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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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IndyW Anxiety, Depression, and Uni
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone, I'm new to this but am starting to think I could really use some advice from people who have been in similar circumstances. I'm 25 and studying full time, have recently left work because something had to give. I'm currently seeing a psyc... View more

Hi everyone, I'm new to this but am starting to think I could really use some advice from people who have been in similar circumstances. I'm 25 and studying full time, have recently left work because something had to give. I'm currently seeing a psychologist for my depression and anxiety, following a complete meltdown last year, in an effort to gain control of my life again. I was doing alright until now, starting to feel as though my studies are slipping away and everything is ramping up again. I can't afford for my grades to slip or to drop a subject as I'm applying for Medicine in the future. It can be said I'm somewhat of a perfectionist and overachiever, and when the anxiety rears up all of that slips and I start hating myself for it. I'm not on meds at the moment, but will be as soon as exams are done for this semester, using my holidays to relax and let them balance out. Just wondering if anyone has been a position like this before and if they have any advice? Definitely not enjoying this ramped up feeling of anxiety. Thanks in advance.

gloria10 Saying no (social anxiety)
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I have a bit of a problem with family outings. I understand that when you make plans, sometimes things change and for those with anxiety this can be a reason for it as well. I'm finding that one of the reasons for my social anxiety is that I ... View more

Hi all, I have a bit of a problem with family outings. I understand that when you make plans, sometimes things change and for those with anxiety this can be a reason for it as well. I'm finding that one of the reasons for my social anxiety is that I need to feel that I can change my mind or say no, yet with my family I feel like I've got no choice. One person in the family tries to control this and if I cancel for any reason I get 'if you keep cancelling no one will want to spend any time with you'. I don't do it on purpose, just sometimes I feel a sense of relief when I can say I change my mind or say I'll think about it. I did have a relationship where I broke up with someone and things went downhill after that and the controlling person said I should have checked with them first before making that decision. Over the years I think I gave control to them and now its hard getting it back. My question is, how do you stand up to someone who yells at you every time you say no?

Just Sara Anxiety: Accepting my limits, or living up to my potenial
  • replies: 4

When I was in high school, my maths teacher recommended I move up a level to an advanced class. I was so excited; I was better than I thought. When I attended my first class, the reality of my situation was as clear as day. We were doing scientific n... View more

When I was in high school, my maths teacher recommended I move up a level to an advanced class. I was so excited; I was better than I thought. When I attended my first class, the reality of my situation was as clear as day. We were doing scientific notation, and my text book read like something in another language. I had no-one to sit next to, and alone I struggled with what was to be realised later on, as being 2 yrs behind the kids in that class! I took that text book home and did as best I could with its guidance. I did learn some things, but feeling so isolated from the others, and not knowing how to ask for help, I cried until they put me back in my old class. I understand now about this situation; there was no transitional program. Nothing had been taken into account about my individual needs. I was expected to just catch up. This was pretty ignorant, even for the 70's. I was approached the following yr by the science dept to move into their advanced class, but challenged it with what I knew would work; I cried. The powers that be saw my potential, but didn't understand me as an individual. They didn't push me because I cried; it must've felt like they were hurting me. A similar thing happened when I played sports. Our team worked our way from D grade to B grade and were at the precipice of winning and automatically going into A grade. In that game, I injured myself so badly, I couldn't affectively play sport again. I've gone over that scenario so many times wondering if my subconscious had a role in it. This has been the story of my life; average forever...safer and easier that way. But now, my potential is what I need to survive this insidious disorder, and fight 'city hall' in a legal battle. Psychiatrist, psychologist and GP all have said it will send me into a relapse. Do I accept my limits, or transition myself to use my potential when I really need it? What do you say? Dizzy x

Dad_with_anxiety First time chatting
  • replies: 2

Hi. 31yr old dad with a son who's nearly 2 1/2. Had depression and anxiety for most of my teenage years and my adult life. I just wanted to post because I am going through a rough trot of anxiety atm and have one in my life I feel that I can actually... View more

Hi. 31yr old dad with a son who's nearly 2 1/2. Had depression and anxiety for most of my teenage years and my adult life. I just wanted to post because I am going through a rough trot of anxiety atm and have one in my life I feel that I can actually talk about my anxiety with My wife is absolutely amazing and supportive of my anxiety but I hate burdening her with how I am going because it puts pressure on her when she is already working and studying full time and does so much for our son. Tbh I just wish people with anxiety were able to go to meetings like A.A. people and have an actual place to speak or someone their for them to get support from.. for those who read this thank you for letting me rant

Guest_4111 Hey guys
  • replies: 1

I'm new here. and like many others i suffered from anxiety for a while. Trying to isolate myself from the world. If I do go outside, I cant do anything alone. I need to always walk behind someone that I know. (yeah its pretty sad). These days it feel... View more

I'm new here. and like many others i suffered from anxiety for a while. Trying to isolate myself from the world. If I do go outside, I cant do anything alone. I need to always walk behind someone that I know. (yeah its pretty sad). These days it feels like im more sulking because no one (aka my partner] dont believe that people are staring at me because sometimes is wrong with my face. Perhaps im too ugly, or have something weird that I dont know about. It frustrates me to not find the answer. It may not improve on my appearance but at least i got to know why. I believe that if i knew the answer i can move on to the next step into fixing the anxiety.

