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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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crypticpotatoeye Another driving anxiety thread
  • replies: 1

Hello! So I'm 28 years old, relatively new to Australia, and just got my green P license a week ago. As I'm over 25, I went straight to green P instead of having to go through red for a year. I've been taking driving lessons since July and I was abso... View more

Hello! So I'm 28 years old, relatively new to Australia, and just got my green P license a week ago. As I'm over 25, I went straight to green P instead of having to go through red for a year. I've been taking driving lessons since July and I was absolutely sure I wasn't going to pass my practical driving exam on the first go but I did so I was thankful for that. Having passed the test, I started driving on my own to and from work immediately the next day, and I was successful. Yesterday, however, I made the mistake of going straight through a roundabout as someone was making an exit. I didn't expect he was going to make a U-turn and I failed to see his signal because of the sun's glare, but nevertheless, I was in the wrong and he tooted his horn at me once. I panicked and had to pull up just to calm myself down. Just earlier tonight, on my way back from work, I was stopped at a traffic light and was a little over the pedestrian line so I reversed just a bit noticing that the oncoming car behind me was a fair bit aways. When the light turned green, I realized I failed to put my gear back on drive (good thing I didn't crash onto the car behind me!) I panicked and exited out of the intersection cursing myself for my mistake. Immediately after, a block away from the intersection, I slowed down because of a road hump just before a roundabout, and again, made the mistake of going straight through as someone was turning. I held my hand up at the window so the driver knows I'm apologetic but this isn't helping me sleep. The entire scenario keeps playing over and over in my head, and it's making me terrified to go back on the road. I'm realizing that the more anxious I get after making a single mistake, the more likely I am to make another. Do you guys have any similar experiences? What are some advice you can offer for a new learner?

Bluey_moon What to do when miss placed advice sends you backward
  • replies: 2

So I've had an ok couple of days! I was truley starting to trust the proffesionals. But I had this annoying habit that I would listen so carefully to everything. So this morning half asleep with my son, I could here a ladies voice far away, but I put... View more

So I've had an ok couple of days! I was truley starting to trust the proffesionals. But I had this annoying habit that I would listen so carefully to everything. So this morning half asleep with my son, I could here a ladies voice far away, but I put it down to someone walking past ect, then on getting up realised my husband was playing music. Releived! But then i contacted BB chat for some advice on how not to misread all sounds, she gave me a hearing voices website! Woah! Just when I was believing it was my anxiety! Finally trusting my diagnosis!

ci Tiered of the ocd Rollercoaster 😭
  • replies: 5

Not sure what to write don't want to just ramble all the horrible mess that is in my head but needed to vent my frustration. I'm tired I've been doing so well this last month made steps forward and have made big plans for the year ahead because felt ... View more

Not sure what to write don't want to just ramble all the horrible mess that is in my head but needed to vent my frustration. I'm tired I've been doing so well this last month made steps forward and have made big plans for the year ahead because felt like I was improving! Last couple days been hard and feel like I'm back on the floor again. How am I going to get better how am I going to achieve goals for the year? This illness seems so cruel!!

Scotchfinger I struggle to feel part of any group
  • replies: 6

Even on BB I struggle with this. I think there is a part of me that doesn't want to commit to a group's thinking or values. It may be an arrogance thing or even an inferiority complex masked as arrogance. That's why I can't be completely happy at any... View more

Even on BB I struggle with this. I think there is a part of me that doesn't want to commit to a group's thinking or values. It may be an arrogance thing or even an inferiority complex masked as arrogance. That's why I can't be completely happy at any workplace, church or hobby group. I've been to countless churches but in the end I'll say to myself "oh but I can't accept that part of their doctrine". At work, it'll be 'oh that boss doesn't really like me much or respect my performance" or "these colleagues look down on me". Also intolerance on my part. "oh that person just gets on my nerves." And I know I probably get on their nerves too. In my huge family of 4 brothers and 3 sisters, I choose to remain an outsider. I don't really connect with any of them anymore. And I am very careful to not tell them any juicy gossip such as my current state of unemployment. (they all live interstate). So overall I see this pattern of wanting to stay an outsider, a loner. Maybe I feel afraid for others to see the real me. Or in fact for the others to see the real me on a regular basis. I've found you have to especially wear a mask with family, because they are highly judgemental. Mental illness is not prevalent in our family. It's a more competitive "don't let the team down" kind of atmosphere. least that's the way I see it. There are some high achievers in my family which makes me feel inferior and unsuccessful. And a very low incidence of being out of work. So I would be seen now as a slacker, which is partly what I think of myself anyway.

Bluey_moon How do I learn to trust the professionals?
  • replies: 19

I have GAD and a bit of OCD, my obsession at the moment (well has been for some months now), is me having schizophrenia. I have been told by a few professionals that i'm not! How do i learn to believe them in the long term?

I have GAD and a bit of OCD, my obsession at the moment (well has been for some months now), is me having schizophrenia. I have been told by a few professionals that i'm not! How do i learn to believe them in the long term?

