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

All discussions

pepper7 Really Unsure??
  • replies: 3

Hi, My Brother in Sydney attempted suicide twice, I flew over by myself to sort his finances etc even had to clean unit at one stage from one of the incidents. I have dealt with this and said Im strong I can deal with it, I'm superwoman. Plus hiding ... View more

Hi, My Brother in Sydney attempted suicide twice, I flew over by myself to sort his finances etc even had to clean unit at one stage from one of the incidents. I have dealt with this and said Im strong I can deal with it, I'm superwoman. Plus hiding a lot of incidents with my brother from Mum and Dad as they are elderly, to protect their health. My older brother does not have a lot to do with my younger brother, so I am it. Lost my job of 13 years got thrown on the list of unemployed at the age of 49 was in and out of jobs for 2 yrs...friends ask every time they see me re jobs so do family. Worked for a company on the brink of bankruptcy, so resigned. Four months now unemployed, however just got a job I had applied for have worked there 2 days from 7.30 to 5pm it is a totally feral and stressful workplace I am a CSO so need to be on the ball, learning software that is totally foreign to me, but still expect miracles of myself. I was shaking and in tears this morning just wanted to run away from it all. The fear of it all got the better of me, half way there I stopped the car and called my manager and told him I would be totally useless today for him as a close friend had passed over night !!!! I am so disgusted with myself why couldn't I be truthful and just say, I hate the job I don't want it the hours are too long etc....etc...Well the reason is my husband and my friends and family, I am scared as to what they might think of me! I fear as to what might come of me at my age. My husband I don't believe is even aware of what I go through until this morning as he was leaving for work he asked me if I was looking forward to my day, I said well yes and no. He tries to reassure me that its only early days and not to expect too much of myself, but it hasn't helped the fear of it all. I said to him did you know that I think I suffer from anxiety attacks and I think it has been present for some time. He gets really sad when I tell him things like this sometimes he gets upset, I can sense it so I resume to be all ok and strong, I don't want him to see me weak. As I write this he is not aware that I did not make it to my new job, so I guess it could be a major topic tonight. He is the most supportive husband I know I hide a lot of how I really feel about situations from him...so he doesn't worry. I wonder out there does anyone else go through this or anything similar, because at the moment I feel so numb......don't wanna talk or see anyone just wanna be alone.

Rophs Anxiety is not a weakness - my story
  • replies: 1

Hi I had my first anxiety attack when I was around 16 and I thought I was going to die, my mum found me on the floor gasping for air and trying to call my sister. My attacks are dramatic heres what I experience... first I start concentrating on my sh... View more

Hi I had my first anxiety attack when I was around 16 and I thought I was going to die, my mum found me on the floor gasping for air and trying to call my sister. My attacks are dramatic heres what I experience... first I start concentrating on my shortness of breath which is the first sign, I get surges of anxiety that almost feels like electric running through my body, then comes the uncontrollable crying, numb hands, loss of speech, shaking jaw and legs. Once this is all over I feel lifeless, tiered but also relived and free. I hid this from my partner for as long as I could but the first time he saw this he was speechless and did not know what had happened. He didn't completely understand it until he also had an anxiety attack. My mum said the trigger was dealing with my Dyslexia in school and ever since then I have had attacks randomly my whole life. One of my friends made a comment that it was weak which made me realise how ignorant people are about this disorder and that I don't think anyone can truly understand it unless they deal with anxiety. I am General manager of a successful video production company, I manage a team of 10, its fast paced and a lot of responsibility! My anxiety does not hold me back if anything it makes me want to prove I am more than anxiety and I can take control. Anxiety doesn't mean you are a withering mess all the time you can live with it, I do everyday! Sure its annoying and pops up at the most inconvenient times but you cannot let it rule your life. My anxiety can be from not wanting to go into a shop until I know what I need to get for dinner, to feeling shaky and physically sick until a disagreement is resolved. I saw Beyond Blue which urged me to go to the doctors after deal with this for over 10 years, I have never dared to do before because I thought you know what people are dealing with worse things than this and I am wasting their time. All I would suggest is finding the right doctors do not go to quick turn over doctors, my experience with them was bad, my doctor almost dismissed it tried to put me on anti depressants and made me sign up for therapy then sent me on my way. I have grown up around mental illnesses, manic depression, Schizophrenia, alcoholics its been apart of my up brining and I am not sad about this because these have been the most memorable people in my life and not for their illness but for their character and personality. Remember it is not a weakness.

