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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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BballJ GAD - How did you explain it
  • replies: 7

Hi all, My apologies in advance if this thread has been discussed before but I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. Basicially, being recently diagnosed with GAD - my partner is having a hard time understand what this is, I am still working ... View more

Hi all, My apologies in advance if this thread has been discussed before but I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. Basicially, being recently diagnosed with GAD - my partner is having a hard time understand what this is, I am still working it out personally however, has anyone had luck explaining it to their partner or family or friend, what did you use? I respect that my partner doesn't understand and she is trying too, but for her its just come out of no where, I was fine weeks ago and then now im not, which im trying to say I haven't been well for a while I've just masked It because I didn't want it to be a mental health issue, I have started explaining things I do which I never tell anyone (I.E Cannot leave home without an asthma pump, even though I don't have bad asthma, but if I leave without, I have a panic attack and feel like I can't breathe) amongst a lot of other little "Quirks" as I used to put them down too. Anyway, just seeing how you may have explained this condition to your partners or friends to help them understand, she always asks when I have an episode, what triggered it and I say its not one thing, its just a collection of things and she doesn't get that point. Thank you in advance for your responses.

MickeyMouse22 Social and generalised anxiety preventing me from work!
  • replies: 2

So I'm 21, female and I've recently been diagnosed with social and generalised anxiety and was diagnosed with depression many years back I have worked in the past but could never keep a job because of things like talking on the phone, looking people ... View more

So I'm 21, female and I've recently been diagnosed with social and generalised anxiety and was diagnosed with depression many years back I have worked in the past but could never keep a job because of things like talking on the phone, looking people in the face when speaking to them, lethargy, sleep and/or lack of and lack of concentration during the day. I am at a point where I have no idea what to do and it's all very confusing and scary I just want to be happy but it's such a struggle I have a supportive partner but it's just not enough anymore I physically can't get up to goto work which leaves me feeling hopeless and even though I hate being away from the house I also hate being stuck in the house I barely have enough money to survive and it makes me more anxious... I am so confused by it all and I am stuck in a loop

Overwatchdude From high end professional to non-functional, living with parents. Only feeling worse while waiting for treatment
  • replies: 11

Hi all, Ive read through the guidelines but please forgive me if im posting in the wrong place. Ive been battling anxiety since childhood but was only diagnosed a few years ago, im now nearing my mid 30s. Ive also been diagnosed with OCD stemming fro... View more

Hi all, Ive read through the guidelines but please forgive me if im posting in the wrong place. Ive been battling anxiety since childhood but was only diagnosed a few years ago, im now nearing my mid 30s. Ive also been diagnosed with OCD stemming from intrusive thoughts, which has spiraled me into a deep depression. Ive recently had to quit my job and move back in with my parents since I was self medicating via substance abuse. Ive since seen a new psychiatrist and been put onto a new medication which has had me feeling worse, and been referred to a psychologist, though it will be 6 weeks before my appointment. I guess Im just incredibly scared. Im tired of having intrusive thoughts and my biggest fear is of "losing control". Currently im basically non functional and virtually bedridden. Friends and family have encouraged me to keep. busy and exercise, though just getting out of bed in a struggle, let alone going to the gym. Time feels like its moving at a snails pace and I feel worthless. I dont really know where im going with this, I just feel alone and like my experiences are unique. I have the utmost respect for the people here who suffer from depression and can still function, I dont know how you do it when I can barely leave my room. Waiting to feel just a little bit better is making me feel worse, if that makes sense. Any help or advice is appreciated.

brad01 anxiety after drinking / in general
  • replies: 3

hi everyonewas just wondering if any has had anxiety come on strong for a few days after drinking ? or anyones opinions on drinking and anxiety ? and drinking with a/d's i know there is a lot of variation on effects on people.a little bit of backgrou... View more

hi everyonewas just wondering if any has had anxiety come on strong for a few days after drinking ? or anyones opinions on drinking and anxiety ? and drinking with a/d's i know there is a lot of variation on effects on people.a little bit of background i had generalised panic attacks and anxiety then was put on medication and has been helpful but on some days usually saturdays or sundays (it starts ) then feel waves of anxiety and funny feelings in my head almost numb or something also feel like there is nothing more i can do and none can help because I'm already on the pills etc.I'm wondering if alcohol could make these things happen the gp said a few drinks should be safe but i should not get very intoxicated, he also said sometimes i might have bad days but i fell like I'm going back wards and freak out when these things happen. sometimes these feelings have happened out of nowhere but seems to be a pattern with drinking. i have been taking it very easy and have cut down drinking to very little but being a young male tradesperson a lot of events/ socialising revolve around drinking and i do enjoy having a few beers or going out .i have never relied on drinking to stop stressing only because i enjoy itsorry for the long storythanks everyone

Molly79 Constant 24/7 chest pain
  • replies: 8

I'm 37yrs old, female and have just recently been diagnosed with anxiety. 5 months ago my father passed away in front of my mum in the kitchen due to a heart attack. 3 weeks after his passing, unusual symptoms started rising. Fear, withdrawn from the... View more

I'm 37yrs old, female and have just recently been diagnosed with anxiety. 5 months ago my father passed away in front of my mum in the kitchen due to a heart attack. 3 weeks after his passing, unusual symptoms started rising. Fear, withdrawn from the world, chest pains, panic and most of all stress. Ever since I have suffered from major chest pain, ongoing for 4-5 days with no letting up. My chest pain will give me maximum 2 days grace and then start up again. I've seen a cardiologist, had multiple ecgs, blood tests, abdominal scan, chest xray of heart and lungs plus a stress test and of course, all come back normal. 2 months ago my mum passed out and has a aneurysm on the back of her brain and we are awaiting surgery. I have been put on medication and have only been taking it for 2 weeks. Im seeing a councillor next week for the first time so touch wood this will help. Just wondering if others are suffering the never ending chest pains and how does people deal with this. I work night shift as well 5 nights a week and I never want to go too work or leave the house I did however go away for a week overseas and I never suffered any chest pains or anxiety!!!!!!

