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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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Aussie.Girl Suspected ADHD?
  • replies: 2

I know it's impossible to tell without an official diagnosis, but in my research of trying to figure out why I've always felt different or broken it's seeming increasingly likely that I have undiagnosed ADHD. I guess I just want someone elses opinion... View more

I know it's impossible to tell without an official diagnosis, but in my research of trying to figure out why I've always felt different or broken it's seeming increasingly likely that I have undiagnosed ADHD. I guess I just want someone elses opinion on whether this is a likely possibility, before I pursue the long and expensive task of trying to get an official diagnosis. I am not currently seeing a psychologist or GP for my mental health (but probably should be; it's just too expensive), however back when I was in school I was diagnosed with OCD, anxiety and panic attacks. I've never considered myself hyperactive (more shy and quiet) and achieved excellent marks in school so I didn't even think ADHD was a possibility previously. That said, I'm going to list some signs below that seem to fit with symptoms I have found for ADHD. # Frequent daydreaming. # I find making decisions (even small inconsequential ones) very difficult and stressful. It took me nearly a year to choose a new tablet when I was looking to replace my 7yr old iPad Air (only to buy an Air 4 because it was most similar). # Inability to sit still (again I don't consider myself hyperactive, but I usually shake or bounce my leg when sitting, or fiddle with my hands) # I prefer sitting on my feet, or with my knees up than sitting properly. # I constantly fidget with jewelry or my hands when speaking to anyone. If I'm really nervous I will sometimes pinch my palm repeatedly to the point where it leaves red marks. # I can make eye contact, but I generally look at peoples hair or mouths instead because staring into their eyes makes me uncomfortable. # Any kind of negative feedback (even constructive criticism) makes me unreasonably embarassed and upset. # I am almost incapable of completing one task at a time. I end up noticing other things and switching tasks halfway through. # I frequently multitask to the extent that seems strange to other people. Eg when working on TAFE assignments I would be singing, researching (reading) and then writing an essay without having to stop the song. # I struggle with procrastination and will avoid doing things until I have to. This also extends to being unable to start doing things I enjoy. # I will often forget to eat/drink if I am concentrating on something. # I have social anxiety and find it very difficult to connect with people or form lasting friendships. # High pain tolerance? I'm not sure as pain is very subjective... Does this sound like ADHD? Or is it anxiety?

Distraughtsister How do I control my fear and panic?
  • replies: 7

I have a sister who is a kind and beautiful soul. She quite literally does not hurt flies. She suffers from terrible anxiety and depression and it was recently suggested that she had undiagnosed ADHD which would make sense. She was in a health facili... View more

I have a sister who is a kind and beautiful soul. She quite literally does not hurt flies. She suffers from terrible anxiety and depression and it was recently suggested that she had undiagnosed ADHD which would make sense. She was in a health facility sometime ago and because friendly with another patient. She went into the other patient's room one night and sat on her bed chatting. Then she went back to her room. The other patient has accused her of rape. There is simply no way my sister did this. She is heterosexual. She is gentle and compassionate. She does not have a predatory bone in her body. Her trial is coming up. We are all terrified. Our father died 3 months ago. We are grieving. Our mother is elderly. We're scared of losing my sister too. We're scared of something awful happening to her. I can't sleep. I just want to cry all the time. I'm on anxiety medication but I have constant anxiety and feelings of panic. I have 3 young kids. I haven't told anyone including my husband because it's not my story and she's so mortified. I'm scared of her being judged by people who don't know or understand her. How do I get through this?

Natalie22 Difference between Anxiety & Angst
  • replies: 2

Hi. I have been diagnosed with GAD by psychiatrist . My psychologist told me that i have angst. What is the difference.

Hi. I have been diagnosed with GAD by psychiatrist . My psychologist told me that i have angst. What is the difference.

Flop Does my anxiety and position in life make me undatable?
  • replies: 13

Hello everyone, This is a bit of a different post but I'm looking for opinions from people that may have been in/are in a similar position and people who share similar struggles. I often feel quite lonely and have been single for about 1-2 years. I h... View more

Hello everyone, This is a bit of a different post but I'm looking for opinions from people that may have been in/are in a similar position and people who share similar struggles. I often feel quite lonely and have been single for about 1-2 years. I have a longing for companionship and love, but I haven't even begun looking, and he's why - I'm 24 now, and feel extremely behind in life. I'm on benefits, I don't work because of anxiety, I don't have my license, tho that and my anxiety are things I'm working on. I think I'm a nice person with lots of love to give, but I feel like anyone would look at these things and not want to give me a chance. I would give someone a chance in my position, but I worry most if not all people won't feel the same. I hope to hear from some of you and hear what you think. Thank you for reading

stell_a178 I don’t have any friends
  • replies: 3

Ever since I can remember I have had a hard time making and then keeping friends. This issue worsened after leaving highschool, into both working full time and university. I have found that trying to make friends and then keeping them has been so inc... View more

