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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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faeriedust88 anxiety and body dismorphia
  • replies: 1

ok - so I am going to open up here, in hope that you have some suggestions for me: when things get hard, and I am under pressure or stressed I get body dismorphia - I feel the pressure building up inside of me and I literally feel myself swelling and... View more

ok - so I am going to open up here, in hope that you have some suggestions for me: when things get hard, and I am under pressure or stressed I get body dismorphia - I feel the pressure building up inside of me and I literally feel myself swelling and get bigger - in one day I feel like I can put on 5kgs or more (1 or 2 dress sizes) I think I get fat, I feel big and then my situation gets harder - because - say I'm dealing with uni, and all of a sudden I start getting fatter I then get a voice in my head that says I'm fat and lazy and don't deserve to be at uni - blah blah blah - hmm - does anyone else experience this at all? and if yes - does anyone know how to overcome this? I actually have to measure myself to realize that I am not swelling/getting bigger.... your responses are greatly appreciated!

just_let_go Anxiety/Panic recurring pattern.
  • replies: 15

Hi All. Have any of you noticed your anxiety runs in a kind of weekly pattern? I've noticed mine does, with variations of course. It usually goes something like this, with 10 being a panic attack 1 being no anxiety at all. Sunday 7 - 10, Usually the ... View more

Hi All. Have any of you noticed your anxiety runs in a kind of weekly pattern? I've noticed mine does, with variations of course. It usually goes something like this, with 10 being a panic attack 1 being no anxiety at all. Sunday 7 - 10, Usually the worst night, I often get no sleep and panic all night. Occasionally I get a proper panic attack. Monday 6 - 8, Due to a bad night sleep the night before, usually a pretty bad day with a dose of depression. Anxiety remains high and can lead to a second bad sleep. Tuesday 4 - 7, Usually starts to improve slightly. Wednesday 3 - 6, Usually my best day Thursday 3 - 7, Can be a bit random but usually manageable. Friday 4 - 8, During the day I'm fine, but for some reason later on it starts kicking in again. Saturday 4 - 8. Often make the mistake of sitting around all day and the thoughts take over. Once I noticed this pattern I thought about how stupid it really is. Why is it worse on weekends? Shouldn't I be better? Even the Sunday night panic attacks I'm getting make no sense. I don't hate my job, it's not that stressful. I know what I'm doing. I'm starting to realise that my anxiety is not getting any better which is not a very encouraging thought. I just had 2 nights in a row where my anxiety was VERY high and hard to manage. I'm currently on no medication for my anxiety or depression. I'm thinking about it but the more I read the more I become unsure. I was thinking of just getting something to take when I get really anxious before bed. Something to calm me down. Maybe that could break the cycle? The way I see it is it usually starts on Sunday, and that potentially screws my entire week up. Like this week for example. I had panic attacks sunday night, and basically no sleep. Therefore Monday was just horrible, I felt exhausted, and when I'm exhausted my anxiety often tries to take advantage of my weak state, and kicks in again throughout the day and night which can lead to yet another bad night. Which happened. It's Tuesday and I am just a zombie. I've read that anxiety meds can cause a lot of bad side effects, and can even make it worse. Apparently it takes up to a year for your brain to even realise that the meds are helping. I'm not really sure what to do.

Displayname Low iron and anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi does anyone else suffer from low iron ? Both my GP and psychologist say there is no link between anxiety and low iron and neither should effect the other . I find when my iron is low my anxiety is high. Would love to here anyone else's thoughts on... View more

Hi does anyone else suffer from low iron ? Both my GP and psychologist say there is no link between anxiety and low iron and neither should effect the other . I find when my iron is low my anxiety is high. Would love to here anyone else's thoughts on this

nj86 feeling very overwhelmed,can't sleep :(
  • replies: 6

A few bad nights sleep, very common for me as I don't sleep well at all, now its caught up and my anxiety is through the roof, now I'm all worked up and worried about not sleeping, haven't been able to go to work for two days this week because now I ... View more

A few bad nights sleep, very common for me as I don't sleep well at all, now its caught up and my anxiety is through the roof, now I'm all worked up and worried about not sleeping, haven't been able to go to work for two days this week because now I feel so sick, and I'm exhausted. I love to exercise and eat healthy but now all I can do is lay in bed and not even eat.

Chloekat84 Finally get to see a psychiatrist but its not for 2 monthes!!!!!
  • replies: 2

Well my doc has organised me to see a psychiatrist but its not until the end of september! I dont know how im going to get through until then. Just thinkinh about it makes me hyperventilate. i see a psycholoist next week though so thats something. Fe... View more

Well my doc has organised me to see a psychiatrist but its not until the end of september! I dont know how im going to get through until then. Just thinkinh about it makes me hyperventilate. i see a psycholoist next week though so thats something. Feeling really low at the moment and trying to hold back the tears. I feel soo low right now its not funny. I dont know how to crawl out of this hole thats getting bigger and bigger. i dont know how to get through the next few monthes as i really need to see a psychiatrist asap! I dont know wat else to say so yeh :'(

Casey4 MAJOR ANXIETY
  • replies: 2

Hello. Haven't really used this website much although now i feel like i need it more than ever. I have been dealing with anxiety for a while now.. Home was my safety zone... but recently had to move out into our own place. I constantly feel like im h... View more

