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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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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.

Queen_Diamond Health Anxiety and Google
  • replies: 4

Hi all; I have been suffering from anxiety for approx 14 years now after the sudden death of my cousin. Since that event I started having panic attacks and developed a phobia of death and illness/llife threatening conditions. I have recently returned... View more

Hi all; I have been suffering from anxiety for approx 14 years now after the sudden death of my cousin. Since that event I started having panic attacks and developed a phobia of death and illness/llife threatening conditions. I have recently returned to counseling and learnt of the term or diagnosis "health anxiety" and realized this is exactly what I suffer from. I have been having alot of trouble managing my anxiety lately due to an seemingly uncontrollable urge to Google symptoms. Every slight pain or ache or bodily sensation I experience causes anxiety and symptom researching which in turn causes more anxiety when I inevitably find alarming information! Does anyone else suffer from symptom checking or Googling? How can I stop myself from doing this?

askignquestions Dizziness?
  • replies: 10

Hi, I don't know the "correct" word for this feeling, but I was wondering if anyone would be able to identify and/or relate. Every once in a while (but more frequently lately) I've been getting dizzy. It happens when I am sitting down usually. Its li... View more

Hi, I don't know the "correct" word for this feeling, but I was wondering if anyone would be able to identify and/or relate. Every once in a while (but more frequently lately) I've been getting dizzy. It happens when I am sitting down usually. Its like the world spins for a second, and my head physically drifts to the side or in a circle, like I am dizzy. Its a strong dizzy too. Almost like my head isn't connected anymore and I can't see. It fixes itself in a few seconds. I have a pretty strong suspicion its due to anxiety. I recently had a full blood workup because of being completely exhausted for weeks and it came back relatively normal. But in the past few weeks my tension has been getting worse, with daily headaches and shoulder tightness and pain, especially when waking up. Which is why I think the dizziness is also related to anxiety/stress. But I wanted some confirmation on that if anyone knew. Thanks.

ellj It came back!
  • replies: 2

5 years ago I sought help for anxiety after suffering for two years. I saw a doctor who sent me to a psychologist and also put me on medication, between the two it helped a lot! the last few months it seems my brain is excessively worrying about some... View more

5 years ago I sought help for anxiety after suffering for two years. I saw a doctor who sent me to a psychologist and also put me on medication, between the two it helped a lot! the last few months it seems my brain is excessively worrying about something at all times. My chest feels so tight, I loose my appetite and either can't sleep or don't want to get up in the morning! I do have some really good times too, but I feel like the anxiety is coming back quicker and quicker. I feel overwhelmed because I thought I ha beat this, does it mean it's with me for life? I have worst case scenario thoughts about my brother eg - he's an alcoholic because he parties on the weekends (he is also an electrician who has a good job), or worst case thoughts about my boyfriend eg- he doesn't love me (although he's just asked me to buy a house with him). Sometimes I am able to see that these don't make sense, but when I'm feeling particularly anxious I can't see the logic in anything. i feel like I can't speak to my mum about it because she is so worried about my brother (which is where my worry stems from), my best friend also has a lot of personal stuff happening so I don't want to bother her, and I'm afraid my boyfriend won't understand and he'll think I'm crazy and I would have ruined a perfectly good relationship. i don't know how to go back to seeing things clearly, without the tight chest and the stomach knots and the need for constant reassurance (ie that my brother got home safe Saturday night or that my boyfriend misses me when he is away at work).

