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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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Beyondbe Holiday panic.attack. fly drive or not go?
  • replies: 8

Hi all, My main panic attack trigger if feeling trapped and not being able to escape the situation if needed to I struggle with pretty much all transport. My partners family are going to QLD in jan for a couple of weeks. Some people are flying and in... View more

Hi all, My main panic attack trigger if feeling trapped and not being able to escape the situation if needed to I struggle with pretty much all transport. My partners family are going to QLD in jan for a couple of weeks. Some people are flying and in laws are driving. it's melb to qld. Would like to go but transport is my main panic attack trigger and not sure I'll cope with the plane or long car trip. I'm worried I'll panic and feel out of control/cause a scene.. and then there's the fact that if I get there I still have to travel home again. I'm usually fine in the car when it's only my partner and myself and I don't feel trapped as I know we could pull over or turn around and go home if we wanted to. If we were to drive it would be in the inlaws car as everyone could share driving and petrol costs etc and our cars not super reliable anyway but I don't want to ruin or negatively effect there holiday by panicking on the way and needing toto pull over etc. We are considering not going but what would you do? any advice?

Bec2335 Anxiety and medications
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone- I was hoping to connect with others in a similar position maybe get a different prospective on things. My story- I was a victim of domestic violence and after leaving a few years ago now, I began having extreme anxiety issues. I felt lik... View more

Hi everyone- I was hoping to connect with others in a similar position maybe get a different prospective on things. My story- I was a victim of domestic violence and after leaving a few years ago now, I began having extreme anxiety issues. I felt like I had lost all control which was making me considerably depressed and i was avoiding all social interactions. My group of friends in now almost nonexistent because of it. I have since found an absolutely amazing man who has been a heaven sent for my kids and I. He gave me the love and support I needed to get to the GP and deal with my symptoms, after witnessing one of my episodes first hand (I had kept how I was feeling a secret- not a good thing, i know but its now out in the open). Anyway, GP put me on medication which was amazing at first. However, 8 months later i feel like i have just stuck a band-aid over the wound not to mention the fact that my libido has become absoluely non existent thus putting a strain on my relationship. I would like to be drug free and i would like to deal with my symptoms in a more natural way- i just dont know where to start. i would really appreciate any input

Traveller73 Thankyou, my story
  • replies: 1

Hi, when I first joined this online forum over a year ago, I had a bad case of anxiety over an upcoming event I was worried sick over. I had terrible symptoms, lightheadedness, headaches and a rapid heart rate. My usual methods of cognitive behav the... View more

Hi, when I first joined this online forum over a year ago, I had a bad case of anxiety over an upcoming event I was worried sick over. I had terrible symptoms, lightheadedness, headaches and a rapid heart rate. My usual methods of cognitive behav therapy did not help with totally irrational thoughts. What did help was deep breathing, relaxation tapes, distraction and most importantly of then all -mindfulness. I was almost driven to medication, i made it to the phamacist counter- but I just couldn't do it (worried about side effects, dependency) so Ijust continued with mindfulness. The stressful anticipated event passed, which went by without a hitch, and I calmed down immensely. However lifes worries often bring the anxiety back. I know what it is now (some comfort), and how to deal with it. Also not all worry management the same- the cognitive behav therapy works with logical worries. The anxiety still comes back but it is more manageable. I just wanted to say a big thankyou to all you forum posters when I went through a difficukt time and had not many people who understood. Also to the people going through it, i can definately recommend the book 'The HappinessTrap' which despite its name is all about mindfulness and living with anxiety. I have also since been open about my experiences with other mums from school and am totally surprised how much lack of knowledge and stigma there is about this subject. One mum i spoke to for over an hour had no idea how to deal with her worries and knew little about anxiety (i directed her to this website) Good luck and best wishes to all, hang in there, try to do something tranquil every day. Lastly someone once commented there were not enough success stories on here, so please count this as one. ​

Seekparadise Anxiety manifesting physically?
  • replies: 6

I have never been diagnosed with anxiety before but over my life there have been several things that have triggered me to feel exceptionally anxious to the point of what I would describe as a panic attack such as having bugs in my house and public sp... View more