Ever since I can remember I have had a hard time making and then keeping friends. This issue worsened after leaving highschool, into both working full time and university. I have found that trying to make friends and then keeping them has been so incredibly draining for me. I find it tiring having to put on a face for people, having to smile and act happy when in reality I’m exhausted and my social battery is already on -5789%. I feel broken, because on one hand I really want a friend to hang out with and chat with. But there is another part of me that doesn’t have the energy to contribute into any friendships. I also find it hard to trust people, which usually leads to me ghosting on people. When people make one single mistake I tend to run and hide because my past friends have bullied me and made me the butt of the joke. Does anyone else have a similar experience? I’d like to know if I’m alone in this feeling or not. stella (20F)

Angie_2023 Betrayed by life in Canberra
  • replies: 1

When thinking about my younger years, I felt that me and kids from school, were surrounded by the armours of protections, love, and high importance. We had an army of teachers, family to make sure that our life is saved from brutality, immorality, an... View more

When thinking about my younger years, I felt that me and kids from school, were surrounded by the armours of protections, love, and high importance. We had an army of teachers, family to make sure that our life is saved from brutality, immorality, and cruelty. The naive sense of trust, that other people intentions are innocent, and people are wishing me well and are not going to cause any harm, often betrayed me. And keeps betraying me to these days. Everything then, was forgiven by adults. The students who failed exams were given another chance, the once who were lost in the city, were always picked up and delivered home. My cognitive abilities, decency have never been questioned. I would never think that life will deceive me even further, when lured by someone promising me paradise and place in the world to elevate my poor, disadvantage existence to better standard of living and safer place to raise children. Because the grass is greener on the other side.Again, I felt betrayed, betrayed when I have been downsized to someone inferior, who needs to build herself from the scratch. And all things I was taking for granted, self-worth, my acquired education, sense of humor place in group and in society. All of these has been taken away and replaced by the baby steps crawling towards the identity, I took for granted. My new self has been replaced with increments of contexts and doubts. Wearing different ensembles, hats, and resonating reflections. I learnt that every building block, cost me lots of work, effort and there is never the point when, something has been achieved for good. That this society structure, wants me to fit into mould, formed by expectation of functional scenarios. That, the little girl in me will never be visible or heard by anyone, as there is no longer anyone interested, or wanting to know her or have laugh with her. That perhaps, to better adjust to my projections, I must forget about her. She may emerge out of closet, when you going to speak, with your old friends or with your mum. But now, the landscape if quite raw, and you must show your resilience. Show that you know how to blend in. In one of the workplaces, I heard, that I should not ask for working from home - “Look at the kids, they are like little sponges, absorbing everything, you should be like them” My all-working life behind the façade of stiff politeness, people were putting rocks on my path. I stopped even asking why, but the fairy dream of godmother of kindness, goodwill has evaporated. No one would offer to rescue me, to be more understanding of my flaws. Contrary, there was no appreciation of hard work and unfair treatments from employers and harsh judgment with loathing my credibility or rights to have a job or human voice. On the surface, all was very appropriate with assistance of lip service and empty hostile shell inside. I felt betrayed.When I go to sleep, I am in another realm. All is safe and good up there. Reality scares me.

UncertainlyMe99 Cognitive issues due to anxiety? Or just dumb?
  • replies: 13

So for the past year or two ive had really bad cognitive issues, with my memory, concentration, decision-making, everything... I work in a casual hospitality job, which I enjoy very much most of the time, however I am sometimes a little absent-minded... View more

So for the past year or two ive had really bad cognitive issues, with my memory, concentration, decision-making, everything... I work in a casual hospitality job, which I enjoy very much most of the time, however I am sometimes a little absent-minded- despite trying my hardest- and people get annoyed at me. My confidence is at an all time low, and in spite of that i still have nothing against constructive criticism, however something that upsets me immensely is when you make a mistake and another person makes you feel like an idiot for it. Although ive had a pretty good life overall- despite mental health struggles for years- there have been a few people who have this way of reacting. It was happening a lot at work, and obviously when it does it makes me make even MORE mistakes because then i get even more flustered and doubtful. But they make degrading comments or look at you like you're stupid, and i dont think its because they are being mean necessarily, but i think they do it without realizing the effect it can have on some people. I dont react anymore, as they are unwilling to look at it from another perspective, but it takes so much out of me. It seems to happen a lot with these people when there are others around. So you can imagine its embarrassing for your struggling cognition to be brought to everyone's attention like that. Im really extremely sick of myself. I hate me so much and im not suicidal but im tired of trying and never being enough. This happened again last night, and I was even having such a good day- where I was keeping myself busy, did a bit of study before work, and tried to keep a positive attitude throughout the day. I was smiling, having engaging conversations with people, and then I make a mistake where I forgot to give an order to a customer for a few minutes because I got distracted attending some tables. I came back, and he started talking loudly (almost yelling) and telling me "why didn't you do this?" "You should have given the order, whats wrong with you?" I told him im sorry and i forgot, but he kept going on and on about it, talking to me like i made the biggest mistake in the world. I went silent and later on he kept asking if i was okay... I said I was fine and continued with whatever i was doing. I dont know what the point of this was. Forgetfulness, lack of concentration, easily distracted, can't think clearly. I feel dumb and stupid. If this is just who I am, I don't want to be this anymore.

