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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. Remeber, this is anonymous and the Beyond Blue team are here to help if you need it This section is for people who are experiencing anixiety 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 you 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 worthile 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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anxiousguy Anxiety/OCD or am I just going crazy?
  • replies: 2

I have generalised anxiety disorder with obsessive compulsive features. I want to enlighten the beyond blue members about something that has caused me a tremendous amount of anxiety and internal stress this year. Back in April my father painted the k... View more

I have generalised anxiety disorder with obsessive compulsive features. I want to enlighten the beyond blue members about something that has caused me a tremendous amount of anxiety and internal stress this year. Back in April my father painted the kitchen door about midday. About dinner time that night approximately 6pm my cat brushed against the newly painted door and then brushed against my lower leg/feet. I immediately took off my pants and socks and threw them on the ground and got changed. A few days later I checked the socks and pants for paint stains to which I saw no paint stains. Still, I threw out my pants but I kept my socks and put them through the washing machine with other clothes items. I then checked these washed clothes items for paint stains for which there were none. Ever since this I have these images that paint is now on all my clothes that have gone through the washing machine. This is completely irrational thinking but no matter how much I tell myself this these thoughts still plague me. There is this snowballing worrying that I now have to replace all my clothes and it is just really irrational and non sensical. I am currently seeing a psychologist about anxiety (with obsessive compulsive features) but do people think I am maybe starting to go crazy because I sure feel like it. This silly worrying about paint is crazy, I mean surely people put dry paint splattered clothing articles through the washing machine and the paint doesn't budge let alone turn into wet paint affecting the other clothes. So I just don't know what's going on with my brain now. Am I turning delusional or crazy or is this just one of the reasons I am currently getting professional help via medication and counselling for anxiety/OCD?

rosiee_ Needing Answers
  • replies: 2

I know I have a problem and it's been coming and going for a few years now.I went to my local GP and finally went and saw someone. She made me feel stupid as i couldn't answer her questions like what causes you to feel this way what are you doing whe... View more

I know I have a problem and it's been coming and going for a few years now.I went to my local GP and finally went and saw someone. She made me feel stupid as i couldn't answer her questions like what causes you to feel this way what are you doing when you get these feelings and most of the time honestly nothing.I have not been able to pin point what causes these feelings I could be watching my favorite tv show and I could get a hot cold flush, feelings like I'm dizzy and my heart skips a beat and its just horrible.I find myself being so emotional over everything and I cry a lot over the littlest things.She has put me off going to see someone else, I dont want to go on any medication I want to treat myself naturally and I dont think I can afford $120+ an hour.Ive come to the point where im stuck I dont know what to do and Im just over feeling this way its taking it out of me and I constantly feel nervous and sick.I just want this dark period in my life to end.

Blondyroses Social Anxiety???
  • replies: 4

I have been diagnosed with general anxiety disorder, PTSD, mild depression, mild OCD. I have had this all my life ( I am 54-female) but only diagnosed around 42. Psychiatrist at 53. I have been on medication since 42. I am happily and blissfully marr... View more

I have been diagnosed with general anxiety disorder, PTSD, mild depression, mild OCD. I have had this all my life ( I am 54-female) but only diagnosed around 42. Psychiatrist at 53. I have been on medication since 42. I am happily and blissfully married to my soulmate for 18yrs. What I am finding now (in the past 7? Yrs), is that if I go out without my husband I have a panic attack and severe anxiety and I have to escape the situation immediately. I can say yes, quite happily when invited to go out, but after that I just don't want to go. I always set a time limit on where we go as I feel trapped (or in case I do). If we don't leave immediately I become very distressed and I just leave. Is this social anxiety?? I also prefer small group settings or not go at all. I can only go to local shops by myself but if husband is home, I prefer him to come to. It's like I feel that if I am out without him, that it's not right or doesn't feel right? I can't really describe what I feel as I just know panic sets in. Is it because things are out of my control if I go out with friends? Not sure. Does anyone else have these feelings?

tanhal1 Help
  • replies: 4

Last five weeks my anxiety has peaked. Just carrying this sickness in my belly and sting in my eyes everyday. So sick with anxiousness. It's starting to effect my ability to function. Actually threw up this morning because of the sick feeling. Please... View more

Last five weeks my anxiety has peaked. Just carrying this sickness in my belly and sting in my eyes everyday. So sick with anxiousness. It's starting to effect my ability to function. Actually threw up this morning because of the sick feeling. Please, I need advise.

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