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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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Josh.T Work withanxiety/depression
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I am really struggling to go into work. I am a 38 male who has had depression and anxiety my whole life. I am currently working in the mining industry and am finding it really hard being away from my family. The situation I find myself in now... View more

Hi all, I am really struggling to go into work. I am a 38 male who has had depression and anxiety my whole life. I am currently working in the mining industry and am finding it really hard being away from my family. The situation I find myself in now is I have just flown into site and have been ill with gastro, I have taken three days off so far. I was fine by the first day off, but my anxiety to go back to work is crippling, I feel so guilty for not being at work, and the more I take off work the more anxious and depressed I get. For example this morning I woke up to go to work and I just sat on the edge of my bed trying to build up the courage to go, only to take another day off, it was like I couldn't move or think straight. I have lost other jobs because of this and I don't want to loose this one.

Pyrolee Marriage on the rocks, new job is bad
  • replies: 5

HiI feel like my marriage is slipping away. We've been married for 6 years and had a whole process issue with her visa and battled through this for years, we've finally got this sorted and able to live life without restrictions. However I've found as... View more

HiI feel like my marriage is slipping away. We've been married for 6 years and had a whole process issue with her visa and battled through this for years, we've finally got this sorted and able to live life without restrictions. However I've found as soon as this has happened my wifes priorities has changed and now she's trying to get her parents from overseas to come live with us and she even said she wants to buy a house mainly for her, her parents and our son and I feel like where does that leave me because I work my tail off to provide for her and our son who's 8 months and her priorities are parents. She also speaks to her cousin who's also in Australia and she's having issues with her family and in-laws and feel like its rubbing off onto my wife and now destroying our marriage as well. In terms of work I've found a new job but it's a very messy and a dysfunctional workplace and feel like I have to just do this job just to eventually get a house which won't even be mine freely. I feel like what's the point of living if all I'm living for is just to work and get a house that isn't really gonna be mine. Even if we separate I feel like I'm letting my newborn son down as he's the most important person in my life at the moment. My wife, myself and son still live at home with my parents as we can't afford to move out. What should I do because I can't change my wife's views and I'm getting mentally and physically exhausted with life.

Neverforget Not sure if its anxiety or grief
  • replies: 1

I lost my 94 year old father in March this year followed by my brother in September. Its been a stressful year to say the least and I have tried to give myself time. As Christmas approaches my stress levels and restlessness have increased. I find mys... View more

I lost my 94 year old father in March this year followed by my brother in September. Its been a stressful year to say the least and I have tried to give myself time. As Christmas approaches my stress levels and restlessness have increased. I find myself being emotional and teary more frequently. I guess I should see a counsellor but not game enough to take the first step. Just wanted to know has anyone else felt this ongoing grief. Thought it would have passed by now.

braxhorse_9 I feel sad
  • replies: 4

I feel sad , I can’t control my emotions I need external help 

I feel sad , I can’t control my emotions I need external help 

T-sauras-rex Work Anxiety and Stress
  • replies: 5

Hi! I am currently finding myself in a very contradictory situation. I feel as though I want to leave my current workplace and look for something new. There are pros and cons to staying and pros and cons of leaving. I have been so anxious and scared ... View more

Hi! I am currently finding myself in a very contradictory situation. I feel as though I want to leave my current workplace and look for something new. There are pros and cons to staying and pros and cons of leaving. I have been so anxious and scared that I won't make the right decision. My current job is very flexible and close to home, I have the option to work from home and overall sounds good on paper. Although I am told I am valued at my workplace I don't feel as though I am. I find that a lot of the jobs I am asked to do is because someone else doesn't want to, or can't be bothered - such as putting their own things and work away, or putting something back once they have used it. I am lucky to have learned some new skills however, that are worthwhile and good to have on a resume. I was only really taught these things whilst one of the employees was away for a handful of months due to personal reasons, and they haven't come back to working their normal hours. I feel as though if that wasn't the case I don't think I wound have been provided the opportunity to learn these things. I feel as though I dn't necessarily fit because I am the only person in a different role. Everyone says that my role is important and without it the workplace would be a mess, but it feels like one of those things you say just to be nice. A new job I feel will be refreshing and a challenge in a good way and bad. I find that due to my mental health I will be unreliable and won't always be able to cope at work / in the workplace. It may be far from home, which could be a challenge as I want to remain as close to home as possible as I am not confident in driving or taking public transport. I am worried I will fail and wish I never left my other workplace. I am anxious that I might hate it and it will be too stressful. I worked so hard to get my degree and am struggling to find work due to lack of experience and lack of confidence in myself being able to do the job. My psychologist and gp are saying i should leave and find something new. Failing is learning, and that if I hate a job I am better off trying and knowing it was not for me, than wondering what if. I don't know what to do. Realistically I am scared! Scared of the whole process, making the wrong decision, forcing myself to stay in a place I am no longer finding joy, scared of trying something new and it not working out. I would love some insight and your thoughts if you made it this far through my blabbering! Thank you

Ts_1962 Obsession with neighbours dog
  • replies: 1

Hello everyone, I think I'm becoming obsessive about the welfare of my neighbours dog. I'm sure he's fine, but if I dont hear or see him (and its been nearly 2 weeks now), I obsess and dont know what to do, this dog is continually in my thoughts. Ive... View more

Hello everyone, I think I'm becoming obsessive about the welfare of my neighbours dog. I'm sure he's fine, but if I dont hear or see him (and its been nearly 2 weeks now), I obsess and dont know what to do, this dog is continually in my thoughts. Ive texted the neighbour to see if we can chat as we dont really get on, but she hasnt replied as yet. The Animal Welfare Branch here in Darwin is of no help, they have checked the place several times and assured me the dog is fine, and have advised that the dog is receiving the minimal care, and that I should stop "harrassing" my neighbour as its tying up their resources for more urgent cases, totally understand. I dont know what to do?

