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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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anxiousguy Introducing Myself
  • replies: 4

Hello everybody. This is my first post and I thought I would tell you about my problems with anxiety and how it is impacting my life. I am 30 years of age and now know that I am suffering chronically from anxiety; constantly worrying about everything... View more

Hello everybody. This is my first post and I thought I would tell you about my problems with anxiety and how it is impacting my life. I am 30 years of age and now know that I am suffering chronically from anxiety; constantly worrying about everything no matter how small the matter. I first sought help for anxiety back at the start of 2010. Did some cognitive behaviour therapy which I found to be quite useless. So I finished up with my psychologist but anxiety has gotten worse since 2010. I currently work 12 hours a week in a very menial job that doesn't test my anxiety and is good for my health but I want to better myself and look at a career/skills training for a better financial future however I have deteriorated to the point where I believe I cannot do anything other than my basic/menial job. I suffer from fear as part of anxiety and at the point now that I cant even walk into a bar and ask for a job of fear I cant do the job and that it will all end quickly. 10 years ago at 20 I was nothing like this. I believed I could do anything, that I could conquer the world. I gained qualifications and had 3 good fulltime jobs but these came to an end. How things have changed. I now spend my life in fear, with worrying thoughts and I am now having images of my own funeral and me being in peace. I just don't see the point in life overall however I do enjoy the finer things in life which keeps me going in the meantime. I am contemplating trying to get on a disability support pension and leaving my job to pay for psychological sessions with other treatments rather than cbt but know this can only help so much. I am just not too well, fidgeting, restless, tired, thoughts running through my mind too often and also angry I have ended up in this position(not my fault though). In the meantime I will just keep doing the best I can meditating/exercising/eating properly and trying to enjoy the finer things in life. I am looking forward to contributing to the forum as much as possible and I know from reading certain posts I can relate well to other peoples problems. Have a good day everybody.

Jo3 Feeling empty and anxious
  • replies: 2

I am feeling a bit empty and anxious, actually sick in the pit of my stomach. I had a week off on the Gold Coast with my husband which was really nice. But now I'm home (another week off work) and I am feeling empty, depressed and anxious. I don't un... View more

I am feeling a bit empty and anxious, actually sick in the pit of my stomach. I had a week off on the Gold Coast with my husband which was really nice. But now I'm home (another week off work) and I am feeling empty, depressed and anxious. I don't understand why I'm feeling like this; I'm feeling panicky going back to work next week. I know I can't be "on holidays" forever. I just feel like I want to be somewhere else; it's a weird feeling (can't really explain). I didn't feel like this while away; it's only been today that I feel like this. It's like I can't handle all the day to day stuff - house, kids, dinners, house cleaning, bills, etc. I just don't want to know about any of it. I don't know, I'm not making sense - I wish i was away forever. Jo

EmmaMay Could I have Depression, as well as anxiety?
  • replies: 2

I have recently been diagnosed with Anxiety. I worry about things I can not control, like the end of the world, and smaller things such as going to school. I get so nervous being around people, I can never relax. I feel that I have to act in a certai... View more

I have recently been diagnosed with Anxiety. I worry about things I can not control, like the end of the world, and smaller things such as going to school. I get so nervous being around people, I can never relax. I feel that I have to act in a certain way and never reveal myself to others. Which makes it difficult to make friendships. I have had several panic attacks. I feel sad, physically and emotionally drained, and hopeless. I often feel like I am useless and have suicidal thoughts.Are these also symptoms of Anxiety? Or are these signs of depression?

Nakka anxiety and cleaning?
  • replies: 4

So im woundering if others go through this too. I cannot handle if my house is cluttered or has the smallest amount of mess it sets me off and i have to tidy asap or walk away(yet think about it constantly). And eer omg my bench! I cannot handle one ... View more

So im woundering if others go through this too. I cannot handle if my house is cluttered or has the smallest amount of mess it sets me off and i have to tidy asap or walk away(yet think about it constantly). And eer omg my bench! I cannot handle one crumb, one stain, one unrinsed dish nothing! I feel like IIam constantly cleaning my bench or checking tthat it is clean. It's funny because I am nnot a particularly tidy person and far from a clean freak. But it feels good doing this cleaning. Knowing its tidy. IIt's like therapy.

karan feeling useless , nervous(coward feeling), social phobia, low swlf esteem
  • replies: 2

Can't stay postive i am 24/m cos I had panic attack 10 months ago and feeling nervous and sacred all the time because I dont want another panic attack I hate the feeling of pani attack thats make me worry 24/7 which leads to anxiety and depression I ... View more

Can't stay postive i am 24/m cos I had panic attack 10 months ago and feeling nervous and sacred all the time because I dont want another panic attack I hate the feeling of pani attack thats make me worry 24/7 which leads to anxiety and depression I am just been diagnosed with anxiety and depression feelng bit ashamed cos its related to mental health feeling low about myself I was at clif b4 10 months at work but haven't really work from 10 months , atm cant go out cos I am sacred if I hv panic attack and even a small things trigger the anxiety sacred to stay alone but only with my gf

Strauchy Panic Disorder - Help Wanted.
  • replies: 7

Hi. I am a long term sufferer of panic disorder but have never been diagnosed and never sought direct help before. My panic disorder started about 10 years ago but I've had good years and bad ones during that time. The last 24 months have not been pa... View more

