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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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QueenOfSpades Information please
  • replies: 3

I have suffered anxiety for many years now. Last year I experienced a severe mental breakdown and have been recovering from the person it turned me into. I am doing a lot better but there are random days when everything hits again. I was borderline a... View more

I have suffered anxiety for many years now. Last year I experienced a severe mental breakdown and have been recovering from the person it turned me into. I am doing a lot better but there are random days when everything hits again. I was borderline agoraphobic and had a lot of time off work. I discussed every detail with my employer and we cooperated to assist us both in the best way. However, now when I wake up to the terrible feelings of overwhelming panic attacks and complete sadness, I just message them on the company phone to inform them I won't be in that day. I don't want to talk to my partner or family on these days let alone work colleagues or bosses. I physically can't bring myself to communicate in the moment. Different people answer the phone at work each week and I am uncomfortable discussing it with everyone. The confidentiality is seriously lacking with many people there and I don't trust them enough to tell them what they think they're entitled to hear. Legally I know they are not. So I just message in the hope to not deal with that or the hostility some people get with those that do call in sick, as if anything worse needs to be added to a day like those ones. Is there anything I can do to get through to them? Legally or morally? i see it as, at least I am letting them know in some form that I won't be in. I know it's extremely unprofessional and it does look bad, but surely considering the circumstances (that the boss knows every detail) that maybe they would understand a bit. Any advice is appreciated, thankyou everyone.

Lisa2 New to group & I have social anxiety :)
  • replies: 5

Hello everyone, My name is Lisa, I am 24 years old and have recently come to Perth on a working holiday visa. I have been experiencing symptoms of social anxiety since I was in my teens. It became so intrusive in my life I felt completely overwhelmed... View more

Hello everyone, My name is Lisa, I am 24 years old and have recently come to Perth on a working holiday visa. I have been experiencing symptoms of social anxiety since I was in my teens. It became so intrusive in my life I felt completely overwhelmed, exhausted and felt an inability to function normally on a day-to-day basis. I went and got CBT and counselling. It helped me help myself reduce the symptoms and of my anxiety and handle it better. My anxiety is like waves, sometimes it is sky high and sometimes low and manageable. It has not completely gone but now in my life I feel more equipped in addressing my anxiety and help myself keep pushing forward in life. I also have a brother with severe OCD and I can see the effects it is having on his quality of life and causing distress for those who love him. I have joined this group to share my experience with anxiety with others, feel connected to like-minded people and perhaps help others in their journey. Looking forward to connecting with you guys Lisa

Stu-E Whatever this affliction is called i got it....
  • replies: 1

Hi Everyone, Whatever this affliction is called i got it.... I'm suffering severe social anxiety with a fair dash of depression presently, which is weird because i'm usually very adaptable, calm & chatty. I'm currently hiding this issue like a Pro, b... View more

Hi Everyone, Whatever this affliction is called i got it.... I'm suffering severe social anxiety with a fair dash of depression presently, which is weird because i'm usually very adaptable, calm & chatty. I'm currently hiding this issue like a Pro, but in theory it's all completely coming apart at a rate of knots, nobody besides my parents are aware of this or really have a clue. I'm able to hold down my office job without any real suspicion from others on how i'm feeling, i'm starting to miss days on a regular basis now however, which is a concern. What is odd is that i'm likely the most talkative, upbeat & jovial character in a large office environment & i'm told I have become a such a great morale guy which is nice. Socially i'm in good shape here. On the flip side my life outside of work is a living nightmare. I'm the polar opposite...i'm completely withdrawn, lonely, stuck in my own crazy opinions & thoughts, completely anti-social, frightened & just completely conceded. I'm seeing a psychologist by the way, early days though. I have all but lost the majority of my friends, due to the fact I just wish to be alone in my own thoughts frequently. I keep making excuses not to be places, it's like i'm completely checked out mentally. I'm pretty sure this is some kind of social anxiety but I run every conversation through my head. I analyse my social interactions to a complete fault, i'm so critical of myself for just no reason at all. I'm never satisfied with myself no matter what & the anxiety that hits me from all directions and I have no defence for it. I'm literally in fear of this & have grown rather protective of myself. I have bravely just returned to the dating scene recently (no idea why I thought this would work) & the anxiety/pressure hit's me like a tonne of bricks. I'm no longer equipped to deal with it, although I wish to meet someone... I'm really just lonely & looking to improve my situation, maybe make a friend or two, but I literally feel ILL from each experience. Yeah, granted it's a total sh*t-show out there these days, but this feeling of anxiety/depression is ​really something else. I just crumble to the pressure & just leaves me in a poor mental health. Anyone share any sentiments on this condition? Really wishing to improve my situation, but unable to handle/deal with the necessary steps to do so. Cheers Stu

