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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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Chris_B Forums etiquette: give support to receive support
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newb... View more

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newbies are welcomed when they first post, and we understand that it’s a big step to post for the first time on a forum like this, especially if you aren’t feeling great. It’s important to remember, though, that these forums are a community of real people, just like you, not a one-on-one support environment like going to see your psychologist. To get the best out of being here, one of the best tips we can offer is give support to receive support. Being a good community member means: participating in different threads (not just your own), replying to people who have taken the time to reply to you (even if it’s just to say thank you), and... posting words of emotional support and encouragement when you see others who are hurting and reaching out. You don’t have to feel obliged to solve the problems of others: that’s not what we’re here for. But you can offer empathy and what you’ve learned from your own life experiences, even if it’s just a line or two, eg. “I don't know what to say, but I want to give you my support and tell you I care about what is happening to you and hope life will get better soon.” Try to develop an interest in the journeys of others here on the forums. You may be surprised at how good being an active, caring member here can make you feel. For those of you who have had good experiences giving support here on the forums, please post in this thread here and let us know how it has helped you on your journey.

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anxiety_sux A tough spell versus the need for medical review
  • replies: 1

Hi this is my first post here goes.....i have had anxiety for 13 years and have been on meds for most of that time.I have been through counselling, cbt and relaxation.I have had many times during which i have struggled and also many times where i hav... View more

Hi this is my first post here goes.....i have had anxiety for 13 years and have been on meds for most of that time.I have been through counselling, cbt and relaxation.I have had many times during which i have struggled and also many times where i have felt well.My question to others is this: How do you decide whether you are going through another rough patch and just need to continue doing what you know works or whether you are not doing so well and need to go back for medical review and possibly further counselling.Five weeks ago i lost my mum to parkinsons disease, i saw her go through many horrible things.My anxiety has always been health related and i now find myself struggling, i am not sure whether this is normal grief and a process i must move through or whether i need to revisit my doctor and increase my medication to help me cope or go back to counseliing to help me through the grief process.I am starting to feel as the weeks go by that i am not doing any better but instead getting worse.Anyone out there been through anything similar and what did you do????

Confused_joel First time speaking about my anxiety
  • replies: 8

Hey I am a 25 year old male and have been having severe crippling bouts of anxiety for a few weeks now. i first dealt with anxiety when I was about 10 years old and it was just as bad as now from memory, no appetite, shaking, constant worrying about ... View more

Hey I am a 25 year old male and have been having severe crippling bouts of anxiety for a few weeks now. i first dealt with anxiety when I was about 10 years old and it was just as bad as now from memory, no appetite, shaking, constant worrying about my health. However in time it passd (maybe a few month) i have not not had a relapse since then but out of no where they have begun again and have come back with a vengeance. i feel light headed, twitchy, worried about my health, nauseous, and lost my appetite. someone please help me with their own stories of triumph or anyone that suffers something similar. thank you

Eme STRUGGLE CITY, WAKING UP LIKE I HAVENT SLEPT
  • replies: 2

Hi, I have had an onset of Anxiety since giving birth 13 weeks ago, very long story. My problem is even if I have a great day, only snippets of Anxiety I wake up in the morning feeling so hungover.. I feel dizzy or lightheaded until my BLood Pressure... View more

Hi, I have had an onset of Anxiety since giving birth 13 weeks ago, very long story. My problem is even if I have a great day, only snippets of Anxiety I wake up in the morning feeling so hungover.. I feel dizzy or lightheaded until my BLood Pressure settles I'm assuming. As my body is tired as I'm not going into a deep sleep. I don't have a problem getting to sleep or staying asleep but it's that my mind isn't shutting off so I'm not going into a deep sleep. Does anyone else have this problem?! Thanks Eme

Wilma Problems asking for help
  • replies: 2

I have major anxiety problems that have been caused from me not being able to open up to anyone. I have had a good gp who has helped me in talking to them at least and have seen a psychologist and therapist but my problem is when I leave their office... View more

I have major anxiety problems that have been caused from me not being able to open up to anyone. I have had a good gp who has helped me in talking to them at least and have seen a psychologist and therapist but my problem is when I leave their office it is so easy to see what to do but so hard to put into practice. I feel I need more than a visit a fortnight to help me. My gp has now moved out of town so need to start all over again. My partner can't understand me when I don't either and I have turned away and don't show any affection to him which we both don't understand. I seem to have given up on everything I can't fix which isn't good considering I have a family and run a business, which are both feeling it. I don't see any friends or family much and when I do I tell them I am fine. One of my sons has anxiety problems which with my own problems are not helping him because I can't be strong for him like I need to. I have tried medication but they made me feel unwell and don't know if I can wait months to try other ones. Everything just seems so hard when it's not really, it's just the way I see it. My partner also has depression problems and it is seeming harder to help myself with the other problems around me. I have been told not to take on my partners problems, only my kids, but it's so hard not to take them on as I know he takes mine on. I have no suicidal thoughts which being in a country town puts you near the bottom of the list. Just very confused, broken and lost.