TJTJ anxiety causing insomnia, which causes anxiety
  • replies: 5

Hello all. I am starting a new job soon. For 10 years I've been working afternoon shifts and finishing work at 11pm. My new job requires a 730am start. I have tried to do this early shift recently in my current job and I cannot sleep. I become extrem... View more

Hello all. I am starting a new job soon. For 10 years I've been working afternoon shifts and finishing work at 11pm. My new job requires a 730am start. I have tried to do this early shift recently in my current job and I cannot sleep. I become extremely anxious thinking I'll get no sleep. I get physically sick from the anxiety. This makes the insomnia worse. Normally I have no trouble with sleeping. But now I'll have to be up at 5am every day. Does anyone have a similar problem? This only happens if I need to get up so early for work. I have had nights where I won't sleep at all, still awake 6am and my anxiety refuses to let me sleep.

ChildoftheWolf16 Battling intrusive ocd
  • replies: 4

Hey there. I'm new here. I'm a mother of two and a wife. I haven't told my husband because he would think I'm crazy. He already freaked out because instead of telling him I had intrusive thoughts, I said I thought about suicidal things. And I don't. ... View more

Hey there. I'm new here. I'm a mother of two and a wife. I haven't told my husband because he would think I'm crazy. He already freaked out because instead of telling him I had intrusive thoughts, I said I thought about suicidal things. And I don't. So, I lied. Anyway, after that he took my baby from me and said he needed to quit his job to make sure I'm okay. He was overreacting and didn't. But I've had intrusive thoughts since being a teen. Except they went away. Until after giving birth and a couple of weeks after bringing baby home. Everything was fine and then I guess things calmed down and I started having thoughts. My counselor says it's mental ocd and anxiety as well as complex pstd because of what I witnessed my father do to my brother. How do you guys cope with this? I have been taking up meditating and it's been some what helpful. But I only jus started. I will be doing mindfulness meditation too. There's some books I've thoughts about reading. But what are some good book recommendations? Please don't judge me. I'd never hurt even a nasty spider. It scares me and I already feel crazy.

Scotty_H new here, so bare with me...
  • replies: 4

Hi All, this is my first time to this forum, I have put up with anxiety all my life (just did'nt realize it until recently & far too embarrassed to tell anyone). I'm 54 years old and thought all this stuff happended to other people. To cut a long sto... View more

Hi All, this is my first time to this forum, I have put up with anxiety all my life (just did'nt realize it until recently & far too embarrassed to tell anyone). I'm 54 years old and thought all this stuff happended to other people. To cut a long story short I have been sent home from work due to a bit of (what i guess is an anxiety attack). My Manager has managed anxiety himself (lucky bloke) and made me feel like even worse being sent home! I have far too much to do and will fall even further behind!!! Sure I know that my heart feels like its going to jump out of my chest and I get uncontrollably shakey, but I can still get the job done! I live in a small south coast town of NSW and doubt if there is medical help I could really get. I cant put up with this any longer. I'm no weak willed baby but enough is enough!! Scotty.

Clare_Marie Anxiety flares up
  • replies: 5

Hi Guys, I've been doing a lot of research on anxiety over the past few weeks. I'm experiencing chest pains and have been really emotional. I feel as though I can never face the day when I wake up. It usually starts with feeling very unsettled in the... View more

Hi Guys, I've been doing a lot of research on anxiety over the past few weeks. I'm experiencing chest pains and have been really emotional. I feel as though I can never face the day when I wake up. It usually starts with feeling very unsettled in the morning as soon as I open my eyes. It's like a nervous feeling. Is this something to worry about? Should I get medicated to help it go away? I run a cleaning business with two workers. That's stressful at times but nothing I can't deal with. Over the past few months I'm loosing a lot of money as people aren't paying their invoices which is what started these feelings. My partner doesn't belive in being on anti depressants or anything like that. He says excercise and healthy eating helps. I believe that excercise does help as when I do it I feel a little better but when I feel like this I don't want to go to the gym. Please help I have no idea what to do.. I can't talk to my mum or friends as it will just worry them... Sorry it's long!

DollyTee 3am musings of an anxious mind
  • replies: 1

The darkness inside my head It’s not black like darkest night It’s more like looking through a really dirty window Hey there how many times have you on the outside passed by that dirty window? Why did you not take the time to try and see inside? What... View more

The darkness inside my head It’s not black like darkest night It’s more like looking through a really dirty window Hey there how many times have you on the outside passed by that dirty window? Why did you not take the time to try and see inside? What a wasted journey life would be if you haven’t shared some of the darkness with people like me. The light creeps through the spaces the dirt doesn’t cover Although I am often in the darkness I still see. So many times they pass on by Mindlessly moving through their shiny days Come on I dare you Come in and see what life looks like from the inside with me Am I stupid? Am I bad? Neither really - just sometimes a little mad I always used to feel sad The way people are marginalised because of who they are perceived to be But no more sadness for me The finger pointers, the judges, those who think they are superior to me What a waste of your time Because you missed the beauty you would have seen Had you taken the time to look through that dirty window Too late now I won’t let you see I’m coming into the light And no longer do the finger pointers, the judges and others like them matter to me I am Queen of my own mind The ruler of my life and how I want it to be My mind is a roaring Harley on the open road The pretenders don’t see For those that truly matter thanks for still riding with me.