StephenP12 Anxiety- panic attacks without even knowing, being aware- potential for them
  • replies: 1

Yeah just wondering how and what people use for distractions and techniques for anxiety? Beyond the norm, which for me is leaning to bad habits, old habits when yeah have just struggled with this every day. For a long time now it feels like, yeah let... View more

Yeah just wondering how and what people use for distractions and techniques for anxiety? Beyond the norm, which for me is leaning to bad habits, old habits when yeah have just struggled with this every day. For a long time now it feels like, yeah let me know if people have any ideas about this sort of thing. About this kind of stuff thanks

JacintaMarie Need a rant
  • replies: 7

H Just an update, I go back to work tomorrow & I've enjoyed being on holiday & this afternoon had a cry about going back to work, need too as I'm too young to retire. But I feel angry, more about management but don't have reason too & I'm being unfai... View more

H Just an update, I go back to work tomorrow & I've enjoyed being on holiday & this afternoon had a cry about going back to work, need too as I'm too young to retire. But I feel angry, more about management but don't have reason too & I'm being unfair to them, they're learning still, they make mistakes (don't seem to be learning). My next goal is to understand why I have this anger inside me, why can't I live & let live. Why am I annoyed at them. Why does my period make me feel like this, I know, hormones & my serotonin is low. Just tired of not getting it!!! Of my stupid brain not stopping my thoughts. Of not being able to relax.

anonymousmouse I feel so tired
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone, I am still pretty young and have just started my journey into adulthood but it’s so hard. I feel so exhausted and want to give up. Every day feels like a challenge. I feel like I’m in a nightmare and I can’t wake up. Nothing is going to ... View more

Hi everyone, I am still pretty young and have just started my journey into adulthood but it’s so hard. I feel so exhausted and want to give up. Every day feels like a challenge. I feel like I’m in a nightmare and I can’t wake up. Nothing is going to plan. I want someone to wake me up and tell me that I’m going well in my degree and that my friends can like me again. But instead I just keep crying to my mum, it feels like she is my only support. I reach out to coworkers and even after venting, I do not feel any better. I just want to fall asleep forever. If this is what adulthood is going to be like, I feel like I should just leave now

white knight Anxiety, how l eliminated it
  • replies: 22

Its a very common topic on this forum, anxiety and its long list of symptoms. I grew up in a highly strung household. Screams without notice and unreachable expectations...took their toll. So when a major workplace event came along at 27yo my anxiety... View more

Its a very common topic on this forum, anxiety and its long list of symptoms. I grew up in a highly strung household. Screams without notice and unreachable expectations...took their toll. So when a major workplace event came along at 27yo my anxiety came to roost. Its peak was reached. I visited my GP and therapy commenced and lasted 12 months. My therapist identified l needed the following- Awareness of the severity of my anxiety Reprogramming of my thoughts like thinking realistic thoughts Stop worrying Learning relaxation Rehabilitated into a diffetent profession. He was correct. Add to that, medication for 12 years to "help me on my way" My change of career went from local law enforcement (where it was full of controversy) to a supervisor of adults with mental illness difficulties in a sheltered workshop. Some years later a friend told me about Maharaji Prem Rawat and copied tapes of his speeches. My relaxation up till now was using muscle tensioning exercises at night, now l also listen to this fabulous man. Later I'd google his youtube videoes. Maharaji sunset Maharaji the perfect instrument. And many more. So what other measures?. Well l began to rid my life of toxic people, change my environment to the country, grow vitamin packed vegetables and fruit, revamp finances and utilise direct debit (less bills in the mail, less surprises) and increased my positive thinking by attending motivation lectures. By 2012 my anxiety was no longer measurable. Yes 25 years. Do readers think it would only take a short time? Likely yes, because l did. Like other ailments, a pill alone isnt enough, relaxation alone not enough and so on. Its the combination of many things that was most effective for me. Undertaking a review of all facets of your life is essential for recovery. And dont be alarmed if you try something and it doesnt work. Eg Cognitive therapy didnt work for me but l read here that some have had success. As it turned out in 2009 it was discovered l had bipolar2 depression and dysthymia. The same personal approach was made. Never give up, review my environment, review friendships, lower stress, lower debt, have a 5 and 10 year plan for goals etc Sometimes subtle changes are needed like introducing a sport or hobby, sometimes radical ideas like relocating or career change. Whatever is needed put all options on the table. Anxiety the mental illness deserves nothing less than your full attention. What works for you.? Tony WK