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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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Scott_O Just so i dont feel so alone
  • replies: 3

Does anyone else go through acid reflux, burping just general stomach stuff with their anxiety, i have had blood tests, ultrasound, seen a gastrointestinal specialist and she just said to diaphragm breathe, i think because i dont know anyone personal... View more

Does anyone else go through acid reflux, burping just general stomach stuff with their anxiety, i have had blood tests, ultrasound, seen a gastrointestinal specialist and she just said to diaphragm breathe, i think because i dont know anyone personally going through this it really triggers my health anxiety.

GreenEgg Birthday anxiety & sadness
  • replies: 9

Hello My birthday is coming up and it’s a big one. I’m feeling a bit pressured and stressed about having a party or even just a big dinner. Does anyone feels the same around their birthdays? Secretly I kind of wish I could have a big party with lots ... View more

Hello My birthday is coming up and it’s a big one. I’m feeling a bit pressured and stressed about having a party or even just a big dinner. Does anyone feels the same around their birthdays? Secretly I kind of wish I could have a big party with lots of family and friends and everyone have fun. In reality I don’t think this will ever happen, so I downplay the whole thing.Its kind of a storm for me:- creating in my own head competing demands between friends v family- worry that no one will even want to attend or be able to - worry that if people do attend they won’t have fun, will find it awkward or judge me for not having many friends- worry about ageing and expectations around that and feeling behind- worry about all the planning aspects, which isn’t my forte. And the list goes on and on. Even things that should be simple like choosing a date turn into these huge stressful things. CheersG

Kourtney Anxiety attacks over a new relationship
  • replies: 1

I’ve been having bad anxiety attacks that have been lasting over 2 hours, I think it is caused by a new relationship and my brain thinking the worst, he tells me everything is good between us, but my brain doesn’t comprehend that and I have attacks o... View more

I’ve been having bad anxiety attacks that have been lasting over 2 hours, I think it is caused by a new relationship and my brain thinking the worst, he tells me everything is good between us, but my brain doesn’t comprehend that and I have attacks over it

TomC Anxiety Attack - Stupid Reason
  • replies: 5

Good Morning, I made a stupid spelling mistake on a website yesterday - the word ended up being a word in another language that has illegal matter based on it. I never knew - and it was a very basic spelling mistake (one letter, next to each other on... View more

Good Morning, I made a stupid spelling mistake on a website yesterday - the word ended up being a word in another language that has illegal matter based on it. I never knew - and it was a very basic spelling mistake (one letter, next to each other on the keyboard). A federal warning appeared on my screen, and I immediately closed the window. I never saw anything. I have now had severe anxiety attacks (have had several attacks over my life, had help), based on being concern this will trigger the police and I will have legal issue , based on a mistake of one letter. I understand no-one can provide legal help on these forums - but common sense and guidance to my anxiety might help lower my levels

Skittles92 Adhd Diagnosis
  • replies: 1

Hi all, I've been in therapy for a bit but lately my depression has gotten alot worse. They have mentioned that it's caused by my untreated adhd but I haven't the first clue on where to start with getting diagnosed. Can anyone help me out? View more

Hi all, I've been in therapy for a bit but lately my depression has gotten alot worse. They have mentioned that it's caused by my untreated adhd but I haven't the first clue on where to start with getting diagnosed. Can anyone help me out?

TunnelVision Motivation strategies
  • replies: 3

Hello All. I've been an occasional visitor here over the past few years and thought I'd check in with you all on what you are doing to build your motivation again when you are on the path to recovery from anxiety. I recently started taking medication... View more

Hello All. I've been an occasional visitor here over the past few years and thought I'd check in with you all on what you are doing to build your motivation again when you are on the path to recovery from anxiety. I recently started taking medication to help deal as it had become a major problem and in the past year or so had spiralled down to the point I have lost all interest in doing anything much outside of the day to day. However I have other physical health issues I need to deal with and am struggling to keep motivated to do that. I know I am able to get stuff done. I work full time, have 3 kids and take care of a whole house by myself. But I need to start making my health a priority in there somewhere and I really struggle with keeping that going. I am still in the settling in phase of taking the meds and I know that once I've reached a more 'even' state I will be able start addressing other issues a bit better, but I guess my fear is that any motivation I'm able to build will just dwindle like it always does. So I'm looking for some strategies that will help me with that and would love to hear what works for you.

