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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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Beltane Increasing anxiety over relationship struggling...
  • replies: 50

Not sure if this should be in the anxiety or relationships forum but here goes... lI've been with my partner now for almost 18 months and we,Ve been through a lot together- hes been here for me through my battles with bipolar, depression, anxiety. I ... View more

Not sure if this should be in the anxiety or relationships forum but here goes... lI've been with my partner now for almost 18 months and we,Ve been through a lot together- hes been here for me through my battles with bipolar, depression, anxiety. I was unemployed for many months and he supported us financially. Now I'm back on my feet, have a job and well... we've been having problems for many months now and at first I thought it was the stress of me being sick and unemployed. Then I thought he was depressed, though he vehemently denies it and shows no real symptoms other than disinterest in anything, now I dont know what to think. i guess I'm a bit of a hippy, I love Tiny Houses an want to build one in the country and be environmentally friendly. I love nature, I'm very much a person who's just full of enegy, even after a day of work, and just want to enjoy the world and all it has to offer. I love music and am always learning new instruments, I sew lovely things like quilts, I dance, I sing. I talk constantly of living I the tiny home, and because tiny homes are cheap to buy and upkeep, it'll give me lots of free money to travel the world. Id happily live life without tv and I only facebook because I.m lonely. I want my life to be filled with nature, music, love, and enjoying life. he on the other hand seems to only work a nd then go to the gym and watch movies, he doesn't like nature or music, he doesn't shar my values of living life to its fullest, he wants a normal home with a mortgage. The thought of living the life we live now forever feels me with deep fear. I'm 27 and we're starting to talk about marriage.... I've had numerous talks with him asking for change over the past few months, which he promises, and he might try a little but soon resorts to old ways. Tonight I broke down Como,erect and said "we're in trouble". He promised me we'd spend tonight cuddling and discussing our future, finding compromises and solutions to our differences. then he got on Facebook and watched a movie, despite my reminder of his promise. i cried alone. i don't think I can save this relationship, I'm not even sure I want to! yet the thought of leaving him causes HUGE anxiety, terrible nightmares. I've put my bipolar meds dose up twice with doctors OK, and yet my bipolar moods and anxiety are going NUTS. I have a brand new job after a long time unemployed, I can NOT afford this kind of stress right now, I can NOT afford my illness to flare either!! Help!

littlelulu New to Anxiety :-(
  • replies: 1

Hi all, im new to all this, i dont really even know where to start...... im guessing i have been having extreme anxiety attacks for about 3 years but never wanted to admit it , i have always been a strong girl with a good solid head on her shoulders ... View more

Hi all, im new to all this, i dont really even know where to start...... im guessing i have been having extreme anxiety attacks for about 3 years but never wanted to admit it , i have always been a strong girl with a good solid head on her shoulders and i never could accept the fact that i may be weakening to anxiety...... but now i take it as being to strong for too long not weakening as dealing with anxiety is far from weakening ....... 5 years ago my partner of 19 years commited suicide and left me with two beautiful boys aged 12 and 9 at the time... i had no time to grieve i had to make sure my boys were going to be ok... but we got thru that time ok, then our friends didnt know how to treat us anymore and they all dissappeared so it was myself, my two boys and two loyal dogs......my boys have grown up well rounded members of the community and im so proud of them but it is now time for me to deal my anxiety and get on with my life........ thanks for reading

sarahl Wedding anxiety and physical symptoms
  • replies: 2

Hi guys! I've been really good with managing my anxiety through CBT and seeing my psychologist regularly over the past 10 year. I have wonderful support from my family and partner - I am very very lucky! I'm getting married in October and I am so exc... View more

Hi guys! I've been really good with managing my anxiety through CBT and seeing my psychologist regularly over the past 10 year. I have wonderful support from my family and partner - I am very very lucky! I'm getting married in October and I am so excited and thrilled to be able to spend my life with someone I care about and love so much, who feels the same about me. The problem is (and it's not really a problem per se - it's our way of life!!) is that my anxiety tends to manifest with physical symptoms, even when I can completely and logically breathe through a situation. I tend to get stomach and bowel issues and quite hot, flustered and then dizzy. I'm terrified this is what will happen at the wedding - a large group of people, a lot of pressure and stress - EEK! In the past fortnight, I've had two anxiety attacks of this nature - after years of nothing, and I'm very worried I am creating my own little nightmare. Has anyone had any similar experiences with a wedding or major speaking opportunity or something similar? Am considering taking a whole lot of anti-nausea meds before the big day just to block my system up - but obviously would rather work though the anxiety!!! Thanks! Sarah

rascal Anxiety and Panic Attacks and how it makes us feel....
  • replies: 2

Dealing with anxiety is one of the most difficult barriers i have EVER had to deal with. I had my first panic attack when i was 15 - my mum and i were at a massive sale in a major shopping centre.., We were walking around and looking at clothes, shoe... View more

