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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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ci How do I support my husband while he's supporting me?
  • replies: 12

The guilt of being a burden on my husband is eating me up. I've had a rough couple of weeks with my ocd and lost it for a while last night couldn't stop the tears. I just feel like my poor husband is lost he just sits with his head down and says noth... View more

The guilt of being a burden on my husband is eating me up. I've had a rough couple of weeks with my ocd and lost it for a while last night couldn't stop the tears. I just feel like my poor husband is lost he just sits with his head down and says nothing. He is an amazing man and so much of me just wants to leave so that he can get on with his life and enjoy it! He married a strong independent women who was fun to be around and had an awesome dinner waiting for him on the table when he got home. My choice I loved to cook for him. Now he has a blubbering mess who struggles to leave the house and couldn't even bring herself to cook a meal last night. What do you all do to help your partners or people who care for you?

Bluey_moon Anxiety or ?
  • replies: 7

Hi Guys, Just wanted some feedback on anxiety symptoms. I'll try to be brief cause I tend to waffle on! - sometimes I find it hard to concentrate on conversations when I'm anxious. -can you obbsess over a symptom that much, that you convince yourself... View more

Hi Guys, Just wanted some feedback on anxiety symptoms. I'll try to be brief cause I tend to waffle on! - sometimes I find it hard to concentrate on conversations when I'm anxious. -can you obbsess over a symptom that much, that you convince yourself you have it? (Eg: last night I obbsessed over weather I had scizophrenia so much, listened for sounds, got no sleep, then in the morning laying with my son in the early hours, thought I heard someone (male) speak to me, when I fully woke up all I could hears was my son snoring in the same tone, dream? Anxiety is what the BB line said. - feeling a bit like anti social. -so bloody tired- when I walked past a girl at work yesterday I said bye and in my head I'm like , you awful person, but I don't even dislike her (at one stage I wasnt a fan)! Am I crazy?

Hodges I feel alone
  • replies: 4

Having panic attack. Feel so alone. Im frightened because this is 3rd panic attack in last 2 months. I dont want to be this person. Am scared that i wont be able to stop these attacks. Have made appt with phychologist Tuesday. Am i going to be able t... View more

Having panic attack. Feel so alone. Im frightened because this is 3rd panic attack in last 2 months. I dont want to be this person. Am scared that i wont be able to stop these attacks. Have made appt with phychologist Tuesday. Am i going to be able to stop having these attacks ?

Bluey_moon iWork in progress
  • replies: 7

Hi guys, just wanted you to all know to never give up! Today I am a little anxious and my silly thoughts are hanging around waiting for my attention, but you know what, they aren't getting it! Ive come to far to go backwards now! Skye

Hi guys, just wanted you to all know to never give up! Today I am a little anxious and my silly thoughts are hanging around waiting for my attention, but you know what, they aren't getting it! Ive come to far to go backwards now! Skye

Chicken_Wings Morning anxiety
  • replies: 2

My anxiety seems to be so much worse in the mornings. ive read up a bit about it and there are physiological reasons for it, like the release or cortisol etc, but it's not helped by my never ending thoughts. im generally woken by anxiety between 4:30... View more

My anxiety seems to be so much worse in the mornings. ive read up a bit about it and there are physiological reasons for it, like the release or cortisol etc, but it's not helped by my never ending thoughts. im generally woken by anxiety between 4:30 and 5:30am. I get the heavy weight on my chest, twitching and lots and lots of thinking. I've tried breathing, I've tired moving into another room, I've tried distraction. So far all that really works is waiting. im so tired, I have feel my eyelids heavy, I want so much to catch up on sleep.but I just can't nod off. i know morning anxiety is common so just wondering if anyone else has any ideas (other than sleeping pills).