I have never been diagnosed with anxiety before but over my life there have been several things that have triggered me to feel exceptionally anxious to the point of what I would describe as a panic attack such as having bugs in my house and public speaking. I've also generally been exceptionally nervous when it comes to social situations. Recently I started a new job. It was great for a few weeks but I'm a few months in and I'm starting to feel horrible. It's a sales job and it's stressful and I find myself dreading going even in the days leading up to a shift. When I do go, I've found myself vomiting on my way there and when I'm at work. I've been the doc for it + other symptoms like acid reflux and I'm on medication for that. But I'm still vomiting. I realised it only happens when I'm on my way to work. Lately I've been feeling horrible all the time. I feel sick to my stomach, exhausted. I'm not thinking anything in particular, not pre empting situations or thinking negative thoughts, but I feel worried all the time and I'm starting to feel unsettled like I used to, feeling like I'm clenching up all the time. I've had a long history of nausea and vomiting and stomach issues and I'm starting to wonder if all along this has been tied to anxiety.. doctors have never found anything physically wrong with me. I'm seeing Headspace next week and my doctor has me on a mental health care plan. but I'm just wondering if anyone else has anxiety that manifests in physical health symptoms. Like stomach aches, vomiting, nausea? Fatigue? I'm wondering if anxiety is causing it?

Wheatbeltboy Can someone PLEASE tell me this is just anxiety?
  • replies: 10

Hi all. I have had about 12 years of depression and anxiety that all started from a meltdown one night, and since then every few years I will have a meltdown. When this happens usually a thought or fear will trigger it and it has been from thoughts s... View more

Hi all. I have had about 12 years of depression and anxiety that all started from a meltdown one night, and since then every few years I will have a meltdown. When this happens usually a thought or fear will trigger it and it has been from thoughts such as, "did I just hear a voice", "am I going to go crazy and end up in a Psyche ward", or "did that guy just stare at me because he thinks I'm gay"? I have learnt that over time I get better, but I have now been in this dark place for 3 weeks now and I'm worried that this time I won't be able to crawl out of it! I am on medication for the depression/anxiety and generally I am really well, I just get too complacent I think and start burning the candle at both ends and end up back here. I would really love to hear that this is normal and I'm not developing Schizophrenia or something similar. If anyone else out there experiences this it would be great to hear from you.

qwebnm can music cause anxiety?
  • replies: 14

Hey guys I've searched up online if music can cause anxiety but the answer seems to be no, in fact it can lower anxiety according to my research. I've been listening to music most of my life and usually I listen to the same songs over and over again ... View more

Hey guys I've searched up online if music can cause anxiety but the answer seems to be no, in fact it can lower anxiety according to my research. I've been listening to music most of my life and usually I listen to the same songs over and over again because I'm bored. However there have been moments where I've found a new song and loved it and am in a state of trance and bliss and I've listened to the song constantly over a few days until it gets boring as well.. Recently I've noticed that all the Times I've experienced extreme anxiety I had found a new song which I loved a few days earlier. My guess is that the music causes chemical imbalances? Due to my personal experiences I strongly believe music causes me anxiety but since there is no scientific evidence to support this I feel like I'm just being silly by avoiding music

lucie-lu Anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi Everyone I feel like i just need to say anxiety really sucks. I have been suffering with different types of anxiety for about 10 years now. and it certainly has been a roller coaster. I have had some big changes in my life this year and im about t... View more

Hi Everyone I feel like i just need to say anxiety really sucks. I have been suffering with different types of anxiety for about 10 years now. and it certainly has been a roller coaster. I have had some big changes in my life this year and im about to endure another life changing situation. I'm trying to look at this with a positive mind set a fresh start but my friend anxiety is making this an extremely difficult. I currently see a psychologist and use medication to help with my anxiety. coming into this next year i will be moving away to a rural location and will no longer have the same access that i have in the city. I find this terrifying especially not knowing how my anxiety will go with it. I have been reading posts on here for some time and find that this is such a supportive community and thought that i would give it ago. Sorry that my post is a bit all over the place. But i look forward to conversing with you all. Thanks

Sunny_side Anxiety-when it creeps up out of the blue.
  • replies: 10

hello, this is my first post, so a little nervous. But I have been reading posts for sometime and feel I would like to share and one of the things that has helped me with my anxiety is knowing I am not alone. From my childhood memories I have always ... View more

hello, this is my first post, so a little nervous. But I have been reading posts for sometime and feel I would like to share and one of the things that has helped me with my anxiety is knowing I am not alone. From my childhood memories I have always been anxious and driven by pleasing others. I have always pushed myself to excel and have been hard on myself. I have managed to use cope until 2 years ago, when I had my first anxiety attack. The trigger was and still is work related and the all consuming fear or failure and the consequences of me failing or doing something wrong. During my last two years of being diagnosed with anxiety, I have learnt a lot about myself and have some strategies that help me. I have also become acquainted with panic attacks. BUT, anxiety seems to creep up on me when I least expect it and give me a really hard time. Like this week. It reallyconsumes my thoughts and makes me worry about things. i would like to hear how people deal with anxiety when it hits you out of the blue and is persistent. Also any positive stories or living with anxiety

