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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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RandyJ Bursting into tears irrationally and randomly - anxiety & depression
  • replies: 3

Hi - I can't believe I'm here. But I am. I just picked myself up off the couch after sobbing uncontrollably for the past 30 minutes. Why was I crying? My dog ate a $2 drink coaster. I adopted this dog a little while ago for companionship & company du... View more

Hi - I can't believe I'm here. But I am. I just picked myself up off the couch after sobbing uncontrollably for the past 30 minutes. Why was I crying? My dog ate a $2 drink coaster. I adopted this dog a little while ago for companionship & company during my long work days. I work from home and it's SO boring for about 12 hours a day while my wife is out. I figured he would help and I'd break the monotony of being home alone all the time. Just recently I left my job to work from home because of health issues. Between pain, the dog, the anxiety over starting a new business and everything else I'm just overwhelmed. I tried to focus on my work this morning while the dog played. He was quiet-ish so I let him go. I walked into the room to get a drink and he's gnawing the last half of the mentioned coaster. I hooked him outside and completely collapsed. I don't blame him - I'm just anxious about everything. I'm anxious the business won't work. I'm anxious about my health and pretty much think everything I have wrong is going to kill me. I am anxious about the dog and whether I can control him and if it's too much work for me. I am anxious that if I return a rescue what a schmuck I am. I'm anxious that if I return a rescue pup he may have had one too many homes and something bad will happen to him too. I don't even know where to start. I thought walks & fresh air would be good for me. I thought having the pup depend on me would give me a bigger purpose than work. My wife loves the pup but she is out of the house 12 hours a day. She does everything with him when she's home - 100%. I don't begin to know where to start. When we walk and he pulls it hurts. When I don't walk, I hurt from sitting too long. I can't win. NOTHING I do has been right. I just can't get it right. I'm in pain going to work - that makes me anxious (and depressed). I quit work so I can work from home - that makes me anxious (and depressed). I get bored and lonely - that makes me anxious (and depressed). I adopt the pup to help him & help me - that makes me anxious (and depressed). Now I'm afraid if we re-surrender him, that will make me more anxious & depressed. And if I don't, he'll make me anxious. I can't get it right. I'm overwhelmed with anxiety & depression ... obviously. I really don't think this is dog, job or health related. It's just .. everything and me. I don't know what anyone can say or suggest but I'm in need.

anotherPeter I'm not suicidal but I wish it would end.
  • replies: 5

To begin with, I am not suicidal. I am not a danger to myself or anyone else. I am going through the experimental stages with medications. Apart from sedatives I am on my third anti depressant. Still it doesn't help. I feel that the medications are m... View more

To begin with, I am not suicidal. I am not a danger to myself or anyone else. I am going through the experimental stages with medications. Apart from sedatives I am on my third anti depressant. Still it doesn't help. I feel that the medications are making me paranoid. I am scared that someone might knock on the door. I am scared that the phone might ring. I am scared that I might get an email. I am terrified if a car drives by in the street. I am petrified that I might have to talk to someone. But I am lonely. I do nothing all day except wait for the time to pass. As I said, I am not suicidal and will not do anything to harm myself but I just wish it would all just end.

Raia ANXIETY AT ITS WORST, IN ME....
  • replies: 2

My anxiety has had me backed into a place I cannot even describe at times.. My anxiety began in 2008 when my best friend persistently asked me to take a helicopter tour with her and two other friends, which I declined as I had to attend to my daughte... View more

My anxiety has had me backed into a place I cannot even describe at times.. My anxiety began in 2008 when my best friend persistently asked me to take a helicopter tour with her and two other friends, which I declined as I had to attend to my daughter who was unwell at that time. I let another friend use my ticket to take my place on the helicopter. Later that afternoon I was informed of the tragic accident and all of the passengers passing.. This obviously left me traumatized and naturally devastated suffering with grief and loss. I struggle with simple activities like driving my car, my heart races and all I want is to get out. I have terrible anxiety over other people's driving and absolutely refuse to get in a vehicle with people who I feel aren't paying attention to safe driving or should I say making me feel safe with their driving. Even going to the grocery store. Flying was out of the question, although the fear is still there. This is really scary for me. I have hot flushes, I start to feel light headed, my vision goes blurry and sometimes feel off balance. Another occasion my partner insisted we go to the fair and asked me to promise to go on one ride only.It was daunting when I noticed the operators spraying cooking oil on the mechanics of the ride. Well... that was the worst feeling and close enough to a near death experience I have ever had. I got thrown from the top of the cage to the bottom, my hands were so sweaty that I could not properly grip the bars directly in front of me for stability, naturally I gripped the side wall of the cage and held on for dear life. I could hear my partner reassuring me it was still ok and felt him gently touch my arm, I screamed in horror for him not to touch me which scared him. After grasping for air from being throttled around like a rag doll the ride stopped. We got out, I looked at my hand which was bleeding from holding on so tight. Later when we arrived home, the thought of it caused me some serious chest pain which made me believe I was having a heart attack. I went straight to the hospital and was told I was having another anxiety attack which was triggered simply by thought. This is now becoming something serious that I need some or complete control over. Anyone else going through this?

