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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. Remeber, this is anonymous and the Beyond Blue team are here to help if you need it This section is for people who are experiencing anixiety 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 you 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 worthile 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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Traveller73 Physical symptoms
  • replies: 4

Hi. New to this site. I have had anxiety all my life, but it has gotten particularly bad this yearwith upcoming overseas trip anxious about and change of job. I have physical symptoms. High heart rate and light headed, jittery and easily startled (by... View more

Hi. New to this site. I have had anxiety all my life, but it has gotten particularly bad this yearwith upcoming overseas trip anxious about and change of job. I have physical symptoms. High heart rate and light headed, jittery and easily startled (by loud noises). I find CBT is not working like it used to and distractions do help (movies/outings)-but its quick to come back. Seeing a psychologist Friday so hoping he can help. I dont want to worry all the time. My physical symptoms make me worry more (have got all clear from GP). If its all in my head why can't I stop this???? ​

Lookingforpeace Physical anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi all Just wondering if anyone gets physical symptoms of anxiety without actually feeling anxious mentally? Usually, my physical symptoms can be traced back to anxious thoughts, however lately I've been feeling anxious physically for seemingly no re... View more

Hi all Just wondering if anyone gets physical symptoms of anxiety without actually feeling anxious mentally? Usually, my physical symptoms can be traced back to anxious thoughts, however lately I've been feeling anxious physically for seemingly no reason. I have a racing heart, feel nauseated and am short of breath. Recently this was even after I'd been meditating so I'm not sure why I'm feeling this way. Would love to hear others' experiences

Saltbush_boy Lost track
  • replies: 1

Hey guys everyone here seems so understanding and helpfull I have trouble trying to stop some days I feel as I want to smell the roses but find myself re addressing the whole garden instead how do you focus and stay on track with what you start doing... View more

Hey guys everyone here seems so understanding and helpfull I have trouble trying to stop some days I feel as I want to smell the roses but find myself re addressing the whole garden instead how do you focus and stay on track with what you start doing some people find it easy to just sit and smell we seem to find something that needs to be fixed and just don't settle or relax and sit and just look always wondering and pondering on something else any suggestions?

Saltbush_boy New days? Same days? Yesterday's?
  • replies: 1

Hey guys how do you feel when you wake up and it's a new day that you think and it's all as it was I go to sleep when my body lets me hoping for a bright new day and everyone else reminds you it's all still the same don't they understand a new day is... View more

Hey guys how do you feel when you wake up and it's a new day that you think and it's all as it was I go to sleep when my body lets me hoping for a bright new day and everyone else reminds you it's all still the same don't they understand a new day is all we hope for and they crush that idea when they try to help by telling you it's all still the same thinking that's a good thing it's just not like that anymore!

shyviolet79 My journey through severe anxiety, depression and an eating disorder...
  • replies: 7

Hello I just thought I would share a little here about my journey, and well, just say hi I suppose! I joined bluevoices quite a while back, but kind of lacked the courage to post... I am in my mid-thirties and have struggled with my mental health for... View more

Hello I just thought I would share a little here about my journey, and well, just say hi I suppose! I joined bluevoices quite a while back, but kind of lacked the courage to post... I am in my mid-thirties and have struggled with my mental health for basically as far back as I can remember... As a child, I was seen as very shy and sensitive, but as I reached my teens, I guess it stepped up a notch or two and I developed major social anxiety, depression and an eating disorder ~ not that I had a diagnosis back then... All I knew was that I was different and 'wrong', in my opinion, in every sense of the word... I didn't receive any help for this until I was in my early 20's, a mum of two very small babies and struggling to the point where I couldn't leave the house ~ I couldn't even check the mail, as my shyness was way too severe... The psychologist had to come to my house to see me and I could barely speak to her, nor make eye contact. To sum it up, I suppose you could say that I have spent my whole life dealing with mental illness, and I still do today, although I can now function far better than before, thanks to years and years of very intensive therapy under the mental health services... At my worst, I have been hospitalised as an involuntary patient due to self-harm, my eating disorder and a suicide attempt....At my best, I suppose you could say I have raised four children on my own for the last 12 years, and that, although they each have had to deal with a lot due to my illness, they are all loving, beautiful individuals I still struggle severely, still see a psychologist and have a support worker occasionally too... I cannot work, as my anxiety is just still too high for that, but I am studying (although that brings its own challenges!)... Mostly, I suppose I wish I could express to others that, no matter how very dark the depths of your despair may feel, this WILL ease in time... It is the loneliest, soul-shattering illness to battle, but in the end it does make you a stronger, more compassionate person when you come through the other side.... I have a huge desire to help others now, and although I can barely speak to people in person, I have found that I can write..... ... It is a huge part of me, but does not define me as a person Thankyou, Chantell

