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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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ElyseMc What to do, i feel lost
  • replies: 3

Hi, im new to this and I actually feel silly and a little embarrassed.. i have such bad anxiety and i guess some depression at times and I feel like I dont know what to do.. and i know that other ppl go through it too and so many people have lived an... View more

Hi, im new to this and I actually feel silly and a little embarrassed.. i have such bad anxiety and i guess some depression at times and I feel like I dont know what to do.. and i know that other ppl go through it too and so many people have lived and have situations so much worse than me that i feel like an ungrateful fool and not really worthy to even be on here.. but i just need to reach out and go outside my comfort zone and actually say what's on my mind and what's going on with me cause i feel like an emotional wreck and like i could explode. I am a perfectionist and find it so hard to live with myself because

mummabear23 Anxiety is winning
  • replies: 3

Hi, I am a newbie to this community forum, not sure why I decided to post tonight but I guess the typing is helping me to not overthink for now. I don't really know where to begin as there are not enough characters for what is going on in my head rig... View more

Hi, I am a newbie to this community forum, not sure why I decided to post tonight but I guess the typing is helping me to not overthink for now. I don't really know where to begin as there are not enough characters for what is going on in my head right now. I mean I have had major clinical depression since I was 14 with anxiety and panic attacks since 18. For the most part the depression is normally what consumes me but recently it has been the anxiety that is crippling me. I mean I figured I would have conquered this demon in the last 20 years, but it is stronger than ever. I guess I don't know who I am anymore or if I like who this person is? I haven't had it easy but its all relative to the individual. People comment all the time I don't know how you do it but honestly I am not doing it, I am just good at faking it and at the moment I am sucking at that. My problem is I worry too much about everyone else and think so little of myself. I have spent the better part of 2 years navigating my daughter's disability and now my son's too and in that time I have lost my identity as a woman, wife, friend....I have devoted so much time and energy into building my daughter up to be proud of herself and mothering my young son that I forgot about me. I love my kids, I move mountains for them but I can't seem to adult. I live vicariously through other people's social media yet it also reminds me of things I have lost...friendships, career, my smile. I want to deactivate it but I also need it to feel connected and in touch. The anxiety is making it hard to get up each day....some days I can't function at all. I cancel things at the last minute all the time as I did while I tried to work and parent, yet I sit here worrying about how I keep disappointing people...or maybe I am disappointed in myself. I have goals and dreams yet it all seems so out of reach. On the days I have no children at home, I sleep and eat my feelings so much so that I have gained lots of weight and hate looking at myself. My mum says I need to try and be strong and think of me, in theory I know what I need to do but in reality I had a major anxiety attack in my son's day care parking lot as I couldn't figure out how to reverse out in our new big van.....I feel helpless, I feel guilty, I feel inadequate...I feel consumed by anxiety and so depressed and this time it is proving difficult to beat. I can be my children's champion so why can't I be mine?

Meatballs Why haven't I received a diagnosis?
  • replies: 5

I went to the doctor to see if I had anxiety and they gave me the standard test you find on beyondblue and all over the internet. To be honest, I was expecting something a little more in-depth than that, but anyway, they referred me a psychologist an... View more

I went to the doctor to see if I had anxiety and they gave me the standard test you find on beyondblue and all over the internet. To be honest, I was expecting something a little more in-depth than that, but anyway, they referred me a psychologist and reminded me to 'think positive.' On our first session, the psychologist said 'you might have generalised anxiety and / or social anxiety.' I have now been seeing the psychologist for several months now and they still haven't confirmed whether I actually have anxiety or not. Since they have not told me 'yes you have anxiety,' does this mean I don't? I get panic attacks and have all the symptoms, I just don't want to self-diagnose. Or should I just assume I do, since I talk to the psychologist about coping with stress and exposure therapy and all that? I know it shouldn't matter, and it's not like I'm going to go around telling people, I just want to know. I want to ask the psychologist, but I'm afraid of looking stupid when they say 'oh honey, no, you don't have anxiety, you're just a bit of a stress-head' (I know they won't really say that, but that's how I'll take it).

contrarymary New Here - think family is getting fed up with my anxiety
  • replies: 3

I always think I am seriously ill eg headache = brain tumour, chest pain = heart attack. been anxious on an of for months, had chest pain went to hospital all the tests no problems now everytime get pain think heart attack been to hospital 4 times in... View more

I always think I am seriously ill eg headache = brain tumour, chest pain = heart attack. been anxious on an of for months, had chest pain went to hospital all the tests no problems now everytime get pain think heart attack been to hospital 4 times in 3 months done all the tests again and again nothing is wrong with heart. still get the pain get really agitated pace up and down or lie down getting more anxious. been to GP yet again today says it could be mental issue and try to relax I am not ill, says I should speak to someone who might be able to help. any one else on here think they are ill but not and how do they cope. had more blood tests a few days ago all clear as usual. My husband and daughter are getting fed up with me as I keep saying I need to go to hospital or doctor and they have to come home to take me. I am lying here typing this feeling agitated but trying to calm down I will be lucky to get any sleep tonight I am 62 would appreciate any advice from anyone with health anxieties

Overthinkingmum Anxiety always takes over - tattoo scare
  • replies: 3

Hi, I am new to this forum . I used to be on another forum but have been great with anxiety lately and it seems my account is no longer. Anyways this week it seems my anxiety is back with avengence. I was with a co worker while she got a tattoo a few... View more

