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

All discussions

Kitty_Kat Please Help Me
  • replies: 5

Hi, To start off, I would just like to say that I am a fairly young girl but I need help. There is a lot on my mind at the moment, so I have joined this online forum looking for help... Firstly, I have lots and lots of friends outside of school and I... View more

Hi, To start off, I would just like to say that I am a fairly young girl but I need help. There is a lot on my mind at the moment, so I have joined this online forum looking for help... Firstly, I have lots and lots of friends outside of school and I guess I would consider myself popular between those people, and they are the best people I could ask for. But when I step into school I find myself surrounded by these people who only really treat me badly. I have a few friends there, but the people they hang out with are just so horrible. If they treat me like I am nothing and take the only friends I have away from me, how am I to cope? Do I try and fight for them or do I let them push me around, because knowing me; I wouldn't have the courage to stand up for myself. I met this one girl, who was my best friend just like that! But I went on my class camp, and all of a sudden; there is this other girl with her. I understood that she is allowed to have more than one friend, but she happened to choose a girl that hates me. Every time I actually get the courage to approach them all she does is steal my friend away and doesn't let her be with me. This is like a stab in the heart for me because what we shared was something truly special and I miss what we had. Secondly, (this is more to do with anxiety) lately, every time something happens; big or small, but it hurts my feelings... I cry. But not just any crying, the type of crying when I have to leave the room, sit in the toilet getting scared because I cant stop. No matter what I do it doesn't stop and I am normally there for about 30-35 minutes waiting for it to stop. It has been happening for the past four weeks and it hasn't gotten any better or worse. I am seeing a counsellor about this but I would like some other advice for it because the more it happens, the more scared of it I get and I freak out every time it happens. Is this a form of anxiety? Because I don't really know what anxiety is and I want to have some kind of answer to why this crying thing is happening. Lastly, these days I have become very self conscious of the way I look, am and sound like. I am always thinking in my head, and I am not classified as a pretty girl at my school. I have freckles, a weird nose, a horrible height, a low voice and the only thing I like when I look in the mirror is either what I am wearing, my hair (long, curly, brunette) and my eyes (rich blue). I also try to make people laugh sometimes by being funny, which never works; and sometimes I seem to forget I am trying to fit in and I go a little crazy and be my self. Mum always says, just be yourself and everyone will like you. Well, when I do be myself people judge me, and I am the type who can't handle being judged in a bad way. I would really appreciate someone to reply because I need to serious help and I need answers to my problems, I am still only in year eight and I don't want to feel this way any longer. Love Kitty xxx

Mandakini Need to see doc for anxiety, OCD, hypochondria-ASAP! any suggestions?
  • replies: 2

Hi, I'm a 28yr old female . I am in desperate of some mental health as I seem to be going more downhill than up. I can't cope with my fears, phobias and anxieties anymore and it's affecting my everyday life. I have now turned to drinking a little thr... View more

Hi, I'm a 28yr old female . I am in desperate of some mental health as I seem to be going more downhill than up. I can't cope with my fears, phobias and anxieties anymore and it's affecting my everyday life. I have now turned to drinking a little through the day to get by which is very unhealthy since I am on medication. Obviously I don't feel that they are doing anything because I still cannot think clearly to live a "normal" life. Everyone in my life thinks it's just me being weak and not pushing through this hard enough, and maybe they are right? I just don't know anymore. I don't even know if I need mental health help or to just try and pull myself together- but like I said, I'm in so much confusion that just getting through the day is a triumph. So I need to talk to someone to sort this out for me because I can't do it alone. I'm a tourist in the area for at least 3 months and therefore have no insurance, but regardless, I have to get better. PLEASE PLEASE reply with some answers or encouraging words.

Anon71 Am i suffering from anxiety?
  • replies: 1

Hi, I had never considered that i was suffering from anxiety although i know that it runs in my family. I just felt i was awkward around people, but over the last 6 months it has got much worse. I started college this year and i did not really make a... View more

Hi, I had never considered that i was suffering from anxiety although i know that it runs in my family. I just felt i was awkward around people, but over the last 6 months it has got much worse. I started college this year and i did not really make any friends, and avoided talking to new people whenever possible. However i also feel like i have been losing my old friends and i fear situations where i will have to talk to people, whether i know them or not (although more so when not). I have found myself missing lots of college and not attempting to socialise with anybody and when I'm invited places I avoid going with various excuses. I hate being in groups of people and i always feel that nobody is interested in what i have to say or that they are judging me for what i do say- which is not much, as i can never find the words to take part in conversations. I used to be quite out going and friendly with lots of people but this has lessened over the years, reaching it's peak now. I am pretty sure i suffer from depression although i have not been diagnosed (but i see a therapist and she thinks that i am). It would be helpful if anyone could let me know if this sounds like social anxiety

vintage_kar <--------- Backspacer
  • replies: 3

Firstly hi, I've done a LOT of typing and backspacing. Backspacing. Backspacing. I avoid at all costs actually going to the doctor for help. In the past I have been told, 'don't drink' or 'it's situational'. I'd like to have 'situational' struck off ... View more

