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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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MarkBt Health Anxiety back in overdrive
  • replies: 3

Hi there, I'm writing because I am really struggling at the moment. I have lived with generalised anxiety for most of my adult years, I'm on medication and most of the time I have had things pretty well managed. I'm able to function pretty normally a... View more

Hi there, I'm writing because I am really struggling at the moment. I have lived with generalised anxiety for most of my adult years, I'm on medication and most of the time I have had things pretty well managed. I'm able to function pretty normally after years of workin on the anxiety issues. My first child was born (and I was anxious about that for sure) things were going well when I fell quite sick. At first I thought nothing of it, but it dragged on and on. The doc started talking lymphoma, had to have a whole series of tests. It turned out just to be a nasty virus, but it really hit me were it hurts, it seriously raised my anxiety. Who wouldn't right? It was normal enough to feel that way. It left me with a nasty legacy though - health anxiety. The next time I got sick (a year or so later I must add) I kept checking my temperature, every hour, waiting for it to go down again. I was so scared, so anxious, then a couple of illnesses in a row. All relatively minor but I was so anxious. I lay in bed worrying about a more serious illness that underpinned all of this. It passed and I was relatively healthy again. Health anxiety had become a recurring theme, every ache and pain, every symptom. I'd google them and study the causes. Just recently I have had a blocked ear, it has dragged on for months. Doc said it would take a while to go but the I recently got some kind of cold and it has worsened. Of course I had googled this and one of the causes can be a tumor. I immediately sieze on this and now I am extremely anxious. I have seen the doc again she is relatively confident it isn't anything serious but had referred me to a specialist, hearing test etc. My anxiety is now in overdrive, I feel like avoiding this now, I don't want to confront another round of nervous waits for test results. The high levels of anxiety that go with it. As i'm writing this I feel like I'm whinging and seeking reassurance. But the fear is great and I don't want to confront it. I just know that the coming weeks will be hell, unable to function normally. I mentioned my children as my greatest fear is that I won't get to see them grow up. Really not sure how i'm going to cope. MarkBt

chociloni I need help
  • replies: 14

I dont know how coherent this post is going to be, so I'm just going to blurt everything out. And I hope I dont offend anyone with what I'm about to say. I have been unemployed for just over a year, ive had freelance jobs here and there. The process ... View more

I dont know how coherent this post is going to be, so I'm just going to blurt everything out. And I hope I dont offend anyone with what I'm about to say. I have been unemployed for just over a year, ive had freelance jobs here and there. The process of dealing with c'link is awful, plus having too much time on my hands, its ripped myself esteem and is crazy making. I have many qualifications and heaps of job experience, however I'm starting to think maybe it's because I suffer from depression and anxiety that I'm not getting a job and employers can see that I'm mentally ill and dont want to hire me? Am I paranoid? Is there something wrong with me? Am I defective? I had an abusive childhood, it was a weird childhood though. I was locked in a cupboard as a 3 year old, I had very controlling parents...I was controlled so much that I was barely allowed to leave the house, my father used to lock the door when I was a teenager so I couldnt get out. I was manipulated and brainwashed. As a kid I felt like I wasn't a real person, I was a science experiment. Everything was rules and structure. My father and his brothers and sisters all have some sort of emotional dysfunction, but have never had any major diagnosis' ....his parents (my grandparents, both died when I was about 10) were flat out batshit crazy. (sorry if I offend anyone here) My nanna had schizoaffective bipolar with a personality disorder, I have no problem with a person with this diagnosis but she was an evil twisted horrible person, my granddad never had any official diagnosis but he was a strange eccentric person and was an extreme socialist (or something? into all these radical ideas and had rules about how people should walk ...he died when I was a kid I was always very scared of him and didn't know him very well). I also remember visiting them in psych wards when I was a kid, it was very scary and confusing. I always wondered am I like this? My diagnosis has only ever been an anxiety disorder with dysthymic depression. I have always been very functional though. As I am unemployed and it's doing my head in my mind leaps back into this stigma of the mentally ill and my grandparents and how I should have some sort of stamp on my head, and how again now I need to classify myself and put into a structure the way my parents always did...although I do know that this isnt normal, but I feel hurt and alone. Yes I take meds and have a therapist, but how can I help and reassure myself?

