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

Chicken_Wings Do I Have Purpose?
  • replies: 27

One of the things I find that I get anxious about is feeling like I have a purpose, like there is a point to my existence. I see other people living their lives and I feel like they are achieving things and have goals. I then think about my own life ... View more

One of the things I find that I get anxious about is feeling like I have a purpose, like there is a point to my existence. I see other people living their lives and I feel like they are achieving things and have goals. I then think about my own life and wonder what I'm missing. I feel like I'm getting older and like I've missed a vital step in life. Like there is something I am meant to be doing and I'm not doing it. Days often feel like I'm just waiting for another day to be over. I don't feel like I'm doing much, I just go to work, come home, watch tv, repeat. And then on weekends try and find something to do to fill the days. I've been looking up meetup groups and clubs or groups I could try and join, but it all feels kind of weird and pretend. Has anyone else struggled with feeling like they have no path or no purpose? How did you combat it?

HelenM Struggling so much
  • replies: 18

Life is not good. Three weeks ago my anxiety worsened. I'd been having five or more good days between a bout of about a week. About six weeks ago I had to go for a scan for a post menopausal bleed. Uncertainty is a MASSIVE problem for me. My fear was... View more

Life is not good. Three weeks ago my anxiety worsened. I'd been having five or more good days between a bout of about a week. About six weeks ago I had to go for a scan for a post menopausal bleed. Uncertainty is a MASSIVE problem for me. My fear was that the stress would make me severely depressed again. I wasn't worried about my physical health. I know that doesn't make sense. I was so scared that I ended up going private even though the Dr said it would be only three weeks wait. Since then, apart from a handful of days three weeks ago things have been very bad. I get the odd afternoon or evening when my mood is OK. Normally when I'm unwell my mood never becomes worse. Most of this is fear. Fear of my mental illness. I think as time goes on I'm more afraid. I carry on and I'm very lucky that I'm able to continue my routine. I don't think Christmas is making me worse though I'll be glad when it's over. If I don't reply to any post for a while it's because computers stress me a lot. I said the other week (though most unclearly) that I wish I was an old lady. Then I would only have a short while left. . I hope you know what I mean. Life is very hard just now. A change in meds isn't possible. Because it's kept me well for so long they think it would be risky to change it. Thanks for reading. I know you care. Helen x

Chey3 Symptoms of anxiety stress and tension
  • replies: 2

Hello...I'm just wondering whether someone can help me. I suffer from anxiety and stress and deal with many symptoms as a result, however of late I have been feeling this extreme heaviness throughout my body..shoulders, chest, sides...it feels scarey... View more

Hello...I'm just wondering whether someone can help me. I suffer from anxiety and stress and deal with many symptoms as a result, however of late I have been feeling this extreme heaviness throughout my body..shoulders, chest, sides...it feels scarey, I feel like it effects my breathing...does anyonw experience this? Is this part of anxiety.

Wod Physical symptoms.. Is it anxiety?
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I have been going through 9 months of all types of physical symptoms. Been to all the docs for all the scans, monitors and cameras you can think of. A few specialists have suggested anxiety but it seems to severe.started off with chest pain l... View more

Hi all, I have been going through 9 months of all types of physical symptoms. Been to all the docs for all the scans, monitors and cameras you can think of. A few specialists have suggested anxiety but it seems to severe.started off with chest pain lasting 5 seconds. Maybe 3 times a month for about 4 months.then had a chest pain, loss of appetite and short of breath one night so I went to hospital.... Was told anxiety.Over the next few weeks things got worse with constant noticeable heavy heart beats, wierd thump in chest giving me a winded feeling for 2 seconds, loss of appetite, more chest pains, stomach pains, splinter hemmirages, muscle twitches and migraines for several weeks.this has happened on and off for months now. Feeling poorly more often then not. other less common symptoms are clicking in ear when walking, clicking in throat while breathing out, noticeable veins under eyes, ear ack, most common has been the chest pains only lasting a few seconds but can happen several times a day and the heavy heart beats. Mainly when sitting down or lying.after any input or advicethanks for your time

Manda85ballarat Struggling
  • replies: 9

I posted the other day about my anxiety about doctors. I went in yesterday (was proud of myself for actually going as I actually cancelled one appointment and then made another). The GP suggested I get the spot on my arm removed (for most people this... View more

