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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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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.

Stormgrl101 I don't know what to do
  • replies: 15

I feel so lost and confused. Don't know what to do or think. I have been living with friend and her partner but they have just split and she decided to move out today back to her dads house. I feel uncomfortable living with her partner so I guess I'l... View more

I feel so lost and confused. Don't know what to do or think. I have been living with friend and her partner but they have just split and she decided to move out today back to her dads house. I feel uncomfortable living with her partner so I guess I'll have to move back to my parents house, where I am at the moment, staying here tonight. I already feel so lonely and anxious here. My parents are lovely and supportive but I feel like such a disappointment to them. Since I'm unemployed, can't get or keep job due to anxiety, I've decided to volunteer at animal shelter, which starts in a month, and also start studying a part time course in animal studies. The closer it gets to starting these, the thought of me actually having to get up and go do it and talk to people scares me. I wish I could feel happy and confident in what I want to do but I feel the opposite. I feel so guilty and selfish for thinking horrible thoughts when I've been given this life to live and I've been trying and trying for what feels like forever to try and control my anxiety and actually get somewhere but I can't. I'm sick of trying and sick of crying. I've been on my medication for almost a year and next psychologist appointment is coming up this week.

Chris_B Do you #knowanxiety? Your feedback please
  • replies: 6

beyondblue has relaunched its #KnowAnxiety campaign today. You’ll see the clip below on TV, online and in outdoor advertising spaces. Why? Well, while progress has been made since its original launch in changing the Australian public’s perception of ... View more

beyondblue has relaunched its #KnowAnxiety campaign today. You’ll see the clip below on TV, online and in outdoor advertising spaces. Why? Well, while progress has been made since its original launch in changing the Australian public’s perception of anxiety, there is still work to be done. Here’s three things we know from recent research: Half the population believe that anxiety is ‘part of someone’s personality’ Only 6 in 10 people understand that anxiety is not just ‘stress’ Nearly 3 million people in Australia currently have an anxiety condition, making it more prevalent than depression What do you think of these facts? What do you think of the ad below? Keen to hear your thoughts.

Eme I'm a newbie here!! 😊
  • replies: 7

Hi! This is my first thread, here goes. I have been suffering from Anxiety for about 12 years. I had diarrhea for 2 years straight in my early 20's after dealing with being sexually abused when I was young. I ignored my toilet problem as I was hoping... View more

Hi! This is my first thread, here goes. I have been suffering from Anxiety for about 12 years. I had diarrhea for 2 years straight in my early 20's after dealing with being sexually abused when I was young. I ignored my toilet problem as I was hoping it would just go away. Then out of no where had a panic attack & it has all stemmed from there. Started meds after I lost twins & whilst my Father was dying from Parkinson's Disease. A couple of years later I had Labyrinthitis (middle ear/vertigo) HAVE NEVER BEEN SO SICK IN MY LIFE!!! Since then I have worried about being dizzy/passing out etc. I also have this breathing thing, always trying to catch my breath, struggle to take a deep breath then slowly wind myself up to constantly just taking short little breathes. I know it's all in my head as I don't have it until I start thinking about it & putting focus on it. I gave birth 11 weeks ago & also have a little 3 year old boy so life has been hectic. I've been so exhausted that I've started getting dizzy spells ( only had a couple) .. My brain isn't shutting off so I'm not going into a deep sleep then waking up feeling EXHAUSTED.. So now I've started the green eyed monster up again.. I'm CONSTANTLY thinking about getting dizzy, I'm not leaving the house unless I have to & I hate it as I can't keep my son from getting out and about but I'm scared. Unsure if I should go & see a councillor or not?! I have never fully vented about what happened when I was younger because a GP told me to not bring up the past?! Some advice would be great, thanks for reading. P

HelenM learning to live with anxiety
  • replies: 6

For many years I've been troubled by depression on and off. Over the years it's become milder. In this last year it's been very mild indeed and the doctor says that it's far more anxiety now. Well, at the beginning of this year I became terrified of ... View more

For many years I've been troubled by depression on and off. Over the years it's become milder. In this last year it's been very mild indeed and the doctor says that it's far more anxiety now. Well, at the beginning of this year I became terrified of going right back down and that fear is dominating my life. Lately I've been getting physical symptoms of anxiety, tightness of chest, palpitations, butterflies. I'm getting headaches too. I'm told that I won't go back down, the depression's mild and my fear is a spell I'm going through and won't make me ill as long as I keep on with my routine.I'm doing this but life is hard going. My fear did subside for a couple of days recently but came back. The fact that it went briefly is, I suppose, a good sign. My Doctor sees it as another episode in my mental health problems. I have always come through bad spells but this fear factor is something I'm not used to and it's amazing how flexible my fear is. One time I think I'll become really depressed because I can't sleep; then it's because my nephew's ill and the worry will be too much. Just now I'm getting headaches and worried that all this stress will bring on a depression. Everybody who knows me assures me that my depression won't return and that the fear will go. I don't really know that anyone can advise me on this. But thanks for reading anyway. Helen

tully Anxious 24/7 and not sure where to turn next.
  • replies: 1

Hi. I am a 50 year old woman who has had some form of anxiety all my life. I have always felt the gut churning fear of any sort of conflict. Over many years, I have worked out what I think my anxiety is, but I have not been able to eliminate it. I ha... View more