Audrey_J Navigating Anxiety in a Relationship
  • replies: 4

I’ve not been feeling myself over the past few months. Only recently have I truly accepted that feelings of anxiety, insecurity and low self-worth have slowly but surely got the better of me. One minute I feel content and well-adjusted and the next I... View more

I’ve not been feeling myself over the past few months. Only recently have I truly accepted that feelings of anxiety, insecurity and low self-worth have slowly but surely got the better of me. One minute I feel content and well-adjusted and the next I’m visited by a heavy sense of gloom. Suddenly I don’t feel lovely enough and I worry, worry and worry. My chest tightens and my heart races. I forget how to breathe properly and I don’t feel worthy of love. I do realize the irrational and unhealthy nature of these feelings but it can feel very difficult to overcome at the time. The feelings I’m experiencing are not completely unfamiliar to me. Cognitive behavioural therapy I received a few years ago helped me cope with feelings of anxiety and worthlessness. I’ve been reconnecting with techniques that helped at the time, such as practicing mindfulness, self-compassion and meditation. In a short amount of time, I can already feel the positive impact of these actions. I’m in a loving relationship but I’ve been finding it difficult to communicate my needs and feel supported by my boyfriend. I’ve tried my best to explain what I’m going through and what it feels like when anxiety gets the better of me. I’ve encouraged him to seek information about anxiety too but it’s not something he wants to do. Oftentimes my boyfriend is distant and apprehensive to show affection and speak to me when I feel anxious. Last night he told me that I’m “uninviting” of affection when I’m sitting silently and feeling overwhelmed. He also feels that it’s best when he says “nothing” because he feels responsible and worries that his words would make things worse. I found that hurtful and explained that sometimes I just want to be held and comforted. He apologized and promised to be more supportive in the future, which I appreciate so much. I love him dearly and I know he wants for me to be happy but I do worry that my anxiety is pushing him away. It’s the first time I’ve experienced these feelings in a long term relationship so I would love to hear any advice you may have. I want to communicate effectively and feel completely supported whilst also being respectful of my boyfriend and his emotional needs. Thank you kindly. x

Maureen Accepting long term or permanent disability or is it giving up?
  • replies: 36

There are a few threads around about acceptance however I didn't want to hijack them with what I am struggling with. I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression, along with polyarthritis. Throughout these forums it is reiterated numerous times ... View more

There are a few threads around about acceptance however I didn't want to hijack them with what I am struggling with. I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression, along with polyarthritis. Throughout these forums it is reiterated numerous times that once we accept our condition it can be easier to bear. I am trying to accept this new reality, the ups and downs, too many tears, too many aches and pains and the inability to work in any capacity. I thought I had started well, returning to simplistic activities I enjoyed, some contact with remaining friends and family, physical activities I am still able to be involved in, and enjoying my menagerie of 2 cats and 2 dogs. Then I went to my 6 weekly psychiatric visit. I told her I now believed I wouldn't work again, but I had found a semi content state. She was not happy. Said I was too negative, I'd given up, I needed to get back on drugs and start seeing a psychologist. Hmmm, so much for thinking I'd finally found my happy place. Back to too many tears, never ending negative thoughts, increasing aches and pains, withdrawing into myself. I agreed to seeing a psychologist she recommended, psychiatrist agreed to 6 week trial of natural anxiety medications, but didn't think they would work and I needed to realise I obviously needed drugs. So what is acceptance and what is giving up? I'm 55, can only walk for an hour or so before sitting down, cannot organise anything without activating major anxiety, have no idea when tears will come, and have lost concentration abilities and a lot of logical thinking unless given lots of time to work things out. I'm mostly happy with some companionship, and doing simplistic things at home. How is that giving up? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you. Maureen

saviourseth waking up in the night with panic attacks
  • replies: 6

Hi. I am fairly new here and posted about my depression yesterday. I had never had panic attacks before but have started waking up feeling like I cant breathe and having to pace the house to calm down. It feels like no matter how deep i breathe i jus... View more

Hi. I am fairly new here and posted about my depression yesterday. I had never had panic attacks before but have started waking up feeling like I cant breathe and having to pace the house to calm down. It feels like no matter how deep i breathe i just cant get enough air. Its also making me feel very claustrophobic. I try breathing exercises but sometimes its taking me an hour to calm down then i go back to sleep for a while and then i happens all over again. Is there anything i can do before bed to help prevent these attacks. Am going through some very difficult life issues at the moment and feel like i am losing it. Any time i have to think at all is torture. I just dont want to think anymore. My mind wont stop and i cant eat or sleep which is ok because i have been through this deep depression many times and i know eventually the storm will turn to just rain...these panic attacks and claustrophobic feelings are a battle im not prepared for. Help

Lost_Girl April Fools Day - Not so funny?
  • replies: 3

So the clock has just ticked over and it is officially April Fools Day. I found myself pondering the idea of pulling a virtual practical April Fools joke in the BB Cafe.....However, I can't for the life of me think of anything that I could be assured... View more

So the clock has just ticked over and it is officially April Fools Day. I found myself pondering the idea of pulling a virtual practical April Fools joke in the BB Cafe.....However, I can't for the life of me think of anything that I could be assured would not potentially cause anxiety or shock or unhappiness. I could just be unimaginative. Yesterday my 10 year old snuck up behind me in the kitchen and when I turned around it scared the begeezus out of me. It scared him too because I am pretty sure he wasn't expecting the barrage of tears that followed. Hey I got hugs though It took me a while to calm down. Anyone else have experiences like that? How do you find April Fools Day? Is anyone dreading work today because of it? Actually now I have thought some more I think I will drain the pool and turn it into a giant ballpit..... better run...that might take some time. Cheers, Carol