Firstly hi, I've done a LOT of typing and backspacing. Backspacing. Backspacing. I avoid at all costs actually going to the doctor for help. In the past I have been told, 'don't drink' or 'it's situational'. I'd like to have 'situational' struck off the vocabulary list for mental health speak. I know my situation is causing me anxiety, and yes my situation is crap. The thing is that I don't control the situation! Why is it ok that I suffer day in day out with constant anxiety and disgusting thoughts about being better off dead? Surely this can't be just situational? People seem to be able to sum up in a few words how I should go about dealing with my feelings. I know the thoughts are bad and abnormal. I just don't see any light. ~k

12alisonm Anxiety at university
  • replies: 2

I'm currently studying, but am finding it really hard to go to my lectures and tutorials because the entire time I'm there, I feel vaguely like I can't breathe! I've not had full panic attacks, but the constant nervousness and tight chest makes it re... View more

I'm currently studying, but am finding it really hard to go to my lectures and tutorials because the entire time I'm there, I feel vaguely like I can't breathe! I've not had full panic attacks, but the constant nervousness and tight chest makes it really hard for me to pay attention, and I dread going to tutorials where I have to talk to people. I'm starting to skip more and more classes, and I really don't want to jeopardise my degree. Does anyone have any tips on reducing the anxiety?!

Amali Relationship and social anxiety
  • replies: 2

I am currently in a relationship with a partner who I previously dated. We were together for 3 years and then broke up due to his hurtful behavior. We are trying to start fresh and have been back together for about 6 months. I have been having terrib... View more

I am currently in a relationship with a partner who I previously dated. We were together for 3 years and then broke up due to his hurtful behavior. We are trying to start fresh and have been back together for about 6 months. I have been having terrible anxiety and an irrational fear that he'll hurt me again. I break down when he says he's going out with friends and he recently booked an overseas holiday for 6 weeks and he wants to do it alone even though I would love to travel with him. I find myself turning into this insecure, clinging girlfriend who over analyses everything. I know this behavior will only push him away. I'm terrified of losing him again. I didn't think it would be this hard the second time and wish everything could go back to how it was before we broke up. I also suffer some social anxiety. I feel overwhelmed in social settings where I don't know many people. My partner is the complete opposite, very outgoing and makes friends easily. Im finding it hard to communicate how I'm feeling without getting overly emotional. My boyfriend hates to see me upset and just becomes distant when I'm upset. He wants to make me happy but I know I have to do my own things and make myself happy first. Many advice in this area would be greatly appreciated thanks TD

MyahLove1 How do you....
  • replies: 1

I'm new to this....which is something that makes anxious :S How do you get past the anxiety of the everyday world????

I'm new to this....which is something that makes anxious :S How do you get past the anxiety of the everyday world????

Rain_Girl Social Phobias
  • replies: 2

Hey guys Just wondering what social phobias some of you might have. one of mine is when I'm buying food... I often have to get my partner to do it for me because I feel really backed up in a corner for some reason. On the other hand, sometimes I'm pe... View more

Hey guys Just wondering what social phobias some of you might have. one of mine is when I'm buying food... I often have to get my partner to do it for me because I feel really backed up in a corner for some reason. On the other hand, sometimes I'm perfectly confident but as my partner knows of it he might bring it up and I get upset and back out. It's really embarrassing and seems silly, but it is a real problem. Another one is phone calls. I think its a judgment or embarrassment thing. I'm not too sure. All i know is from an early age i would rely on my younger sister when it came to us going into shops. Hope to hear from you all xoxo

shells dermatillamania
  • replies: 4

i had never heard of this before but just wondering does anyone else suffer from it? its very embarrassing. interested to know how others deal with it.

i had never heard of this before but just wondering does anyone else suffer from it? its very embarrassing. interested to know how others deal with it.

avalon2 Hi - Weird Thoughts - Anxiety
  • replies: 1

Ok, hi everyone I am new and nice to meet all of you, I am a 13 year old girl and I am still not sure whether I have anxiety or not but I thought I would come on here to chat and find people like me. Now onto the question, I have been having weird th... View more

Ok, hi everyone I am new and nice to meet all of you, I am a 13 year old girl and I am still not sure whether I have anxiety or not but I thought I would come on here to chat and find people like me. Now onto the question, I have been having weird thoughts which have been causing me discomfort. The thought is: "what if I swapped bodies with someone?", when I am watching someone perform or someone do something in front of a big crowd I start wondering what would happen if I became them, I start thinking of a plan of what I would do if it happened (if I was suddenly on stage as that person) and I find myself looking away from the person in fear of me becoming them. My heart starts beating fast and I repeat my 'plan' over and over again. It really freaks me out. Does this happen to anyone? Thanks, Avalon