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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. Remeber, this is anonymous and the Beyond Blue team are here to help if you need it This section is for people who are experiencing anixiety 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 you 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 worthile 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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Hopefull_ Why do some of us deny ourselves "Happiness"
  • replies: 10

Hey Everyone, I ask this question because it's something I Have been doing for a long time, but, I know why I have been doing it. I questioned it and had to ask myself "Why" Why am I doing this, did I do something wrong? Do I feel I have to deny myse... View more

Hey Everyone, I ask this question because it's something I Have been doing for a long time, but, I know why I have been doing it. I questioned it and had to ask myself "Why" Why am I doing this, did I do something wrong? Do I feel I have to deny myself happiness as some sort of punishment. NO! I didn't do anything wrong I was however made to feel like I had and I guess it became ingrained, deeply ingrained so any form of happiness felt strange and I would start to look for ways to diminish it. Sure there are things that make me happy like spending time with my children, I do feel happy when I'm with them. What I'm referring to is being able to enjoy socialising and getting back into my hobbies etc. How many times have you put something off, something that you know deep down would have given you some happiness ? I guess I'm curious to hear other peoples thoughts on this and maybe even some insight as to how to overcome this problem. James.

TedCatTed I Feel Out of control!
  • replies: 3

I have Generalised Anxiety and Panic Disorder. For the last 3 weeks I have been going through a really bad period anxiety wise and I just don't feel like it will ever end. I have been through longer periods of anxiety than this, but this feels differ... View more

I have Generalised Anxiety and Panic Disorder. For the last 3 weeks I have been going through a really bad period anxiety wise and I just don't feel like it will ever end. I have been through longer periods of anxiety than this, but this feels different.The underlying issue that started this period was that my best mate stopped speaking to me and cut me off completely. We work closely together, so it has turned my workplace into somewhat of a minefield and I just can't calm down.I wake up anxious and I spend the day panicking and feeling awful. Whenever start to feel remotely calm, it's as if my brain can't handle the downtime and searches for something to panic about. Recently it has been about my parents dying. I am 28 and still live with my parents due to my anxiety, and if something were to happen to them, I don't know what I would do. This is like my brains favorite go-to thing to panic about at the moment cause I keep thinking it can happen anytime.I take medication daily, but I don't really like taking it as I am scared of the addiction factor.I know I should go and see someone about it, but the last Psychologist she was useless and pretty much told me to suck it up and just stop stressing. So I'm not keen on going back. I am just so stuck in this cycle of anxiety, I feel like it's never going to end. I need some guidance as to what to do to 'snap out of it' and calm down.I' m scared I'll be stuck like this forever. Does anyone else feel like this? What do you do to stop the cycle?

Searcher So very tired of anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi, just wondering if anyone else is tired. Tired of taking medication.. Tired of hearing about relaxation. Tired of hearing about slowing down and spending more time with being aware and developing 'mindfulness'. These are all worthy exercises, but ... View more

Hi, just wondering if anyone else is tired. Tired of taking medication.. Tired of hearing about relaxation. Tired of hearing about slowing down and spending more time with being aware and developing 'mindfulness'. These are all worthy exercises, but in reality, very difficult to maintain. People depend on us so much. Children need us mentally and physically healthy. Husbands need us to 'suck it up' and stay strong. t's just not possible. I'm tired. Don't want to whinge, but maybe there is another strategy to dealing with this stupid, debilitating and demanding diagnosis.

CathyMay Bad Anxiety With Public Speaking
  • replies: 4

Hey Everyone, I have really bad anxiety with Public Speaking. I get hot, sweaty, dizzy and almost to the point where I need to be sick. Does anyone have any tips that can help me through this?

Hey Everyone, I have really bad anxiety with Public Speaking. I get hot, sweaty, dizzy and almost to the point where I need to be sick. Does anyone have any tips that can help me through this?

