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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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Bushpuppet Anxiety? Stress? Something else? Scared and hopeless...
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone I’m completely new to this site and was referred to this by my doctor yesterday to seek some advice and knowledge about stress management. Long story short, I went there for a few things and talking about feeling how I have been was one o... View more

Hi everyone I’m completely new to this site and was referred to this by my doctor yesterday to seek some advice and knowledge about stress management. Long story short, I went there for a few things and talking about feeling how I have been was one of them. But as soon as she started asking questions, I felt very scared and played it down completely. She did say that if my feelings get to a point where they start to get on top of me, I should go back and see her. What I failed to tell her was that they are getting on top of me, and I feel I can’t cope much longer without treatment or answers sometime soon. I felt too scared, and now I will share what’s been going on in hope it will help me feel better until I can brave up and make another appointment to go back and see her Out of nowhere my heart will start beating really fast and it feels like I can hear my heart beat through the pulsing in my ears, as though I am hearing a beat through headphones – it is that clear. I start to feel some sort of déjà vu sensation like I’ve already experienced/done whatever it is I am doing in that very moment. This causes me to feel extremely overwhelmed and I find I start to sweat and suffer from dizziness. The sensation lasts for about a minute on average. This happens randomly. Some examples are: I will look at a street sign while walking down the street, playing a game on my phone, mid conversation with people and just sitting and working at my desk. It makes me feel a bit of panic and it takes me a lot of effort to focus on breathing and keeping calm so surrounding people don’t notice something is wrong. Sometimes the end result may leave me with a minor headache for about 10-15 minutes I feel constantly nervous and nauseous when I am at work, I find this incredibly difficult to switch off and it has gotten progressively worse over the last 3 months especially. I’ve found that I have had 2 people in particular within my workplace criticise and nit-pick at things. I feel that I have had 2 managers who have me under performance management. Lots of little annoying tasks are added to my workload. It is not the workload that is bothering me, it is the constant things added which is mainly double checking everything. If I miss/forget any of these things, I’mconfronted about it immediately, yet I have a team member who is known to waste time by reading eBooks online as well as on her iPhone – nothing is ever done about this, despite bringing it to my manager’s attention. I feel like I am constantly watched and being checked up on, I believe this behaviour is what has triggered my nervousness, nausea and minor paranoia. One of these people was an acting manager while someone was on maternity leave, they made it clear they do not like that person and had involved my manager in bitch sessions about her. I was constantly hearing negative stories and thoughts about this person, who I have had no problems with in the workplace. She returned to work in April and it has been very uncomfortable to be around because the other 2 are constantly bickering and trying to find ways to trip her up in her work or nit-pick at things she does and wears. One of them tried to tell me that she thinks this person is having an affair with the office manager, and there is a particular skirt she wears that is bright and short in length, an obvious sign she is trying to be flirtatious. I found both of these suggestions outrageous and completely disturbing and untrue. That was when I retracted and now sit at my desk with my headphones in. I avoid interaction with these people as much as I can. I sneak out to my lunch break to avoid being followed as I was finding my manager would tag along with me and bitch about this person the whole time. I would listen but not contribute anything negative. I also believe that because my feedback was not in line with her thoughts, I get treated differently I feel that due to all these politics, it has having a severe effect on my health and wellbeing. I have stopped eating well, when I do bother to eat at all. I am crying a lot either in the bathroom at work or when I get home. I have never experienced anything like this before so this is all very new and strange for me. I even chickened out of telling my doctor yesterday how severely unwell I feel when I asked for suggestions on how to cope with this, I made it sound like it’s not such a big deal. I’m currently seeking employment elsewhere as I don’t believe these issues can possibly be resolved given that the people involved are all heavily involved with how the business functions, one of the culprits in particular is very friendly with upper management so I think it’s just best that I cut my losses and move on ASAP. I am just hoping something comes up that can get me to escape very soon as I am not sure how much longer I can cope at the moment. I am still very hesitant to let HR know about these issues also. Scared it will make everything worse. If you’re still reading this, thanks for taking the time! I have no idea if this is what anxiety actually is, but whatever it is – I hate it and I hope by finding a job elsewhere, it will go away completely – my life outside of work is absolutely fantastic, I think that’s the only thing keeping me going right now!

needsupport stressed out
  • replies: 1

Hi I am a single parent, i have struggled with PTSD since experiencing Domestic Violence 13 years ago. My son has regular contact with his father and is now being treated for GAD. I am struggling because his behavior reminds me of his father and henc... View more

Hi I am a single parent, i have struggled with PTSD since experiencing Domestic Violence 13 years ago. My son has regular contact with his father and is now being treated for GAD. I am struggling because his behavior reminds me of his father and hence triggers my PTSD. My family are inter-state.My son is sleeping in my room and is afraid to be left home alone ( he is almost 15). What support is there for me??i am doing my best to support him but at times, I really need a break. I am hoping when school goes back he will improve.