Eme RECOVERED?!
  • replies: 2

Hi, I would love to hear some stories on recovery. People that have succeeded & have fully recovered from Anxiety. I myself have read books/ counselling/Meds/therapy, you name it. I have made a promise to myself that I will achieve. I would like to b... View more

Hi, I would love to hear some stories on recovery. People that have succeeded & have fully recovered from Anxiety. I myself have read books/ counselling/Meds/therapy, you name it. I have made a promise to myself that I will achieve. I would like to be fully recovered from my Anxiety/depression & be able to help others. I was sexually & mentally abused for 10 years when I was younger. Im 35 & I don't recall much before the age of 20, I think my mind has subconsciously blocked it out. I still dream about the Pedophile now & it's been 15 years since it stopped. He had a hold over me, I was embarrassed, I was scared, I felt dirty & the most of all was that I was controlled. I want MY LIFE BACK, I DONT WANT ANYONE ELSE TO CONTROL IT BUT ME & DEFINITELY NOT ANXIETY!!!!!!!

anotherPeter Friends
  • replies: 10

Can someone please be my friend?  

Can someone please be my friend?  

Shrinkingviolet Broken Ankle = Conversation starter
  • replies: 1

I recently broke my ankle at work. I slipped on an outdoor ramp that had worn grips and landed awkwardly, resulting in two broken bones. I have spent the last 5 weeks under my doona feeling sorry for myself. I am fiercely independent and the idea of ... View more

I recently broke my ankle at work. I slipped on an outdoor ramp that had worn grips and landed awkwardly, resulting in two broken bones. I have spent the last 5 weeks under my doona feeling sorry for myself. I am fiercely independent and the idea of asking people for help is horrible. It's been such a difficult time. Not to mention dealing with the insurer and my HR department who have been harassing me and talking to me like a child. After a previous doctor failed to complete my return to work certificate correctly my HR rep became aggressive and threatened me with withholding my wage. I instantly broke down, hyperventilating and started spiralling. The HR person became awkward and I ended up hanging up. I don't feel comfortable talking to her anymore. My leg is revolting. It is swollen and scarred. I don't recognise it as my leg anymore. My brain seems to have disowned it. I feel ridiculous talking like this because people go through far worse than this, but nevertheless I am struggling. I felt I had started to turn a corner when my sister came to stay with me last week and she encouraged me to try and walk again. I started to remember what life used to be like. I saw the doctor who recommended that I return to work. Today was my first day back and it was TORTURE!! The pain was horrible but what I struggled with more than anything is that strangers use my broken leg to start a conversation with me. My social anxiety is worse than a thousand broken bones. It's intense and it's tiring. I feel like people are constantly staring. I am uncomfortable and I don't want to leave the house. Would it be unreasonable to ask for more time off until I'm more mobile and less conspicuous? I can't cope with the situation. I hate the attention. I hate looking like an idiot struggling to get around. I hate putting on a fake smile and pretending to be fine. I'm not fine. My leg hurts and I don't want to tell people the story of how I broke my leg walking... not doing tricks on the ski slopes, like they want to hear.

Lars Help - panic attack
  • replies: 2

Hi all, just an old bloke who needs to unload some emotion and thoughts and hopefully get some advice. I'm a teacher of 23 years experience (currently primary) who deals with depression and social anxiety. This year my anxiety has developed a mind of... View more

Hi all, just an old bloke who needs to unload some emotion and thoughts and hopefully get some advice. I'm a teacher of 23 years experience (currently primary) who deals with depression and social anxiety. This year my anxiety has developed a mind of its own and I am really struggling with the demands of the job. I have always managed to lessen the prevalence of panic attacks by simple avoidance - if I ain't there, it won't happen. Unfortunately, I had a full-blown, nuclear-level panic attack a few weeks ago at a parent-teacher interview and don't know what to do now. One of my fears is confrontation and people thinking ill of me. A parent came in and from go-to-whoah hammered me about her daughter's results and my performance as a teacher. Never mind that her daughter is top of the class or that every other parent is happy with the job I am doing, whatever she said was relentlessly negative and personal. I could feel an attack coming on and tried to cope by saying as little as possible, but I wasn't able to defend myself. Eventually, the dam burst - I stood up, burst into tears (in front of a bout 5 or 6 other teachers and about a dozen parents), told the parent she couldn't talk to me that way and that I was suicidal (I'm not but at tha instant that's how I felt) and walked out. My boss found me and sat with me in a dark staffroom for 1/2 an hour while I sobbed and ranted. Since then, I have not returned to work - about a week and a half of leave and now holidays. My workplace has been extremely understanding before and after the attack and are working with our WHS people on a gradual return to work. I could not ask any more of them for which I am very grateful. However, I feel extremely anxious about even returning to the workplace. I'm worried about the way other staff may treat me - I know it won't be unkind, but I don't want people to walk on eggshells around me. I'm fearful that the suicide comment is out in the public sphere and that the parent concerned may have told others or that the students will know. I'm panicky about the thought of parents approaching me, no matter how innocent it may be. The whole thing has made me a wreck. I've started on new medication but I just can't see a way to return without fear gripping me and making me a walking time-bomb. I don't expect anyone to come up with what I need here but if anyone has any advice, I'm open to anything. Please.

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

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