AGrace Fear of Flushing : The unspeakable
  • replies: 3

If statistics are right, 2/3 of you will get a laugh out of a topic that got headlines in the paper today, and 1/3 of us will feel a sense of relief that we are not the only ones who get anxiety about the unspeakable act of having to flush. The artic... View more

If statistics are right, 2/3 of you will get a laugh out of a topic that got headlines in the paper today, and 1/3 of us will feel a sense of relief that we are not the only ones who get anxiety about the unspeakable act of having to flush. The article "Toilet Anxiety: fear of the unmentionable" raises the point that just over 30% of Australians are affected by toilet anxiety. Many of us are aware of 'shy bladder syndrome' but what is less talked about is 'shy bowel syndrome'. This phobia of using the bathroom in public can lead people to avoid going out, going to work, and in extreme cases not going to the bathroom at all,resulting in severe physical discomfort. One of the contributing factors of 'shy bowel syndrome' is the fact that such a delicate topic is often not spoken about in public, so I thought I'd open up the discussion around this condition, not to hear of all the horrific bathroom blunders, but to bring awareness and hopefully a sense of relief to sufferers. In times like these, it's helpful to know we are not alone. AGrace

mtessa Anxiety: yes for sure but not sure how to go through it this time.
  • replies: 4

Good morning, I always suffered of anxiety, almost for 25 years. I am a mum of two young children. I had a very bad episode in June. I put everything in place: meds, psychologist, GPs, sport coach, naturopath. I thought I was pretty good until three ... View more

Good morning, I always suffered of anxiety, almost for 25 years. I am a mum of two young children. I had a very bad episode in June. I put everything in place: meds, psychologist, GPs, sport coach, naturopath. I thought I was pretty good until three weeks ago. I started to feel pin and needles on my face and I started to freak out. The following day I went to see my GP (not mine but her colleague), a really nice and understanding one. He told me not to worry that it can be allergies. But for people like me experiencing high anxiety, I did not believe it. And the vicious circle started: I googled and I started to experience pin and needles in my hands and feet. Of course, I came back to see him and he told me it was anxiety. I tried to believe him but it is like reassuring me one minute and to need to get your "dose" like a junkie. I am pretty sure you know the feeling. I have seen of course my psych in between. I continue to run and to function the best that I can. I am now experiencing headaches. I am feeling very hopeless and I don't understand where this anxiety is coming from. I just hoped I can go through this "wave" but not sure how to. I am always asking for help but the only help can only come from me. Thanks you for reading my comment.

Puncar I lost control over my life
  • replies: 4

Hi all! First of all I feel a bit relieved knowing that maybe I'm not the only person out there that suffers from anxiety. It's nice to know that people have been through it and are here to help others like me to overcome anxiety. I started feeling a... View more

Hi all! First of all I feel a bit relieved knowing that maybe I'm not the only person out there that suffers from anxiety. It's nice to know that people have been through it and are here to help others like me to overcome anxiety. I started feeling anxiety back in 2012 but i wont bore you with all the details. At the beginning it was bearable but i have been deteriorating little by little due to my circumstances. I have live with my girlfriend at her mom's house about a year but I feel i havent been completely happy with this decision from the start even though it was my choice i feel i was forced into it by my girlfriend (which is really spoiled and controlling, her worst treats :/). There are good things about it as well like i pay less rent and stuff but I feel as I gave up my independence when i moved in. Last year I was going through a lot of stressing events as i was finishing my diploma at tafe, working and dealing with my girlfriend's family gatherings that have always made me nervous. I felt i suffered a major break down and the last months of 2013 i was exhausted and anxious nearly all of the time. Ever since then i have been feeling anxious, i stopped going to my girlfriend's family gatherings even living uner the same roof as i cannot cope with the anxiety and distress that that causes me and a month ago I stopped working because I reached a point where I can no longer spend one day without worrying or feeling scared that people are gonna hurt me or things of the like. In all honesty, im not even sure what is it that makes me scared, all i know is that i completely freak out when i have to talk to people in person and that has had its toll in my social life. Im not sure how to proceed anymore but its making me frustrated because i think the best years of my life are being wasted away and i have not much to do about it.