Sb123 Feels like I'm losing my mind! 😞
  • replies: 8

Hi all. i suffer from depression and anxiety. Up until 2 months ago I had it under control. But lately the panic attacks have started again, I keep thinking something is seriously wrong with me and I can't shake that feeling. I've been suffering with... View more

Hi all. i suffer from depression and anxiety. Up until 2 months ago I had it under control. But lately the panic attacks have started again, I keep thinking something is seriously wrong with me and I can't shake that feeling. I've been suffering with the worst headaches, like tension headaches. I've never had the anxiety this bad before. what does everybody else do to help with anxiety? And does anybody else with anxiety experience these nasty tension headaches? I've never had them before (Note: I've been put back on antidepressants)

Dozza How to cope
  • replies: 9

Hi this is my very first post ever on the internet. I am 44 yo male married with two children. I have had a white blood cell disorder now for approximately 7 years. I have had mild depression now for many years and about six months ago I started gett... View more

Hi this is my very first post ever on the internet. I am 44 yo male married with two children. I have had a white blood cell disorder now for approximately 7 years. I have had mild depression now for many years and about six months ago I started getting mild panic attacks and anxiety that is now so mild lol. To be very honest with everyone I am really scared crapless. I am currently taking medication and my doctor has put me on anothr medication as well at night to help with sleep. I just don't know how to handle this anxiety. Thanks for listening. ​

Mack_ Just a phase?
  • replies: 3

Hello, to keep it short, I feel like I'm relying on alcohol to cope with anything going on. Happiness, sadness, anxiety, stress - anything. I keep trying to stop drinking.. I seem to get two days, maybe three days max? I guess I can see it's an issue... View more

Hello, to keep it short, I feel like I'm relying on alcohol to cope with anything going on. Happiness, sadness, anxiety, stress - anything. I keep trying to stop drinking.. I seem to get two days, maybe three days max? I guess I can see it's an issue but k don't feel k want to stop because I enjoy the high. But I see my fiancé worrying. I struggle a lot with OCD. My mother has cancer but I would also classify as an alcoholic... I don't really know what I'm asking.. Maybe just advice? How else do I find a "healthy" high? Is this a problem? What should I do?

Sif Wondering how others experience social anxiety
  • replies: 10

Hi All Just wondering how everyone else experiences their social anxiety. I feel as though mine isn't even "proper anxiety" because I've never had a full on panic attack in front of people. I'm sorry if I offend anyone by saying that. So. In social s... View more

Hi All Just wondering how everyone else experiences their social anxiety. I feel as though mine isn't even "proper anxiety" because I've never had a full on panic attack in front of people. I'm sorry if I offend anyone by saying that. So. In social situations I act fine. I can do normal chit chat and small talk, but other than that I completely freak out in my mind to the point I give myself a head ache. It shuts off my appetite and I cannot eat in front of people. My body language is stiff. So stiff that it's like an almost energy that radiates off me like a tangible substance. And more often than not the people in my vicinity are awkward too. My hands are always looking for something to do. I often speak very quietly, can't speak properly, and I stutter a every now and then so I try to stay quiet. I feel terrified during the entire encounter. And because I'm so terrified and paranoid at the same time, it affects almost every interaction I have with people. I know it's my anxiety and me overthinking most of it, but people truely are awkward around me because I'm awkward. Especially at work. I can't even take initiative because I'm so anxious and keep thinking everything I do is a failure. I always need direction from another worker becuase I feel like everything I do is "wrong." I just got a new job gardening and only been their a week and a half. I've already quit via email because I can't handle how awkward and tense I feel all of the time. I go home mentally and physically exhausted to the point that I cry so much either throw up or fall asleep. When it gets this bad I wake up with the sweats and my heart is racing a million miles an hour and I can barley breath.

Scotty2013 Do you think it completely goes away?
  • replies: 8

Hi been a while since i been here, Hi Neil and others, Life has been so so for me, normal roller coaster. Do you think it ever goes away Anxiety/Dep or just goes into remission?. I get so tired of having to feel it daily, push through it year after y... View more

Hi been a while since i been here, Hi Neil and others, Life has been so so for me, normal roller coaster. Do you think it ever goes away Anxiety/Dep or just goes into remission?. I get so tired of having to feel it daily, push through it year after year, it would be nice to be normal, what is normal?.