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
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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

All discussions

Self-Acceptance Anxiety, OCD & depression. Can it come and go?
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Hello all, I'm feeling a little confused, I suffer from anxiety, OCD and can feel quite depressed because of it. But it's not constant. I've only had a few breakdowns this year and in between them I feel good. Those times in between I know my OCD is ... View more

Hello all, I'm feeling a little confused, I suffer from anxiety, OCD and can feel quite depressed because of it. But it's not constant. I've only had a few breakdowns this year and in between them I feel good. Those times in between I know my OCD is still there but it doesn't seem to bother me. But when it does come it's unbearable and effects every aspect of my life. I haven't been diagnosed as yet or seeked any help because as soon as I look into going to see someone it subsidies and goes away. Which makes it hard to explain to people and why I haven't got any help. I have just had a breakdown. Been incredibly down and anxious for the past week. It's like a light switch, It turns on and of. From feeling so down and having such bad thoughts to now where I feel nothing at all. I know all the issues I was struggling with are still there but it's not bothering me. I feel emotionless. I've booked an appointment to talk to someone. I just hope I can explain how I feel. Does anyone else go through the same thing?

Molly06 Having sinus surgery on Monday and anxiety has kicked in.
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Hi, I have had chronic sinusitis for over 10 years and have been putting off the surgery because I have heard it is quiet painful afterwards and it's 10 days recovery. I finally realized it's time to do something about it though as I'm sick of being ... View more

Hi, I have had chronic sinusitis for over 10 years and have been putting off the surgery because I have heard it is quiet painful afterwards and it's 10 days recovery. I finally realized it's time to do something about it though as I'm sick of being on antibiotics . I have had a few operations in the past with no problems but I think because of it being my face it's why I'm so nervous. ive been trying not to think about it too much but the day is getting closer and now I'm very nervous. I have had anxiety throughout the night and woken up with it. Ive been trying to tell myself it's going to be fine and how good it will be afterwards but this isn't really helping. Just hoping some people out there have had the same op can give me some confidence about it and share your happy stories maybe? i have been told by others that it is worth it but the more positive stories the better. Thank you

Loula Freaking Out Bad! Flying!
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I have the biggest fear of flying and first thing in the morning I'm flying!! I'm so scared! Yesterday at work I had a huge panic attack at work. I was shaking, spinning, shallow breathing, heart pumping out of my chest and threw up so much I ended u... View more

I have the biggest fear of flying and first thing in the morning I'm flying!! I'm so scared! Yesterday at work I had a huge panic attack at work. I was shaking, spinning, shallow breathing, heart pumping out of my chest and threw up so much I ended up coughing up blood and pulling veins around my eyes. Today I had to take another day of work because I'm still being ill and not breathing right. Does anyone have and good tips to flying that is not deep breathing as that makes me worse.

Molly79 Anxiety through the roof
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Hi all just after some insight into trying magnesium for my muscle tension and stress. I have had my 2nd session with a therapist who has provided me with several relaxation cds and a adult colouring book to help with my severe anxiety. She has sugge... View more

Hi all just after some insight into trying magnesium for my muscle tension and stress. I have had my 2nd session with a therapist who has provided me with several relaxation cds and a adult colouring book to help with my severe anxiety. She has suggested I take magnesium powder every day as a aid in helping with my condition. I'm also on the fourth week of my anti depressant medication, low dose being 10mg and nothing has changed. Maybe I need to get the dose upgraded???? I suffer constant chest pain that never lets up. My sleeping pattern is terrible and I worry all the time about my heart. I've tried the relaxation methods and breathing but my body is not taking to these very well. Im asking if anyone has any other suggestions on other steps I can take in helping my situation as I just want my life back.

GGP Lost.
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Hi everyone, I'm 22 F, I've been battling depression and anxiety for 6years. I've had an 'external crisis' in 2014 those 2weeks I can not remember. I've been on numerous medications however two years ago I seen a psychiatrist whom put me on medicatio... View more

Hi everyone, I'm 22 F, I've been battling depression and anxiety for 6years. I've had an 'external crisis' in 2014 those 2weeks I can not remember. I've been on numerous medications however two years ago I seen a psychiatrist whom put me on medication I am still currently taking and stated I had social/ generalised anxiety, I have seen the same psychologigist for 4 years been to the hospital 3times in the last six years for suicidal thoughts including the last trip a week ago. I'm currently waiting to see the two specialists above, meantime I'm super depressed. I've been trying so hard, I'm so fed up I'm back here.