Dealing with anxiety is one of the most difficult barriers i have EVER had to deal with. I had my first panic attack when i was 15 - my mum and i were at a massive sale in a major shopping centre.., We were walking around and looking at clothes, shoes and the like.., i remember just walking next to my mum there were people everywhere, is was packed. The next thing i know i could here all the people chattering and it seemed like all their voices were inside my head, it was loud and confusing and this strange feeling came upon me.., i began to feel really warm and dizzy. I became confused and scared. I said to my mum; "Mum, i feel really weird, i don't like this any more" - She replied.., "it's ok darling, you are having a little panic attack.. Lets go sit down and have some food and water." After some time, i began to feel a little more relaxed and calmed down. I will never forget the feeling. Ever. Anxiety and panic attacks is the worst feeling for me - it is horrible. Sometimes i feel like im dying. My anxiety stems from a feeling rather than a thought. My body starts to tingle, i begin to feel really warm, then my left arm goes numb and i get tingles in my fingers.. Sometimes, i don't know how to deal with it. Now i am learning breathing techniques. When you suffer from anxiety or panic attacks; Does it begin with a feeling or a thought ??

Bones90 Well here goes nothing.
  • replies: 6

Hello,Right now I'm sitting on my bed trying to figure out where to start. I've always known even from a young age I was different. I've always craved some sort of acceptance. I remember in primary school, I used to do and say things so that other ki... View more

Hello,Right now I'm sitting on my bed trying to figure out where to start. I've always known even from a young age I was different. I've always craved some sort of acceptance. I remember in primary school, I used to do and say things so that other kids could show me some sort of acceptance or what I believed to be acceptance by my own standards.I would never put myself first. I would analyse every single action or comment other kids would say and think about them 1000 times over. It's not easy being someone you're not everyday, than getting home and having all these thoughts running through your head, while acting like everything is fine because you don't want to put a burden on your family.Even in high school I remember doing the same exact thing, although this time I was being bullied even though I used to act like everything was fine at school. I still remember being called "Losty" or be made fun of all the time, and it hurt but I didn't want to show weakness so I never did anything about it. I used to act like I was fine then I would get home and lock myself in my bedroom.I feel like I'm stuck and I've been the same way my whole life. I always try to think about the future and say to myself "Hey, everything is going to get better" But its not I still do the same thing today. I'm too scared to be myself and feel like I'm never going to change. Im grateful to have friends but I feel like me being around them is just bringing them down. I can't speak to my mother because I don't want her to worry about me, she has five other kids to worry about. I don't speak to my dad, he tries but we don't have a connection, and it's sad but he wasn't really around when we were young, always working and trying to provide us with a better life so we never really got to build a relationship.I've been to a psychiatrist and he has diagnosed me with social anxiety disorder and while I understand the concepts behind this disorder It's still so hard to get over. I sometimes look at my friends and ask myself why can't I be like them? Why am I trapped? I've never been in a relationship and feel like I'll never be in one. Who would want someone who can't even be himself? I feel like I'm ugly and hate my reflection in the mirror. You know I have suicidal thoughts but It's too hard to do, because I know how hard it will be for my family and friends so I'll never go through with it. I just honestly can't see myself in the future. I struggle with life everyday.Thank-Youbeyondblue’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.

Looney Struggling
  • replies: 4

I was diagnosed with anxiety 3 months ago and have tried everything I thought things were getting better until Friday as I had lasted 2 whole weeks at work during that time mum had a major op and also my daughter had an op too which my husband took h... View more

I was diagnosed with anxiety 3 months ago and have tried everything I thought things were getting better until Friday as I had lasted 2 whole weeks at work during that time mum had a major op and also my daughter had an op too which my husband took her. The symptoms I exoerience are hot flushes, jittery, tingling in legs and arms, head goes funny and most of all feeling like I have a lump in my throat and feel like I'm not going to be able to breathe. I have been put on an antidepressant and I also take vitamin B6 and milk thistle. I don't feel like going out I feel safe in my own bed and sleep a lot. This is driving my family crazy. Has anyone else experienced the same symptoms? If so how did you get past it?

starmeg68 Seeking information about 'Frozen emotion syndrome'
  • replies: 2

I am putting this under anxiety because I do suffer anxiety attacks but that is not what I need help with - I am learning to deal with that. I used to also suffer depression - but that was probably more to do with being an alcoholic than anything els... View more

