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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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Aussie.Girl Still feeling stuck, idk what to do
  • replies: 4

I need some advice on where to go from here. I left my job at the end of 2023 because I was feeling overwhelmed and it was beginning to trigger RSI (particularly in my hand/wrist). I also thought that having less responsibility for a while would redu... View more

I need some advice on where to go from here. I left my job at the end of 2023 because I was feeling overwhelmed and it was beginning to trigger RSI (particularly in my hand/wrist). I also thought that having less responsibility for a while would reduce my stress but it hasn't really made much difference. I had all these plans of things I wanted to do and couldn't because work was taking so much of my time and energy, and I have barely started any of them. I think part of the problem is when people ask about what I want in life the answer is a modest house somewhere not too far from basic necessities on a couple of acres so I can have my horse at home instead of agisted elsewhere. And I don't know how I will ever be able to achieve that. Even if I were earning 100k a year it wouldn't be enough by myself to afford something like that. If I ever could, I would probably be middle-aged or even older by then and I'm not sure I'll be able to enjoy it the way I could now (at 27). And then in terms of everyone asking what kind of job I want (given I am currently unemployed) the honest answer is that ideally I don't want to work at all (no one does, do they?) but that's not possible. So the answer then becomes a job with 3-4 days a week of simple tasks with minimal pressure/deadlines and no working outside of 'work hours'. I'm not sure if that job exists though... My ex-boss has offered me "just a couple of days work" in Feb because she needs to take a couple of days off, but I'm reluctant to say 'yes' because I think I would just get dragged back into exactly what I was doing before. The couple of days would turn into, can you help on X day too, and then maybe two days the following week etc and it would be as if I never left. If I could guarantee it would only be 2-3 days I'd say yes, but I can't. And I'm aware I could say no to the additional shifts but I had a hard enough time leaving the first time due to being shy and non-confrontational. But if I'm just going to sit around doing nothing anyway maybe its better I do go back, because at least then I'm earning money. I've had a look at other jobs but none of the ones I've seen so far would be a good fit for me, so idk what to do. I really thought having some time off would mean I could reflect on myself and decide on my next career path but I just feel overwhelmed and stressed any time I think about it. I should also add that my life outside of work isn't exactly stress free and I'm actually starting to think work was less stressful... This could also influence my 'i want my own house' mentality. Renting isn't an option because I don't want someone else to be able to tell me I can't have pets or put up fences etc. My goals just seem perpetually out of reach and I can't see a way to fix that. Should I just go back to my old job until I figure it out? Any advice would be appreciated. I just feel so lost and I really have no idea what to do.

Scott_O Hypochondria, Cant Keep Living Like this
  • replies: 2

Hello my names Scott, im 25 i really struggle with health anxiety, after a while of having anxiety i started getting stomach issues, bloating, burps and cramps, i went to a doctor regarding it l, they narrowed it to stress, i had blood tests that cam... View more

Hello my names Scott, im 25 i really struggle with health anxiety, after a while of having anxiety i started getting stomach issues, bloating, burps and cramps, i went to a doctor regarding it l, they narrowed it to stress, i had blood tests that came back fine, other than elevated cholestrol which then lead me to losing weight, i started at 125kgs im down to 106 ive now noticed this little fat nodules or whatever you call them, they absolutely freaked me out the fear of death has never been so strong that im honestly at the point where i would trade my existence to never have existed at all, just so i didnt have to go through this suffering. I work 5 days a week 8am to 5pm i get no time to see a therapist or a psych, my mum is my support but i feel as if i burden her too much with my problems so im in a constant state of guilt, its just all so hard

jcjc06 I I think I have accidentally made myself bad at my job
  • replies: 2

I've been employed at a cafe for approximately three months, and overall, my performance has been pretty good, especially considering my limited experience compared to my colleagues. The managers/ owners have consistently expressed their satisfaction... View more

I've been employed at a cafe for approximately three months, and overall, my performance has been pretty good, especially considering my limited experience compared to my colleagues. The managers/ owners have consistently expressed their satisfaction, praising me for being 'switched on' and even surprising me with cash bonuses on multiple occasions. However, recently, I've noticed an increase in my mistakes, and I believe it's linked to a self-fulfilling prophecy I have created for myself. When I make a simple error and receive feedback, I tend to dwell on it, overshadowing the positive feedback and compliments I've received. This focus on the negatives has led to heightened nervousness about work, and I've started viewing myself as an inadequate worker prone to avoidable mistakes. This mindset even extends to my personal time, where I find myself contemplating self-punishment for the day's errors. At one point, I considered returning the cash bonuses, convinced I didn't deserve them and had let down my employers.How do I stop these thoughts? How do I stop making these dumb mistakes? How do I stop letting myself down? This is really impacting my mental health, work is all I can think about it, I can't help but look up the cafe on Google just to make sure there are no bad reviews.

