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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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JoyB OCD Intrusive thoughts and Meds
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone. Since I was around 12 I started to have anxiety/ panic disorder and OCD symptoms and have been on medication since I was 15. All my anxiety pretty much went away between ages 17 and 20 ( with help from meds and CBT). The last year howeve... View more

Hi everyone. Since I was around 12 I started to have anxiety/ panic disorder and OCD symptoms and have been on medication since I was 15. All my anxiety pretty much went away between ages 17 and 20 ( with help from meds and CBT). The last year however I tried going off my meds, thinking I had outgrown my anxiety. I went well for a few months until a horrible movie triggered intrusive thoughts similar to what I used to have. The most obsessive and intense thoughts are mostly to do with hurting myself and or going crazy. I know they these are just thoughts which I don't want to actually happen. But the hardest things part is the way my OCD makes me doubt everything. Anything I try to think to reassure myself or what a family member says, my mind wants always has doubts even though these doubts aren't rational nor make any sense I went back on meds in July however my new psychologist recommended another medication. Since then things have improved such as the panic attacks and intensity of thoughts. However mostly at night I still get some thoughts which scare me meoderetly and make me doubt everything. The scariest thought is that there's no escaping any of it and this makes it very hard for me to be happy and look forward to things. This is devastating for me as I love Christmas time and I'm usually so happy during it. if anyone has any suggestions and or just can relate to this that would be great. I hate feeling like I'm the only one going through this. Yeah

Tony3 how to tell myself that anxiety is causing all my physical symptoms
  • replies: 4

Hi Every One Sorry For All The Caps Lock My Phone Is Wreck And Won't Let Me Start Off With Lower Case My Name Is Tony For The Past 3 Month I Have Not Been Physically Well I Keep Having Heart Attack Like Symptoms But Done All Test Which Came Back Eith... View more

Hi Every One Sorry For All The Caps Lock My Phone Is Wreck And Won't Let Me Start Off With Lower Case My Name Is Tony For The Past 3 Month I Have Not Been Physically Well I Keep Having Heart Attack Like Symptoms But Done All Test Which Came Back Either Fine Or Just Sinus Tachycardia Which GP Says It Normal And It's Just Anxiety But I Just Can't Persuade My Self To think It's Anxiety I Keep Thinking I Have Heart Condition Because My Symptoms Don't Go Away I have Been To A Phychologist To Help Me And Also A Paediatrician Who Recommend Me To Take Meds But My Phychologist Told Me Not To Take Med An Best It With Will Power Which Is Extremely Difficult I Just Can't Tell My Self It's Anxiety Please Anyone Offer Me Tips And Advice I Will Appreciate It Thank You

rpo_77 Anxiety and living authentically
  • replies: 8

So a bit of background about me first: I'm currently training to be a professional classical musician. Before I started training as a classical musician, I actually completed a degree in a different field, although it was also a creative field. Durin... View more

So a bit of background about me first: I'm currently training to be a professional classical musician. Before I started training as a classical musician, I actually completed a degree in a different field, although it was also a creative field. During my first degree, music was more of a hobby for me, something that I did because it was fun and I got to meet new people, and I enjoyed creating music. A teacher of mine suggested I audition for a classical degree at a tertiary institution since they thought I was pretty good, and I took their suggestion seriously. A year later I auditioned and was accepted to study classical music at a tertiary level. I've been training there for three years now, and in my second and third years of study I have been referred to a psychologist for anxiety and depression and I have undergone therapy. I've also been placed on beta blockers to help manage my anxiety in everyday life and in performance situations. I still have one year left to go of this degree, but I can't wait to finish. A large part of my anxiety comes from whether I actually want to continue pursuing a career in this field, or whether I want retrain in something else. My problem is, I don't think I can clearly make decisions, and I can't really tell whether my values and beliefs are my own or whether they are based on what I think other people will think. I can't tell what is real and what I genuinely believe anymore, and what things I believe because I have been told to believe them by other people. How can I tell whether I actually enjoy this line of work, or whether I am just doing it because I think other people think that it is impressive? I tried doing an exercise in finding my core values, and the first question was 'name your three greatest achievements' and I couldn't answer it by myself, and felt that I needed someone else to tell me what my achievements have been. This made me feel like I'm definitely not living my life under my own terms. I guess my question is, does anyone have any tips on how to ascertain what your TRUE values are, and what your TRUE beliefs are? How do I know whether something I feel is real as opposed to something that I have told myself to believe?

jon1 please help
  • replies: 4

hi I have the worst case of anxiety and fear I have just quit my well paid job because I cannot face going there I would wake with a massive fear of going to work. I have just got a new job but iam having fear of going to the new job I have a huge lo... View more

hi I have the worst case of anxiety and fear I have just quit my well paid job because I cannot face going there I would wake with a massive fear of going to work. I have just got a new job but iam having fear of going to the new job I have a huge loan of $700,000 on house and business and the business is not making money and I fear I will loose everything please can someone advise I am in a desperate state of mind

jade19 Anxiety is ruining my life.
  • replies: 5

In the past I have suffered from extreme depression and anxiety/social anxiety (social anxiety since I was little). I went through a horrible stage last year where my anxiety and panic attacks were affecting my ability to do anything, mainly go to wo... View more

In the past I have suffered from extreme depression and anxiety/social anxiety (social anxiety since I was little). I went through a horrible stage last year where my anxiety and panic attacks were affecting my ability to do anything, mainly go to work. I got support and help, taking medication etc. It helped. I was at my job for over 8 years, and decided it was time to move on to something different. And now I cannot stand my new job, it's horrible. I've applied for so many jobs, and nothing - even asked for my old job back. Everyday I go there my stomach is just in knots. Recently I have been extremely sick, vomiting, nausea, migraines, and it won't stop (also not pregnant). And I'm pretty sure it's my anxiety about this job that's making me so sick. People I talk to about it just say, 'Stick it out, it'll get better', 'Just stay positive, don't think negative' etc. I know they mean well, but I can't just change my mindset when everyday this job is just making mg anxiety worse. I also just moved to a different suburb (I'm used to being close to my mum, now I'm living far away from her) to be closer to my partners parents as they have health issues and we want to be closer. But the house we are renting doesn't feel right, I don't feel at home and our lease isn't up until July. im so sick of feeling this way and having no one to turn to. I feel like I'm out of options. any advise? -jade

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.