MHY Severe anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hey members I am new I am wanting to know some tips and tricks with out medication for dealing with severe anxiety I have a two year old and a 5 month old I am at home with they are amazing kids But during the day and evenings I am getting a tight th... View more

Hey members I am new I am wanting to know some tips and tricks with out medication for dealing with severe anxiety I have a two year old and a 5 month old I am at home with they are amazing kids But during the day and evenings I am getting a tight throat, chest pain, feel like my lungs/chest are heavy ,body is lethargic all the time I am getting face tingles and feel like there is so much pressure in my forehead it’s going to explode sometimes what has anyone done about this if they have suffered it ?

James2018 Feeling light headed & woozy could this be due to TIGHT NECK MUSCLES?
  • replies: 12

I have recently gone through a lot of tests for other symptoms but these tests were numerous and all over body tests. Recently following an osteopath visit I am extremely dizzy/light headed/woozy and at the same time and am experiencing very tight ne... View more

I have recently gone through a lot of tests for other symptoms but these tests were numerous and all over body tests. Recently following an osteopath visit I am extremely dizzy/light headed/woozy and at the same time and am experiencing very tight neck muscles not painful) and shoulders. Can tight neck muscles cause light headed/wooziness?

kippytalk I’m okay with my Trichotillomania
  • replies: 2

I have severe anxiety/stress challenges while also living with bi-polar disorder and Trichotillomania. My Trichotillomania started with plucking my eyebrows then eyelashes - and only over plucked one of my eyebrows and thankfully stopped my plucking ... View more

I have severe anxiety/stress challenges while also living with bi-polar disorder and Trichotillomania. My Trichotillomania started with plucking my eyebrows then eyelashes - and only over plucked one of my eyebrows and thankfully stopped my plucking my eyelashes soon after beginning. But now I’ve turned to a ‘safer’ option of plucking a patch of hair on my leg. I find this area safer as theres less room for error, people wont notice it, and i can shave my legs and any strange leg hair patterns go with it. I’m aware that this is not a good habit, and the logical part of my brain tells me not to do it. But the sense of relief I get from doing it does seem helpful, and it provides somewhat a level of comfort and anxiety relief that allows me to go back to what i was doing. But I have at times been consumed for hours by this which doesn’t feel good. Part of me thinks ‘This isn’t so bad of a habit.’ because of the ‘reward’ ie sense of relief… but the other part of me knows this could potentially get worse or spiral out of control. I need some good advice based on experience and facts that will help me before its possibly too late. Will this get worse or am I feeding my addiction ‘safely’?

BrumBrum Health Anxiety Sucks!
  • replies: 3

I've been pretty level headed, but since my son was born a lot of my self-care time disappeared, combined with my professional life getting very busy, I've been finding stress beginning to add up in a way it never had before. 2022 took this up a whol... View more

I've been pretty level headed, but since my son was born a lot of my self-care time disappeared, combined with my professional life getting very busy, I've been finding stress beginning to add up in a way it never had before. 2022 took this up a whole other notch, I started with gallbladder removal, then mid year I went blind in one eye thanks to optic neuritis, which is perhaps the most stressful experience of my life. After all that I ended up having my appendix out in October. Long story short all the ingredients were there, but having a doctor tell me last week my vision loss was permanent. No recovery, plus not knowing why it even happened in the first place, and doctors thinking it's likely to re-occur, and potentially in both eyes... it just hit me really hard. Since Christmas Eve I have been experiencing panic attacks for the first time in my life. Up to several times a day. I've booked my GP ASAP but I'm just finding it really difficult. I KNOW my brain is doing excessive fight or flight, but it's incredibly difficult to try and calm myself or distract myself when the reminder of my anxiety is right there every second that I open my eyes. I think I'm at the point now where medication is likely to do a world of good because I am finding it challenging to function at work and for my family I am just constantly tired and irritable. I fall asleep and stay asleep OK, but wake up feeling like I haven't slept at all. I just can't believe how quickly this degenerated from being pretty manageable, to bowling me over. Logically I know it's not the end of the world. Logically I know so many people have such bigger problems and my life is pretty good overall. Logically I know I have one good eye and otherwise healthy and lots to appreciate in life, but my stupid brain just won't let me relax. Even when I'm not fixating on my eye, I find myself anticipating the next health crisis or bad thing that's going to happen. Even just reading back what I wrote, I feel like I am whining. After 12 months of endless health problems, setbacks and stress... I just want to feel normal again. I wish I'd known that 2021 was the last time I'd ever be "me" again. I suppose I should end with a question;Tips for tackling anxiety triggered by what is right in front of your eyes in every waking moment?