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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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HockeyGal I feel like I am drowning
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I am a first time visitor to these forums and have been inspired by all of your tales of strength in the annoying/ uncompromising face of anxiety. I would like to share my story, even if it is just for my benefit to string out the words ... View more

Hi everyone, I am a first time visitor to these forums and have been inspired by all of your tales of strength in the annoying/ uncompromising face of anxiety. I would like to share my story, even if it is just for my benefit to string out the words so it makes a little sense to me. I was a small child when my mother realized I wasn't like my identical twin sister I was always a highly strung, crybaby of a little girl but things really seemed amiss when I began having frequent night terrors after my 6th birthday. I would get up and out of bed, screaming and walk upstairs to my parents, who would then calm me down and put me back to sleep. These occurred for about a year. The doctor said that I was internalizing my worries and I have to say that I continue to do this in my adult self having vivid dreams occur at times of high anxiety. My symptoms subsided for a few years then popped up mid high school where anxiety reared its ugly head again and I developed panic attacks. I was scared of everything from loud classmates, to teachers calling me for a question. I spent a lot of time in the girl's bathroom either wagging or thinking about how I could go back to class strong. I am currently mid way through University and my symptoms have been worsening this past year as I moved out of home, had an abusive roommate and had to work more to fully support myself while studying. I miss my family but I am glad that I am no longer a burden to them. I just wish that it would take me less time to get ready in the morning double and triple checking outfits and makeup, I wish that I could look people in the eye and not look at the ground when I walk. I wish that I didn't worry about big picture things such as if my career path is going to turn out for retirement. I have received therapy but I feel like I'm being crushed under my anxiety with no way to fix it. Thank you for reading I know its not particularly inspiring.

Tugboat Anxiety with sickness
  • replies: 1

Every time I have any sort of pain for a few days I feel as though I am dying...... This takes over my whole life. I end up at the doctors for tests and waiting for results this afternoon. I get this overwhelming feeling of I am dying which makes me ... View more

Every time I have any sort of pain for a few days I feel as though I am dying...... This takes over my whole life. I end up at the doctors for tests and waiting for results this afternoon. I get this overwhelming feeling of I am dying which makes me depressed and not want to do anything! All I want to do is sleep so I can forget everything going on.

Elizabeth_Weerd Anxiety that gets worse the same time every year...
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I am new to the forums and groups and wanted to reach out. Hello! I suffer with anxiety which I have always found that I can manage with a good diet and exercise. I only just realised around October each year I start to struggle alot and... View more

Hi everyone, I am new to the forums and groups and wanted to reach out. Hello! I suffer with anxiety which I have always found that I can manage with a good diet and exercise. I only just realised around October each year I start to struggle alot and then find myself looking up counsellors and diagnosing myself again. I called my counsellor and she said, "oh the last time we saw you was this time last year!!" That was when it clicked. Even my boyfriend noticed this as well.. I broke up with him this time last year as things were just too much for me. We got back together in February which is when things seem to calm down for me. So what do I do? It has just gotten so bad I feel quite miserable and feel I can't talk to anyone about it.. and I'm pretty sure my boyfriend is sick of listening to me. I have started withdrawing from church because big groups can be difficult. I feel really lonely and my anxiety seems to be attaching to everything: relationship, career, money...... Any advice would be super helpful. I have booked to see the counsellor next week. I will continue to exercise and eat well. if you have any recommendations I would really appreciate it.

Stormgrl101 It's Monday morning
  • replies: 30

And I'm not even out of bed yet and am panicking and anxious about the day ahead and don't know where to start or what to do. Why does life feel so pointless. I don't know how much more I can take!!! hope you all are well

And I'm not even out of bed yet and am panicking and anxious about the day ahead and don't know where to start or what to do. Why does life feel so pointless. I don't know how much more I can take!!! hope you all are well

PG Pregnancy anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hello, my name is Paula. I suffer from anxiety i am currently pregnant and not enjoying my thinking process. I am a nervous wreck and have lots of doubts and do not feel happy like ppl say you should.. I am wondering if there is anyone out there who ... View more

Hello, my name is Paula. I suffer from anxiety i am currently pregnant and not enjoying my thinking process. I am a nervous wreck and have lots of doubts and do not feel happy like ppl say you should.. I am wondering if there is anyone out there who has experienced this type of anxious feelings during the first trimester of pregnancy? I could really use some advice and I guess be told that I'm not crazy...that this is normal. Paula

green_s Feel like I'm relapsing!
  • replies: 5

Hi there, I guess I'm just writing here for a little bit of support. I have coped with anxiety for about a year now and struggle a lot with obsessing over worrying thoughts. These last few months though have been so much better and even though I stil... View more

