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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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Macka90 PLEASE HELP HAVING A RELAPSE
  • replies: 2

Hi I have not had a bad anxiety attack for a few months now and now for some reason i am having heathy anxiety really bad, i don't know what has brought this on and its scaring me, i am still on all my meds. It's not as bad as the last time as the la... View more

Hi I have not had a bad anxiety attack for a few months now and now for some reason i am having heathy anxiety really bad, i don't know what has brought this on and its scaring me, i am still on all my meds. It's not as bad as the last time as the last time it was so bad i couldn't look after my kids, this time its more I feel like I'm sore all over and I've lost my appetite a bit but i am still eating, i feel nausea, i also feel this impending doom. I am hoping someone out there can help me through this as i have never had a relapse and not sure how to handle it..

MisterM Extremely embarrassed/shy asking for things in stores with customers around
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I have had this problem since childhood. When I go shopping I get very shy to speak loud enough for customers to hear what I am asking as I fear what they will think. I went in to a retailer over the weekend to order a Beatles blu ray in and ... View more

Hi all, I have had this problem since childhood. When I go shopping I get very shy to speak loud enough for customers to hear what I am asking as I fear what they will think. I went in to a retailer over the weekend to order a Beatles blu ray in and the attendant couldn't hear me I was speaking so softly, she thought I was saying Equals. I was thinking customers in line behind me would think I am a loser, nerd for ordering a Beatles blu ray. Anyone here like me?

Missmia Choices. Why are they so hard?
  • replies: 2

I am trying to start over - new town, new life. I need to make new friends but as a sufferer of depression and anxiety, it isn't an easy thing for me, a middle aged woman. I went to a meeting of the local bridge club as I had learned to play basic br... View more

I am trying to start over - new town, new life. I need to make new friends but as a sufferer of depression and anxiety, it isn't an easy thing for me, a middle aged woman. I went to a meeting of the local bridge club as I had learned to play basic bridge some time ago and hoped to improve and also meet some potential friends. At the very start of the first game, another player became impatient with me because he thought I was taking too long to sort my hand of cards into order. I spoke to him very calmly and said I hadn't played for a long time and, if he was going to pressure me, it would only slow things down even more. He backed off a little, but still continued to give non-verbal messages of impatience. Although I maintained a calm appearance, I played the rest of the session (about 3 hours) very badly. His behaviour caused a huge rush of anxiety, causing me to forget the rules, overlook obvious plays, and a total lack of confidence. But outwardly I stayed calm and polite. Afterwards I was exhausted, depressed and tearful for two days. In reveiwing the situation I decided not to continue with bridge. I decided I can't manage such a challenging game as well as my social anxiety. The problem is that one of the people there is keen to have a bridge partner and asked me to fill that role. She wants me to play twice a week as her partner. The thought fills me with dread. But on the other hand, it is so sad to turn down her offer of inclusion, which means a lot to a person in my circumstances. And my refusal may offend. Why is life so hard?

Feather_Robin Feeling lonely and scared
  • replies: 10

Hi everyone. I have had anxiety all my life it just comes and goes. But it's really here this time and I feel so horrible. I'm worrying about everything my mind is racing, I feel sick and my heart is constantly racing. I've tried to be logical and ca... View more

Hi everyone. I have had anxiety all my life it just comes and goes. But it's really here this time and I feel so horrible. I'm worrying about everything my mind is racing, I feel sick and my heart is constantly racing. I've tried to be logical and calm myself down but I can't stop thinking about the worst possible situation. I feel like I just want to run away or be a dark room and just sleep so i don't have to be awake to feel like this. I've tried my a b and cs but it's just not working. I just wanted to post on here so I don't feel as lonely and I just need someone to tell me everything is going to be okay xx

Lara1 Will it ever go away?
  • replies: 3

Ive suffered from anxiety and depression intensely for the past 3 years. Ive been struggling with horrifying inner thoughts, feeling like I'm never good enough and numerous panic attacks. Ive been seeing psychologists and psychiatrists and I've been ... View more

Ive suffered from anxiety and depression intensely for the past 3 years. Ive been struggling with horrifying inner thoughts, feeling like I'm never good enough and numerous panic attacks. Ive been seeing psychologists and psychiatrists and I've been doing everything they tell me but my anxiety still doesn't seem to go away. My mind blows events out of proportion dramatically which increases my anxiety. Does anyone else feel the same as me? You try so hard, you do everything the doctors/psychologists/everyone tells you to do yet no results have come... and its been years now. I definitely have improved but the feelings haven't gone. I'm so exhausted from feeling this way and i just want it to stop. Id do anything to make myself more happy - any advice?

MisterM Needle phobia
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I have this bad needle phobia, I can't watch another person getting injected, it makes me feel sick. I also nearly fainted a few times when getting blood taken. This is a problem more so now that I am considering going back to uni to study nu... View more

Hi all, I have this bad needle phobia, I can't watch another person getting injected, it makes me feel sick. I also nearly fainted a few times when getting blood taken. This is a problem more so now that I am considering going back to uni to study nursing. A nurse I know said the field involves injecting patients. Anyone here manage to overcome their needle phobia? If so, how? Thank you.

