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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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Kandipants Admitting I have anxiety is depressing
  • replies: 3

This is the second time I have tried to write this, as my husband came into the room the first time and I quickly shut down the page as I felt embarrassed to admit there's a problem. I know in myself that I experience anxiety all the time with consta... View more

This is the second time I have tried to write this, as my husband came into the room the first time and I quickly shut down the page as I felt embarrassed to admit there's a problem. I know in myself that I experience anxiety all the time with constant fear of failure, worry of embarrassment for no good reason. But am finding it hard to admit because it again feels like I can't even get it right! Seriously! I feel as if I tell people that I have trouble controlling my own head, nobody would take anything I say or do seriously. Even now, as I write, I worry that I am not making sense and that I am putting myself out the to be judged. i feel crazy sometimes, in that I know I have an anxiety problem but don't want to address it for fear of... Outcome. I have feelings of fear and worthlessness at the idea of having anxiety, I think maybe because of societies views on mental illness, I don't want to be seen as 'mentally ill' . The idea of depression is depressing! how do other people go, first in admitting to yourself that there is a problem, but then to others? I know I should see my gp, but I don't even know what to say to him about it, then if I do go, then I have to tell my husband why, it feels easier just to keep pretending I'm not affected. Does anyone else have these crazy confused ideologies too?

Chloe123 Unsure of what to do.
  • replies: 2

Recently I have felt as though I am not in control of anything in my life. I have recently finished uni and I have to make some big decisions, such as finding a new job, where will I live etc and I am feeling alot of pressure from everyone.. I am not... View more

Recently I have felt as though I am not in control of anything in my life. I have recently finished uni and I have to make some big decisions, such as finding a new job, where will I live etc and I am feeling alot of pressure from everyone.. I am not sleeping and I continually am feeling anxious and my immune system is down meaning I am also getting sick alot. On top of this I am always tired, and I am starting to become obsessive with an ex who keeps coming in and out of my life who sometimes treats me perfectly and then other times treats me horribly. I don't know what to do and I don't have a regular GP or anyone that I can really talk to about this. I also don't want to go on medication but I just want to stop feeling continually anxious all the time.

Harriette What should I do?
  • replies: 1

I have trust issues and I am nervous around people due to my friends bulling me for being a little bit quirky at my old school last year and it still haunts me. I cry when I'm meant to be sleeping some I'm having trouble coping. I went to a therapist... View more

I have trust issues and I am nervous around people due to my friends bulling me for being a little bit quirky at my old school last year and it still haunts me. I cry when I'm meant to be sleeping some I'm having trouble coping. I went to a therapist a few times but my Mum thought I was fixed so she stopped taking me. I would really like to go back or do something to help me but I'm really scared to ask my Mum. She's really nice and would never hurt me, I'm just scared. Should I ask her or should I find some other way to feel better?

Darkatoms Anxiety in a box
  • replies: 1

It is a strange thing anxiety. It's like living in a box. Inside the box you are trapped with your thoroughly and they make your body do strange, unerring things. It's as if your the only one there. People around you just don't see any of it. The box... View more

It is a strange thing anxiety. It's like living in a box. Inside the box you are trapped with your thoroughly and they make your body do strange, unerring things. It's as if your the only one there. People around you just don't see any of it. The box is dark but you can still do everything you need to. But it's just not nice and the outlook looks grim. Outside the box is a different. Non of this can be seen. You about your day and every one sees a hard working confident person. Some how the box has magic and every makes you look good. I've had anxiety in for a few years now. And this is my take on it. It really gets to me but it is hard to find help you need. Like I should have been a sleep 3hr a go. But sleeping tablets don't work.

Emmy. Panic attacks - how to cope
  • replies: 2

Hi, I've recently started having panic attacks and always try to have an "escape plan" if I'm going somewhere new and try to divert my attention if I feel like I'm going to start having a panic attack. My pschologist says this is the wrong thing to d... View more

Hi, I've recently started having panic attacks and always try to have an "escape plan" if I'm going somewhere new and try to divert my attention if I feel like I'm going to start having a panic attack. My pschologist says this is the wrong thing to do. What does everyone else do when they feel an attack coming on?

lissyloo Severe anxiety
  • replies: 2

I saw my psychologist for the first time the other day and walked in feeling good and walked out feeling good. I'm looking forward to recovery. I did a quick survey and I have severe anxiety and moderate depression. I have a lot of physical symptoms.... View more

I saw my psychologist for the first time the other day and walked in feeling good and walked out feeling good. I'm looking forward to recovery. I did a quick survey and I have severe anxiety and moderate depression. I have a lot of physical symptoms. How will these physical symptoms go away? I feel like shit a lot and im over it. Does medication help reduce these symptoms? I have at least 20 different symptoms going on and maybe half are physical.