Kelcrow What comes first; the anxiety or the physical symptoms ?
  • replies: 2

Hey guys I'm having trouble differentiating between what is real and what is anxiety. I know the symptoms we still feel are real like nausea, headaches , stomach pains etc. But do these arise because I am subconsciously thinking about it or because I... View more

Hey guys I'm having trouble differentiating between what is real and what is anxiety. I know the symptoms we still feel are real like nausea, headaches , stomach pains etc. But do these arise because I am subconsciously thinking about it or because I have a headache then my anxiety doubles thinking "what if....." I have general anxiety and health anxiety. I'm confused : can anyone help?

Notmyrealname88 Study
  • replies: 2

I have had anxiety for as long as I can remember. I decided I wanted to study nursing, finish my degree and have a baby. I found the study easy but interacting with people had me terrified and I found I didn't enjoy it but wanted to finish it so I ha... View more

I have had anxiety for as long as I can remember. I decided I wanted to study nursing, finish my degree and have a baby. I found the study easy but interacting with people had me terrified and I found I didn't enjoy it but wanted to finish it so I had something to show for it.I applied for work 12 months later to find I was now unemployable. I applied for many jobs and felt forced to study again. I've nearly finished my diploma and feeling I've made another mistake as I feel a fraud and that I won't enjoy it even if I get work. I'm wanting to start a business and feel motivated but my husband feels I've wasted too much money already. I don't know what to do or even if I'm just trying to avoid working in nursing

Rob1234 Confused
  • replies: 1

Hi all, I am just looking for a bit of clarity in regards to what I might be suffering from mentally. I think if I went to a GP I would be diagnosed with anxiety but I am confused as I seem to have strange symptoms. Firstly I need to make it clear th... View more

Hi all, I am just looking for a bit of clarity in regards to what I might be suffering from mentally. I think if I went to a GP I would be diagnosed with anxiety but I am confused as I seem to have strange symptoms. Firstly I need to make it clear that I am not suffering from anything too severe. But it is having an affect on me and I think I need to finally do something about it. I don't feel very depressed but I do have a bit of low self esteem. But Im not a majorly confident person anyway so thats nothing new. The main symptom I have is I literally just cannot stop thinking. I think of a topic and I analyse it till I think Im going mad. For e.g. A fair while back (months) I was thinking I need to grow up a bit in a few different ways like saving money etc. So then my brain has literally been disecting what growing up actually means and what maturity means etc. once I feel I know the complete answer I feel at ease only to find another topic to obsess about. I giggle A LOT. The thoughts are never scary or threatening but they just dont stop. The latest one I have which I have been thinking about today is if I have depression or anxiety! So now I cant stop thinking about which symptoms are similar to mine and my brain wants to have a black and white answer at all times. I know this obsessive thinking would be a standard anxiety symptom but the tricky part is I do not suffer from any other anxious symptoms except for the thinking. I do not ever have panic attacks and do not worry much unless it is a proper problem which is normal to worry about. Can you have anxiety and not have any physical symptoms whatsoever? The thing that makes me think it is depression is that I do feel a bit low but not massively. I still get enjoyment out of things in life but I do feel a bit lost and low on confidence. Mild depression perhaps? I have had the obsessive thinking problem now for a fair while and just getting sick of it. I have tried exercising more and eating healthier, cutting back on alcohol etc but it still doesnt stop my brain from constantly thinking and analysing. Any help or advice would be very appreciated. Thanks, Rob

Thejokesonme The Dark side
  • replies: 7

Hi I'm Will and I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. I have suffered with this for many years. I was on medication for some years while on the medication I was fine only thing was I put on a lot of weight. About a year ago I decided to go off my ... View more

Hi I'm Will and I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. I have suffered with this for many years. I was on medication for some years while on the medication I was fine only thing was I put on a lot of weight. About a year ago I decided to go off my medication , the first two attempts were horrific and the third time was also hard but after some months I was better. After some time I began to slide downhill ,about two months ago my anxiety was so bad I thought I was dying. I thought I had some bad illness because I had many physical symptoms, mainly with my digestion,loss of apatite . It's been two weeks since I started back on medication it's still hard and still struggle. My girlfriend and my daughter moved out recently that made thing a whole lot worse. I just want to be able to have some quality of life.

Sammyd Weird feeling? Panic? De realisation?
  • replies: 4

Hello about s month a go I had the worst panic attack I have ever had. Since then it has had me questioning if I am real, if my family is real, if my surroundings are real and the thing is I know that things are real but it's like I zone out and it a... View more

Hello about s month a go I had the worst panic attack I have ever had. Since then it has had me questioning if I am real, if my family is real, if my surroundings are real and the thing is I know that things are real but it's like I zone out and it all becomes a blur! people who I usually socialise with don't seem real to me even my family and my house! It's making me panic like I did like the last massive attack I had, i was off my medication and today I finally broke after waking up and not knowing where I was- the doctor has put me back on the meds! I just hope this all goes away I feel like I am losing my mind and I don't want to spend the rest of my life like this- had anyone else been trough this?