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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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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.

alicia I dont know what to do anymore and im worrying myself sick..
  • replies: 5

i don't understand whats happening to me, i thought i got over my anxiety and out of the blue when i was watching a movie with my husband i had a sudden panic attack that was back in May, since then i have been worried if il keep getting them. i star... View more

i don't understand whats happening to me, i thought i got over my anxiety and out of the blue when i was watching a movie with my husband i had a sudden panic attack that was back in May, since then i have been worried if il keep getting them. i started feeling better again until i landed back from the UK and felt abit sick so i took some cold and flu tablets and had an immediate allergic reaction and was taken to hospital i have never had a reaction to anything before. since then i have not been able to eat properly and i get scared of having an allergic reaction even though i had it before with meds not food and every time i go to eat i basically have a panic attack and think my throat and face is swelling up and im constantly checking in the mirror poking my tongue out to check im ok.. i get all light headed and start to space out alot more often than what i used to its like im not even real when this happens, i have now lost 6 kilos in 4/5 weeks unintentionally. its starting to take a toll on me at work as i keep freaking out over everything like if i feel something like a pain in my body or if i feel remotely sick i get obsessed with where the pain is from and think im going to die and now even my husbands calling me paranoid and says i freak out allot. I am always feeling so heavy, weak, tired and really emotional i couldn't stop crying today for no reason i am worrying myself sick with whats going on with my body, i also have been getting bad reflux when i try and eat and upset guts getting diarrhea. i have been to the doctors and had blood test done on nearly everything except hcg levels and they all came back fine stool samples to see if i have a parasitic infection ( i had one back in feb) and those test came back clear, i also told them i came off the contraceptive pill 7 weeks ago and all they have said is it may make me have mood swings, could coming off the pill make me feel like this?? like im going crazy??. im so worried that i cannot eat and recently cant really stomach water .i just want to go back to normal again and stop freaking out but i dont know how or what to do!! has anyone had symptoms like this or know of anything i can do to help??

jac__ Possbile Anxiety ?
  • replies: 4

I get really anxious over stupid little things, like when my teacher picks people to read out of the text book or when I have to get up to walk in front of the class. Even when I have to press the bell and walk off of the bus, I play it over and over... View more

I get really anxious over stupid little things, like when my teacher picks people to read out of the text book or when I have to get up to walk in front of the class. Even when I have to press the bell and walk off of the bus, I play it over and over in my head planning out what I am going to do before I actually do it and I have major butterflies and I just feel really nervous for some reason. Those are the small things but the bigger ones are if I have to speak in front of people or when I get confused or lost/stressed and upset. I get really overwhelmed, for example one day I had an exam over the phone that I hadn't studied for and I had no idea what to do and I broke down crying and I felt so overwhelmed that I couldn't stop crying, I was shaking and I felt like I was going to be sick and for the rest of the day I was just really jittery. Another time I was late for school so I was naturally really anxious about getting in trouble and some things happened and I got really confused as to where I was meant to be going and all of a sudden I started crying and I ran to the bathroom and locked myself in the cubicle. Some of the things I remember feeling were: Shaking, Cold but then hot flushes, headaches, feeling like I was going to be sick, I couldn't stop crying and I had massive butterflies in my stomach for the rest of the day. It was like I was fine one minute and the next I wasn't. After that, I researched anxiety and I thought I may have some form of anxiety but I keep telling myself that I am overexaggerating. This may sound stupid but I keep thinking that I'm just doing this for attention so that people will feel sympathy for me, but i'm not that type of person and it is driving me mad. I want to tell someone but I keep telling myself that I don't have anxiety which is kind of making me believe that I don't and if I tell someone and I don't actually have anxiety I think I would be really embarassed and I wouldn't know what to do. I know that my parents and friends would want to help me whatever happens but i can't help feeling this way. I don't know what to do, if anyone could give me some advice/help me that would be great, even just give me your opinion on this situation please???

Sandy78 I'm worried about where my life is going to end up.
  • replies: 3

I've suffered anxiety and depression for about 10 years now. Ive also suffered with anorexia and bulimia. I've been married for 13 years and my husband has stuck by me through all this time. I've tried just about every medication there is out there w... View more

I've suffered anxiety and depression for about 10 years now. Ive also suffered with anorexia and bulimia. I've been married for 13 years and my husband has stuck by me through all this time. I've tried just about every medication there is out there with no success. i think they made me worse. I've been seeing councilors for all these years and do my best to stay on top of things. I get up and go to work every day, I look after my 2 children with my husbands support. I exercise 5 days a week and I don't withdraw myself from social situations and do things that used to make me happy. But none of this works. I can't seem to find a medication that helps and lately I've come to a point where I just want to give up and sleep all the time. My husband says Ive been just like a zombie for the past year. I'm there in body but not really mind. I haven't been happy for a long time and I'm always sad. Is there really any hope. I know there are a lot of people a lot worse off than me but it doesn't make any difference knowing this. My 6 year old daughter last night asked my husband " is mummy ever going to be happy". I just don't know what to do anymore.

worriedrachael CHEST TIGHTNESS??????
  • replies: 3

Help! *a little disclaimer * i have had my heart listened to and I have been told that I have no trace of asthma. so my new anxiety symptom( I thought I had experienced thm all!) is chest tighness? please if anyone gets this let me know your experien... View more

Help! *a little disclaimer * i have had my heart listened to and I have been told that I have no trace of asthma. so my new anxiety symptom( I thought I had experienced thm all!) is chest tighness? please if anyone gets this let me know your experience and if you have overcome it. my chest tightness feels like someone is sitting on my chest and is so uncomfortable , but goes away if I can distract myself.... i feel like I'm going bonkers....yes I have started to see a pschcologist also seeing bev aisbett for a counselling session( she is the author of the "IT" series) I have been prescribed medication and am still contemplating it. Has anyone been on an anti-depressant? thanks xxxx

abluejay i don't know what other choice i have
  • replies: 1

my life is a mess. it's over. there is no way out for me anymore. i have severe agoraphobia and can barely leave the house and i've been like this for years. i have zero support and spend 90 percent of the time completely on my own locked in the hous... View more

my life is a mess. it's over. there is no way out for me anymore. i have severe agoraphobia and can barely leave the house and i've been like this for years. i have zero support and spend 90 percent of the time completely on my own locked in the house staring at four walls and listening to my own thoughts. i have nobody that loves me or cares or checks in. i had so many dreams and they are all without reach. i can barely look after myself and i am 37!!!!!! and i have the capacity of a toddler for self care right now. There is something so terribly wrong with my brain, i can feel it and i feel like i am dying all the time. I want to be strong enough to put myself out of my misery. but i am scared.

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