Hi there, I guess I'm just writing here for a little bit of support. I have coped with anxiety for about a year now and struggle a lot with obsessing over worrying thoughts. These last few months though have been so much better and even though I still worry I haven't had that gross foggy and exhausted feeling that comes with it. But yesterday that feeling came back completely out of no where. I can't think of anything that has happened to trigger it and so as you can imagine I'm a bit scared because now the idea of it coming back for good is all I can think about!! I'm absolutely exhausted this morning and feel like I can't even get out of bed! Any suggestions on how to kick this because I know if I keep thinking worrying about it it will probably become a reality... Thanks heaps

Mal50 Racked by guilt for my Anxiety Disorder.
  • replies: 6

Hello, for years I felt my Anxiety Disorder/Panic Attacks gradually getting worse. I've tried to talk to my GP about it in the hope of being referred to someone who might be able to help me, but my GP just looks at me blankly. A few years ago I was t... View more

Hello, for years I felt my Anxiety Disorder/Panic Attacks gradually getting worse. I've tried to talk to my GP about it in the hope of being referred to someone who might be able to help me, but my GP just looks at me blankly. A few years ago I was taking my two sons to a Theme Park for a fun day and then I suddenly began having a severe panic attack and completely lost it. I was screaming uncontrollably and couldn't stop. My sons were terrified and in tears. Since then I've asked them to forgive me, and even though they have I cant forgive myself and have been racked by heavy guilt ever since. What can I do?

Suffocating-thoughts Lost in my own mind
  • replies: 17

I suffer from social anxiety and agoraphobia and I don't feel like anyone understands me and how I feel day to day. I had separation issues with my mother as a young kid where id be pyshically throwing up uncontrollably every time she left me, which ... View more

I suffer from social anxiety and agoraphobia and I don't feel like anyone understands me and how I feel day to day. I had separation issues with my mother as a young kid where id be pyshically throwing up uncontrollably every time she left me, which led to me being very shy and nervous all the time, through school I was bullied alot, either called the fat girl, the shy girl, or vomit girl.. I dropped out of school very early due to bullying and never went back..My sister is a narcasist, she thrives on making others miserable, growing up she would always tease me, bully me and even hit me, call me stupid and tell me I'd never get anywhere in life, then 8years ago I was stalked by a man who knew right down to where I live, he was put in jail and recently released, now I spend day to day worrying if he's back out there and if he's going to find me again. I'm constantly scared of men when they look at me, I'm scared of what people think of me, If they're judging me or if they're going to hurt me.. When an attack starts I lose all control, my anxiety takes over and I start shaking, crying, hyperventilating and vomiting.. I'm seeing a psychologist in a week, but I was just wondering if anyone had experienced anything similar and had any advice on how to overcome these fears? It's at the point where I don't even want to work I'm that scared of meeting new people, new environment, not knowing what to expect

green_s How do you guys deal with the brain fog that comes with anxiety?
  • replies: 2

Hi guys, I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what helps you minimise that foggy brain feeling that comes with anxiety? I feel like other people would have experienced it too? Where you feel all cloudy in the head and not really all ... View more

Hi guys, I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what helps you minimise that foggy brain feeling that comes with anxiety? I feel like other people would have experienced it too? Where you feel all cloudy in the head and not really all there? It's one symptom I get that really bothers me and I cope so much better on days that it's not around! Has stuck with me for a few days now and I'm sick of it! Any suggestions would be appreciated Thankyou!!

Lisabubbles At a loss with what to do.
  • replies: 15

Lets see if I can keep this short. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety when I was around 23 (now 34). I was on medication for 9ish years and have been off it for 3.5ish years. Since being with my current partner I am having anxiety attacks wh... View more

Lets see if I can keep this short. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety when I was around 23 (now 34). I was on medication for 9ish years and have been off it for 3.5ish years. Since being with my current partner I am having anxiety attacks which are triggered by numerous things which all seem to centre around trust, fear and possible hurt. I really struggle when he has days off work and and my texting and freaking out puts a lot of strain on our relationship. Whilst I don't want to pass blame, some of my fears have been bought on by his behaviour and whilst i try to let go of it, i'm so fearful of these things happening again. Since early on in our relationship I have vomited most mornings. I never use to know why, however have now put it down to the anxious feeling and stress I feel when I wake up. I'm scared that my day is going to end in conflict and there is nothing I hate more than conflict. I know I need to go back to my Dr's and Im sure i'll end up with a psych referral but in the mean time I would love some tips on how to cope when I have no idea what he is doing on a day off. It seems so silly and paranoid...but I feel like I am conditioned to react with anxiety and I hate it. If I don't watch out I am going to let anxiety ruin my relationship. Please help.