Hi. I am a 50 year old woman who has had some form of anxiety all my life. I have always felt the gut churning fear of any sort of conflict. Over many years, I have worked out what I think my anxiety is, but I have not been able to eliminate it. I have worked with therapists, psychologists, meditated, run, did yoga, took benzodiazepines, found a hobby, talked about it, wrote about it. But still it persists. That feeling of impending doom, all the time, even when I wake up from a good night’s sleep. It’s there. Nothing specific that I am worried about, in fact, a lot of the time, I am not thinking of anything at all! I feel ill in my stomach, with a feeling of jitters or butterflies. I feel lethargic and tired, unmotivated, dizzy, breathless, sweaty. It often feels like someone has injected me with a shot of adrenalin, and I experience the whole flight or fight reaction.This happens on average, 5 times a day. Sometimes, there is a trigger, my little dog escapes the house, or I have seen a snake in the garden. Quite normal triggers to a little fright. But more often or not, there is no external trigger. It just happens, I feel bad, dizzy, stomach pain, tired .... etc. I do talk to people about this, and mostly get the reaction that I shouldn't worry so much, or to go for a walk etc. All well meaning advice, but it does not help. I used to run, until I damaged my knee but even this was only a temporary help. After an hour of running, I would get perhaps an hour of relief and then back to the same anxious feeling. I guess I am posting this as a cry for help, although I know in my heart that there is no magic cure. I think I have tried all that there is to do, and now I am at a loss as to what to try next.I do push myself, put on a smiley face, and get on with life, but it always feels so hollow inside. Like I am living a lie, or living a life that makes my family and loves ones feel I should. I don't think I am depressed however, just anxious. I have managed to arrange my life so that I can have time to myself when it gets really bad, I have a supportive and loving husband, I have a lovely garden to escape to. I should be happy and content as I am so lucky. But I am not, I feel so ungrateful. I would love to chat to anyone who feels this too, and maybe find something that helps. Thank you

Emjay6509 I'm new here, & not sure what to do about my anxiety..
  • replies: 1

Hi, I am new to BB and to be honest was quite nervous to post anything on this website but I am hoping to talk to some people who might understand what I have been feeling. I am a 23 year old female and have been reasonably healthy for most of my lif... View more

Hi, I am new to BB and to be honest was quite nervous to post anything on this website but I am hoping to talk to some people who might understand what I have been feeling. I am a 23 year old female and have been reasonably healthy for most of my life. I never really struggled with anxiety when I was younger although I have always been a "worrier" and "perfectionist" which I just accepted as me being me. I was however involved in a car accident about 5 years ago and my health has taken a bit of a dive since, as I developed chronic reflux and have been on tablets since. But even after the accident I never had any issues with anxiety. About a year ago I started getting more frequent anxiety attacks - at first I dismissed it as stress and just hoped that it would go away when things settled down for me but instead they just got worse and worse. These attacks come on at random times, I will be feeling fine & out of nowhere my heart starts racing, I start shaking, feeling nauseous, dizzy and have even experienced vertigo a couple of times. I had these attacks on and off for about 6 months straight but they went away for a month or two. But they have just recently come back & it is starting to take its toll on me. I haven't been sleeping properly - I wake up in the middle of the night with an attack and it can take hours for it to settle down. They can come on while I'm driving, and the anxious feeling just consumes me and I feel trapped and sick and feeling sick just makes the anxiety worse. Because I have experienced these attacks whilst I'm driving, it makes me not want to go out. I have been to my GP who suggested I go on medication but I would really like to avoid that as I don't like tablets being the solution for everything & I don't want to become reliant on them. I have been feeling like I am under so much pressure lately, and all I want to do is just curl up and cry. I just feel like whenever things start to get better, something else comes up that makes everything a mess again. I just don't know who to turn to, and I apologise for the essay I have just written, but I really appreciate it if you did read the whole thing & hope that someone might be able to relate to all of this.

MissyA chasing my tail
  • replies: 4

Hi I am a newbie. I have been suffering from headaches and nausea on and off for 3 months. The headaches and nausea has caused me extreme anxiety to the point of not being able to function and look after my family. I have been seeing a physiologist a... View more

Hi I am a newbie. I have been suffering from headaches and nausea on and off for 3 months. The headaches and nausea has caused me extreme anxiety to the point of not being able to function and look after my family. I have been seeing a physiologist and have just recently been put on medication. I just dont know where I am at and in such a rut.I feel so guilty not being the mum I should be.