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

All discussions

Lind779 It's just not fair!
  • replies: 2

I can't believe it. I was doing so well over the last 7 days, no heart pulpitations, no nausea and even had my appetite back and then POW, today and the anxiety is back on. Im a bit light headed, probably coming down with something but has caused bad... View more

I can't believe it. I was doing so well over the last 7 days, no heart pulpitations, no nausea and even had my appetite back and then POW, today and the anxiety is back on. Im a bit light headed, probably coming down with something but has caused bad anxiety and just had an anxiety attack. Bad vomitting, sweats etc. I thought maybe the meds were helping now that I have been on them for 3 weeks but why did I just get the anxiety back. Im so lost and wish I could control it. I'm hoping its just a little setback and I'll wake up tomorrow ok?

thehiss Restlessness
  • replies: 4

It would be coming up to my fourth week being off my AD only that I had to start back on another AD yesterday. But since I came off four week ago I have been really restless, from the moment I wake up in the morning until I go to sleep I have this ur... View more

It would be coming up to my fourth week being off my AD only that I had to start back on another AD yesterday. But since I came off four week ago I have been really restless, from the moment I wake up in the morning until I go to sleep I have this urge to constantly move my legs. It can become quite overwhelming sometimes and I'm worried it will never pass, if I try to fight the urge I end up having bothersome thoughts of not being able to move my legs ever again. I don't know if it could be still withdrawal symptoms of the previous medication or if it is pure anxiety.

Nicole99 Sensitive in social situations. Anxiety and avoidance
  • replies: 7

I get so ridiculous sensitive in social settings ! I am waiting to see doctor to speak about this as it has reached a point where it's making me depressed. I'm always worrying what people think of me if they like me and worried how I'm coming across ... View more

I get so ridiculous sensitive in social settings ! I am waiting to see doctor to speak about this as it has reached a point where it's making me depressed. I'm always worrying what people think of me if they like me and worried how I'm coming across . I worry I'm boring and that people feel stuck talking to me and then stress that I don't fit in or seem to make real connections - I end up comparing my life to everyone around me and become depressed. It's happened a few times now that during a night out with friends I will just make an excuse to leave suddenly as soon as I feel slightly uneasy , left out or not fitting in. Is this social phobia? I really want a life filled with friendships and socialising but my fears are overtaking any opportunity I have - it's disabling ! What is this???

Knash Does anyone else feel this way
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I've had these feelings for over 20 yrsbasically I have a fear of dizziness faintness and I constantly monitor my body from the moment I open my eyes every waking moment I'm thinking about what if I feel dizzy unbalanced - and when I do feel dizzy I ... View more

I've had these feelings for over 20 yrsbasically I have a fear of dizziness faintness and I constantly monitor my body from the moment I open my eyes every waking moment I'm thinking about what if I feel dizzy unbalanced - and when I do feel dizzy I go into panic modeI hate going around round abouts or sitting in chairs with wheels basically hate any sensations that make me feel off balance or cause dizziness - have had loads of tests have a few issues low iron levels and lowish blood pressure which obviously can cause dizziness would just like to not panic over these sensationsI take medication have been in this for 12years would love to get off my meds but can't cope with withdrawali don't panic over anything else just the feeling of dizziness unbalanced lightheadedanyone else like this

Lind779 Morning anxiety
  • replies: 9

Hi all, I have developed morning anxiety attacks over the last couple of weeks. This is new to my anxiety which I have had for 3 months. Spot on 4am every morning I'll awake with heart pulpitations, sweaty palms, tingling in arms, nausea and will sta... View more

Hi all, I have developed morning anxiety attacks over the last couple of weeks. This is new to my anxiety which I have had for 3 months. Spot on 4am every morning I'll awake with heart pulpitations, sweaty palms, tingling in arms, nausea and will start to pacing the house for 3 hrs until I go to work. This sets the day up with anxiety until the sun goes down and all symptons disappear and have no problems falling asleep. I have tried breathing techniques but hasn't helped. What has helped others with this same problem? Need to break the cycle somehow? Thanks

Taylor74 The hangover anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hello i have had anxiety most of my life however recently the dreaded feelings are back and are terrible after a big night of drinking alcohol to the point where I am in bed for up to three days currently on a day 2 of this cycle anyone have any tips... View more

