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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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Arrie97 Feel a bit lost and uncertain... Dealing with Social Anxiety and Bullies?
  • replies: 5

I'm feeling a bit lost at the moment. I always knew I had some form of social anxiety, ever since I was a small child. I couldn't bring myself to even say hello to an adult stranger, even in the company of my family. I learnt to overcome that on my o... View more

I'm feeling a bit lost at the moment. I always knew I had some form of social anxiety, ever since I was a small child. I couldn't bring myself to even say hello to an adult stranger, even in the company of my family. I learnt to overcome that on my own as I grew older, but still suffer from thoughts and feelings and anxieties in social situations. Often I watch everything I say, as to make sure I don't upset the other person or make them "hate" me as I think of it. I also tend to analyse them, and as soon as they say something I see as a threat to me (anything from a type of interest they have that I see as negative, to criticising me in some small way), I immediately put them into the "bad" pile of people. Nothing seems to be good and bad, it's always either good or bad. I've come to see this as a problem, noticing I don't really have a lot of friends, and that my husband doesn't react this way (I see him as quite mentally healthy). I also tend to go over my social interactions in the day over and over again, thinking on what I said wrong or what the other person may have meant by saying this or that - so much so that people often get annoyed with this behaviour if I sound board on them. I've come to believe I may have Avoidant Personality Disorder. I think my mother may have it too, as I see a lot of what I do in her (she also suffers from depression). The problem I have is that my family keep bullying me and picking on me for being socially awkward or too sensitive (or anything they see as wrong and not like them) - I've asked my husband whether me getting upset about this is just my oversensitivity, but he says it's not, that there is something wrong with my family. I think there's a possibility that some of my siblings and father have Narcissistic Personality Disorder (mental illness runs in my family), as I find they tend to bully you until you get confused, question yourself and just agree with them - especially when you do not share a belief or lifestyle choice with them. I feel so alone in this though - although my husband believes me that something is wrong, many people outside the family think I'm just an attention seeker or that I'm overreacting about how bad they are. I sometimes question if there's something wrong with me and whether they are normal, but feel in my gut it's not right. I always end up crying in there company, not knowing why, like they had just manipulated me somehow. Has anyone else dealt with this? I believe this has been going on since I was a child... how do I get them to see that I'm not just weak and that I actually have a problem?

Decent_Protagonist Increasing Social Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I am new to the site so this is my first post. I am currently 31 and I have found over the last 10 years I have had an increasing fear of socialising with people outside of my family and main friends. I have always struggled to find a sense o... View more

Hi all, I am new to the site so this is my first post. I am currently 31 and I have found over the last 10 years I have had an increasing fear of socialising with people outside of my family and main friends. I have always struggled to find a sense of my own self worth, which can easily be traced back to the bullying that I had throughout my school life that often made me feel alone, even when amongst my school group. Initially after leaving school, I had a sense of relief. I went out clubbing, I met new people, asked out girls and have had a couple of relationships. I was still a sensitive guy, but I managed to enjoy those years. Though after the last relationship ended a few years ago now, which was sudden, confusing and with an immediate end to communication, I have had trouble keeping my thoughts positive again. I'm not always down or worried, but the thought of social gatherings always scare me. Which is odd, as the thought of being alone in the future scares me all the same. I live in a mate I've known since school's house, essentially renting out a room as he works in the mines and he likes someone looking out for the house. There are 2 others guys that live here that I get on with ok. My point to this though is that when they occasional have people over for a house party, or even a couple people for a couple drinks and some pool, I often find myself too nervous to leave my room. It seems to be a mixed fear of how people see me and my inability to easily make small talk. I'm not sure if I'm asking a question here, or simply getting this off my chest, but I just wish that I could have the confidence and lack of fear to be able to enjoy life more. Thank you to whoever reads this through.