I posted the other day about my anxiety about doctors. I went in yesterday (was proud of myself for actually going as I actually cancelled one appointment and then made another). The GP suggested I get the spot on my arm removed (for most people this isn't a big deal). Now I am having small panic attacks and stressing about the procedure. I guess it doesn't help I haven't had to have any procedures done since I got my braces as a teen. My husband is happy to come with me which is great but he's not on holidays until Thursday. I am well aware it is something I need to face but the stress of it all is getting to me. I guess a couple of things are bothering me: the possibility of the spot on my arm being serious ( I know it's highly unlikely but still a possibility). whilst getting a spot removed isn't a big deal I am struggling with the thought of the procedure I know it's quick but it's a big deal to me. lastly the fact that I will faint as soon as the injection is put into my arm I am aware there is a medical reason for this but still doesn't make the whole thing any less confronting. Whilst I am definitely not after sympathy as there are people much worse off than me. The anxiety about it all is really getting to me at the moment. I know there are lots of strategies I can use but none of the relaxation strategies I use seem to be working. It's worse because I am holidays at the moment so I have lots more time to think about it which doesn't help and I feel trapped in my own thoughts which feels terrible. I really needed to rant. Thamks for listening! Manda

HelenM We all need love and compassion
  • replies: 34

This post is appropriate to the depression forum too. From reading posts on here, from one or two friends and from my own experiences, I am staggered at the horrendous suffering we experience with mental illness. I could cry for us all. And in a way ... View more

This post is appropriate to the depression forum too. From reading posts on here, from one or two friends and from my own experiences, I am staggered at the horrendous suffering we experience with mental illness. I could cry for us all. And in a way I should because we have to be the compassion for each other. What we live with is unseen by others and so unaccepted. Despite caring family and friends I do not feel a true part of society. Take care, all of us xx

Girlbond_007 The up and down cycle
  • replies: 9

Hi everyone, i am starting to see a pattern of having an anxiety attack and then for days up to a week after I seem to go into a deep depression and cry at the drop of a hat. I don't feel like talking, don't want to do anything and just feel so empty... View more

Hi everyone, i am starting to see a pattern of having an anxiety attack and then for days up to a week after I seem to go into a deep depression and cry at the drop of a hat. I don't feel like talking, don't want to do anything and just feel so empty and usually can't seem to stomach or want to eat for days. I can't get back into my GP for a week, my husband has gone back to work after Christmas and I don't see my psychologist for another week. I really am unsure what triggers his though. Not feeling very good at all at the moment. is there anyone else out there who experiences this too?

NBAC79 Sensory overload
  • replies: 3

Does anyone else have trouble with noise getting too much? I find if I'm amidst load noise for a while, (such as in crowd, at a party etc, anywhere there is lots of constant chatter) I get very overwhelmed and have to get out of it. I have also found... View more

Does anyone else have trouble with noise getting too much? I find if I'm amidst load noise for a while, (such as in crowd, at a party etc, anywhere there is lots of constant chatter) I get very overwhelmed and have to get out of it. I have also found it hard to sit in an audience surrounded by applause or have the car radio up too loud. Sometimes my own chewing sounds too loud and irritating! I also find lights annoying too. Anyone else?

dolphin24 Anxiety caused driving phobia
  • replies: 10

Hi, I was diagnosed with anxiety 15 months ago. I had an episode while driving, i'm guessing it was a panic attack. I was dizzy all day everyday for 5 mths after that before i was diagnosed. Being dizzy i was unable to drive for the 5 mths. Once i wa... View more

Hi, I was diagnosed with anxiety 15 months ago. I had an episode while driving, i'm guessing it was a panic attack. I was dizzy all day everyday for 5 mths after that before i was diagnosed. Being dizzy i was unable to drive for the 5 mths. Once i was diagnosed i was slowly able to start driving but i am struggling to drive 10 mins down the road. I think deep down i'm scared of having another attack and being stuck on the side of the road and not being able to get myself and the car home. I know i have to keep trying, retrain my brain so it knows it's not danger everytime i get in the car. I was just wondering if anyone else is in a similar situation or has been in the past. Thanks in advance.

JJJJ Muscle spasms
  • replies: 3

Has anyone got any good tips for getting rid of anxiety related muscle spasms. Get so much worse when I try to sleep, that plus insomnia means no sleep so far tonight and I'll have to feed my baby soon anyway but know I can't keep this up

Has anyone got any good tips for getting rid of anxiety related muscle spasms. Get so much worse when I try to sleep, that plus insomnia means no sleep so far tonight and I'll have to feed my baby soon anyway but know I can't keep this up