Lulu_411 My first panic/anxiety attack
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone! I wanted to share my story of my first anxiety/panic attack to 1.see if anyone can relate (feels good to know you are not alone) & 2.i may provide someone else out there with the comfort of a similar story to theirs. ive always been a wo... View more

Hi everyone! I wanted to share my story of my first anxiety/panic attack to 1.see if anyone can relate (feels good to know you are not alone) & 2.i may provide someone else out there with the comfort of a similar story to theirs. ive always been a worrier. My mind has always run at a million miles an hour ever since I can remember. The endless possibilities of what could go wrong, I never saw it as a problem but just that I was a cautious person. i had been in the same career for almost 6 years. I was comfortable in my field, but I was bored. I felt I needed s change. I decided to move on to a COMPLETELY different industry that I had no experience in. I was nervous, but excited. the interview process for this new job was stressful, and I think this is where the anxiety started building. I had been told I had got the job but had to start in 10days. Given how long I had been with my current employer I was required to give 4 weeks notice. I had become quite close to my employer after 6 years do I decided to talk to her about possibly leaving with only 10 days notice. I felt physically ill leading up to our meeting, I wasn't eating and I was constantly worrying about this horrible conversation I was going to have. The news didn't go down well, she was very upset/ angry and disappointed in me. I felt like a horrible person, but I had no choice. i began my new job, not feeling so great and very nervous. The first week went by and everything was so new and overwhelming. I wasn't eating, which I thought was just from nerves, I just wasn't hungry. I would go to bed at night dreaming about all the information I had to remember and wake up in a panic. Friday I got sick, I went to bed and I could feel my heart racing, my whole body pulsing.. I had a fever of 38.5. I took myself to hospital and my resting heart rate was 150bpm (normal is around 70-90). I spent the night. I just wasn't myself, I was sad and a mess. Once home I just couldn't leave the house to go to work. I would work myself up with worry to the point of vomitting, still not eating. I ended up quitting my new job and going back to my previous work.. Things are good now.. But I worry I will never be able to move on to a new career..

Bluey_moon Intrusive thoughts and anxiety
  • replies: 7

Hi I have recently been diagnosed with GAD and obsessive thoughts. I also have a paranoia i,m developing scizophrenia. Lately my intrusive thoughts have been more like a voice (my voice). Like i'll my son i love him and suddenly i hear a thought, do ... View more

Hi I have recently been diagnosed with GAD and obsessive thoughts. I also have a paranoia i,m developing scizophrenia. Lately my intrusive thoughts have been more like a voice (my voice). Like i'll my son i love him and suddenly i hear a thought, do you really, very clearly, like a voice, but my voice ( i think but i self doubt a lot). Or i'll be playing with my kids and i'll hear myself say, "you wont be doing that when you dead", but i dont say it out loud only in my head. Is this normal, i have told my GP and a phyciatrist, but they think its just my thoughts? I'm so confused.

greeneyes91 Anxiety Symptoms are ruining my life
  • replies: 5

Hi guys. I am new to this site, to be honest I am all out of options and I guess wanted some tips from people going through the same thing. I have been severely ill now for nearly 3 years, struggling from ibs, sinus, constant stomach bugs and colds a... View more

Hi guys. I am new to this site, to be honest I am all out of options and I guess wanted some tips from people going through the same thing. I have been severely ill now for nearly 3 years, struggling from ibs, sinus, constant stomach bugs and colds and always feeling tired. I've had every test under the sun (even had my appendix removed) to try find out what is wrong, it so hard to believe that anxiety is causing all of this. I don't honestly remember a day where I didn't feel sick or light headed. I've missed so many days from work im worried I will lose my job. Im wondering if it is worth going down the road of medication? I have tried everything- except for medication. Ive done meditation, yoga, breathing courses, cbt, counselling, relaxation massage and nothing seems to help my symptoms. I am hoping someone will read this and understand how much this is ruining my life and all of my relationships in it as I never go out anymore, I am always sick and only 24 years old. Any help would be greatly appreciated

One_Day_A_Millionaire Waste Of Space. Wasting My Dreams.
  • replies: 3

I've had enough and reached rock bottom or a dead end with nowhere else to go. Some days I feel like screaming. I feel I'm a waste of space and wasting my abilities. The thing is I'm bipolar and have anxiety that goes with it which I accept as everyo... View more

I've had enough and reached rock bottom or a dead end with nowhere else to go. Some days I feel like screaming. I feel I'm a waste of space and wasting my abilities. The thing is I'm bipolar and have anxiety that goes with it which I accept as everyone has a health related issue of some sort. I deal with it and get on with life but my dreams are very important to me. I want to do my HSC next year and then University and eventually start writing for publication even just for a magazine or something small. The thing is I can't concentrate unless on my own ( which I've tried to overcome but can't ) and I live in a small house with three adult family members and I try every thing to concentrate but nothing works while they watch Tele etc. I blew so much money in my early years and I have severe debts and can't save for years because it will be years before I get a pay that I can actually save. So there goes my chance of getting bond saved and a chance of getting my own personal space. I work full time which makes matters worse because not only does it give me hardly any time for study and that we are all home at night together which still gives me no space. I know some people will say I'm procrastinating but I just need to know how to concentrate with all the distraction. I am now 38 and my dreams will slip me by and I will die unhappy if I don't act now. How do people concentrate while reading in a doctors surgery I will never know. I want to beat the problem but don't know how. Tonight I had the lounge room to myself and started reading a good book then when Dad came home I got so frustrated and depressed because I had to stop. Then I get really irritable and annoyed because all I want is my own place but due to mistakes I made from my teenage years on with booking up so many debts I'm stuck in this rut thinking I've messed up my life big time. I get one shot at this life and my dreams will not come true and I will be buried a very sad soul if I don't work out how to beat the problem. As nearly all of us know once you make a financial mistake with a bank they won't give you a second chance. I started a small free writing course three weeks ago and as per usual I'm so far behind. To be honest I get so far behind in courses etc due to always needing my own personal space it gets me anxious and irratible. I'm so worried my dreams won't come true if I don't work out how to beat this. I'm anxious, irratible and very scared. I just want to succeed