Quivz Anxiety and Dating
  • replies: 3

So i've recently been diagnosed with anxiety issues, although i've probably had them for around 10 years or so. I'm getting help but i feel loathe to raise this issue with my psychologist. In the last 15 years i've been in 2 relationships. Thats all.... View more

So i've recently been diagnosed with anxiety issues, although i've probably had them for around 10 years or so. I'm getting help but i feel loathe to raise this issue with my psychologist. In the last 15 years i've been in 2 relationships. Thats all. In both cases i was not the initiator. I'm a great conversationalist once past this point, but i've never been able to get started. So since i've been getting help I've felt more confident and was at the pub recently and 2 girls came up to me and tried to start conversation. I couldn't come up with anything to say and just gave one word answers. They left quickly. I ended up feeling so down i got myself really drunk for the next 2 days. Things like this have happened to me a lot over the course of the 15 years i'm talking about. Even at the height of my confidence i cant bring myself to be witty and charming (which i am with people i know well and i'm already comfortable with). So what i want to know is if this sort of thing is normal with anxiety, and whether its something i should talk about with my psychologist. Or if its just specific to me and a problem i will have to overcome on my own.

Glassie Can anyone help? Not sure where or who to go to.
  • replies: 2

Please can anyone help? i do have a history of depression. I went on medication when I was dealing with my fathers death 15 years ago. Apart from that incident I'm not the most positive person and have low self esteem but on a day to day basis I have... View more

Please can anyone help? i do have a history of depression. I went on medication when I was dealing with my fathers death 15 years ago. Apart from that incident I'm not the most positive person and have low self esteem but on a day to day basis I have been well and have managed my daily life well. I work part time and love my job. I am very happily married with 2 wonderful children. Which is why I cannot understand why I am feeling the way I am right now. I have all of a sudden experienced anxiety to the extent that I cannot concentrate on work or cope. This hasn't been developing over time it's just happened. I experienced the same thing last year. I thought I was a bit down possibly even depressed and had a few anxiety attacks. I could not find any reason for feeling like this, it just happened very quickly. Last year when it happened I saw my gp, got a referral to a psychologist who after 30 mins and $350 later could not tell me what was wrong with me, but told me to go on medication anyway. After a discussion with my husband I decided not to go on the meds. A few weeks later the anxiety disappeared. That was last September. so now it's back, once again all of sudden. has anyone ever experienced this? Is this a normal pattern for anxiety? i am reluctant to go back to my gp. If anyone can relate to this or give me some advice on what to do id be extremely grateful. thanks

Sarah75 Anxiety and PTSD
  • replies: 4

Hi Everyone. I was in an abusive relationship in which my now ex partner was physically ,emotionally and mentally abusive. After 7 months of living back with my parents I am now in my own house and struggling. I feel anxious at night. I hate being al... View more

Hi Everyone. I was in an abusive relationship in which my now ex partner was physically ,emotionally and mentally abusive. After 7 months of living back with my parents I am now in my own house and struggling. I feel anxious at night. I hate being alone when it's dark. I am taking a mixture of natural anxiety reliving medication and natural sleeping tablets. I am exercising and trying to eat a good diet. I hate feeling like this. I feel like he is still winning. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions? I am going to start and see a Psychologist in the coming weeks. Thank you

theblueboy Why is this happening to me???
  • replies: 1

Just registered and my 1st post. Since I got stuck on an overcrowded train approx 5 years ago I have been been suffering from claustrophobia and anxiety. This has been manageable until last year when my mother passed away and I could not even make it... View more

Just registered and my 1st post. Since I got stuck on an overcrowded train approx 5 years ago I have been been suffering from claustrophobia and anxiety. This has been manageable until last year when my mother passed away and I could not even make it back to Scotland for the funeral. I was so stressed I could barely leave the house. I managed to get back to work after a few weeks and again was managing my issues then one afternoon at work I took 2 phone calls which somehow stressed me so much I have not been back to work (work in a highly stressful environment which has people discussing possible suicide) I was suppose to go back to work after 10 days then found out my wife's brother had killed himself. I have tried to get back to work but cannot use public transport anymore and now the thought of being trapped in the city is awful. On medication and speaking to mental health nurse but this morning couldn't even take a bus ride without feeling stressed and like I was going to faint. need to get my life back. Don't understand this. Sorry for babbling but it's so frustrating and scary

green_s Feeling a lost and without direction
  • replies: 1

Hi there,I feel a bit silly for writing on here but I guess I'm just looking for somewhere to get some things off my chest. I'm 21 and in the last 6 or so months have been diagnosed with anxiety. I find I go in cycles where I get a certain obsession ... View more