Georgios Anxiety since I was 8
  • replies: 4

I have been anxiety since the age of 7 seven, although I.didn't know it at time, I am now 48years, and on medication for last 10 years. Last week I had a panic attack over a missed mortgage payment, and wake up in panic and thinking the bank.will tak... View more

I have been anxiety since the age of 7 seven, although I.didn't know it at time, I am now 48years, and on medication for last 10 years. Last week I had a panic attack over a missed mortgage payment, and wake up in panic and thinking the bank.will take house and we will.be on the streets with my 5 year old daughter. I had not been able to relax ever since and unable to concentrate at work or home ever since. I am now looking and abseced about, working extra hours and finding extra work.for more money, this has now brought me back 20 years to.when I had no money as a student, and feel the past 20 years has been for nothing, as I feel nothing has changed in life and has only.gone backwards. After feeling so.well last couple of years in now feel worthless and am.starting to withdraw from my wife and daughter. Wish could feel well.like before this panic attack.Thanks

C_O_C_O Social Phobia
  • replies: 4

Hi, I am new to this forum and just wondering if I could get some advice for curing social phobia. I get extremely nervous when placed in social situations, even with friends. I struggle at work to attend meetings which are occasionally required for ... View more

Hi, I am new to this forum and just wondering if I could get some advice for curing social phobia. I get extremely nervous when placed in social situations, even with friends. I struggle at work to attend meetings which are occasionally required for my job but I make up excuses as to why I cant go. Truth is, I get so nervous and blush so badly all over my neck and face and it makes me feel physically ill. Does anyone else here suffer from social phobia?

Remy82 How do I get my husband to better understand my anxiety and off?
  • replies: 5

Hi guys just wondering how others go about getting their spouse to understand and accept their anxiety? I have suffered from ocd and anxiety for many years and my husband is a wonderful person and has often held it together for us when I couldn't. La... View more

Hi guys just wondering how others go about getting their spouse to understand and accept their anxiety? I have suffered from ocd and anxiety for many years and my husband is a wonderful person and has often held it together for us when I couldn't. Lately when I'm struggling he says he doesn't know how to handle it any longer and doesn't like to think that things won't change. I hate more than anything that my issues have such an affect on him, yet I feel that these statements only make me feel worse and guilty. Does anyone else have this happen?

yarnartisan Letting those I love trigger my self doubt and anxiety help please
  • replies: 1

So recovering from a bad depressive and anxiety episode. Last year I had acute stress disorder as a result of a series of work injuries ,burn out and dealing with workers comp and the govt organisation I work with. Long story short I chose to move to... View more

So recovering from a bad depressive and anxiety episode. Last year I had acute stress disorder as a result of a series of work injuries ,burn out and dealing with workers comp and the govt organisation I work with. Long story short I chose to move to less stressful. Position at a lower rate of pay as I was no longer physically or mentally able to cope with my previous job. I was offered a payout to compensate for the lower wage. Despite urging from others including my sister to pursue this legally to get more money and more medical coverage for my mental health issues after a long discussion with my husband and from what I have observed has happened to others who chose to legally challenge the govt dept .they never seem to win and or ruin their health in the process. So we chose to sign off my worker.s comp and take the payout. Through out that time my sister although supportive,felt I should take it further and was giving in.. Now she,s just arrived back firm being away overseas and in a chat on the phone asked how I.d been. I explained and again she said is this time off covered by workers comp blah blah. I know she loves me but she also makes me feel a wimp for not fighting harder. But I just can't cope with anymore and she's bought back all my self doubt and I am feeling so sad and pathetic and that bloody lump in my throat, bot no able to cry. You know that feeling? i'm 52 years old why do I still let her get to me like this? Why does her opinion or judgement matter when I know logically that she doesn't understand what I have ? I know what is best for my health I have to make that choice can't she let me be. Can someone out there help me get some proportion on this please yarnartisan.

chelsworth The Tales of Genralized Anxiety
  • replies: 5

I was first diagonsed with GAD in 2013. I had a major breakdown over something and my partner basically told me he couldn't help me anymore and to go seek help. I was very, extremely reluctant to go get help because I'd ben raised in a family which h... View more