Hi. I am a long term sufferer of panic disorder but have never been diagnosed and never sought direct help before. My panic disorder started about 10 years ago but I've had good years and bad ones during that time. The last 24 months have not been particularly good. I have a high normal blood pressure around 140/85 which absolutely skyrockets during a panic attack to 170/110. This does not help my anxiety at all. I have been to a few GP's concerned about this and they have said I do not rquire medication. I was diagnosed with cardiac arrythmia and my blood tests showed a slight thyroid issue however nothing that apparently needed treatment. I also suffer from heart palpitations maybe a few times a week which I can describe feeling as like a sudden emptying of my chest. These generally trigger a panic attack. I drink too much. I drink both because I like it and as a coping mechanism to alleviate anxiety. However after a heavy drinking session my anxiety is always at its worst. I am often on the verge going to the ER absolutely certain that something serious is wrong with my heart. That THIS time I might die. My anxiety is effecting my personal and my work life. My personal life as I am often too anxiety ridden to do anything. And my work because I am missing days, or just feeling too anxious at work to really concentrate on my job. I have missed days from work and I am certain my reputation there has suffered from it. I would love if everybody understood anxiety, but I work in a blue collar, male dominated industry and even I wouldn't understand why somebody was just afraid of nothing if I didn't suffer from it. I have not told anybody at work as I don't beleive it would help. However worrying about my work performance only adds to my anxiety. Can anybody suggest what I should do about this? I have seen many GP's who seem to toss me out of thier office after 10 mins saying there is nothing wrong. Are there any GP's who are really good with panic disorder sufferers?

RecognisingAnxiety Anxiety/Mental Health Plan
  • replies: 5

Hi All, new here. I have suffered from anxiety for many years, and have coped as many others have done as I've read in the personal stories and threads, throwing myself into work and sedating with alcohol. Not a binge drinker partying all night, but ... View more

Hi All, new here. I have suffered from anxiety for many years, and have coped as many others have done as I've read in the personal stories and threads, throwing myself into work and sedating with alcohol. Not a binge drinker partying all night, but enough to dull me and get to bed by 9:30pm, then awake at dawn and back into it. Did that solid for the last 15 years - no socialising and they had to force me to take holidays. I've been like this most of my life recently however it has become overwhelming and I've stopped working and am seeking help to work it out. The usual symptoms outlined on sites like this - didn't want to see or talk to anyone or answer the phone, some OCD (esp when stressed), irritability, ages to fall asleep, neck/jaw/back pain, worrying about things which may (and didn't ever) happen etc.. My GP knows I had anxiety issues for a while and I have been on a low level antidepressant for ages which certainly helped. I saw her again last week outlining the issue and first action was blood tests, 24 BP check (my BP very high for my age - 43) and a mental health plan with some follow up counselling from a clinical psych. Of course, given my condition I'm pretty anxious about what to expect. Have of course stopped any drinking and getting myself out for a solid walk each day. I have told my parents and (albeit very limited) social group, so wondering what to expect next. Anyone have any advice? Thanks.

Katty What happened to my life?
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, my life has gone downhill in the last 6 months. I used to be the girl who would ride her motorbike anywhere, go get a tattoo on impulse, hang out with friends and have a drink. I don't know what set it off but I started having some sympt... View more

Hi everyone, my life has gone downhill in the last 6 months. I used to be the girl who would ride her motorbike anywhere, go get a tattoo on impulse, hang out with friends and have a drink. I don't know what set it off but I started having some symptoms of health problems eg: tight throat, light headed, heavy feeling in the chest. I've had ct scans, ecg's, blood tests, there is nothing physically wrong with me. Problem is now I feel worried all the time that somebody has missed something. I have panicky feelings about not being able to breathe, I've had nasal congestion for months now and that makes the panic worse, feeling like I can't breathe! The big worry is that now I'm too scared to take any medication of any type in case I'm allergic to it, even things I've had before like simple medication for a headache. I'm not allergic to anything, but now I worry my self silly thinking 'what if?' I want to go back to the person I was at the beginning of the year and not be this panicky nut bag I want to be able to go to the shops without being frightened that my throat will close and no one will be able to help me. Any advice would be much appreciated, thanks

tash_b Feeling overwhelmingly anxious about something that should be simple.
  • replies: 2

I have to go to the HCF Dentist this afternoon, and I have to go by myself and talk to the receptionist. My brother will be getting there later than me but is meant to have the first appointment, so I have to swap the two appointments around. I've ne... View more

I have to go to the HCF Dentist this afternoon, and I have to go by myself and talk to the receptionist. My brother will be getting there later than me but is meant to have the first appointment, so I have to swap the two appointments around. I've never had to go by myself and I know it sounds so petty but I'm really scared. Can anyone tell me what exactly you're meant to say to the receptionist when you get there, and do I need to go see the receptionist again after my appointment before I leave? I know how ridiculous this sounds and I hate that I can't just push my fears aside, but no one in my family understands how big a deal this is for me because they're all really confident and I'm just not. I also have a habit of making a complete fool of myself on a regular basis, and really want to avoid that which is why I'm feeling so nervous. Can anyone help?

messy29 Anyone out there with health anxiety?
  • replies: 3

I haven't sought help before this, but I am feeling so completely terrible that I thought it might be a good option. Long story short, I have had 5 deaths in the family in so many years and I suppose I am now very preoccupied with a fear of a termina... View more

I haven't sought help before this, but I am feeling so completely terrible that I thought it might be a good option. Long story short, I have had 5 deaths in the family in so many years and I suppose I am now very preoccupied with a fear of a terminal illness or death. Anxiety, which I have lived with for 6 years, is only starting to become 'unmanageable' now, after the death of my Nana one week ago. Has anyone else, with this kind of experience, had these kinds of episodes where you are just terrified of getting sick, or dying, or perhaps 'creating' symptoms? I keep getting these numb, tingly types of symptoms in my arms and hands, I am sure my anxiety is causing them (coupled with being a student and using a computer 10+ hours per day). Can anyone help? Need someone to talk to.