sagebrush suggestions??
  • replies: 4

I have terrible insomnia that keeps me awake until 2-4am, which would be so bad if I didn't have to work at 6am. Then every time I do sleep I have horrible nightmares. Even if I doze off at work for 10 minutes on my break I'm having nightmares. Now b... View more

I have terrible insomnia that keeps me awake until 2-4am, which would be so bad if I didn't have to work at 6am. Then every time I do sleep I have horrible nightmares. Even if I doze off at work for 10 minutes on my break I'm having nightmares. Now before I had panic disorder, I had normal nightmares, but these ones are disturbing!!!! I was on medication for anxiety but my anxiety forced me off them... I constantly feel like god is going to strike me down, but then I'll do things deliberately so I know he's going to get me. My resting heart rate is over 100 so I always feel like I'm about to die. I have been to hospital a few times but they don't care because I'm not dying. Everyone I try to talk to about it ends up turning on meIt's a constant battle to stay with it... then I end up sabotaging myself at home or at work. Even when I don't do anything wrong I still get blamed for it cuz it's just me. I'm too scared to see a psychologist because my family disapproves of them, I could see one in secret but if they find out!! When I do open up to someone they're like your life sucks. I'm like yeah thanks not like I already didn't know that.....My family deliberately attacks each other verbally and physically, but won't stay away from each other!! I can't run away because of my work and family commitments, without which I would be nothing and empty.Now somehow I feel like writing this helps in some way but what way I don't know.maybe I'm not crazy at all but the world around me that is.circumstances never change unless you change them. Just remember to breathe, learn to enjoy this simple task as it's all that matters. Anything else is just what you put into it. Remember that in 10 years time nothing will be the same.everything and everyone will have changed whether we believe it or not.Life is just a culmination of everyone's past choices, the future is whatever you make it.whether you decide to change it or not is up to you. that is your choice as free will.what's worse, more of the same or something different?there's a balance in life that will even itself out, it just takes time, how much time is up to you.there is a solution to every problem, it's your Job to find it, just hang in there.good luck. btw, God's really forgiving

EHall_92 Anxiety and Alcohol?!
  • replies: 5

Hi, I'm 23 and been suffering chronic anxiety and major depression for many years. I'm taking a beta-blocker at the moment and was recently seeing a counsellor, though I have stopped going as I have been feeling great and just started to feel frustra... View more

Hi, I'm 23 and been suffering chronic anxiety and major depression for many years. I'm taking a beta-blocker at the moment and was recently seeing a counsellor, though I have stopped going as I have been feeling great and just started to feel frustrated when I do go. In the last week or so ive suddenly had a bit of a turn and I can feel the anxiety coming. In this time it was my birthday and I drank quite a bit (which is never a good idea for me) which ended up with me being rude to my boyfriend and crying at the end of the night. This has happened quite a few times whether it be toward family, my boyfriend, or friends. Now I'm still feeling high levels of anxiety, I've also just run out of my medication and I probably can't get to the doctors till next week. I've been waking up depressed and embarrassed, but I know it's from the anxiety, over thinking, and the alcohol. This weekend I will be seeing the same group of people at a bar one night and at a festival on another day. I don't want to drink but that is the only way I have any confidence. Now I'm considering not going to the bar and selling my ticket to the festival because of the crowd of random people is overwhelming, and I still feel embarrassed in front of my newish group of friends and they don't know my issues so they probably just think I'm an annoying over drinker! My questions!.....Does anyone else rely on alcohol with their anxiety? Do you find it hard to not drink in social situations? And how do you substitute/replace it or avoid it in these types of situations? Any advice please!! RELATED THREADS Anxiety after night out drinking? Drinking anxiety Anxiety and alcohol equals despair Anxiety, depression and alcohol Severe anxiety after a night out drinking alcohol

Yuna Desperate for help
  • replies: 3

Hello im new here but i need to talk to someone as i have tried various doctors and medication and nothing seems to work.I feel hopless, lost and just feel like sometimes i cant get through this on my own. I hate being alone, and its a daily struggle... View more

Hello im new here but i need to talk to someone as i have tried various doctors and medication and nothing seems to work.I feel hopless, lost and just feel like sometimes i cant get through this on my own. I hate being alone, and its a daily struggle to face the day. Sometimes I feel like i just want to give up. The doctors I see dont really give me any coping strategies for when i have depression and panic attacks and i have tried some anti depressants which make my symptoms worse not better, im off them now but i was feeling a little better and then last night i hit rock bottom. And had very bad feelings. I dont know what to do or who to seek help from I mean I called my parents at like 3 in the morning for christ sake, how embarassing is that ? how pathetic i make them worry about me when they have enough to worry about. I can afford to see the pshycologist she costs too much. I need help and advicebeyondblue'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.

