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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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Chris_B Forums etiquette: give support to receive support
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newb... View more

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newbies are welcomed when they first post, and we understand that it’s a big step to post for the first time on a forum like this, especially if you aren’t feeling great. It’s important to remember, though, that these forums are a community of real people, just like you, not a one-on-one support environment like going to see your psychologist. To get the best out of being here, one of the best tips we can offer is give support to receive support. Being a good community member means: participating in different threads (not just your own), replying to people who have taken the time to reply to you (even if it’s just to say thank you), and... posting words of emotional support and encouragement when you see others who are hurting and reaching out. You don’t have to feel obliged to solve the problems of others: that’s not what we’re here for. But you can offer empathy and what you’ve learned from your own life experiences, even if it’s just a line or two, eg. “I don't know what to say, but I want to give you my support and tell you I care about what is happening to you and hope life will get better soon.” Try to develop an interest in the journeys of others here on the forums. You may be surprised at how good being an active, caring member here can make you feel. For those of you who have had good experiences giving support here on the forums, please post in this thread here and let us know how it has helped you on your journey.

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Bluebird84 Is it anxiety?
  • replies: 1

Every now and then it feels like my heart is in my throat, I can feel my heart beat very strong, it takes my breath away and I need to remind myself to breath. I don't panic or anything, but it's starting to worry me. Is this anxiety or maybe a heart... View more

Every now and then it feels like my heart is in my throat, I can feel my heart beat very strong, it takes my breath away and I need to remind myself to breath. I don't panic or anything, but it's starting to worry me. Is this anxiety or maybe a heart issue?

Roseanne Anxiety about health - pls tell me I am not alone
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I have suffered from health related anxiety since I was six years old. Back then I was mainly worried about vomiting but as I got older and my knowledge increased, I started to worry about more serious illness, mainly cancer. It has gotten so... View more

Hi all, I have suffered from health related anxiety since I was six years old. Back then I was mainly worried about vomiting but as I got older and my knowledge increased, I started to worry about more serious illness, mainly cancer. It has gotten so bad now that I have trouble at work concentrating. My husband does not understand and we have arguments about how much time I spend going back and forth to the doctors and how I ruin wonderful occasions because I'm so anxious or worried. i will not touch my neck or breasts as I am worried that I will find a lump (or as I almost always do, feel a normal structure and think its sinister) if I think I have found something, I cannot function in daily life and I don't get anything done. I can't eat, sleep, sit still to watch tv, read or do anything. Nothing takes my mind off it. I am currently trying to find a medication that suits me but it's difficult to find one that works. I have also just worked out a mental health plan with my wonderful doctor (very helpful) to get some counselling but have not started yet. I guess what I'm asking is if anyone else has the same anxiety problems as me and if they have gotten through it? i want to enjoy my life and I want my husband to enjoy our life together. Thanks

Andy88 Hi, and wondering what my problem is!
  • replies: 14

Hi all, I'm 25 and a Police Officer. I've been in the job for only four years and can't say I've every really thought the job has had an impact on me in a psychological sense. In saying that there's obviously been good days and bad days however I see... View more

Hi all, I'm 25 and a Police Officer. I've been in the job for only four years and can't say I've every really thought the job has had an impact on me in a psychological sense. In saying that there's obviously been good days and bad days however I see that as being just like any other job, although I guess the difference is a bad day in a normal job might be getting the shits with your boss or a customer or a client, or being late, or sending an email to the wrong person, whereas a bad day in the cops might be a fatal accident or a suicide or anything. I get to see the best and worst in people and society as a whole which is special and a part of my job I love. I would say that I am an old head on young shoulders and I often get told I should really be a 50 or 60 year old! Perhaps this is because I am already looking forward to retirement at my ripe old age haha! The reason I am here is to try and perhaps understand what is wrong with me, if anything, I think I may have some of the symptoms of anxiety and/or PTSD. In saying that I feel like I am making a big deal of nothing or blowing it out of proportion making how I feel something more dramatic than it is, as when I think about the term 'PTSD' I associate it with someone who's been in the job a lot longer than I have and has seen and done more. The guts of my situation is that just about every night when I goto bed, unless I am very tired I often take a long time to get to sleep. In that time (and some nights are worse than others) if I hear a noise, a creek, anything, or the dog barks at something outside, or I hear a car driving down my street which is pretty quiet and in a small town, I panic, lots. I can feel my chest thumping and automatically think someone is up to no good, or is going to break in, or do something, anything! I stare out the window, stare at the shadows on the wall from the light coming in just incase I see movement, or a torch, but hope that I see nothing. I hate the physical feeling of my chest thumping, I hate the panic and I hate the worry. The next morning I always think "well that was ridiculous". I don't know why I'm like this, I've never been broken into or had anything 'bad' happen to me, I can only assume that perhaps it might be associated with work in some way, or perhaps I'm just the worrying type… I don't know. If you got this far thanks for reading and let me know what you think as I'd really appreciate some feedback.