I was first diagonsed with GAD in 2013. I had a major breakdown over something and my partner basically told me he couldn't help me anymore and to go seek help. I was very, extremely reluctant to go get help because I'd ben raised in a family which held stigmas about mental health and illness, but I went because I wanted to keep my relationship and thats when life starting making sense. Looking back I held the personality traits associated with GAD, perfectionism, shyness, a worrier, I have trouble with change, a need to be accepted by my family and peers and then in year 12 when I got my first ever D on a test, my dreams of becoming a doctor slipped away and I headed into a dark spiral. I was irritable, angry, couldn't focus, on edge all the time, running a million miles an hour and it followed through with me until I had that first major breakdown two years later. Anxiety effects my life in what I consider to be very annoying ways. I have trouble holding a full time job, so I work casually. I can't stay dedicated to a form of education and have changed my degree so many times over. I have trouble maintaining friendships, I give up on myself easily, I hide away from life and responsibilities and when it all gets too much I have anxiety attacks that are absolutley emotionally and physically exhausting. It's basically blagh. I've always been certain I never wanted to take medication to help me, so I tried all the other various forms of treatment, psychologist, councellors but there were two dominant forms which have helped me immensly. These included CBT and yoga/meditation. I hate the feeling of not being in control of a situation and how I react to it, so these two forms of therapy have taught me to breath, take time out, recognise my thought patterns and associated actions and respond in a more rational manner. Anxiety is something that I don't let define me, but it is a part of me. I'm lucky I have one very understanding partner who has stuck by me all this time. I still have bad days, but then I have good days. I'm not the best at sticking to a plan to maintain a balance in my life, but I'm getting there slowly. I've worked hard to remove the stigma from myself and my family are coming around slowly. I'd never wish anxiety upon anyone ever, but I've learnt so much about myself and life that I am thankful for what I've been through.

pepper7 Really Unsure??
  • replies: 3

Hi, My Brother in Sydney attempted suicide twice, I flew over by myself to sort his finances etc even had to clean unit at one stage from one of the incidents. I have dealt with this and said Im strong I can deal with it, I'm superwoman. Plus hiding ... View more

Hi, My Brother in Sydney attempted suicide twice, I flew over by myself to sort his finances etc even had to clean unit at one stage from one of the incidents. I have dealt with this and said Im strong I can deal with it, I'm superwoman. Plus hiding a lot of incidents with my brother from Mum and Dad as they are elderly, to protect their health. My older brother does not have a lot to do with my younger brother, so I am it. Lost my job of 13 years got thrown on the list of unemployed at the age of 49 was in and out of jobs for 2 yrs...friends ask every time they see me re jobs so do family. Worked for a company on the brink of bankruptcy, so resigned. Four months now unemployed, however just got a job I had applied for have worked there 2 days from 7.30 to 5pm it is a totally feral and stressful workplace I am a CSO so need to be on the ball, learning software that is totally foreign to me, but still expect miracles of myself. I was shaking and in tears this morning just wanted to run away from it all. The fear of it all got the better of me, half way there I stopped the car and called my manager and told him I would be totally useless today for him as a close friend had passed over night !!!! I am so disgusted with myself why couldn't I be truthful and just say, I hate the job I don't want it the hours are too long etc....etc...Well the reason is my husband and my friends and family, I am scared as to what they might think of me! I fear as to what might come of me at my age. My husband I don't believe is even aware of what I go through until this morning as he was leaving for work he asked me if I was looking forward to my day, I said well yes and no. He tries to reassure me that its only early days and not to expect too much of myself, but it hasn't helped the fear of it all. I said to him did you know that I think I suffer from anxiety attacks and I think it has been present for some time. He gets really sad when I tell him things like this sometimes he gets upset, I can sense it so I resume to be all ok and strong, I don't want him to see me weak. As I write this he is not aware that I did not make it to my new job, so I guess it could be a major topic tonight. He is the most supportive husband I know I hide a lot of how I really feel about situations from him...so he doesn't worry. I wonder out there does anyone else go through this or anything similar, because at the moment I feel so numb......don't wanna talk or see anyone just wanna be alone.