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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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Ace1988 Anxiety or depression? Why not both...
  • replies: 3

Bit of a back story, I’ve been on medication for years now, for anxiety and depression. My anxiety is mostly health related and occasionally social. I’m a single mum, I’ve recently started and new job and a new relationship, which is so amazing and I... View more

Bit of a back story, I’ve been on medication for years now, for anxiety and depression. My anxiety is mostly health related and occasionally social. I’m a single mum, I’ve recently started and new job and a new relationship, which is so amazing and I’m so proud of how far I’ve come all by myself. I decided that I would slowly come of my meds and for the first month I felt great. This past couple of weeks though, I’ve noticed those little thoughts and feelings creeping back in and taking over my space again, particularly the health anxiety. I’ve been so teary and snappy and just not excited about doing a whole lot. I’m not excited about my new job which I’ve only been in for a month, and the thought of socialising just makes me cringe. I’m so disappointed and frustrated. Why can’t my brain be wired differently?

Kristy1234 Sister with severe anxiety, social phobia and OCD
  • replies: 1

Hello, I'm writing as a concerned family member for my sister who has had issues with anxiety, social phobia and OCD since she was a child, she's now 28 Mental illness has plagued our family for a very long time, and my parents seem to have given up ... View more

Hello, I'm writing as a concerned family member for my sister who has had issues with anxiety, social phobia and OCD since she was a child, she's now 28 Mental illness has plagued our family for a very long time, and my parents seem to have given up on knowing what to do by this point as she refuses professional help. She has continued to deteriorate with her anxieties and compulsions to the point she barely ever leaves the house, she is consumed by obsessive rituals and this causes huge worry and concern for the family. What I would really like is some advice and for anyone willing to share experiences of their own, regarding how to help a family member that is so trapped in their anxieties that they cannot help themselves to get professional help? When is the tough love approach needed? Does that approach work? Something needs to change as things are unfortunately not getting better and puts huge stress and burdon on my poor mother. Any thoughts and opinions on a very complex case would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance K

amber23 So Anxious...
  • replies: 1

I only just started asking employees at the shops questions if I can't find something. At school, I don't ask the teacher's things because I'm too anxious because I don't want them to yell at me. My dad yelled a lot so I am afraid if I ask something ... View more

I only just started asking employees at the shops questions if I can't find something. At school, I don't ask the teacher's things because I'm too anxious because I don't want them to yell at me. My dad yelled a lot so I am afraid if I ask something I will get yelled at. I know it's not true but I just have panic attacks every time I try.

Alizerath Misophonia causing panic attacks
  • replies: 1

I have had misophonia (the extreme hatred of sound) for as long as I can remember. its worsened to the point where I can't eat meals or be. around people who are eating without breaking down and having a fully fledged panic attack. my misophonia make... View more

I have had misophonia (the extreme hatred of sound) for as long as I can remember. its worsened to the point where I can't eat meals or be. around people who are eating without breaking down and having a fully fledged panic attack. my misophonia makes me into someone I'm not, someone violent, hateful and spiteful. my family just tells me to 'get over it' but it is so much harder then that. it makes me feel like im insane. My family constantly tells me to 'control my anxiety' as if I'm not trying. they have never offered me support however, or taken me to see a proffessional. I feel so alone. the worst thing was once at dinner my sister said 'anyone who has ever met you can tell you have anxiety" and. my family laughed. I just thought, if everyone knows I have anxiety, why has no one ever helped me? my parents promised me when I was about 12 that they would take me to see a proffessional, but nothing ever came of it. I am so exhausted, and I can't keep living like this. I have tried to ask for help, I have made it so obvious that I need help, but my family refuses to aknowledge it and tells me I need to 'get over it'. am I insane? Are they right? my oldest sister, who lives away from here has anxiety. my family constantly gossips about her and says she is a 'horrible person'. I know she isn't. I know she just feels the same way that I do and never received help. I hate being the way that I am, and if nothing changes I don't know what I'm going to do.

jess_b First time poster needing comfort in others going through the same
  • replies: 6

Hey guys! So this is my first time posting but I wanted to get some advice from others who suffer anxiety and experience the same and what you do to cope!! The past few days I have just been getting more and more anxious for no particular reason and ... View more