Hello i have had anxiety most of my life however recently the dreaded feelings are back and are terrible after a big night of drinking alcohol to the point where I am in bed for up to three days currently on a day 2 of this cycle anyone have any tips on dealing with this? Have already come to the conclusion that Alcuin not for me just need to get through this part first

Fox_tail Choking feeling (on medication close to 3 months)
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, I am close to 3 months on medication, I m lucky to have a very good doctor that have prescribe me tablets for my anxiety and panic disorder without giving me horrific side effects. However there is one symptom that seem to stay around wi... View more

Hi everyone, I am close to 3 months on medication, I m lucky to have a very good doctor that have prescribe me tablets for my anxiety and panic disorder without giving me horrific side effects. However there is one symptom that seem to stay around with me, it's a feeling of doom (not depressed but like you just stopped and pause) and then sudden choking feeling as if I got a furball in my gut. I am trying to read books about anxiety to overcome this problem. (I managed to eliminate cramps and panic attacks but this mysterious choking tight chest feeling still lingers around) It happens when I hang out and sit and chatting/eating, when I stop and pause - perhaps my mind slightly went off to my anxiety, this little guy will start to play up and it bothers me a lot. Anyone is having a similar symptom and able to share their thoughts with me perhaps a way to overcome it? Cheers,

JoeyP I feel like im living a secret life.
  • replies: 11

No one who knows me knows what my life is like. Sure, my family and partner know that I have major depression, anxiety and disassociative disorder, but they all think I'm normal. Because when I'm with them I am. Ive told them I can't leave the house ... View more

No one who knows me knows what my life is like. Sure, my family and partner know that I have major depression, anxiety and disassociative disorder, but they all think I'm normal. Because when I'm with them I am. Ive told them I can't leave the house some days, I've told them some days I can even unlock my gate to put rubbish out or check the mail. Sometimes I cry because my dog wants to go for a walk and I just can't do it. Some days I don't leave my bed. But I never sleep. I don't even shower for days at a time. It all seems like too much effort. Because im not like this when I'm with them and they don't see it, they don't believe it. They don't understand that I fake my way thru things because when I have them next to me I have back up if I do freak out. They don't understand that spending one day with them is so exhausting that I need days to recover afterwards. Centrelink is trying to force me to find work, this seems like a real opportunity to my family. To me, even the thought of it stresses me to the point I can't breathe. I feel so alone. I feel like no one understands. I want more than anything to have my old self back but I don't know how. I'm seeing a psychiatrist, a psychologist and I am on medication. What else can I do?

angelic09 anxiety with heart palpitations
  • replies: 10

Hi. I suffer with anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. I was having heart palpitations without panic so I had all tests I could to check my heart which is apparently good. Then the other morning out of... View more

Hi. I suffer with anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. I was having heart palpitations without panic so I had all tests I could to check my heart which is apparently good. Then the other morning out of 'somewhere' I had tachycardia. It was scary & I had no idea what was happening to me. A visit to the Dr & was told your hearts fine it has to be your anxiety. Had a blood test to check thyroid which cane back ok & he prescribed beta blockers to slow my heart rate. That was it...had the tabs that left me with a spaced out feeling & have been too scared to go back to work incase I have another 'episide'. I don't know what to do now. I don't want to stay on these tablets everyday..anyone else been through this or have any suggestions? I've also been seeing a counselor for months & have been practising ctb.

Supanova Anxiety & Self Doubt
  • replies: 1

Hi Guys & Gals, New member here, I am posting today for the first time so wording together thoughts and feelings in itself alone causes a flutter of stress. So for aslong as I can remember I have suffered with feelings of self doubt,It began in my te... View more

Hi Guys & Gals, New member here, I am posting today for the first time so wording together thoughts and feelings in itself alone causes a flutter of stress. So for aslong as I can remember I have suffered with feelings of self doubt,It began in my teenage years of highschool,relatively normals issues like getting good grades making my parents happy,but as I left school moved away and gained independence my self esteem dropped.Like I would high points in my life where I thought the world was amazing other days I would question every decision I ever made,just doubting myself.I had no problems obtaining employment but my issues laid in keeping a job,it was like there was a honeymoon period where I felt on top of the world say the first 3 months then shortly after myself doubt would kick in followed by unexplained anxiety,for me I never had the guts to speak up to say somebody help me,for the fear of being ridiculed.many years on I still suffer through Jobs with the same fears of failure in the back of my mind.my question is how do we block out the feelings that tell us we're not good enough to succeed ? Thanks