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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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gloria10 Family events and social anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I have a bit of an issue with my relationship with my mum. I always thought we were close and often spoke with each other, but lately I feel like there is a bit of emotional guilt from my mum. If there is a family event, such as a birthday or... View more

Hi all, I have a bit of an issue with my relationship with my mum. I always thought we were close and often spoke with each other, but lately I feel like there is a bit of emotional guilt from my mum. If there is a family event, such as a birthday or anniversary, and I cant make it due to social anxiety or my health my mum gets very angry with me. She wont always show it around other people, but does when she's just talking with me, so I have no proof to back it up. Then if I don't make it, like I have recently, she gives me the silent treatment and she has admitted that she does this when she's angry. I then start to feel guilty and feel like I have to make it up to her even though it wasn't her birthday and it had nothing to do with her, but it's like I've caused a great injustice. One time when I couldn't make it she didn't speak to me for three weeks, I was shattered. I'm just finding our relationship an emotional drain lately and have to keep my distance, which is hard since I get separation anxiety. Have any of you had emotional guilt from parents? How have you dealt with it? Many thanks for reading...

Surrender Very worried about my financial state
  • replies: 3

Hi all I have gone back on ADs and these with therapy have helped a lot although i haven't seen my therapist for a few weeks as she is away. I can't seem to stop worrying about my financial state, i am 51 haven't been able to keep my last three jobs ... View more

Hi all I have gone back on ADs and these with therapy have helped a lot although i haven't seen my therapist for a few weeks as she is away. I can't seem to stop worrying about my financial state, i am 51 haven't been able to keep my last three jobs due to my mental state (can't perform simple tasks) and have been unemployed for over three years and not sure that anyone will ever hire me again. I don't have any super and i have a small debt. I am worried how i will end up in fact i am worried i will end up living in my car.....then what? So scared of the future. I don't mind living a simple life but i still need money. Any suggestions please? so worried how i will end up. How do people do it please. I am sharing with four others and i dont want to end up in a rooming house. How can i get ahead without a job. Can't stop thinking about all this. What happens to people like me, broke, mentally ill, how can i help myself. Desperate for suggestions please. Thanks for listening. Thank you for listening.

pazyamor Scared I'm going to die (panic attack symptoms)
  • replies: 2

Hi guys, My first panic attack was 1 year ago when I was going through a stressful period, when this attack occurred my mum called the ambulance because no one in my family had ever experienced these symptoms so she thought it was a medical condition... View more

Hi guys, My first panic attack was 1 year ago when I was going through a stressful period, when this attack occurred my mum called the ambulance because no one in my family had ever experienced these symptoms so she thought it was a medical condition because I was trembling, nauseous, fast heart beat, numb arms and legs etc. Anyway all medical results came out ok and I was told it was a panic attack. After this I was relieved and took steps to destress my life and make positive changes. After this episode I made alot of positive changes and was so happy and looking forward to life and reaching all my personal goals up until 3 months ago when I had a few panic attacks within a period of 2 weeks. Since the recent attacks I am so fearful, I feel this fear inside of me and I keep thinking I am going to die, especially in my sleep, I barely sleep because of this and as a result of this fear I feel panic and anxiety and it brings on panic attack symptoms. And if I'm not worried about dying I am checking on my little sister when she sleeps to make sure she is still breathing. I dont know whats wrong with me and I feel as though I am going crazy. All my friends and family know me as a positive, happy, carefree person who feels blessed to live in a country like Australia and have loving people around me and I have always been the type to look at the brighter side of things BUT I feel like I'm losing this girl I was and being negative and fearful and I cry alot. I just want to be myself again and I don't know how Thank you in advance for your thoughts and comments

Queen_Diamond Acupressure for anxiety
  • replies: 4

Has anyone had any experience with acupressure to help with anxiety? Just wondering if it is effective? And if so is it something you do on yourself or do you go to somewhere for it (like acupuncture)?

Has anyone had any experience with acupressure to help with anxiety? Just wondering if it is effective? And if so is it something you do on yourself or do you go to somewhere for it (like acupuncture)?

tatemymate After some help with anxiety questions please :)
  • replies: 1

Hi, I am a 44 year old single mum, and full time Police Officer. I have recently been diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety. I have no problems speaking to people, and do well in large groups but this is not by problem. I simply can't stop my mind from rac... View more

Hi, I am a 44 year old single mum, and full time Police Officer. I have recently been diagnosed with ADHD and anxiety. I have no problems speaking to people, and do well in large groups but this is not by problem. I simply can't stop my mind from racing. I am on an antidepressant for the anxiety but i don't feel any different. The biggest thing that bothers me is that i can never, EVER feel relaxed. Even after a massage, bath, quiet time, meditation or even a holiday. I literally can never remember ever feeling truly relaxed. I sleep ok, but during the day i just stress internally. It is affecting my job and my ability to form relationships. I just want to be able to calm my mind enough to enjoy life. Does anyone else feel this way? Its driving me crazy...