Angie_2023 Update on discrimination of ADHD in workplace
  • replies: 3

After my stigmatisation by public service as outcast with adhd, I am pushed more and more to the edge of society. Since then I had two non for profit jobs. I alway look for jobs, but they do not last long, regardless of hard effort and no issues with... View more

After my stigmatisation by public service as outcast with adhd, I am pushed more and more to the edge of society. Since then I had two non for profit jobs. I alway look for jobs, but they do not last long, regardless of hard effort and no issues with performance. I had a 2 FWC cases and one is pending claiming general protection disability discrimination. Do not understand dismissal decisions for these government jobs. When each dismissal is putting me and my daughter into spiral of poverty and violence. Giving me next job by government by goodie organisation followed by very far fetched, explanation about dismissing me, can only trigger aggression from my partner, who with unproductive, useless women is more and more incline to vent all anger and use me as punching bag. My daughter could end up homeless and living in poverty if this adhd or as they call adhd - addict witch-hunt continues.

KEIRAISHERE I don't know what to do.
  • replies: 2

Hi all, when I was 18 months I was removed from my mother and father due to child neglection and domestic abuse, I grew up with 6 brothers and I was the only girl for 10-11 years until 2 other girls were fostered. When I was 6-7 I was getting sexuall... View more

Hi all, when I was 18 months I was removed from my mother and father due to child neglection and domestic abuse, I grew up with 6 brothers and I was the only girl for 10-11 years until 2 other girls were fostered. When I was 6-7 I was getting sexually assaulted by my 2nd oldest brother. (He was technically my cousin.). As a kid I never got the talk and didn't know that it was wrong, I kept that to myself for 16 years. When I was 15, My uncle started touching me inappropriately too, And I lived with him and saw him every day.That went on longer than what my 2nd eldest brothers did. I also grew up with verbal, emotional, and physical abuse being the least favourite child, I was also the 4th eldest out of 8, so I was the middle child, I got diagnosed with ADHD when I was at least 8 which annoyed my auntie and uncle because I'd always talk and talk and talk and never be able to focus until they put me on medication to hopefully shut me up, I was always being picked on by the younger and elder siblings except for my younger sisters who I ended up protecting from being bullied since they were the youngest out of us all. When I was 16, I went to this camp and we were all talking about family problems and somehow I brought up the fact I was being sexually assaulted at home which ended up with me being removed with my sibilings from my auntie and uncle, I had to have interviews with cops and describe everything in detail on camera with a microphone thing nearby, I ended up getting nervous and stressed all the time leading me to have breakdowns and Self-harm. I don't know how to cope with all this since since I still haven't gone to court or anything like that, my breakdowns and panic attacks are getting worse and my motivation and appetite have completely disappeared. I do have 2 therapists they don't relly help, and im seeking advice to distact myself from it all. Thank you for reading all of that.

Som High Heart Rate, no identifiable trigger
  • replies: 3

Hi All, Ive read through lots of BB forums but wanted to get some experience/advise for myself. Ive had anxiety since I can remember. During my 20's I remember my panick attacks being my heart rate sky rockets for what I feel is no identifiable reaso... View more

Hi All, Ive read through lots of BB forums but wanted to get some experience/advise for myself. Ive had anxiety since I can remember. During my 20's I remember my panick attacks being my heart rate sky rockets for what I feel is no identifiable reason. Once it's up I feel like it sometimes doesn't come down for weeks, this scares me. I'm now I'm my mid 30's, the panick attacks have continued in seasons and never fully gone away, I don't think they ever will. I've gone to therapy which has helped and I'm in therapy currently but I just can't seem to get past the physical feelings I have and no matter how many times I see a GP or get tests in convinced something it wrong with my. Ive been getting headaches, dizziness that will last the whole day and lately the heart palpitations are back. Doesn't matter if I'm sitting still, standing pushing my kid on a swing, my heart rate can sky rocket at any point. I feel like I'm at a point in my life that I should be relaxed. I'm not working, don't have worries financially and have 2 healthy happy children but here I sit with these feelings that there is constantly something physically wrong with me. My partner doesn't want to hear it anymore, he thinks I'm a hypochondriac and in starting to think I am to! I have never tried medication, is that something that should directly help with these physical symptoms of anxiety? I'm scared to try medication, even herbal supplements. It just all worries me. Any advice would be great

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