Tinajasmine Anxiety. Need support
  • replies: 2

Hi, I'm new to this forum and really need some support from people that suffer from anxiety. I have been diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder and its destroying my life. I feel alone and would really love to talk to someone who knows what this fee... View more

Hi, I'm new to this forum and really need some support from people that suffer from anxiety. I have been diagnosed with body dysmorphic disorder and its destroying my life. I feel alone and would really love to talk to someone who knows what this feels like. Am hoping to make new friends and to help each other fight through this tough time of our lives.

missmilford I am getting overwhelmed
  • replies: 7

I have suffered anxiety most of my adult life but the last couple of years has shown a marked increase. I don't believe I suffer depression although I know when the anxiety gets out of hand it leads me to that road. I seem to be in a particularly bad... View more

I have suffered anxiety most of my adult life but the last couple of years has shown a marked increase. I don't believe I suffer depression although I know when the anxiety gets out of hand it leads me to that road. I seem to be in a particularly bad way right now, with manic and negative thoughts. I have dealt with a lot of change the last 2 years and it has not been easy, I feel stuck in my job being single with a mortgage and I am just so very tired of it. I don't see anything improving. A relationship that I wanted fizzled last year and it made me feel very down on myself and I just can't seem to bounce back or believe that my job situation will improve. I have been in my job for far too long but it is hard to see how I can get out of it right now. I am 49 and just overwhelmed right now with the difficulties that my job is going through and unsure if I can get out. My family and friends are used to me being up and down and it is hard to explain that this time it is different and I am not sure how to feel better. Any advice is much appreciated.

Jo3 Panic attack while in the plane flying
  • replies: 6

Yesterday I was on a plane from Gold Coast to Melbourne after a week on holidays. Half way into the flight I started to feel panicky, sick in the stomach and wanted to throw up. I knew it was a panic attack as I've had this before. But it felt 100 ti... View more

Yesterday I was on a plane from Gold Coast to Melbourne after a week on holidays. Half way into the flight I started to feel panicky, sick in the stomach and wanted to throw up. I knew it was a panic attack as I've had this before. But it felt 100 times worse being in a plane with lots of other people and fearing of being judged. I could feel myself getting worse and the next thing I told my husband that I was feeling faint and very hot. Next thing I remember was slouching over him and wanting to lie down (to which I couldn't because there was another person in our row of seats). After about 15 minutes my husband finally got a wet towel from the crew and I started to come good. The one thing that really pissed me off was my husband's comment when I told him I was going to faint - "don't be stupid" - as if it is something I would do on a plane - faint. That was the most ridiculous comment I've ever heard. I'm still annoyed at his comment and his very relaxed behaviour towards me when I was feeling quite sick. I guess I will talk with my psych this week and get some suggestions as to what to do if it happens again. I really hope it doesn't happen again because now I am fearing flying for that reason. Does anyone have any advice - apart from book a row of 3 seats so I can lie down without my husband!!!! Jo

MaryG I knew it was coming
  • replies: 4

So here it is again. I knew it was coming. Lurking there in the background while I was feeling so well. Waiting for a chance to attack again. That's what the anxiety was all about, I'm sure of it. This morning I thought oh great the anxiety has gone,... View more

So here it is again. I knew it was coming. Lurking there in the background while I was feeling so well. Waiting for a chance to attack again. That's what the anxiety was all about, I'm sure of it. This morning I thought oh great the anxiety has gone, maybe it's going to be a good week. But now I realise that's not how it's going to play out. I can feel it now changing my behaviour and my outlook. So belligerent and angry and tense. Do not want to engage with anyone. All my spontaneity and joy has gone. I can remember feeling good but I feel powerless to get myself back to that state of mind. It's hard to fight, easy to give in. Struggling today.

Pixie15 I am trying to be ordinary.
  • replies: 4

I went shopping today. This was the first time for a long time that I have tried to do a full shop. I have been buying every day or so by the basket full for quite a while. It is just shopping I should be able to just go in and pick up what I need. B... View more

I went shopping today. This was the first time for a long time that I have tried to do a full shop. I have been buying every day or so by the basket full for quite a while. It is just shopping I should be able to just go in and pick up what I need. But I have to start to worry. Did the pork chop come from a pig that suffered? What chemicals are included in which products? Am I going to destroy the environment by buying an over packaged snack food? Is a child starving in a foreign country because I am eating an imported product? It is exhausting! By the time I get to the check out life seems pretty grim again. So I am wondering if ordinary people think about this stuff.

dan_enough physiological symptoms of anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I am new to beyond blue so i am still familiarising myself with the site and getting to know the ins and outs. I have only recently acknowledged that I have anxiety issues as well as being prone to panic attacks. My symptoms have scared me a ... View more

Hi all, I am new to beyond blue so i am still familiarising myself with the site and getting to know the ins and outs. I have only recently acknowledged that I have anxiety issues as well as being prone to panic attacks. My symptoms have scared me a little to say the least as I have noticed some of the following and assumed they are a byproduct of anxiety: dull ache over entire body and arms feeling like lead trembling hands twitching muscles constant ringing in my left ear general weakness and lethargy (sore muscles without any exercise) sensitivity to light feelings of being spaced out heart palpitations and dull pulse through upper torso I was wondering if they're are any people out there who have experienced similar symptoms, as i would like to demystify some of these things to know if people do experience such physical symptoms of anxiety, or even such symptoms are associated with something else. any help would be very much appreciated.

yesterday What is happening and what can i do?
  • replies: 6

Hello fellow online communicators, i am brand new here, I am looking for help and also to be helpful to others. I am almost forty years old, english and living on Sydneys lower north shore. I have been undergoing (very mismanaged) treatment for depre... View more

Hello fellow online communicators, i am brand new here, I am looking for help and also to be helpful to others. I am almost forty years old, english and living on Sydneys lower north shore. I have been undergoing (very mismanaged) treatment for depression for probably ten years or more now. lately i have been suffering really persistent anxiety, which isn't usual for me. I just seem to be jumping straight to the most negative conclusions within my thought processes. Half of me thinks just go and get some medication to numb the pain and confusion of this latest instalment of wackiness, the other half of me wants to take on a back to square one approach and fight the whole mental illness thing on a more comprehensive level. The problem is that sometimes i feel strong enough to do that, other times i can't even lift my head off the pillow. Any words of wisdom? Thanks wholeheartedly in advance G