keena How to i get partner to understand
  • replies: 3

I'm suffering from anxiety and depression and I'm finding it very hard to get partner to understand how i feel and what I'm going through I feel like he doesn't believe me and I'm over reacting. Please any tips link anything that I can try to get him... View more

I'm suffering from anxiety and depression and I'm finding it very hard to get partner to understand how i feel and what I'm going through I feel like he doesn't believe me and I'm over reacting. Please any tips link anything that I can try to get him to understand Thank you

Heartbroken_dad paralyzed by anxiety
  • replies: 11

I've struggled with anxiety & acceptance since i was 9 or 10. I'm now 43, my life has disintegrated right before my eyes over the past 2 years. I've lost my job, my marriage (which was marred by the anxiety & my self deprecating thoughts & actions) m... View more

I've struggled with anxiety & acceptance since i was 9 or 10. I'm now 43, my life has disintegrated right before my eyes over the past 2 years. I've lost my job, my marriage (which was marred by the anxiety & my self deprecating thoughts & actions) my only son now lives with his mother in another country & I have no access to him as he has had all lines of communication taken away, his mother has been less than discreet discussing my "failures", something that always really irritated me during the marriage. I left the country we were all living in after suffering the crushing pressure from the very hostile separation. It ruined me financially and emotionally. My heart is broken.I' m afraid to do anything, have spent 7 months here, dwelling on what I could have done differently, worried out of my mind about what I will face next. The past 3 months or so, I've been completely paralyzed by fear, panic, worry. I don't want to go anywhere, have withdrawn from family, avoid relationships completely, avoid starting anything new for fear it too will fail. It's a huge, compounded mess.I feel like I'm a complete failure, my mind is racing with thoughts of past unpleasant dealings, failures, arguments, what I could do differently & feel hopeless & helpless trying to make sense of it all. Most recently, I've found myself sobbing uncontrollably, without warning, usually when I see a picture of my son, or think of some of the things him & I would do together. I get chest pain, am short of breath, nightmares, chills & sweats, can't concentrate, have lost all interest & enjoyment in life. I have lost hope of being happy again, mainly due to the despair of not seeing my son, possibly ever again. I haven't been able to find work, not that I feel like I could even manage to work with all my worry & physical decline over the past 3 or 4 months. I stopped exercising, I just watch TV, read news online (which really irritates me & makes me ever more cynical), I typically get up in the morning, have breakfast, shower, then sit on the couch most the day until I get dinner. I was working out 5 days a week & was extremely fit a year ago. In my previous job, I saw a lot of violence, images & video of brutal homicides, assaults, rapes & the job was very stressful.

HelenM can anyone tell me what's going on?
  • replies: 19

I've not been on the forums for a week or two. I'm having new symptoms that don't make sense. By the beginning of June I was coming out of a 5 month depression - it was mild for me. Then one day I developed horrendous fear (mental rather than physica... View more

I've not been on the forums for a week or two. I'm having new symptoms that don't make sense. By the beginning of June I was coming out of a 5 month depression - it was mild for me. Then one day I developed horrendous fear (mental rather than physica ) that I'd go right down again. After an awful week it passed and I started back up. Within 4 weeks I was fine again then wham- the same horrible fear Which passed after a week. I went on to have 3 pretty good weeks - then fear again though not just as intense but debilitating. This went after a couple of days. So I begin to relax - then last Friday -just four days later here it is again - very like the one before in duration and intensity. My GP thinks it's unpleasant but has no answers. In 12 years of depression I've haven't had fear anything like this bad. My depression and anxiety are minimal - I don't know what's going on. Just now(ie in the last few days) the only thing that's holding me back is the belief that this will return. Because it's so new to me I am unable to see how it can possibly resolve. Can it? Please if any of the answers are negative don't tell me. Also I can't see a psychiatrist as they'd recommend CBT which I've done lots of. I feel totally lost in all this and whilst I'm grateful for the good days the fear is blighting my life. Thanks for reading, Helen