Franniesplace Every part of me is screaming inside, but know if I give over to it, it'll only make things worse. The breakdown I can't afford to have...
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I'm suffering from anxiety symptoms. I feel like every fibre of my muscles want to run or freeze simultaniously, and my throat and chest feels like I've been screaming and I've been like this on and off for a couple of weeks. I'm trying to just keep ... View more

I'm suffering from anxiety symptoms. I feel like every fibre of my muscles want to run or freeze simultaniously, and my throat and chest feels like I've been screaming and I've been like this on and off for a couple of weeks. I'm trying to just keep moving, one foot in front of the other. Sometimes I'm better when I'm distracted, but I have a job which has me in stressful situations regularly. Normally this doesn't phase me, but in my heightened state I'm struggling to keep going. The professionals advise taking a break, that maybe work isn't right for me at the moment but I run my own business, and taking a break is simply not that easy and would in fact create more stress in my life. How can people afford to have "breakdowns"?! The other option is to try medication, which last time I tried it, it made my symptoms worse and made it impossible for me to do my job due to the sides effects anyway - Catch 22. If I want to try medications, I understand I need to give them long enough to have some effect but they actually left me incapacitated in the meantime. If I don't try the medications, I don't know how I am going to keep going. The unavoidable need to cope is actually just putting more pressure on me when I feel like I just can't. Externally, most people don't see what is going on in my head just to get through the day, so when I hit the point where I can't move forward one more step, they act like "but you were fine a minute ago". I don't know what my question is. I know there is no easy fix. And that is part of the fear. How long will I feel like this? How can I make it stop before I can't fight it anymore. I guess I just jumped on here to reach out...

Anton711 Unable to take a deep breath - anxiety or something else?
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Hi - I've just joined this forum and hoping someone can help me. I've been unfortunate to have had a series of medical issues during the last 5 months starting with a pacemaker op, an angiogram (clear) and two cataracts ops. I was really anxious and ... View more

Hi - I've just joined this forum and hoping someone can help me. I've been unfortunate to have had a series of medical issues during the last 5 months starting with a pacemaker op, an angiogram (clear) and two cataracts ops. I was really anxious and worried as I also care for an aged parent and all during this time I cold not eat or sleep well. Often I would wake during the night thinking the worst. I developed stomach bloating and wind and it became such an issue that I had to make sure to eat within the hour - if not my stomach would bloat. But I also noticed that I could not take a deep breath. The gastro specialist did a colonoscopy and endoscopy and everything was clear - no IBS or anything. Also did a stomach ultrasound and that was clear. GP did a chest x-ray - clear. They finally all said it was stress and anxiety related given my recent medical episodes and sent me to a psychiatrist. He prescribed medication for my anxiety and depression.I am able to sleep better now but the side-effects are not good - lethargy, sleepiness, dizzy and quite bad constipation. I've been on half a tab for the last three weeks. I continue to have this difficulty in being unable to take a deep breath and sometimes I feel like I can't breathe fully. I've developed this habit where I try to exhale and then take a breath and it seems to work at times but not always. I walk around exhaling most times! I tried a nose spray to unblock my nose and also a puffer but the breathing difficulty persists. I'm not a smoker and don't have asthma.I've tried deep breathing exercises, meditation, grounding exercise, going for a walk, etc but I really feel helpless. I know that the fact that I now have a pacemaker makes me fearful of doing anything in case I get a heart attack or something although the cardiologist has said that I can get back to my normal life - I don't know what that means and I just don't know how to get that into my head. The least thing makes me jump and I feel afraid often. I don't know a lot of people so I am quite isolated and often get melancholy thinking of my previous life.Please - if someone out there has experienced something like this and has some advice on what to do - I would be really grateful if you could share. I'm sorry that I have rambled on, but thank you.

BballJ GAD - How did you explain it
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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!
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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.