Jessie-Marie Health anxiety and panic disorder..any nurses in their 20s experiencing this?
  • replies: 6

Hey, First time ever posting on an online forum and really interested in talking with anyone who is experiencing chronic Health anxiety and panic attacks. My condition is deteriorating and getting in the way of me being able to complete normal day to... View more

Hey, First time ever posting on an online forum and really interested in talking with anyone who is experiencing chronic Health anxiety and panic attacks. My condition is deteriorating and getting in the way of me being able to complete normal day to day tasks. I am in a constant state of anxiety which often turns into a panic attack and I'm becoming so frustrated and depressed. I have recently started in a new role as a nurse in a busy aged care facility and last night did my first shift alone, got half way through and completely freaked out with panic and had to go home .. I'm devastated anyone out there had or having a similar experience? Cheers

Liz90 Missing anxiety?
  • replies: 1

Hi, So through being mindful and aware and bringing myself back into my own space, I've really learnt to keep the wolves at bay. Today I had an exam, I was in such a panic, it was about to churn into something awful. I had visions of being carried ou... View more

Hi, So through being mindful and aware and bringing myself back into my own space, I've really learnt to keep the wolves at bay. Today I had an exam, I was in such a panic, it was about to churn into something awful. I had visions of being carried out of the exam! Ridiculous I know. However, I'm feeling like I've got this thing under control most of the time. Usually I sit here at night with the tv on, drink my tea and try to get rid of those pesky anxious feelings that constantly sit in my stomach ALL the time. But last night and tonight the anxiety seems to have disappeared completely. For hours. And THAT makes me feel uneasy? I'm relieved don't get me wrong but, I feel a little bit lost. Not having that being controlled feeling? Not knowing when it's going to come back? Should I be happy or scared? Does this happen to anyone else? I'm so confused. I feel like I should be rejoicing but I feel a little flat about it? Worried? ARGHHHHH!!! Thanks

mushabelly new and confused
  • replies: 1

Is it anxiety or depression this i am working on but sometimes it hits so hard. I become sad and over think everything. I know this is hard for my partner because i feel he is one of the only person i can dump on and its straining. I stuggle with goi... View more

Is it anxiety or depression this i am working on but sometimes it hits so hard. I become sad and over think everything. I know this is hard for my partner because i feel he is one of the only person i can dump on and its straining. I stuggle with going out by myself and question whether people actually want to be out with me. I dont know how ro form friendships. I have thos fear of doing or saying the wrong thing so i dont and if i relax i can just feel like i am being stupid. I dont really know if this makes sense but i have to get it out of my head. I need to understand why i am like this. I have been on antidepressants for 6 months and they have helped though sometimes it gets to much normally if i say it to someone it takes away the power but then on the same level i dont want them to know to judge. I am seeing a physiologist. Sorry this is very jumpled just dont know and never have tried to explain it to someone.

LittleSteps Struggling a bit.
  • replies: 6

Really struggling a bit tonight. So much going on I just don't know how to break it down. * Working full time (very blessed to be in employment but it's in a turbulent environment and every day is the threat of losing my job) *

Really struggling a bit tonight. So much going on I just don't know how to break it down. * Working full time (very blessed to be in employment but it's in a turbulent environment and every day is the threat of losing my job) *

DarwinMarceline Anxiety Advice
  • replies: 4

Hi, I am new to this forum and I'm looking for advice. I have always struggling with severe anxiety that my parents shrugged off to being "shy" I had a stutter and pulled my eye lashes and eyebrows out with tweezer to the point of not having any. Unt... View more