Eric_Cartman Looking for ways of dealing with anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hello, I am new to this website and forum. I am looking for information for improving my standard of living. I've had depression and anxiety since my late teens and i am now in my late twenties. I have tried multiple ways of dealing with anxiety from... View more

Hello, I am new to this website and forum. I am looking for information for improving my standard of living. I've had depression and anxiety since my late teens and i am now in my late twenties. I have tried multiple ways of dealing with anxiety from medication to counselling and it hasn't resolved my very severe social anxiety. I literally cannot leave my home without being overwhelmed. Probably left the house during the day 3 times in the last 6 months. I am quite overweight which obviously doesn't help, plus the fact that I don't have a car or license so when I do leave, I am forced to use public transport and interact with more people. I even feel extremely anxious walking down the street when cars drive past as if the people in them are staring at me and judging me. I realize these thoughts are completely irrational which only makes it worse as i try to snap myself out of it, and probably even talk to myself and look like i have schizophrenia or something similar. Not that I am judging people who have those illnesses, it's more that I feel that people are judging me constantly. Very critical of myself and my failings too. Problem is that I am obese, not many marketable skills so work is hard to find, which just makes me feel worse and the jobs that are available to me are mostly customer service jobs and I don't have the confidence or drive to work in that type of industry. Currently have very little money which doesn't help and I am essentially a leech on society, which is not a position I am comfortable with. I can't even go down to centrelink or job agencies as I freak out in my head about the whole experience and it just makes me feel even worse about the current situation. I have been working on my lifestyle choices for the past 3 months. I have given up alcohol, soft drinks, junk food and i exercise daily. I have lost 13 kilos which has definitely improved some aspects of how i judge myself but the lack of transport and employment is a killer. Plus i don't really feel confident in myself yet to even enter public during the day. I walk late at night when nobody is around so i don't have to deal with social interaction. Even saying hello is difficult for me. Basically just looking for advice on ways to improve confidence i guess and its hard as a guy to ask for help as i don't see it as masculine. Also if there is any advice for making some money online that would be greatly appreciated. Pretty cooked i know haha.

Bearess72 Anxiety sufferer
  • replies: 9

I have been suffering with anxiety for many years, I have tried councillors, medications and it feels like nothing is working for me. My partner is very supportive he also works shift work and sometimes is away for 24 hrs which make me feel very anxi... View more

I have been suffering with anxiety for many years, I have tried councillors, medications and it feels like nothing is working for me. My partner is very supportive he also works shift work and sometimes is away for 24 hrs which make me feel very anxious especially when there is very bad weather around whilst I'm alone I become quite on edge and scared something bad will happened to me. When I feel this way I will try go out so I can be around people and feel secure. My councillor believes that due to my bad experience from an earth tremor the shock from that has made me feel the way I do. My days just feel a struggle and it seems to just cripple me to the extent of where I can't function and be the great person I would like to be. When I talk about this it sounds very crazy but it's the truth on how I feel and I believe being honest is the best way for others to be able to suggest or give advice to me so I can move forward and not struggle every day like I have been for a long time now.

Someonewhofeelscrap Catfishing
  • replies: 2

I catfished somebody for a year and I feel absolutely terrible about it. I shouldn't have done it. What if I am never happy again? I want to cry. I want to move on.. but what if I can't? I can't talk to anybody about it and I am so scared. View more

I catfished somebody for a year and I feel absolutely terrible about it. I shouldn't have done it. What if I am never happy again? I want to cry. I want to move on.. but what if I can't? I can't talk to anybody about it and I am so scared.

