentions me driving/I think about driving etc my friends be family don't understand how I can be so afraid...I'm wondering if it's strong enough to be a phobia??? coming up to my 21st a lot of people are telling me to go for my license. But I just can't. It makes my physically ill to even think about it. i have managed to live my life so far without a car and believe that I will continue to survive without one. i would like to hear if anyone else has a similar story and if anyone older than me has lived their life without a car/license?? thanks Bella

RedRose123 Should I feel guilty or is it my anxiety talking?
  • replies: 4

Hi this might sound silly but I feel really anxious and I just need a unbiased opinion on something... my mums washing machine has broken and long story short it will be a few weeks/months before we can get her a new one. I feel very anxious and guil... View more

Hi this might sound silly but I feel really anxious and I just need a unbiased opinion on something... my mums washing machine has broken and long story short it will be a few weeks/months before we can get her a new one. I feel very anxious and guilty right now because she came over to use mine today, which was ok. But she mentioned coming over every Saturday to wash and I said as nicely as I could that since she is at my sisters house several times a week (to see my nephew/her grandson) couldn't she put a load on once/twice a week there (one load a week covers her washing easy) and my sister doesn't mind (I ended up asking my sister because my mum seems to be under the impression that she wouldn't be ok with that, because she has to wash the babies things etc). But she doesn't mind. And I also said it will save her driving back and forth here every week. She is on limited income and she'd just be wasting petrol coming here when she already goes to my sisters. My mum got upset at this. If I was her only option I would have let her use mine even though I struggle greatly with anxiety (GAD and SA) and depression and really need time at home where I can just be by myself and try to get some things done. I feel bad because I think she took it as I don't want you here and it's not what I meant. She has bipolar and is not easy to be around at all but it isn't what I meant. If her only option was to come here I would have just agreed, but going to my sisters makes more sense then coming here. I feel guilty because even though I would have let her come here, I am really glad I'm not the only option; because with my anxiety disorders I need time to myself, she stresses me out a lot, she doesn't respect my needs etc. I feel like I can't function now after she was here due to what happened. I can't have her here every week when it's not a necessity. I'll never get a thing done. I'm already so stressed all the time. But I feel like I'm being selfish. But then I'm like but it makes more sense for her to do it at my sisters. Sorry I'm rambling a bit. I just feel terrible. thoughts?

tw2324 Social anxiety
  • replies: 5

I am 27 years old and I feel like I have no friends. I have always been very shy but I feel that ever since I finished school so long ago I have struggled to make lasting friendships. It is getting worse as I get older. I get nervous and tongue tied ... View more

I am 27 years old and I feel like I have no friends. I have always been very shy but I feel that ever since I finished school so long ago I have struggled to make lasting friendships. It is getting worse as I get older. I get nervous and tongue tied whenever I speak to people now because I feel as if they will just think I am a weird loser (which I have been called before) with nothing interesting to say. I have no social life at all, I go to work and I go home. I never have interesting things to say on a conversation because I don't do anything. I don't like to leave the house because I get anxious that people will look at me and think I am ugly or that I will do something embarrassing that someone will see. I have never had a long term boyfriend because I have such low self esteem and honestly I find it very difficult to talk to boys. The last time I went on a date was when I was about 20. I feel so immature compared to other girls my age that I know own who have lots of friends and long term relationships. I've lived out of home twice now only to come back because I feel like myself around my family and they actually like me. I have started a new job a week ago where I am living in a remote area working at a fancy hotel. A friend of mine got me this job after I wanted a change. Already i feel like my housemates think I am weird because I am quiet, that I won't succeed here and that I should just go back to my old job and my family. All I want is to be "normal". But I have recently accepted the fact that I will probably be going through the rest of my life by myself. I'm sorry this post is probably incoherent and all over the place. I find it hard to express myself. I am just scared that I am retreating into myself and that I am not making any effort to try and change things because it's easier not too. I like being alone but I get lonely sometimes. I wish I could talk to people who have similar issues to me and who get me and accept me. I just want to make friends that I can be myself around and not have to fake it all the time.

Lind779 Insomnia and pregnancy
  • replies: 9

So I'm into my 3rd trimester and anxiety and insomnia has kicked in. I get to sleep eventually only to be woken 45 mins later with heart pulpitations? Is this normal and what did others do to help? I have 11 weeks to go so the thought of having this ... View more

So I'm into my 3rd trimester and anxiety and insomnia has kicked in. I get to sleep eventually only to be woken 45 mins later with heart pulpitations? Is this normal and what did others do to help? I have 11 weeks to go so the thought of having this for that long scares me! Im only getting 2 hrs a night!

Guardian_Angel Living in a constant state of anxiety.
  • replies: 3

I don't have the Characters to completely explain how things come to be this way, but I care for 2 foster boys and I used to care for their big sister. For years we started to have to get counseling for her. but child protection wouldn't let us know ... View more

I don't have the Characters to completely explain how things come to be this way, but I care for 2 foster boys and I used to care for their big sister. For years we started to have to get counseling for her. but child protection wouldn't let us know what was happening in the sessions. She was drinking/taking drugs/having sex and we told child protection about it and they did nothing. After she got to a point where we managed to stop her do inappropriate things (she was age 12). She asked to be removed out of our house and put somewhere else (which they did on the day she was court skipping school so we wouldn't get a chance to tell her of. She has now shut us out completly as if we didn't exist. We had her and her brothers with us from her age 3, there has now been a total breakdown of any control in her life and she is almost 16. Apart from killing someone, I don't know one thing she hasn't been involved in, she has lost every placment she gets by walking out. Now I have been told by child protection, that if I have any contact at all. I will be up on investigation because it will "upset her". She has broken both my and my wife's hearts! But she still gets contact visits with her brothers, so we can't leave the situation behind and move on with our lives. The very thought of possibly bumping into her causes chest pains and I have trouble breathing. I have to hid it for the boy's sake and child protection can't know either or they could just walk in and take the boys from us. I've had counseling and even a couple of sessions with a psychologist. They basically say "get used to it". But I can't stop caring about someone that feels like my daughter being in so bad a situation and not even being allowed to talk to her without the risk of investigation. I just don't know what to do to cope and it's causing all sorts of trouble in my life! Every time I leave the house I watch for her, so we don't go anywhere near her. The conflict is tearing me apart and I don't know how to handle it!