Matt005 2016 the year things went pear shaped
  • replies: 4

2016 was was the year it all changed for me, I had just turned 30... I went from being happy, healthy and not a worry in the world to living every day with worry and anxiety. It all started when I woke up one night drenched in sweat, heart racing and... View more

2016 was was the year it all changed for me, I had just turned 30... I went from being happy, healthy and not a worry in the world to living every day with worry and anxiety. It all started when I woke up one night drenched in sweat, heart racing and the fear I was having a heart attack, I panicked and drove myself to the local hospital where they rushed me in only to find every thing was okay and after a few hours they sent me home feeling back to normal. Since this day I have been back to hospital 4 times with similar symptoms and could have easily taken myself several more, but knowing that it's either anxiety or panic attacks I have stopped myself from going in. I have many physical symptoms daily from tingles and numbness through my body, pains in my head, chest pains, extreme sweating, loss of focus at work, sadness, I feel on edge and like I am going crazy. I have been to the doctor and had heart test and many other test that have all came back fine, I have changed my diet, my lifestyle and searched the web for any vitamins that may help as I don't won't to be on medication but it seems to be getting worse and worse as the year goes on. I can't seem to find what causes my anxiety, I love my job, I don't feel like I am stressed about anything, My girlfriend is amazing and she supports me through it all after I told her about it all. I have stopped drinking alcohol, caffeine and sugar drinks and also given up social smoking and the occasional use of recreational drugs (ecstasy) but none of this has seemed to help. I get the anxiety at all different times including: sleeping, work, gym, hairdressers, social outings, at home, playing sport and even driving. I have tried benzodiazepenes to calm me down but it doesn't seem to work that well, I am also on beta-blockers for a minor heart issue but I don't want to be taking these other medications as I have read so many bad side effects. I have booked in to speak to someone who specializes in this but they are not free until January. It feels as if life is a struggle every day lately and I just really don't know what to do? Is it only going to get worse? What might help me?

MessyHeadSpin I have this weird problem that has manifested, associating things I see to sex or something related
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone, Firstly, I'm MessyHeadSpin I'm 31 years old (..I think) and I live in the Gold Coast. I have suffered depression, anxiety, ADHD and a list of other problems but I suppose those are the main ones. I also think I suffer PTSD after years of... View more

Hi everyone, Firstly, I'm MessyHeadSpin I'm 31 years old (..I think) and I live in the Gold Coast. I have suffered depression, anxiety, ADHD and a list of other problems but I suppose those are the main ones. I also think I suffer PTSD after years of horrible life and problems... I've been battling with sleep problems that have caused me a lot of stress and it has affected people around me a lot. Anyway, greetings and thanks for reading my post. So to begin, a little back story about this current issue. I lived with 2 people who ended up being absolutely horrible to me, but whilst I was there and things were 'ok' I was going out with a Japanese girl. My housemate said to me 'when she's making her squeaking noises think of me' ... O.O Ever since that day, I actually had that stuck in my head. It infuriated me a lot and ended up causing big problems in my relationship. I think there is something wrong with me... But now, I have this chronic issue where I associate things that I see to sex or anything related to it... For example, I was looking up Pearly Penile Papules which is a small issue I have, and I saw a suggested video of a popular youtuber who I don't particularly like and there seems to be some part of my brain that wants to associate his face with what I was researching... Now I kind of have the concern that every time I see that persons suggestions in the youtube I'll remember this situation. This kind of thing happens to me all the time like if I'm watching a movie and someone horrible does something sexually abusive to someone or something then I have some paranoia that develops that if I get into a situation that has something even slightly related to just an action they were doing (not the abusive stuff, just a visual or something) that I will think of that if I ever get into a situation like that.. I'm not sure how to make that make it make sense without giving too much detail.... One more example, if my housemates god son is talking about something sexual like boobs or something I don't want him to because I might relate him to boobs and it will ruin my experience later on. It might seem funny, but it's a serious problem for me... I feel like sometimes I have to stick my fingers in my ears and go 'la la la' and get out of there in case someone taints even more of my thoughts. I'm just tired of it and I don't know if anyone has anything helpful to say. I appreciate everyone who reads this and replies. Thank you.