Jimboloo Possible anxiety?
  • replies: 17

Hi all, Quick run down, I've been sick with severe nausea, unexplained weight loss (13kg), burping ( like a man at the pub after a few beers) and the occasional faint feeling for the past 6 months. I've brought up the possibility of anxiety with my g... View more

Hi all, Quick run down, I've been sick with severe nausea, unexplained weight loss (13kg), burping ( like a man at the pub after a few beers) and the occasional faint feeling for the past 6 months. I've brought up the possibility of anxiety with my gp, but as we cannot find any stress/anxious around the time it started he has shrugged it off. I've been seeing a gastro and dietician as well and every test they do has come up fine, or something that wouldn't be causing any of the symptom . Its mainly the mornings that its at the worst, I can't even drive at the moment to take my children to school and swimming lessons. Not having any answers and continuous tests has taken its toll on me, and I feel its taking toll on the people close to me as well ( they are 110% supportive and do not complain, but I feel like a burden). My children have missed out on so much because Mum is sick. I don't have the well known signs of anxiety. I'm just not sure anymore. Thanks all

Phenn Need help getting back to work :(
  • replies: 3

Hi all. In November 2016 I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression which has really scared me. I'm 36yo and started a new job in August but my heart was not in it and I left. In the lead-up to me leaving I got major anxiety and even now, unemployed... View more

Hi all. In November 2016 I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression which has really scared me. I'm 36yo and started a new job in August but my heart was not in it and I left. In the lead-up to me leaving I got major anxiety and even now, unemployed and trying to look for work, I freak out at the thought of trying to find/start a new job. I haven't really had to deal with this level of worry before so its really quite a shock to my system. I am on a mental health plan, speak to my GP regularly and am seeing a psychologist but I just can't seem to get the courage to get back to work, although I really want to. My wife and family is very supportive, thank god. Does anyone know of any help/support groups that help people with anxiety ease themselves back into work by finding low stress part time opportunities or something similar? I have asked my GP, Psych and called Beyond Blue helpline and no one seems to know of anyone that offers help in this area. Your advice is much appreciated. Thank you. Phenn

Lind779 Anxiety and Pregnancy. Advice needed.
  • replies: 2

Its been a very long time since I have been on this forum. Everything has been going well and ever since getting pregnant, my anxiety had almost dissapered. Until now... Im 7 months pregnant and its been a text book pregnancy so far. Today I woke wit... View more

Its been a very long time since I have been on this forum. Everything has been going well and ever since getting pregnant, my anxiety had almost dissapered. Until now... Im 7 months pregnant and its been a text book pregnancy so far. Today I woke with my tinnitus being alot louder than usual which happens from time to time but for some reason, it's really bothering me this time.I have had Restless legs throughout this entire pregnancy which I have been dealing with ok but for some reason it bothered me even more last night. I'm starting to think my anxiety is creeping in and I'm worried it will get worse. I am starting to get a little nervous about how things will be when bub arrives and giving birth now I'm getting closer. I've always had it back in my mind that I hope my anxiety stayed away after birth. Im not sure if its anxiety thats aggravating my tinnitus and legs but I know Im feeling off today mentally and starting to worry anxiety is coming back. Im not sure what Im looking for here, maybe reassurances, maybe with others who have tinnitus to tell me I will be ok or other pregnant women who have been in the same situation and have come out ok?

KatieJane Is it discrimination?
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I have a job which keeps me on a tight leash and strict set of guidelines by my code of conduct so cannot disclose particulars about my situation, however I need your help/opinion. Today I was told by my employer that I need to 'get over and ... View more

Hi all, I have a job which keeps me on a tight leash and strict set of guidelines by my code of conduct so cannot disclose particulars about my situation, however I need your help/opinion. Today I was told by my employer that I need to 'get over and deal with some of my issues' in regards to my OCD and anxiety (which I am on medication and see a psychologist for). I was also told my students wellbeing comes well before my own, and their needs are more important than my own (in regards to my mental health).I ended up becoming a blubbering mess in my car driving home. I understand where they are coming from, however when asked to meet unrealistic expectations which impacts directly on my job and state of mind, and then being told to just "deal with and get over some of your issues" when said employer knows you have OCD and anxiety.. I'm left wondering if I have any grounds to stand in this...