Hi there,I feel a bit silly for writing on here but I guess I'm just looking for somewhere to get some things off my chest. I'm 21 and in the last 6 or so months have been diagnosed with anxiety. I find I go in cycles where I get a certain obsession and all of my anxiety links back to that idea for days on end until I finally stop and end up finding something else to obsess over. Recently it's the feeling of being lost in what I'm doing and having no purpose in my life even though I'm working, studying and in a loving relationship (which then leads on to thinking about death and the meaning of life... not the best topic for someone with control issues to be obsessing over!) I find that when I am engaged in something else and distracted I don't feel anxious at all, but as soon as I remind myself that I'm feeling good I go back to thinking about it all again. I guess I'm just looking to see how other people deal with these obsessive thoughts and what you've done that helps?Thankyou Beyondblue’s clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

kay-lea anxiety is controlling me
  • replies: 3

I have suffered anxiety for quiet some time now, I have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression and OCD. Every day I suffer with breathing difficulties, constant fear of what people are thinking of me, never feel good enough etc... I have this one pe... View more

I have suffered anxiety for quiet some time now, I have been diagnosed with anxiety, depression and OCD. Every day I suffer with breathing difficulties, constant fear of what people are thinking of me, never feel good enough etc... I have this one person who is doing nothing but making my life a misery everytime I start to feel better they say something else.first my appearance then my career and now my relationship. I am on a mental health plan seeing a councilor once a forte night and on medication daily. All I want to do is move away from where I am living. But its not that simple. I am in constant worry everyday without fail paranoid of who and when people are talking about me. I cannot go into town alone I feel like everyone hates me and is staring at me. It is just getting worse. I just want to be happy again I want to be me. Thanks for letting me vent.

Thesunshineyears New here- Not sure if I should even be posting
  • replies: 2

Hi I am not really sure if there is anything wrong with me or if I belong here but I feel quite alone and I don't know what exactly is wrong or how to start getting better. I feel quite anxious all the time and quite numb. I don't have any motivation... View more

Hi I am not really sure if there is anything wrong with me or if I belong here but I feel quite alone and I don't know what exactly is wrong or how to start getting better. I feel quite anxious all the time and quite numb. I don't have any motivation anymore and it sounds like a cliche but I feel so lost and empty. I never used to feel like this. But over the last few months it has continued to build up until I had what I think was a panic attack last night. I couldn't breath, felt very faint and tight in my chest and couldn't focus or move. I was supposed to be at a party with friends and being in that social situation made me feel like I was on the outside looking in and I didnt belong anymore. I don't know where to start feeling right again but getting out of bed is getting harder and I cant talk about this with anyone in my life. Being sad doesnt feel like a good enough excuse to demand attention and feels a little silly and dramatic.

jodes76 anxiety very high
  • replies: 1

Lately my anxiety is getting worse. I'm not coping with things very well. Have lost my licence for twelve months, which is very hard to deal with. My daughter is getting harder to control. My nerves are so bad I'm back on medication. I use smoking as... View more

Lately my anxiety is getting worse. I'm not coping with things very well. Have lost my licence for twelve months, which is very hard to deal with. My daughter is getting harder to control. My nerves are so bad I'm back on medication. I use smoking as a stress relief. I'm stuck with what to do. I'm still very depressed as well. Today I self harmed for the first time in ages. Feel like I've lost control. I really don't know how to get out of this dark phase Beyondblue’s clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636. Normal 0 false false false EN-AU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}