Zaffre Could I have an Anxiety Disorder? Please help.
  • replies: 1

Lately, I have been getting a weird feeling in my chest area that feels like a pronounced heart beat over the past week. It has been somewhat frequent, occurring about every 5-15 minutes. My parents think it's a muscle spasm but it feels more like it... View more

Lately, I have been getting a weird feeling in my chest area that feels like a pronounced heart beat over the past week. It has been somewhat frequent, occurring about every 5-15 minutes. My parents think it's a muscle spasm but it feels more like it's coming from my heart, like I'm having an extra heart beat or am skipping one. I also get dizzy often, nausea and tight muscles, as well as hold/cold hands and feet, and I sometimes receive tingling sensations in my hands and feet too. I am also a persistent worrier who gets frightened extremely easily. Some of my friends are saying it could be an anxiety disorder, but they don't know enough to be able to say for sure. One of my friends also believes I could have social anxiety because of how I act in social situations. I've always had very poor self-esteem, found it extremely difficult and stressful to talk in front of the class and even suggest ideas to a small group of friends. I never feel comfortable in any environment. My mind can be very fuzzy and I can't concentrate as easily as I used to be able to. Sometimes I can't keep still and other times I feel like I can't do anything but sit still. I don't have trouble being out of the house, but I do worry about the people around me. I get very stressed if I go to the city or a crowded place because of all the people there. When I am there, I can't stop thinking about strangers coming up and talking to me and it makes me ridiculously anxious. I want to ask my mum about seeing someone to see if I can get any treatment for this or even if it's something, anything at all but I feel guilty about going to the doctors because I feel like I don't have big and important enough problems that deserve any help. My whole family is a very "get over it" kind of family and I'm afraid that if it is nothing at all that I'll just look stupid and mum won't like that I wasted her time. I'm a 15 year old female as well, if that means anything. So could I have an anxiety disorder? Does it sound like something else maybe? Anything anyone has to say would be greatly appreciated. Even the slightest idea would mean everything to me. I just want some answers.

Natalie373 overwhelmed
  • replies: 4

In December 2012 I made a decision to go and talk to my GP about the way I had been feeling for about a year. I would get very worked up over very small things and find it difficult to calm down. Most of the time I couldn't explain to myself or anyon... View more

In December 2012 I made a decision to go and talk to my GP about the way I had been feeling for about a year. I would get very worked up over very small things and find it difficult to calm down. Most of the time I couldn't explain to myself or anyone else what i was really upset about which put a lot of pressure on my family and my partner. My GP put me on medication that was supposed to help me feel better and referred me to a psychologist who could assess what was going on and provide me with coping strategies. The psychologist was fantastic, she made me feel like my anxiety wasn't stupid or unnecessary and she asked all the right questions to help me explain what was happening in my head. Its hard even now for me to explain exactly what it is I worry about. But basically, I do not get the opportunity to enjoy life very often, because I automatically think of everything that can go wrong in a situation rather than all the positive things about what im doing. For example, I recently spent a lot of money on a holiday to new zealand to visit a good friend of mine. I spent 12 days in Christchurch and then went on to Auckland for a weekend and then intended to spend nights in sydney before returning home. However, after one day in Auckland I started to feel overwhelmed, homesick, panicy and stressed out. I spent a whole afternoon very upset and then spent the next day just wishing to be in Sydney. I hoped that I would feel better being back in Aus. But this didnt happen. By this stage i just wanted to come home and I got myself into such a panic that I changed my flight and flew home after one day. I was worried about walking at night, and getting lost, and running out of money, and something happening back home and so many other things. I am disgusted in my self for letting my worrying ruin my trip. I have spoken to my psychologist since and I feel somewhat better about it, but I still constantly worry about the possibilities of things going wrong. I just wanted to post this and share some of my feelings, I hope that someone can relate to how I am feeling because I feel very confused about everything, I dont trust my decisions and i dont feel like anyone in my life really understands.