Anthony_a 24/7 muscle twitches and my story
  • replies: 4

For the last 5 weeks I’ve had 24/7 muscle twitching mainly in my calves and occasionally in other body parts. This started after having the most intense anxiety of my life for a period of about 2 months straight. Prior to the twitching I wasn’t sleep... View more

For the last 5 weeks I’ve had 24/7 muscle twitching mainly in my calves and occasionally in other body parts. This started after having the most intense anxiety of my life for a period of about 2 months straight. Prior to the twitching I wasn’t sleeping. I was having multiple panic attacks a day. Barely hydrated. Just in panic mode 24/7. I went to the ER on 3 seperate occasions because I thought I was having a heart attack. I was then convinced I had heart issues due to consistent heart palpitations and a very fast heart rate that came out of nowhere. I had 3 ECG’S & a 24 hour heart monitor. It came back clear every time. I then started having severe stomach & digestive issues. I then became convinced I had colon cancer because of the ongoing symptoms I was displaying. I had a CT Scan of my abdomen & organs, X-ray. Everything came back clear. Blood work was fine but tested weak positive for celiac disease. This lead to me having a complete mental breakdown, more regular panic attacks & I even ended up in ER 4 times because of it. This was the moment when the twitching began. I did a Endoscopy & colonoscopy. Biopsies were taken to confirm celiac. Everything came back fine and got cleared from celiac. Gastro diagnosed me with IBS. Huge relief but now I’m dealing with these twitches which is another problem on its own. I spoke to 8 different doctors and they all said it’s a result from my anxiety. I still wasn’t convinced so requested to have a brain MRI scan. Everything came back clear. I’m a 29 and married man and I feel like my anxiety is destroying my marriage. I’m scared of the twitching now. Has anybody had a similar experience to me ? And has anybody dealt with these 24/7 twitches before ?

Red-Rex Reality of anxiety and social health
  • replies: 1

Hi All, I would like to discuss the best options to deal with panic in situations that revolve around conflict. I don't want to get into the details but it is having a huge impact on my social health and relationships. I had previously worked with a ... View more

Hi All, I would like to discuss the best options to deal with panic in situations that revolve around conflict. I don't want to get into the details but it is having a huge impact on my social health and relationships. I had previously worked with a councillor to work on trauma and family issues but I did not get to the point where I could deconstruct subconious beliefs which is causing these panic mindsets. How did you achieve freedom from panic? Are there other forms of therapy which could help me? Who should I read or watch for additional guidance while looking for the therapy I need?

Clover9312 Becoming more anxious after seeking outside guidance
  • replies: 9

Hi everyone, I'm struggling today and wasn't able to get out of bed. I have anxiety and I often second guess myself and overly seek guidance from other people instead of trusting myself. I'm embarrassed to say this, but I've reached out to a number o... View more

Hi everyone, I'm struggling today and wasn't able to get out of bed. I have anxiety and I often second guess myself and overly seek guidance from other people instead of trusting myself. I'm embarrassed to say this, but I've reached out to a number of psychics over the years obviously to get answers and feel more hopeful about things. Not one of them has made an accurate future prediction. There is one of them who I've gone to see many times, and not one thing she has said has come true. However, she claims that predictions aren't always set in stone. She tends to give insights about current situations. For example, if I ask about someone at work she will say "I get the feeling that this person really values your presence and will be with you along the way whenever you need them". Things like that she will say really confidently and it's made me believe that she is able to read other people's thoughts, energies and opinions. I got a reading from her yesterday that has made my anxiety absolutely spiral. I asked her about my last relationship that ended. I felt like it was the healthiest relationship I had so far in my life, but we ultimately had different goals for the future. I told her the story and she dismissed the guy I was with as "immature" and that he had red flags because he was "immature" and wanted a "good time". All of this contrasts with how I perceived him and how I experienced him. It's made me really worried that she has some special intuitive abilities and she was able to read the situation and tell me how it REALLY was. Now I'm questioning everything - my ex, my ability to pick partners. I don't feel like I can chat to my ex about this, as I asked for some space because him wanting to be friends with me proved to be difficult for me. I felt safe with my ex and we both didn't want to have casual relationships. Her saying he wanted a "good time" feels shocking to me. My anxiety had improved at the start of this year and I was doing less overthinking and enjoying reading books more. Now I feel like I'm going into that overthinking mind again and I'm putting this woman on a pedestal, thinking she knows better. She is well known in our local community and has been in business for more than 10 years. My common sense tells me that a stack of tarot cards don't have the power to give someone the ability to "read" into a situation, but I'm also becoming terribly anxious about everything again. I feel like this is going to overpower my week.