Christina85 Who wants to talk
  • replies: 3

I wanted to try this out. Ive had anxiety for over 5 years now, some days it's so bad I can't breathe, and sometime I can go for a week without it bothering me much... but I always feel sick or there is always something wrong with me I go doctors aro... View more

I wanted to try this out. Ive had anxiety for over 5 years now, some days it's so bad I can't breathe, and sometime I can go for a week without it bothering me much... but I always feel sick or there is always something wrong with me I go doctors around 4 times a month and it wasn't untill about 3 months ago the doctor asked me a few questions and then told me I have depression she was quick to give me some meds, I thought this would help. It made me ten time worse so I got off them after a week as the side effect were just horrible. I haven't gone back to that doctor and I don't really want to take mind numbing pills. I believe in feeling the pain as that's what makes us human right? Or I don't know. I dont really know how to manage my feelings anymore. I guess I do need help. I just don't know where to go or what to do. I sometimes excerise and that helps but most days I'm to tired after work so I can't always do that. I don't talk about it to my family because they think its all in my head and just to shake it off. But I get really down sometimes to the point of I need to lock myself in my room and go to sleep just so it can go away. Some days I sleep snd others my mind just doesn't sw to switch off. I think I have a lot of issues with my life but I don't trust aloof people to open up and speak to them sometimes it's easier to talk to a stranger I guess. Does anyone else feel this way?

56degree New to all this and want help
  • replies: 6

Well, not really. I have always been a worrier (about money, family, whatever) but after caring for my terminally ill father last year, I worried myself sick about an early death. Ironically, the symptoms (abdominal pain, constipation, fatigue etc.) ... View more

Well, not really. I have always been a worrier (about money, family, whatever) but after caring for my terminally ill father last year, I worried myself sick about an early death. Ironically, the symptoms (abdominal pain, constipation, fatigue etc.) were much the same as my father’s in the early stage of his cancer. So no prizes for guessing what I thought was wrong with me. After some even more scary tests cleared me of anything like that, I still worry incessantly about early death and what that would mean for my family. I keep thinking that I have only a little time left. Every time I see something on the tv about cancer or anything like that I start worrying again. Despite some help thanks to psyllium husk, I still get intermittent abdominal pain and bowel trouble (which I now recognise is caused by worry) together with headaches, difficulty concentrating, dry mouth and intermittent pins and needles and hand tremor. All this perpetuates the worry and assumption of early death. I look at the spots and moles on my face and think I have skin cancer, even though two doctors have cleared me of that. I am booked in to see a dermatologist in April. Hopefully that will help. I wake at about 2am every morning and think about what symptoms I have. If I happen to have none, my worrying soon sets them off and I get very little sleep. I recognise that my fears are irrational, but that doesn’t stop the fear. The psych my GP has referred me to tells me to write down my worry and deal with it at a certain time every day, but I just can’t switch off. Has anyone been through this and beat it? If so, what did you do and how long did it take?

KM2 My symptoms don't fit
  • replies: 3

Hi, this is my first time and I'm new to all of this. I'm 38 year old married mum of 3 school aged kids and my husband and I both work full time. Lately though I feel like I'm falling apart at the seams. this has been bought on by a stressful situati... View more

Hi, this is my first time and I'm new to all of this. I'm 38 year old married mum of 3 school aged kids and my husband and I both work full time. Lately though I feel like I'm falling apart at the seams. this has been bought on by a stressful situation at work - since then I have had 'anxious episodes'. I don't really know how else to describe them. My heart races, I feel adrenaline racing through me, I get chest pains, I sometimes cry, I feel jittery and highly strung and completely on edge. Theses episodes can last from 15 minutes to half a day - however the chest pains persist for hours after the other symptoms go, even when I feel quite calm again. I recognize these symptoms as they have occurred before in my life - when my dad died and being separated from my family during a natural disaster. In those cases as in this one, I feel others are 'closer to the situation' and have things worse than me, so I feel like I have no right to feel anxious/upset/angry about stuff. So, I've looked at the info on this site and others and my symptoms don't seem to fit - I don't feel worthless or depressed, my symptoms have not persisted for 6 months or longer, I don't feel fearful or have a fear for my health or a fear of having some nasty disease. So when I fill out the quick stress/depression/anxiety quizzes it always comes back that I'm in the normal range. But this is not normal. I feel like I'm not coping, that I'm coming apart at the seems, like I'm under-performing at work and at home (as a Mum/and a partner). I'm really short tempered with my family and just want to be by myself at home. Then I look around and the messy house, the children I'm ignoring and feel worse. I have made an appointment to see a GP tomorrow. I am wondering if others have felt similar symptoms to me. Cos I'm very confused.