Guest_1055 Panic Attack
  • replies: 12

This morning I know I had a mild panic attack. Gosh I have not had one for ages. For which I am very thankful. At the moment I am so fearful of what the people think of me. Because I was in a situation where I needed to explain an issue to two people... View more

This morning I know I had a mild panic attack. Gosh I have not had one for ages. For which I am very thankful. At the moment I am so fearful of what the people think of me. Because I was in a situation where I needed to explain an issue to two people. And they were looking at me with such trustful eyes. I didn't want to fail at verbally speaking. I am not sure if they understood and I could feel my voice shaking and that awful feeling of Mr dread and Mr fear creep up upon me. How I long to be free of those forever..... Shelley anne

Overwatchdude What to do about appetite? Gotta eat to live, right?
  • replies: 3

Im not a big eater at the best of times, so when I experience severe anxiety such as I am now, I lose almost all appetite, the only things I can stomach are juices, soft drinks, and soups. One of my major symptoms of anxiety and depression is nausea,... View more

Im not a big eater at the best of times, so when I experience severe anxiety such as I am now, I lose almost all appetite, the only things I can stomach are juices, soft drinks, and soups. One of my major symptoms of anxiety and depression is nausea, to the point where I gag and/or vomit. Even when it eases a bit, I still have no appetite and I find forcing myself to eat leads to more anxiety and nausea which makes me depressed. Might anyone have any tips for the nausea? Im trying to avoid "rocking the boat" with more prescriptions whilst I adjust to new medications, but I need to eat. In the past 2 weeks ive already lost about 4kg

DN129 Feeling wrecked for days following anxiety.
  • replies: 7

Hello, I'm just looking for input from other users as my doctor doesn't really comment on this. I started getting anxiety about a year ago, it attached itself to a lot of day to day activities in the forms of phobias. I've been working hard to push t... View more

Hello, I'm just looking for input from other users as my doctor doesn't really comment on this. I started getting anxiety about a year ago, it attached itself to a lot of day to day activities in the forms of phobias. I've been working hard to push through these phobias and have made good progress to the point I can function, but still know my limitations. Over the weekend I had a big day out in which I completed several anxiety inducing situations. I felt mild-moderate anxiety the whole time and was still functioning despite it. But the following day, (Sunday) I just felt wrecked. I was super tired, I had heavy eyes, I had a frontal headache, my stomach was a mess, I felt slightly out of it and dizzy. Its by far the worst I've felt following anxiety. The other strange symptom which I can't find a connection is the anxiety seems to bring up all these sinus/allergy symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose and pressure in my forehead. I know it seems like it could be caused by another factor, but it genuinely all feels caused by the anxiety. Which is the hardest thing for me to push through it, you often pay the cost for days following it. Can anyone relate to this? Is it 'normal'?

Amity__affliction Coming out about my anxiety.
  • replies: 5

Hi all. I have had anxiety for some time now although it has become something that's really affecting me over the last few years. I never told anyone about my anxiety, because I'm just so embarrassed about it. And I didn't want people to think that I... View more

Hi all. I have had anxiety for some time now although it has become something that's really affecting me over the last few years. I never told anyone about my anxiety, because I'm just so embarrassed about it. And I didn't want people to think that I'm just werido or a lazy guy who hates going out in a social setting where it's loud and there are people everywhere. I have sensory overload in these's kind of environments, and you just feel so strange. I overthink things in my mind constantly such as a work project that's coming up or an event that I need to do good at. They make me anxious the moment they arrive. But I do try my best to believe in myself although sometimes if things are not going to plan, well here come the overwhelming feelings of the demon itself anxiety. Times when I feel like life is not going the way I wanted, I start to question myself, and regrets off opportunities and mistakes where I could have made it or done it better flood in. All theses feelings build up till the point I just completely lose it and break down. I finally spoke to my family about it and I'm glad that they somewhat understand my situation and I'm grateful for that it means heaps to me. And I'll be considering getting more help as I'm only just accepting that this is happening to me. Thank you...

tim41 Sleeping problems
  • replies: 23

Hi, I would really like some advice/support to what I'm going through at the mine, I recently had my parents visit me from overseas and my father took unwell, it was a terrible experience for me, since then I have been to see my GP and a Psychologist... View more

Hi, I would really like some advice/support to what I'm going through at the mine, I recently had my parents visit me from overseas and my father took unwell, it was a terrible experience for me, since then I have been to see my GP and a Psychologist to get some help as I'm very down and anxious about life in generally, the doctor has given me some Anti depressant tablets to which I'm at week 3 of taking them, my biggest problem is I cannot sleep at night and its effecting a lot of things in my life, has anybody gone through this, does anxiety cause this and what are good remedy's to help, I'm trying everything I can such as non prescription sleeping tablets and going to gym but nothing seems to be helping me, I would be much appreciated to hear from anybody in the same situation or can offer me some advise and encouragement, thanks in advance