hhalp feeling alone
  • replies: 1

hi there, i am currently a uni student, having finished year 12 last year, i think it was the trigger to my anxiety. All my life I have had a great group of friends whom i could tell everything to and trust. In the stress of year 12 i noticed myself ... View more

hi there, i am currently a uni student, having finished year 12 last year, i think it was the trigger to my anxiety. All my life I have had a great group of friends whom i could tell everything to and trust. In the stress of year 12 i noticed myself finding it increasingly difficult to talk to teachers and soon friends. I would get nervous and flustered asking questions, going red and stuttering. After year 12 things were a bit better, seeing friends and having a blast. Now university has started and none of my friends are at the same uni as me. I feel left out and have lost my close friends. I am still a part of the group of friends from school but i am so distanced from them, and a lot of the time left out of small fun things they do. I spend a lot of time in bed sitting on the internet because i feel safe in my own environment. But it only makes me more depressed at the thought of wasting my life away. I am okay in groups but I make life so awkward when it is just me and 1 other friend and my nervousness makes me appear rude and like i dont like the person im talking to. I am also at the age where people go out and drink and I use it as a mask so i can actually talk to my friends and appear more confident and fun than i am. But i hate it and it is no long-term fix. I also get nervous at family events, i cant hold a conversation with my aunty or uncle because i get so nervous for no reason. I get so jealous of my older brother and sister having such a stable group of friends, having them over all the time, seeing them and feeling like i could never just have friends over. This has spiralled into a slight depression and i usually feel like crap after most social events ie. family parties, friends birthdays, catchups etc. I also get random bursts of depression when i think about how im losing all those people around me and i cry a lot. The worst part is nobody knows because im too scared to have a normal conversation with anyone let alone talk about something so personal. I have been trying really hard by taking baby steps to build up confidence and social skills. I really hate when there is a lot of attention on me and one BIG thing was my birthday. I made a HUGE step in having a party which i havent done in years because i dont handle having friends over very well. I invited about 30 people and literally i had the worst time of my life but nobody knows. I was really nervous that it would be awkward and it wouldn't be fun and i feel like it lived up to those expectations. When people came over i just couldn't make conversation i kind of just standed there like a weirdo at my OWN party. I felt really bad because my parents made such an effort in helping me set up and when they asked if i enjoyed myself i told everyone i had a great night even though i cried after everyone had left. I felt so undeserving of all my presents. I have screwed things up with a guy i liked because I am too scared to go out with my friends let alone him. I always declined invites from him because despite wanting to go i felt it would be too awkward. I have pushed all the people i want in my life away because i simply can't socialize and express myself naturally. I want so desperately to simply be able to go out with a friend for a 'coffee' but i am too socially awkward. Along with this social phobia I am so confused about my life and what i want to do. My course is not very stable and is artsy so its one of those careers you have to put yourself out there and try and make it big and i feel like i will never have enough confidence to get to where i want to be despite loving the subject. I cant live like this anymore, i want to break free of all insecurities and make an impact on the world but my mind is holding me back. There is so much i want to do and say but i JUST CANT . This probably doesn't make sense but truly, my life doesnt make sense right now either! Any help would be much appreciated thanks.

maryloo help
  • replies: 1

i have suffered depression and anxiety for many years have tried many medications A and B they work for a while but then stop for some reason i hit a all time low 4 weeks ago at work and felt like i was loosing my mind my GP was away at the time and ... View more

i have suffered depression and anxiety for many years have tried many medications A and B they work for a while but then stop for some reason i hit a all time low 4 weeks ago at work and felt like i was loosing my mind my GP was away at the time and went to one who was taking her place he told me to go home and rest i couldnt stop crying and had felt let down i found a new gp who i now go to and he put me on C as well as the B that didnt work and i ended up going further down my GP set me up a video link with a psychiatrist as there is none where i live who then changed me back to A and D still no result she now has put me on D and E but i have had to come of the A. i dont know how much more i can take i just want a normal life i start on the E tomorrow morning i sure hope it works as i dont think i can go through another change i only sleep for approx 3 hours at night even though the D is a strong sleeper and i take 4 x 25mg each night it is like i am on a continous high . i have tried everything from excerise to music ,going for walks ,yoga happy to hear from anyone with any ideas i am getting desperate..

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