Hi, I am new to this forum . I used to be on another forum but have been great with anxiety lately and it seems my account is no longer. Anyways this week it seems my anxiety is back with avengence. I was with a co worker while she got a tattoo a few weeks ago and I On impulse decided to get on with her - bad idea. A week after I have swollen lymph node right beside the tattoo ( the tattoo was on neck ) and now 2 weeks later I'm vomiting having muscle aches and diarrhoea. Of course I am thinking the worst . I have two kids and have been crazy in tears . I actually messages the tattoo parlour being what I feel was very rude as asking how they clean there equipment . The tattooist took the time to assure me the needles are one use only and everything else new every client no exceptions . This make me feel better br then of course anxiety voice kids in that any tattoo parlour wouldn admit to not having changed things and I'm back on the hep c and hiv wagon. Why does my mind do this and is there anyone at all who can ease my mind . I'm in a state of panic

Keeyana Sleepless nights
  • replies: 2

Its nearly 5am i have too many thoughts going on what will today bring? Im paranoid everywhere i go Im contemplating on whether i should skip class.. Only because i hate getting up doing group discussions and being put on the spotlight i hope no one ... View more

Its nearly 5am i have too many thoughts going on what will today bring? Im paranoid everywhere i go Im contemplating on whether i should skip class.. Only because i hate getting up doing group discussions and being put on the spotlight i hope no one sees how nervous i get or even the panic attacks appear randomly i feel like im battling with my own demons they appear to surround me everywhere i go like a sudden strike someone is trying to rob me. Im having weird flashbacks from my childhood i never asked my brain to collect these memories i wanted them to go away

Lind779 Help? I'm pregnant and suffering anxiety
  • replies: 2

I found out I was pregnant 4 days ago. 4 weeks in. We have been trying for a long time and I now can't believe its happened naturally, we were ready for IVF. My anxiety since finding out is at its all time high and I'm scared. Its 2am at the moment a... View more

I found out I was pregnant 4 days ago. 4 weeks in. We have been trying for a long time and I now can't believe its happened naturally, we were ready for IVF. My anxiety since finding out is at its all time high and I'm scared. Its 2am at the moment and struggling to sleep. Im on antidepressents and I was on a tablet that made me sleep better at night which they have just taken me off as its not a good one to take being pregnant. Now I'm back to waking up early which dictates my anxiety level.The earlier I wake up the worst anxiety will be. Just need help/ideas managing it because its not healthy for me or the bub. Anyone else managed pregnancy with anxiety? No bad stories please, need support

Music_Freak Lost hope and need a friend
  • replies: 67

I'm a girl...Narelle, 36, from Adelaide, single, unemployed, cat mum...um, what else...I probably shouldn't reveal so much, but may as well be honest, right? I have both anxiety and depression, and am a pessimist. I have lost all my "friends" because... View more

I'm a girl...Narelle, 36, from Adelaide, single, unemployed, cat mum...um, what else...I probably shouldn't reveal so much, but may as well be honest, right? I have both anxiety and depression, and am a pessimist. I have lost all my "friends" because of this and feel worthless and like giving up. I have a GP and a psychologist, but I'm not even sure the therapy (I've been going for a few years now) is working for me. I have two favourite bands (Sixx:A.M. and Halestorm. True Violet is another on the top of my list right now) and I write band fan fiction. In the past I have depended on these two things to help me through life, but now that they're not really working, I decided to try here. I just hope to have people to talk to, and maybe make some friends.

MyZincBed Be anxious for nothing
  • replies: 1

I don't care if I am persecuted by my beliefs in the Bible but I found this helpful from the oldest, forgotten by many, book in the world, to help anxiety. Its not my anxiety, I refuse to accept it or own it. So that way if its not mine I won't care ... View more

I don't care if I am persecuted by my beliefs in the Bible but I found this helpful from the oldest, forgotten by many, book in the world, to help anxiety. Its not my anxiety, I refuse to accept it or own it. So that way if its not mine I won't care for it. So I release it in the belief that God is in control and the peace of God which surpasses ALL understanding will guard my mind in Christ Jesus.

MyZincBed Dealing with Government beauracracy eg Immigration or New rules resulted in a lot of stress and anxiety.
  • replies: 0

Living in this modern times as a single parent is a constant battle with resulting in stress and anxiety. Its a wonder I have not got depression to go with it. There has to be a release and this beyond blue is a way to express our feelings which a cl... View more

Living in this modern times as a single parent is a constant battle with resulting in stress and anxiety. Its a wonder I have not got depression to go with it. There has to be a release and this beyond blue is a way to express our feelings which a clinical beauracracy no matter how much they say they care, ITS POLICY. Policy does not fit every human circumstance. Policy is another name for the LAW. So we have to deal withing policy, which is a way out'' out for government beauacracy. That is how emploees of Government beauacracy deal with their stress or anxiety. So its a constant battle which raises its head to bit some of us on a pension in the bum. To be pre-warned and ahead of them is a way to avoid the anxiety that too much stress can cause, not being sure if your next pay will come on time to pay the rent for example. Oh well they have 14 days to consider and make the payment due a fortnight agao. What about the rent you ask? Oh maybe you can contact the landlord. Yeah right, there goes your good record as a rent payer. Its on your record, despite you calling them. Immigration - make an application for a loved one to come out for a visit. Its like extracting teeth. There are many grey areas. So research and trial and error putting your head into the lions den. Oh well I do my best and if you first don't success try again , and again , and again. The bricks in their wall will crumble or maybe I am just a small hammer in a 10 foot thick wall. A little person in the hard wall . Oh well I go poo poo that will release some anxiety haha.