KatieG Anxiety has turned my life upside down.
  • replies: 7

I recently found out that I have anxiety and I have a very low understanding of the nature of it so forgive me if I say something incorrect. About 4 and a half months ago I got badly concussed on football tournament and from that somehow I developed ... View more

I recently found out that I have anxiety and I have a very low understanding of the nature of it so forgive me if I say something incorrect. About 4 and a half months ago I got badly concussed on football tournament and from that somehow I developed anxiety. I think it was always lurking in me somewhere but it has become a very serious issue for me now. Before the concussion (which is my third) I was confident, I loved being around people and has no problems speaking to anyone. Now the only people I can speak to are my parents and even that is hard for me. The thought of having to go to the shop, let alone interact with someone is so frightening for me and I hate it! I am so self conscious I can not be around people, I don't know I just think that they are judging me all the time. I have lost all but one of my friends and along with that because of my concussion I most likely will never be able to play football again because of my concussion which will completely ruin me. Football has been my life for a very long time and not being able to play will destroy me. I don't know where to turn, I'm so self conscious I can't even tell my psychologist everything that's going on so this is kinda my last resort if you think you can help me in anyway or just want to share something with me please, please do it really would help me a lot! Good luck to you all

staystrongsoldieron physical anxiety symptoms
  • replies: 1

I was diagnosed a year ago with GAD ocd and panic disorder, all severe. I am on medication to help with these conditions which has definitely helped with the GAD symptoms like agoraphobia, paranoia etc. But I still get thephysical symptoms. For the l... View more

I was diagnosed a year ago with GAD ocd and panic disorder, all severe. I am on medication to help with these conditions which has definitely helped with the GAD symptoms like agoraphobia, paranoia etc. But I still get thephysical symptoms. For the last week I have had bouts of nausea, constant dizziness/vertigo, headaches etc. I thought I was pregnant but that's been ruled out. I feel uneasy, lethargic, weak and tired. So then my health anxiety kicks in. I have had my ears checked? Nothing. pregnancy test negative. My BP was low day before yesterday but was ok when it was checked again yesterday. Becausee my meds have helped with my symptoms I have sort of forgotten how it felt when I was really bad and health anxiety takes over. Ive googled brain tumors, everything. Does anyone else have extreme dizziness for days on end, eyes sore, poor concentration and occasional nausea ? Thank u x

Pixie15 Do I let the Uni know about anxiety?
  • replies: 9

Hi, I am soon returning to Uni. I suffer some generalized anxiety but do not have a diagnosis. I do not match the clinical criteria. When I completed the enrollment I did not tick the box for mental health issues. I have completed a degree previously... View more

Hi, I am soon returning to Uni. I suffer some generalized anxiety but do not have a diagnosis. I do not match the clinical criteria. When I completed the enrollment I did not tick the box for mental health issues. I have completed a degree previously but did struggle with the stress of it and dropped out during the Honors year. Now I am wondering if I should have ticked the box to indicate I may need support but I am afraid of incurring unnecessary stigma. If anyone knows how the university may handle it. I would be pleased to hear. Thanks, Daisy101.

scorch Is it anxiety? Too scared to get help.
  • replies: 14

I don't really know what I'm doing here. I guess I've been struggling with stuff for awhile and I don't know where to turn. Maybe someone on this forum will help? Maybe not. Maybe I won't even manage to post this and it won't matter. I think I have s... View more