Jusanxiety Feel like no one can help
  • replies: 3

Feeling completely broken right now. I have had this anxiety for 6 weeks now. My psychologist is lovely but not very helpful and whilst I have now been given a reference to a psychiatrist by my GP I have just been advised that the consultation is goi... View more

Feeling completely broken right now. I have had this anxiety for 6 weeks now. My psychologist is lovely but not very helpful and whilst I have now been given a reference to a psychiatrist by my GP I have just been advised that the consultation is going to be $440. I can't afford this and I just don't know what to do. The mental health system is failing me and I just don't know what to do.

Peper How does Anxiety work?
  • replies: 2

Hello! Im kinda of new here, found this place a year ago looking for help for my then partner, we broke up because of his anxiety/anger issues. Back then i said my anxiety was flaring up, i was right. Now i am going through a full blown anxiety phase... View more

Hello! Im kinda of new here, found this place a year ago looking for help for my then partner, we broke up because of his anxiety/anger issues. Back then i said my anxiety was flaring up, i was right. Now i am going through a full blown anxiety phase and i do not like it. I overcame it years ago and it was heaven. I am so frustrated now. It seems though as if it is easier to deal with as i have the tools. So i was wondering, how does anxiety work? Is it just stress expressing itself? The way i see it is, we stress our bodies and minds for some time without noticing or without doing anything about it, then all of a sudden the thoughts come in as if the physical stress of our bodies turned a switch on in out minds and said: it's time to "party!!" I feel weird this time round. I have the negative thoughts, but in general my thinking is healthy. I feel like there has been a dark veil spread over everything not letting me see clearly and giving me all sorts of negative thoughts (mostly of my relationship, jealousy/suspicion). It is almost like this is my body's reaction to stress and my mind is struggling to keep the positive thoughts afloat. How does it work?

Phoenix89 Anxiety - blocking my potential
  • replies: 6

Problems with anxiety, depression, social anxiety, low esteem and self confidence have swayed me into a belief that the person that I have now become at the influence of all these mental health issues, is who I will forever be. They've had their infl... View more

Problems with anxiety, depression, social anxiety, low esteem and self confidence have swayed me into a belief that the person that I have now become at the influence of all these mental health issues, is who I will forever be. They've had their influence over me for more than 10+ years, that I've become a very un-confident person that I'm always doubting myself - even when I'm logically with myself and know 100% certain that it's right, that I'll still have that self doubting negative self talk. In turn it's affected my persona as I come across as being unconfident in myself. However it's greatly affected my love life and my ability to meet women. Firstly I'll state that I'm not out to seek any sort of sympathy out of what I have to say. Secondly, I haven't been lucky enough to be in a relationship with any women. My negative self talk has made me believe via evidence of how unsuccessful I have been with women, that there must be something wrong with me. It convinced me that I'm actually ugly or something along those lines. I've been told I'm actually better looking than what I actually believe. Though in saying that when it comes to meeting girls I am just no able to. The negative influence I have in my mind is very strong as I'll just psych myself out of any form of approach by telling myself that I have no chance due to being ugly, she being out of my league and worst "knowing" she'll say no - sort of predicting an outcome. It gets frustrating because I obivously want to meet people but my anxiety issues are very influential that any sort of doing nothing just makes me feel depressed that I'm not able to do something that shouldn't be that hard. I also find myself because of this inability, that over the years I've broken myself down, almost beaten myself up about it, that I feel like I am less of a person to everyone - sort of like a slave and a master - like I have no worth and everyone is better than me. With social anxiety, I remember during Uni, oral presentations were the hardest of things to do. My friends and I would go for lunch in the uni cafeteria but when I had to walk through the cafeteria by myself to get to classes, I would avoid doing so. It would always feel like everyone was watching me. Even with going to the gym. I'm not a newbie as I've been maybe more than 500 times but even till now I feel like all eyes are drawn on me.

Zozo0509 First timer
  • replies: 1

Hey Guys! im seeking help! My partner and I are have troubles mainly because I have anxiety and depression about anything and everything. I try to be okay and happy but I can't help but always think the worst in every situation. We are great together... View more

Hey Guys! im seeking help! My partner and I are have troubles mainly because I have anxiety and depression about anything and everything. I try to be okay and happy but I can't help but always think the worst in every situation. We are great together and I want us to stay together but it's reaching its toll on both of us and I'm really wanting to seek help to be the better person to him. He has tried anything and everything to make me happy but nothing seems to me working! any advice would be appreciated! Thank you