Andre_cbr Where is the actual support for those that can’t afford it??
  • replies: 6

Severe anxiety and depression has paralysed me. Lost my job, no energy, no hope, no goals.. same thoughts and worries daily.. all day.. They say get help, see a doctor. Well I did and all he can do is write medication for me and give me a referral to... View more

Severe anxiety and depression has paralysed me. Lost my job, no energy, no hope, no goals.. same thoughts and worries daily.. all day.. They say get help, see a doctor. Well I did and all he can do is write medication for me and give me a referral to a psychologist, which I cant afford! I’m not working and have no saving. How can one actually get real help when one doesn’t have the money?? They keep telling men to reach out for help. Then when we do, we talk to someone online or by phone, or answer questionares, in the end, it all goes back to needing to see a professional psychologist, which is out of one’s reach to afford?? it seems like there is many places to assist you in letting you know that your badly sick, yet not many places to actually help you unless you have big money. We are quick to point out issues.. but everything else after that, it’s “your in your own mate” So if we are a modern, open minded country and cares for its mentally ill, that gives a fair go, that looks after its community… then is there not a way for a man that has had enough of a crippling mental health issues to seek help to get his life back on track?

HisOwn Health Anxiety - How Do You Manage?
  • replies: 32

Hello I am 59 years of age - I have had awful health anxiety for 22 years after a series of past medical traumas. Initially I was always going to doctor looking for reassurance whenever I had any symptom but found this just added to my anxiety so now... View more

Hello I am 59 years of age - I have had awful health anxiety for 22 years after a series of past medical traumas. Initially I was always going to doctor looking for reassurance whenever I had any symptom but found this just added to my anxiety so now I am a total avoider of doctors or medical tests now - will only go in case of emergency now, if at all because I just find the medical environment so triggering and traumatic. My last visit I had to take a valium just to get through the appointment. So just wondering if anybody else has similar anxiety and wondering what strategies you use to cope or manage?

Mel... Anxiety and the weather
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I am wondering if anyone else anxiety worsens in the hot weather? I have recently moved to a more humid place and have found my anxiety to be unbearable on the hot, humid days. It also seems to worsen my IBS symptoms which in turn makes ... View more

Hi everyone, I am wondering if anyone else anxiety worsens in the hot weather? I have recently moved to a more humid place and have found my anxiety to be unbearable on the hot, humid days. It also seems to worsen my IBS symptoms which in turn makes my anxiety worse. I had a gastroscopy and colonoscopy 2 days ago and today I feel hot, anxious, irritated and upset in the stomach. I want to sleep but it's too hot. Thank you.

stell_a178 I feel like I’m falling behind
  • replies: 10

Today I (20F) had a chat with my younger cousins (16F and 14F) at Christmas lunch about hookup culture and underage drinking. They were talking about how there were people their ages who were regularly drinking underage, hooking up at parties and eve... View more

Today I (20F) had a chat with my younger cousins (16F and 14F) at Christmas lunch about hookup culture and underage drinking. They were talking about how there were people their ages who were regularly drinking underage, hooking up at parties and even having sex. This conversation triggered me a bit, because I am a 20 woman who never drank underage, I have never hooked up with anyone which includes never having sex. It’s weird because I feel a sense of FOMO even though I really don’t want to be a part of drinking culture or hook up culture. I have nothing against people who do so, but I just don’t enjoy such things.It makes me feel like I’m broken, and that I am so unusual and weird. Finding others like me has been incredibly difficult, and being surrounded by people who love to drink and who are in relationships has worsened mindset. Should I be worried that I didn’t drink at all underage and that I don't like hookup culture?

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