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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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Charlie27 Does anyone else wonder about dying?
  • replies: 3

Hi does anyone else worry bout dying I can't seem to shake the feeling of being lost wondering if today is my last day I worry bout wat will happen to family and pets if I'm no longer here I'm scared about dying I'm scared about everything I've recen... View more

Hi does anyone else worry bout dying I can't seem to shake the feeling of being lost wondering if today is my last day I worry bout wat will happen to family and pets if I'm no longer here I'm scared about dying I'm scared about everything I've recently had people die unexpectedly one heart attack while driving another through diabetes and a close friend to cancer beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

Louise15 Feeling overwhelmed and hopeless
  • replies: 2

Hi This is my first post on BB. I have been doing some research on this site over the last few days; and have realised that I have social anxiety as well as depression. The social anxiety/ phobia has been happening since my teens, and I never recogni... View more

Hi This is my first post on BB. I have been doing some research on this site over the last few days; and have realised that I have social anxiety as well as depression. The social anxiety/ phobia has been happening since my teens, and I never recognised the symptoms until reading the information on this site. It's like a light bulb has literally gone on! I avoid social situations whenever I can, I never go to parties and I have had lots of moments where my face becomes hot, very red and sweaty. I thought at the time it was happening frequently that it was due to rosacea (a skin condition). I can remember in high school and Uni, when I have had to stand up in front of the class and give a speech, I would end up with a migraine, due to the stress of being the centre of attention. If I'm forced to socialise, I either sit quietly, hoping no one will single me out, or I have wine (enough to not care). My hb gets annoyed with me when I don't want to socialise, which just makes the feelings I have worse. I initially had PND, and I have been taking antidepressants for about 14 years, I have managed to wean my medication down, with the hope of not having to take it at all. I'm feeling very flat, and really just can't see a 'light' at the end of the tunnel. Thanks for reading

GSP Can't stop the anxiety
  • replies: 1

I've landed a job interstate and am going through the process of finding a rental, organizing a removalist, and doing small renovations to our existing house in order to rent it out. I am not getting much sleep at night because I constantly have this... View more

I've landed a job interstate and am going through the process of finding a rental, organizing a removalist, and doing small renovations to our existing house in order to rent it out. I am not getting much sleep at night because I constantly have this sick feeling that everything isn't going to work out for whatever reason, and I'll be left feeling helpless. My husband has had to leave his job and will look for work straight away when we move interstate. The new job itself doesn't really worry me (not consciously anyway), just the physical move itself I think. I have lived in this state my whole life and moving into the unknown scares the s**t out of me, especially since I don't have full control over the outcome....yes I'm a control freak. Has anyone else gone through this? I'd love to hear your experiences. I feel like I'm suffocating.

Feeling_Helpless Anxiety and Exercise
  • replies: 3

Hi all just wondering if anyone experieces or has experience severe anxiety after exercise. I try to get at least half an hour of moderate exercise a day but after i am done i get chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, upper back pain, weakness in aems... View more

Hi all just wondering if anyone experieces or has experience severe anxiety after exercise. I try to get at least half an hour of moderate exercise a day but after i am done i get chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, upper back pain, weakness in aems an legs and burning/heavy feeling all over. Which then lasts all day. I am a mum of 2yr old and 3yrs old so i do have a lot on my plate but i am generally quite healthy in meal choices and just had a blood test and everything is fine..

Sarah89 Help! New anxiety?
  • replies: 2

I've always been, I guess highly strung sort of person, but this last week it has occurred to me I have anxiety and am having panic attacks. My mental state was amazing earlier in the year, the best in a long time. Then I came back from a holiday and... View more

I've always been, I guess highly strung sort of person, but this last week it has occurred to me I have anxiety and am having panic attacks. My mental state was amazing earlier in the year, the best in a long time. Then I came back from a holiday and ever since I keep feeling nauseated. Originally I thought I was sick, but I'm pretty sure its anxiety and I have no idea what I am anxious about. When I get an attack, I start by feeling nauseated, then within about 10 mins I feel hot and cold and shaky and my heart beats really hard and fast. These symptoms last maybe an hour, but then I still feel nauseated and like an indigestion chest pain for hours and hours after. It's awful and I think I am making it worse for myself because every time I feel nauseated I worry I am going to feel worse and then I do end up having one of these attacks. Because of it I am having trouble eating and focusing on other things including things to take my mind off it. I'm just laying around in bed with no energy, worrying about it. And before these attacks I didn't feel overly worried about anything, now just any thought of anything in the future pops into my head and I get a flutter of panic because I'm worried I will be too anxious to do whatever I need to do in life, eg, work, socialise, etc. Does it sound to other people like I am having anxiety attacks? If so why is this suddenly happening when I didn't even feel that worried about anything in the first place? Also does anyone have an tips for nausea caused by anxiety? That is my worst symptom which holds me back from doing anything with my day.

CMF Phobia about the dentist
  • replies: 2

I am prone to anxiety. I have always been scared of the dentist. I put off going until I'm in a desperate situation. When my kids were younger and I took them for their first visits I found the courage to go myself- if they can do it so an I. I was s... View more

I am prone to anxiety. I have always been scared of the dentist. I put off going until I'm in a desperate situation. When my kids were younger and I took them for their first visits I found the courage to go myself- if they can do it so an I. I was so proud of myself, I did it. I haven't been back for years and now find myself in a situation where I need to go. I have booked the appointment, it's in a week and a half, earliest I could get. I am freaking out. It's a check up and cLean but I have a problem with my gum. I'm scared. Scared I may lose a tooth, scared how bad it will be. I keep telling myself whatever happens can be dealt with, stop pre empting things that may happen etc but I'm scared, full on anxiety. Why did I leave it so long to go, what if I lose a tooth, what will they do to me? I'm so stupid for it going for do long. I'm so scared now. I tell my self people go all the time and have things done. Why am I so scared? I kNow facing fear is a way to overcome it but I'm freaking out, don't wNt to wake up sick every morning which I knew would happen. Anyone else experienced this? How did you cope?