Hello. Haven't really used this website much although now i feel like i need it more than ever. I have been dealing with anxiety for a while now.. Home was my safety zone... but recently had to move out into our own place. I constantly feel like im having a heart attack or im going to pass out. I used to see someone but didn't finding breathing or anything helpful as when im in a panic i forget all the things and breathing just makes me panic more. I used to take meds but didn't find them to help, found it worse actually which is weird. If it was up to me i would stay at my family home forever and never leave. Moving out for the first time is supposed to be fun.. i am NOT having fun. Its terrifying and scary and i constantly feel like im going to die. I have it when i go out anywhere.. i always have to know where the exits are and if i can buy it online i do that instead of going out. I cant live my life like this forever.. so someone please give me advice and help me out. im struggling and by struggling i mean REALLY REALLY REALLY struggling. I dont want to be like this for the rest of my life, i want to be able to go out somewhere and not even worry about "if" im going to die, if im going to be sick or if im going to pass out. Please share any experiences or helpful hints that you have... ill try ANYTHING not to feel like this anymore. Thanks for reading!

Clara Dealing with anxiety... without treatment or support
  • replies: 9

Hi everyone, I've recently joined Beyondblue hoping that connecting with others will help. I was diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder around 6 years ago. After 3 years of treatment, my therapist considered I was doing well enough to continue t... View more

Hi everyone, I've recently joined Beyondblue hoping that connecting with others will help. I was diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder around 6 years ago. After 3 years of treatment, my therapist considered I was doing well enough to continue the journey on my own and without any medication. Even though I've learnt a fair bit about Anxiety, the fight over the last three years hasn't been easy without treatment or any support other than my partner (living in Australia I'm away from all my loved ones). Although at times it can become hell, inside me I know that I'm not that far from recovery...I just need that little 'push' from the right person or treatment. I just don't know where to find it. Any ideas on how to get help without medication or breaking the bank? All comments and suggestions welcome Have a great evening Clara

MCA Am I having panic attack?
  • replies: 5

Hi, I am new to the forum. I started having symptoms like numbness on the fingers and feet, tightening of the chest area and having difficulty in breathing around 6 months ago. I thought I was going to pass out with my heart racing and was taken to t... View more

Hi, I am new to the forum. I started having symptoms like numbness on the fingers and feet, tightening of the chest area and having difficulty in breathing around 6 months ago. I thought I was going to pass out with my heart racing and was taken to the hospital where they checked my heart. The result came out inconclusive and found no problem with the heart. I took a vitamin that night prior to the attack. I had a retina detachment operation 12 months ago and have been relying on one eye for vision. Since then I have been having on and off episodes of the same symptoms. It happens sometimes when I read some article about people having suicide or depressed and sometimes just out of no where when I am working or reading a newspaper. When the panic kicks in, the more I think about it, the worst it gets and I am so afraid that I will have a heart attack. I am at the point that I am constantly worrying about when the symptoms will come again. I have the following questions: 1) Is this considered a panic attack? 2) How serious is my symptoms? 3) I went to a local GP and he heard my "story" for 30 seconds and prescribed me with some medicine and told me to take it continuously for two weeks and the "attack" would go away. Is that right? 4) I have scheduled an eye operation for squinting (retina detachment side effects) in 10 days time and I am having the panic episodes more often lately. However, I have been told not to take the prescribed medication in case it interfere with the anesthetic during operation. What can I do now to stop the panic without medication? Hope someone out there have similar experience who can share.

Shell4444 My anxiety is ruling my life
  • replies: 4

At times i feel ok and pat myself on the back if I have tackled something like the shopping and survived quite happily, other times I have to approach everything with military precision and wake up with that anxious feeling and a sense of dread.becau... View more

At times i feel ok and pat myself on the back if I have tackled something like the shopping and survived quite happily, other times I have to approach everything with military precision and wake up with that anxious feeling and a sense of dread.because I have to face the outside world. I tell myself when Im in military precision mode that this is stupid, nothing bad is going to happen but I feel faint and that I have no control over myself or my world. My doctor has started me on medication which he says will take about a month to kick in, in the meantime I want to hide. I try to push myself out of my comfort zone every day because locking myself away is not doing me any good. I am seeing my psychologist this week. In my previous post I felt I might have rounded the corner but I dont feel I have any control anymore and I cant give in, but at the moment my ability to fight is running out. How does everybody else cope, Michelle

EW Fear of feeling sick/dating/anxiety
  • replies: 7

Since about the age of 12 I've been scared of feeling sick when in restaurants or at people's houses for dinner. For a long time I avoided these situations or simply felt miserable throughout the evening feeling sick and panicked. The situation is mu... View more

Since about the age of 12 I've been scared of feeling sick when in restaurants or at people's houses for dinner. For a long time I avoided these situations or simply felt miserable throughout the evening feeling sick and panicked. The situation is much better now and I often enjoy a meal out with friends. However, I still struggle terribly with situations I find stressful in particular going out for dinner on a date! Unfortunately, the anxiety isn't relieved on leaving the restaurant and if I continue to date the person the anxiety remains whether he is there or not and I am unable to eat at all resulting in unhealthy weight-loss and constant anxiety that interferes with my every day life. Benzodiazepines do not work and I have tried CBT, which has helped to a certain extent but the panic is so overwhelming I've actually been sick on occasion. This is really getting in the way of me living how I want to and often leads to depression. Has anyone else suffered from this and how did you get over it. I have been prescribed an SSRI which is said to help anxiety and panic disorder, but I am hesitating to take it. Has anyone experienced something similar and how did you resolve it, I'm sure it can be!

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