Mimi1979 Irrational fears and odd behavior /thoughts.
  • replies: 3

For most of my life I've done things and felt things and never have it much thought until i got older. As I've become an adult ive relised ive got some pretty weird 'things' that go on in my head. Most of them have continued into adult hood, some hav... View more

For most of my life I've done things and felt things and never have it much thought until i got older. As I've become an adult ive relised ive got some pretty weird 'things' that go on in my head. Most of them have continued into adult hood, some have disappeared. Here is a list of them. .. 1. Fear of vomiting. This fear has continued into adulthood. Not so great when your a mum of two kiddos. 2. Fear of sleeping at friends houses or away from my mum. This fear ended (thankfully) once i hit teenage years however, there were still nights as a teenager that i would be so terrified i would still get into my mums bed for comfort. Im now the same with my husband. If he's away for just one night i go into sheer panic/anxiety mode. 3.saying everyone's name in my head...in order. If not i was scared somthing wild happen. Weird. This stopped once i got married. Never really understoodthat one at all. 4.not saying 'love you' and kiss my husband as the last thing at night terrifies me. I think "what if it's the last thing i ever say. ??? I even say it if he's not with me. 5. My home, clothes, and looks are so different from everyone else that is normal. Ive always felt from childhood that everyone in the world is normal and im just trying to catch up. Everything from when i was learning at school to my home decor as an adult. 6. Head scratching. I sit there everyday scratching my head. Even when it's not itchy. It's almost like an ocd habit. I dont know why i do it. There are a few other things too but these are the main things. Why do these odd thoughts/behaviors pop up in our lives. I'd b interested in the psychology behind it. Id also love to hear others and their thoughts and behaviors. Mayby in not as odd as i think i am??

Baby_Boomer Panic
  • replies: 3

Many years ago my home was raided by armed police, they had come to the wrong home. Since that time I have had anxiety and panic issues. Now in recent times the police have again arrived as part of an investigation they are conducting to do with a Ro... View more

Many years ago my home was raided by armed police, they had come to the wrong home. Since that time I have had anxiety and panic issues. Now in recent times the police have again arrived as part of an investigation they are conducting to do with a Royal Commission because of where my husband worked. I was forced to a investigative type interrogation, I had no legal representation as I could only have a support person who was not allowed to interrupt the interview. I did not have the right to silence and was threatened with imprisonment if I revealed anything said during the interview. I am back to where I started all those years ago and am feeling so overwhelmed by what has happened. My phone was tapped and I was under surveillance. I am now frightened all the time, I am scared to be home by myself alone, I can't sleep and am having panic attacks all the time. My doctor referred me to a therapist which has helped but I feel this is going to take a long time to recover from. I am getting good family support but because of the legal restrictions put on me I am not allowed to discuss a lot. I feel so violated because of what has happened to me and feel so helpless. I can't believe this can happen to a innocent person just because of where my husband worked.

iAMstuck Need help and advice.!
  • replies: 2

Hello. I am new on here. I have been struggling with depression/anxiety for almost 2years now. I did get better a couple of times. But it keeps coming back. At the moment, I'm currently sharing a house with my mum, brother and my two children. Becaus... View more

Hello. I am new on here. I have been struggling with depression/anxiety for almost 2years now. I did get better a couple of times. But it keeps coming back. At the moment, I'm currently sharing a house with my mum, brother and my two children. Because I needed help with my girls so I could get better. It was going so well, I got off my anti-depressant/anti-anxiety medication. Sorting my life out, like going to a career adviser to help me figure out what employment I want to persue and getting my citizenship so I can study. Then school holidays started, I just constantly started thinking about what I'm going to do with my life, like have I chosen the right career to pursue, will I like that job once I'm in it so on and so on. Will I make friends with all these new people and have great relationships with them, will I finally be happy. I'm so scared of being let down. What if nothing good happens. At the moment I'm stuck at home with my two girls, I only have one friend and she is always so busy and I never feel like going anywhere and doing things with my girls because I'm just constantly stuck with thinking and worrying constantly about everything. My children are suffering because of it, it's like I have no time for them. I feel like such a bad parent. But I do push my self and get them out to do something every second day or so like go to the park or to see a movie. A play date with one of their friends from school. But I don't want to do any of that. I am really so unhappy. I sometimes think is it because I live with my mum and she drives me crazy and she is so negative most of the time which really isn't good for my (ex)depression. I practically don't have any friends at all, no boyfriend. No job, I feel like such a failure, I'm 26 with two children, living with my mum, no career no job no friends no nothing.! Tonight. My mum decided to tell me that she and my brother want to move state when our lease is up in October. That just topped me off. Immediately I got extremely anxious. I havent stopped thinking since and that was 6hours ago, 3:30am might I add. Is 8 months long enough to save up for a course and finish that course, to find a job. Will I get a job. Will I have friends, will I be happy then. Or do I move again with my mum and brother. Do i put my children through all that. They've already had to change schools 5 times already, moved houses a handful of times. What am I going to do.! I'm scared I'm going to get depressed again. Help me.!