Skaters Severe paranoia.
  • replies: 1

Hello everyone! I am 27 years old and have previously never suffered from a mental illness. In the last 18months my mental health has deteriorated rapidly with a diagnosis of Anxiety andOCD. A few months ago I was involuntarily admitted to a hospital... View more

Hello everyone! I am 27 years old and have previously never suffered from a mental illness. In the last 18months my mental health has deteriorated rapidly with a diagnosis of Anxiety andOCD. A few months ago I was involuntarily admitted to a hospital with severe clinical depression- I was unable to talk or attend to any activities of daily living I was there for 6 weeks and changed medications. In the past week or two /i have begun feeling extremely paranoid about every aspect of my life and this world and have also been getting intrusive negative thoughts that feed into the paranoia. I am wondering if this is a normal aspect of depression that will come and go at times of increased stress or is this turning into something more?I am asking on here first as I want to wait as long as possible before telling my mental health team as I am afraid they will section me again ( Or is that paranoia??)

EverdeenKatniss Personal Training = Personal Hell
  • replies: 1

Hi, i am an overweight girl in her twenties, to go to the gym was a great, not to mention terrifying experience. To speak up and ask for a personal trainer was even harder, I was shy and embarrassed. I suffer from a major depressive disorder and anxi... View more

Hi, i am an overweight girl in her twenties, to go to the gym was a great, not to mention terrifying experience. To speak up and ask for a personal trainer was even harder, I was shy and embarrassed. I suffer from a major depressive disorder and anxiety issues. My trainer was unreliable and flakey, he cancelled often and never gave me what I paid for. I have chased him for three and a half weeks in seek of appointments, which he never replied. After finally getting hold of him and sending a frank, appropriate message seeking availability. Out of nowhere he replied stating this was purely professional and he believed he had given me the wrong idea and he would understand if I got another trainer. I was embarrassed and horrified because in honesty I never was suggestive or inns proprietor not to mention interested in him. The problem I face with my anxiety is when I am upset I obsess, I can't stop thinking about an issue (like one mentioned above) I am sad and sullen, I am basically haunted by the emotions I am faced with. My family want me to stay at the gym, I am so hurt and embarrassed. I am unsure how to cope with the feelings I have, as to anyone else what I am upset about is not a big deal. I am struggling with the defeat and embarrassment I am feeling. I decided to join this site to seek advice and support as I feel alone and mortified. I am obsessing over this, my anxiety is suffocating me. Thank You, J

Zoostar84 Living with Anxiety and depression
  • replies: 2

This is my first post with BeyondblueI have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression since 2004.This year has been very difficult for me. Earlier this year I was feelingvery drowsy every morning and stuggled to push through the mornings. I had runo... View more

This is my first post with BeyondblueI have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression since 2004.This year has been very difficult for me. Earlier this year I was feelingvery drowsy every morning and stuggled to push through the mornings. I had runout of my thienobenzodiazepine a couple of days before I was to see mypsychiatrist. I noticed I was not feeling drowsy during these couple of daysand I told my psychiatrist and he was happy for me to discontinue my thienobenzodiazepin. He prescribed me a tricyclic antidepressant that has been used for decades. Oneday at work I had went to the toilet and felt a sensation like I was on arocking boat. I went back to work and just froze. My manager wanted to speak tome in a private room and I felt very unsteady. I went to the tea room and layedon the couch. I later found out my blood pressure was low and I nearly passedout.I saw another psychiatrist whilst my psychiatrist was away in April. Heprescibed me a serotonin-nrepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). I was keepingfit and healthy. I go to the gym three times a week most weeks. At times I felta throbbing sensation and sharp pain in my forehead. I felt something was notquite right. My psychiatrist increased my SNRI dose. I went to thepharmacist and looked at the SNRI dose that I was being dispensed andquestioned the considerable increase in SNRI dose i was being dispensed. I spoke to him the following day and theremust have been a miscommunication between the psychiatrists because i was being dispensed the starter dose since April and he thought I was takingmore. Knowing this he increased my dose until my next appointment.I now keep a diary of my prescribed medications.Mid september I had close to a week off from work as I woke up every morningat 3:30-4:00 with heart palpitations, my head feeling a bit fuzzy. I'm back atwork now. I went to see my counsellor last week and she is very worried aboutme. I have lots of people that support me including my family, girlfriend, andwork colleagues. My counsellor gave me a mental health number for someone totalk to in an emergency situation. I am having currently having difficultyconcentrating, memory loss and feel very absent minded. I dont feel I amcurrently on the right dose of medication or right type of medication. I amtrying to manage my stress levels, but every day is difficult.

CoffeePowered how do i get past the freeze response
  • replies: 1

I have a problem with freezing up due to anxiety. Mostly I get a mental block while writing... or speaking. Like exam anxiety but all the time. I've been trying to overcome it but i can't. I break things down into smaller steps, i do calming/breathin... View more

I have a problem with freezing up due to anxiety. Mostly I get a mental block while writing... or speaking. Like exam anxiety but all the time. I've been trying to overcome it but i can't. I break things down into smaller steps, i do calming/breathing exercises. I've tried everything, but I still can't unfreeze myself.