I am putting this under anxiety because I do suffer anxiety attacks but that is not what I need help with - I am learning to deal with that. I used to also suffer depression - but that was probably more to do with being an alcoholic than anything else. The difference with me was instead of drinking to not feel anything - I drank in ORDER to feel. This numbness has been present since childhood. I have two children and I noticed after the birth of my daughter 22 years ago that I was actually just behaving the way I knew society expected mothers to behave. I changed nappies, I cuddled, I told her I loved her but I didn't actually feel it. The day I knew something was very wrong with me and had been for a long time, was the day when I thought 'I bet my baby will die from SIDS' and I didn't get upset, I just started thinking about what I would have to organise for a funeral. There is so many more instances of me not feeling anything at all about people I know I should feel love and concern for. This morning, my mother who is 76 yrs old and visiting - fell. And being on anticoagulant she has some nasty bruises coming up. And all I could say was oh well these things happen and we'll just keep an eye out for internal bleeding, and went back to watching my tv show. I don't think that is what mentally and emotionally healthy people would do. Even while I am writing this - I am detached. I don't care if I get answers or not - I am just intensely curious about what treatments there are. I already see a counsellor, in fact I have an appointment today and I will also ask her about this. As I said - just curious if someone has come across this before. I am pretty sure I am not a psychopath or sociopath. I love animals - more than humans. It seems to be only human beings I can't feel anything for. Anyway, thats all from me.

Jules2511 Need some help with Anxiety leading up to a big overseas trip! Please help/share your strategies!
  • replies: 8

Hi everyone, I'm set to go to Europe in 9 days and recently my anxiety has become really bad with all my thoughts about the flight. The background is that I'm someone who loves to travel, however starting about 7 years ago I've been really anxious wh... View more

Hi everyone, I'm set to go to Europe in 9 days and recently my anxiety has become really bad with all my thoughts about the flight. The background is that I'm someone who loves to travel, however starting about 7 years ago I've been really anxious when I'm flying. I've made several big overseas trips during this time, however I've always had my girlfriend with me and just having someone to talk to has made it that much easier to overcome the anxiety. This time however she's already gone overseas a week ago and I will be meeting her over there as soon as I land. I've managed to break my fear down to one main thing, which is just being afraid of being afraid and not being able to calm myself down. Once the plane is in the air I'm usually ok, but its just the anticipation that is freaking me out! If someone has a similar experience and has any tips, please please let me know as I need some strategies for dealing with the panic that I feel in those situations. I know that everything will be ok, and I am so excited to go, but the feelings of anxiety are really overpowering me at the moment. Thanks everyone!

Lildia Student with Anxiety: my fail-safes are breaking
  • replies: 1

Help!! Does anyone have advise on what to do when things start breaking down?? I know the typical approaches to help with anxiety and depression. meditate, calm music, having support from family and friends. Spoken to a psychologist and doctors.... I... View more

Help!! Does anyone have advise on what to do when things start breaking down?? I know the typical approaches to help with anxiety and depression. meditate, calm music, having support from family and friends. Spoken to a psychologist and doctors.... I even have mental mantras that help me through the day... 8 years of diagnosed depression, the last two I finally took charge with medication and counselling after the death of my brother, parents divorce leaving my mother dependant on me, and leaving my ex husband for domestic violence issues... I was back on track, life was feeling lighter and happier! i found out I was pregnant!! So happy... My child was developing healthy, but in the wrong place. My filopian tube had partially ruptured and within 8 hours of find out something was wrong, I lost a child, a filopian tube and left with a note of caution that this will highly likely happen again.... coming back to uni, mid semesters, I thought I was pulling myself together... But I wasnt, every day was getting harder, I thought I was being lazy and pushed myself, then I started waking up feeling nauseous ... Pushed myself as much as I could, then I started vomiting at the thought of studying. Knowing something is wrong, I applied for extensions.... i have submitted hospital discharge summaries, 3 doctors certificates, a letter of declaration, a letter from my psychologist and 2 different application forms... Because I am being pushed around. The response I got was "I should have approached student services about assistant services before I started studying" my argument is that my depression was being handled recent events have exacerbated it. Furthermore the way I am being treated makes me feel worthless. Anxiety through the roof, before I lost my pregnancy my GPA was 6, and now will be tainted with three failed subjects. I won't get into research at the end of the year, and probably hampered my chances for the post grad I was aiming for. does anyone have any advice? Or help? Dealing with the uni and dealing with the anxiety?

Bzamilly Anxious about moving on
  • replies: 2

I'm brand new to online forums, or even speaking about my anxiety to people. im not really sure what to write or expect, but assuming it's good just to vent in the hopes that someone understands. i have had anxiety since I was about 16. I took an ove... View more

I'm brand new to online forums, or even speaking about my anxiety to people. im not really sure what to write or expect, but assuming it's good just to vent in the hopes that someone understands. i have had anxiety since I was about 16. I took an overseas trip alone and it has been the most debilertating part of my life ever since! i have always been the type of person who becomes very attached to friendships and people in my life and tend to focus all my energy on these relationships, to the point where I'm overrun by anxiety at the thought of change or loss of these people. It's something I don't ever talk about because I find it embarrassing. i really could go on and on about all the things that make me anxious - job changes, pending holidays, even a shift at work.

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