edroz Anxiety; past, present and future
  • replies: 4

Hi all, My case is quite complex not based on a single moment of my life or issue. I came to Australia looking for a better future, my country has no opportunities for young people and I had to pack up and find a place to settle and be happy. I lande... View more

Hi all, My case is quite complex not based on a single moment of my life or issue. I came to Australia looking for a better future, my country has no opportunities for young people and I had to pack up and find a place to settle and be happy. I landed in Melbourne and after few tough moments a company sponsored my visa to work in a small town and I worked over there for 4 years. The anxiety started very early when I found myself in a small place and a manager who was "juicing me" using the pretext "work hard or you lose your job and your visa". Luckily this person was gone after 12 months and I also met my current partner. Over these 4 years my company started to make redundancies which cause me a lot of stress, if I lose my job I lose my visa and I've been almost 3 years with this around my head. At the same time I started to work almost FIFO to supervise overseas projects and I did not have enough time to socialize and have a normal lifestyle. At the end of the day I got my residency (it was a very challenging process with my company, it took them 8 months to take the decision) and I even got a promotion and a payrise but the started to cut more people and resources and I ended in a loop of 50-60 hours a week work plus traveling. My job is quite technical, stressful and mistakes cost a lot of money and it can kill people and they put on my shoulder 3 people work load with the stress associated. Around 4 months ago I had a panic attack at work, I collapsed and I was unwilling to tackle a very easy problem and I just left the office and went home. The company decided to put me on psychological treatment, reduce the traveling but they did not reduce the workload. After an extensive assessment with my partner I did resign and found a total different job in hospitality. Working in a different industry like hospitality or services are highly exposed to people and I might feel better I thought and I was correct, I worked in a local pub just next home for few weeks and I really felt awesome. Just 2 weeks after this new job, a client who knew that I left referred me for a position in his company and I got the job and I start the 1st of February. Why I feel with anxiety now is mainly for three reasons; moving is always troublesome, my contract is for a permanent position but 6 months probationary period and my partner is moving with me which is awesome but it put a little bit of extra pressure on me.

Scotchfinger never reaching rock bottom
  • replies: 4

I know what its like to be broke but I've never been homeless. I've never slept out on the streets, under the stars. I've always had a glimmer of support. Though tiny , it has always been there. So I've never considered suicide seriously. Come on. Wh... View more

I know what its like to be broke but I've never been homeless. I've never slept out on the streets, under the stars. I've always had a glimmer of support. Though tiny , it has always been there. So I've never considered suicide seriously. Come on. What a waste of beautiful manhood! I've never been so bad that I was ready to throw in the towel. I suspect reaching rock bottom has helped some people though. Wake them up! "OK now I see what I have to do! Now I can turn my life around!" So can I ask some people who have reached rock bottom, did it help you? Was it a light-bulb moment? How did you progress? For me, I find I have never really been too bad. I mean I did gamble a lot of money away once and felt very regretful later. But I was able to recoup my losses later. it wasn't a life-shattering moment. I fear though I may be due for a low soon. (such is the way my anxious mind works) Il-health must be a real wake-up call. I've been lucky with that too so far. (touch wood)