I don't really know what I'm doing here. I guess I've been struggling with stuff for awhile and I don't know where to turn. Maybe someone on this forum will help? Maybe not. Maybe I won't even manage to post this and it won't matter. I think I have some sort of anxiety disorder, but I've never gone to a doctor to be diagnosed. I just can't make myself do it. I keep telling myself I'll make an appointment but then I find an excuse to get out of it or I keep putting it off until 'next week.' This is going to be a long post all about me, and I'm sorry for being so selfish. But I think I really need help and I don't know how to go about it. I was diagnosed with depression as a teenager after my boss discovered my self harm. I was forced to see a doctor who saw me only once and then made me attend counseling. I faked my way through counseling, saying what I thought they wanted me to hear and then I moved town soon after. I never went back to any sort of counseling, nor have I told any doctors about my depression.I have learned to deal with my depression in my own way, without medication or help from other people. I no longer abuse alcohol, self harm, take illicit drugs, abuse painkillers, act promiscuously or smoke cigarettes. Instead I write (bad) poetry and songs which help to get me out of my own head for a time. I also read a lot, which helps me to think about other people/situations even if they are just fiction. I take photos and I play a musical instrument. These things seem a healthier way of keeping the blanket of sadness from smothering me.I am proud of what I have accomplished and how far I have come in the last 8 years.But I'm not better. I don't know how to deal with the feelings of anxiety I have. I'm too afraid to pick up the phone and call a friend - because what if they don't want to hear from me? I don't want to annoy them with a text. What if I invite them to have lunch and they say yes, but are really just being polite and don't want anything to do with me? What if they say no straight up? That will hurt a lot.Thanks to my indecision and fear I don't really have any friends anymore. I'm lonely and have no one to talk to about what I feel.If my husband is away overnight, I freak out. I can't sleep at the best of times, but when he is away I get paranoid. I have spent many nights huddled in the corner of our room - lights out, holding a knife and jumping at every sound... convinced someone is trying to get inside. Sometimes even when my husband is home I wake up in a sweat, hearing noises and thinking that someone is robbing us. Sometimes I'll wake him up and ask him to check the house, other times I'll stay frozen in fear - hardly breathing in case an intruder hears me. I have nightmares about 5 nights a week. I never sleep through a whole night.I hate social situations. I'm uncomfortable and awkward. I can't stand going out to a restaurant or person's house unless I am familiar with the place. I hate approaching a check out, I don't like ordering or speaking to the waiters/waitresses... partly because I'm shy, but mainly because I get overwhelmed with totally irrational fears that I can't even put a name to. In a room, I sit with my back against a wall. I get nervous, sweaty and a rapid heart rate if I have to walk through a crowd... and I definitely won't walk through one if I'm by myself.I rarely want to leave the house, and if I do it's to go somewhere quiet and secluded. When I do leave, I need to check the door to make sure I locked it, and if I don't double check I end up turning the car around, going home and making sure. I don't answer the phone if it rings. If someone is at the door, I hide on the floor and don't move until they go away.My husband loves me. We do so much together, he tries so hard and is so helpful, supportive and strong... but he doesn't understand how my brain works. It's like it never shuts off, and I'm filled with a noisy mess of non stop thoughts all trying to be heard over each other. It's like if I can't channel my thoughts and keep them in order my head will explode from the pressure. Usually I can write, or even just have a good cry, and it helps keep me sane... but sometimes I am so tempted to do something stupid like kill myself and it scares me. I don't understand it, I'm actually quite content with most aspects of my life... I'm not afraid of death, but I don't want to hasten the process. What is wrong with me? Does anyone else feel like this? What can I do to get help? I'm so terrified to go to the doctors... is there another way? Thanks for listening to me spout on. I appreciate it.

Taybug GAD, Health Anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi All, I have been reading through many posts on here, and was wondering whether anyone has any of the symptoms I have. I was diagnosed with GAD about 12 years ago. I hide it very very well as I don't want people to think I'm crazy. I was put on med... View more