Queen_Diamond Pulse in Throat
  • replies: 2

I've just recently noticed that I can feel (and at times see) the pulse in the hollow of my throat (suprasternal notch). Of course I Googled it and found lots of conflicting info on whether this is normal or not. I'm not asking for medical info or di... View more

I've just recently noticed that I can feel (and at times see) the pulse in the hollow of my throat (suprasternal notch). Of course I Googled it and found lots of conflicting info on whether this is normal or not. I'm not asking for medical info or diagnosis but simply whether there are other anxiety sufferers experincing the same? Just wondering if it's another one of those weird anxiety related things; I'm pretty sure my pulse has always done that but having health anxiety has just made me notice it and start obssessing over it.

Macca1 anxiety ? Not sure but any advice would be great
  • replies: 2

Hi this is my first post, so not sure what to expect. About 6 years ago I was married to an unfaithful partner. I wasn't aware of what was happening until she phoned me to say she was leaving me for another man. I took it bad and hit the drink to tak... View more

Hi this is my first post, so not sure what to expect. About 6 years ago I was married to an unfaithful partner. I wasn't aware of what was happening until she phoned me to say she was leaving me for another man. I took it bad and hit the drink to take the focus of our empty home. But that was then. I am now remarried to a lovely women and we have a beautiful daughter. I have been diagnosed with depression recently and am on some meds to help, but just today I think I had a bit of a panic attack doing something ( trimming horses feet- I'm a farrier) that I do on a very regular basis. In my mind I kept thinking I'm going to stuff this up... Ridiculous for me! last Saturday was my nieces birthday and I was having a dark morning ( crying for no good reason) I tried to go to the party but found myself almost crying ( again no reason) and I ended up driving away so no one would see me. not sure what brought these negative reactions at all ! any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm feeling like I'm falling apart!

AnxietyMum DHS and Anxiety
  • replies: 1

hi there. Recently my children were removed from my care as I had a pretty big relapse. I can't seem to control my anxiety yet I have 3.5 weeks to get a hold of it before I have to go back to court to try and get my children back. Everyone is telling... View more

hi there. Recently my children were removed from my care as I had a pretty big relapse. I can't seem to control my anxiety yet I have 3.5 weeks to get a hold of it before I have to go back to court to try and get my children back. Everyone is telling me it's impossible but I'm desperate to try. Please if anyone has some suggestions or ideas on how I can achieve this???

MissDaisytheXD i suffer from random painful tightening of my chest, has lasted 3 days this time but mentally i feel ok? Help me please!
  • replies: 2

Hi there everyone I'm a noob here and i would be stoked if someone may be able shed some light on what is happening to me. I was diagnosed with stress related depression at age 10, then diagnosed with anxiety and mild PTSD nearly 3 years ago at age 2... View more

Hi there everyone I'm a noob here and i would be stoked if someone may be able shed some light on what is happening to me. I was diagnosed with stress related depression at age 10, then diagnosed with anxiety and mild PTSD nearly 3 years ago at age 23 after leaving a 10 year violent and emotionally abusive relationship. In the last few years i thought my anxiety was dealt with and that I was officially on the mend but this year for the first time in my life, i started randomly experiencing a very tight chest. I can't take a full deep breath, can't yawn properly, and after about 24 hours of trying to inhale it becomes painful to breathe in. It feels like my lungs can't expand all the way, like someone is sitting on my chest. I also feel my heart rate increase. But i don't get the shakes, i don't feel any urge to cry or get angry. I was told it is an anxiety attack, but mentally i feel fine. These tight chest attacks are becoming more frequent and lasting longer. The one i am experiencing now has lasted 3 days. I have tried breathing excersises, stretching and even tiger balm to help ease the tightness but nothing works much as of yet. I have even started getting them while at my demanding and stressful TAFE course, but usually i only get them at home. I've had to go back to bed and try to sleep if off as after 3 days it is really getting sore. I would greatly appreciate any info, advice or stories from anyone who has experience in dealing with these issues or has experienced it for themselves!

Jools1968 What is wrong with me
  • replies: 2

Hi All, My name is Julian and I am 46 yrs old. Thank you for welcoming me here. I am not sure what's wrong with me. I am on antidepressants and have been diagnosed with Depression and have so for many yrs. I seem to be getting worse and am seeking mo... View more

Hi All, My name is Julian and I am 46 yrs old. Thank you for welcoming me here. I am not sure what's wrong with me. I am on antidepressants and have been diagnosed with Depression and have so for many yrs. I seem to be getting worse and am seeking more counselling. I am getting so paranoid about everything and everyone around me. I am so defensive at times and think everyone is out to get me. I cannot seem to take any criticism, even if its positive. I know I was involved in an armed robbery a few yrs ago at a servo I worked at, and ever since that day I have gotten very defensive and lost my edge when it comes to talking to people. I am not sure if its a trust thing or what. I have also been made redundant from 2 different jobs, which makes me trust people even less and not want to put the effort in as it seems like the harder you work the more chance there is to be stomped on. I get to a stage sometimes where I think everyone would be better if I was not around etc, but doing anything silly scares me. Do I have anxiety on top of my depression, I have no idea and I am scared about it. I have no energy to do thing, or go to work which is not like me normally. Please advise.beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.