Hi, I am new to this forum and I'm looking for advice. I have always struggling with severe anxiety that my parents shrugged off to being "shy" I had a stutter and pulled my eye lashes and eyebrows out with tweezer to the point of not having any. Until my parents noticed this habit they finally took me to a doctor and his response was "what does a child have to be anxious about?" I eventually learn to control it but then started with panic attacks at 19 (i had never had one but my mum suffers with panic attacks this is how she knew what to do, Luckily!) I had these over 12month and has them at any small task that i thought was too big for little ol me to take on. Again i didn't get professional advice. They eventually stopped and i managed with all my anxiety. Since starting my current job 12 months ago i have gotten worse again. My stutter has come back and I have start pulling my eyelashes out again (I usually don't notice, it's my partner who point it out and tell me off) My jobs has been getting more and more stressful as the work is being piled on and i'm also studying online on top of working 6 days a week. My partner works odd shifts so we sometimes go an entire week without seeing one another, i have no family here and I have started to make excuses not to leave the house if i don't have to, which isn't good for my poor dogs who love their walks. I have started having a few days off here and there for "headaches" which i went to the doctors for and they told me i was "too stressed" This weekend just gone my partner sat me down and told me he thinks my anxiety is getting out of my control. I'm getting a lot more short tempered and being obsessive compulsive about things (cleaning the house over and over again in one day) I cry most nights when i get home from work because i don't know what to do. Everyone is telling me to quit my job but it's not that simple. I don't even have time to look for a new job let alone have an interview. My partner wants me to get professional help but i wouldn't even know where to begin. I have never sat down and told someone everything i actually feel let alone admit to a stranger that i can't cope anymore. I am struggling to admit to myself let alone someone else. Please help?

Keraw Worrying about worrying.
  • replies: 4

Hi, I'm new to the forum and am not sure exactly where to go. I have been dealing with anxiety for most of my life and have been medicated for depression for nearly 2 years now. I only received treatment for the anxiety at the same time I was treated... View more

Hi, I'm new to the forum and am not sure exactly where to go. I have been dealing with anxiety for most of my life and have been medicated for depression for nearly 2 years now. I only received treatment for the anxiety at the same time I was treated for depression (2 years). I live and work in a remote community in the NT and have very limited access to health professionals (we have a doctor in town every so often at the clinic then will be without one for quite some time). Recently I've been experiencing obsessive worrying in relation to issues with other staff members at work. It can be something as simple as a sentence but for days and even weeks later I will replay these issues in my head and worry constantly and have currently convinced myself that I am the most unlikable person in the world. Which isn't true, I understand this, but my brain and my body tell me otherwise. I'm always in a state of alert and am yet to find a way to switch my brain off. In a community this small I literally live my job, my students are outside of my door and my colleagues live next door also. There is no way to get away unless I go for a drive down the Tanami track, that's if we have diesel delivered in community so I'm generally fairly stuck. I'm unsure of what to do, I want to stop constantly worrying about these seemingly small issues and I'd like to be able to sleep restfully. The nearest chemist is 5.5 hours away along with any other mental health professional and I'm feeling really swamped with this feeling of dread and anxiousness. I plan on visiting my home state later this year, and will have an opportunity to consult a doctor about my current treatment and issues. until then I am kind of sick and worrying all the time about small things is becoming exhausting. any advice for how to ease my mind in the meantime would be greatly appreciated.

Tugboat Scared
  • replies: 9

Hi all, I get anxious whenever I have any sort of pain I automatically feel that I am dying.... It becomes so overwhelming I find it difficult to do anything other than worry 24/7.

Hi all, I get anxious whenever I have any sort of pain I automatically feel that I am dying.... It becomes so overwhelming I find it difficult to do anything other than worry 24/7.

Natz Anxiety - Vomiting...
  • replies: 6

I was wondering if anyone else's anxiety manifests into vomiting? Mine always starts this way; i am really tired then sweaty, fidgety, sick in the stomach, then i will vomit and can't stop retching until i fall asleep then i usually have to take it s... View more

I was wondering if anyone else's anxiety manifests into vomiting? Mine always starts this way; i am really tired then sweaty, fidgety, sick in the stomach, then i will vomit and can't stop retching until i fall asleep then i usually have to take it slow for a few hours - i aways thought i got tummy bugs too much but apparently not!