Hi All, I have been reading through many posts on here, and was wondering whether anyone has any of the symptoms I have. I was diagnosed with GAD about 12 years ago. I hide it very very well as I don't want people to think I'm crazy. I was put on medication back then, and did some therapy. Every time I felt better I stopped my therapy. The meds I was on made me put on a whole lot of weight, and I began to not care about anything anymore. These meds literally gave me no good feelings at all. I had two children within that time, and stayed home to raise them. When my eldest turned about 3 I started to get very bad anxiety again. I started to rely on alcohol to make me feel better on the weekends, and needless to say it didn't end well. Especially when I was hungover I would have these terrible anxious feelings. It all culminated in me wanting to give up the meds, and I lost my license for 2 years for drink driving. I was unable to get the kids around and started to feel depressed. Long story short, the whole of last year I felt pretty good being off the meds. I am due to get my license back in July, and am getting married in October. My lifestyle has changed dramatically. I have given up drinking copious amount of alcohol, and am in a part time job as the kids start school this year. Anyway at the start of December I started to feel really unwell. Went to the doctor 2 weeks ago worried that I had some terrible disease. Panicked for the 3 days before I got the results, and they came back normal. However I can't shake this overall feeling of anxiety and depression. I have a lot to look forward to this year, but I don't really care. I feel strange, like I might throw up, I get this weird feeling like everything looks different, and I get very bad shakes all day in my hands. I am constantly googling what may be wrong with me. My fiancé is put under stress as I am just irritable, angry and stressed all the time. I have a referral to see a counsellor but haven't booked a session yet. I am scared to go to work today because I feel so ill and so sad. Will this ever go away? I love my children and my family, but just am not myself at all.... Any input would be great

Hayleyp Severe health anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hello i have been suffering from health anxiety for the past few years. I now however am unable to keep these thoughts under control. I am finding it really hard to make plans for the next year or 2 because I believe I will no longer be around. It se... View more

Hello i have been suffering from health anxiety for the past few years. I now however am unable to keep these thoughts under control. I am finding it really hard to make plans for the next year or 2 because I believe I will no longer be around. It seems to have started a few years ago following the loss of 2 pregnancies mid term...one at 19 weeks at one at 24 weeks. I then went on to have a successful pregnancy although the stress and anxiety throughout the whole pregnancy was extremely high! my first health related anxiety attack had me convinced I had MS. A few dr and ed visits and finally an MRI proved finally that I was ok. Since then I have convinced myself I have breast cancer, skin cancer, HIV, bowel cancer, pancreatic cancer and the most recent ovarian cancer. I am 38 years old and a registered nurse so constantly am exposed to people with all of the above conditions. it is all getting too much but now I cannot face my dr because I am too embarrassed to be turning up with yet another complaint. Has anyone found an effective treatment method for severe health anxiety?

BlueSunrise First time here....waking with anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi, (haven't used a forum for years so hope I'm doing this right?)I chose the name BlueSunrise cos' that's pretty much how it is. If I wake up during the night I'm fine but when I open my eyes and the sun is up the panic hits me. It's like a sudden a... View more

Hi, (haven't used a forum for years so hope I'm doing this right?)I chose the name BlueSunrise cos' that's pretty much how it is. If I wake up during the night I'm fine but when I open my eyes and the sun is up the panic hits me. It's like a sudden adrenalin rush to my stomach, that feeling of dread hits me, the thoughts start racing around my head and I do my best to stay in bed as long as possible (as I feel safe in bed) but when the alarm goes off to tell me it's time to get up and start the day it gets even worse. I do what I have to, I get my son ready for school (he's 6yrs old) but it's such an effort, I sort of feel paralyzed and just want to sit and do nothing but I feel being a mother is my only success so for him, I get thru it. As the day goes on it becomes less of a panic feeling to just anxiety, unless something happens during the day to cause a panic attack, it generally eases by night but then I have the dread of going to sleep knowing that it's going to start all over again when I wake. I'm on a lot of medications which obviously aren't working but am having troubles coming off them as the withdrawals are 'hell' for me. I've started seeing a psychologist which I'm finding really good, he's helping me work through it. I do see a psychiatrist but all he seems to do is talk about my medications, I have had to stop benzodiazepines because it brought back my addiction problems (that's a whole other story for another time,) am currently trying to come off antidepressants as in the 6months I've been on it I have put on about 20kilos which is causing me to feel very depressed and not wanting my partner to come near me. He is very understanding which is great but he has his own problems with depression.Sorry if I have rambled on, I tend to do that. Thanks for listening.BlueSunrise

Capibara How to deal with a highly anxious state?
  • replies: 3

Hi. Any recommndations as to how to manage when you feel higly anxious? Any tips will be really welcome. I am just having a very difficult time trying to control my anxiety. Many thanks

Hi. Any recommndations as to how to manage when you feel higly anxious? Any tips will be really welcome. I am just having a very difficult time trying to control my anxiety. Many thanks