Hey guys! So this is my first time posting but I wanted to get some advice from others who suffer anxiety and experience the same and what you do to cope!! The past few days I have just been getting more and more anxious for no particular reason and sometimes it just feels like its so overwhelming that if I don’t stop those thoughts I’ll have a panic attack and loose control so I try and control them before I get to that point but then I’m constantly worried in my head about thinking about me being anxious and thinking about having an attack and loosing control it just seems like a vicious cycle I can’t get out of! My chest is tight and I feel shakey, no or little appetite, fidgeting, hot and cold flushes and just like a foggy dizzy view sometimes when I’m in the midst of it all! I couldn’t calm down last night i just felt constantly an underlying tone of anxiety but still pushed through and went and caught up with friends and it took me a while to fall asleep last night and then this morning I just woke up and felt immediately just anxious, did some mediation but I have to go to work today and I just wanted to chat with someone or others who go through this and am I normal haha how do you cope? What’s some strategies and does everyone just have those days that your anxiety just flares up for no reason? Any help or openess to chat would be appreciated

Bozo82 intrusive thoughts and images
  • replies: 11

Hi everyone. This is my first posting on this forum. I am trying to understand my state of mind these days. I have been reading about OCD and my behaviour certainly does seem to fit with the obsessional thinking that goes on with this condition. I ex... View more

Hi everyone. This is my first posting on this forum. I am trying to understand my state of mind these days. I have been reading about OCD and my behaviour certainly does seem to fit with the obsessional thinking that goes on with this condition. I experienced the exact same symptoms/behaviour when I was 19 and had my first 'real' girlfriend. It was not a pleasant relationship. Anyway, I am currently seeing a mental health professional as I experience intrusive images and thoughts when I am intimate with my current girlfriend. They were not present when we were first together (at this time I couldn't get enough of her, things were just bliss), it developed after a couple of months perhaps. I had an image of one of my male friends, and I have started catastrophizing the situation, calling myself gay and being extremely scared of becoming a homosexual (not that I am against homosexuality at all). Now the nonsense self-labeling and images tend to fill large parts of everyday, and they can be very aggressive. This has been going on a few months. Some days were/are very very tough. The funny thing is, I've been single the last four years, and never had these aggressive thoughts or images ever in that time (and during other periods of my life. I can't believe how unpleasant anxiety feels, and how it can make you doubt other things about yourself...Anyway, I'm interested if anybody else has had a similar experience? I have perused OCD literature and sexual obsessions seem to be somewhat common.

Towalkaway Anxiety - can feel the panic coming. Not sure what to do?
  • replies: 1

Hi, I work in a very male dominated environment and industry that is very archaic in it's treatment of people. It's a world of dog eat dog. People like nothing more then to see you fail. The façade that the company cares is there and that's about it.... View more

Hi, I work in a very male dominated environment and industry that is very archaic in it's treatment of people. It's a world of dog eat dog. People like nothing more then to see you fail. The façade that the company cares is there and that's about it. So over the years I have slowly worked my way up into a position that pays both very well and gives me ample time off. I was recently asked if I would consider going on a 1.5 to 2 year course for career advancement which would set the family up for life - hence I have accepted. This is where all the anxiety is now coming from. I am finding myself massively behind others in the course and pass rates are also very low for applicants with about 1 in 4 passing. So I am stuck in a really bad negative thought pattern, cannot sleep and waves of anxiety are frequent. Terrified I will have another panic attack again. Not sure what my next step should be - Cannot really have holidays due to the course and if I went out on stress leave or took long service leave I could pretty much guarantee my career would be over. Thinking the next step is to possibly leave this environment and find another job - though I'd be taking a massive pay cut which I'm stressing about as well in terms of raising a family. Any feedback would be much appreciated

Jks89 Anxious and paranoid about everything.
  • replies: 4

Iv been experiencing severe anxiety and paranoia about everything. I have a rapid heartbeat all the time and I feel that every one hates me. No matter where I go or who I interact with I can never seem to be good enough. I feel like every one is alwa... View more

Iv been experiencing severe anxiety and paranoia about everything. I have a rapid heartbeat all the time and I feel that every one hates me. No matter where I go or who I interact with I can never seem to be good enough. I feel like every one is always staring at me and judging me. It’s really affecting my life and my future goals. No body I care about realises or knows how I feel and I feel too embarrassed to talk to anyone.

MamaCorydoras Health anxiety and hypochondria.
  • replies: 10

Hi all, this is my first time posting here! The short version of my story is: I had my first panic attack about 4 months ago and since then my body hasn't been the same. I feel pain in my neck, between my shoulder blades and a tightness in my throat ... View more

Hi all, this is my first time posting here! The short version of my story is: I had my first panic attack about 4 months ago and since then my body hasn't been the same. I feel pain in my neck, between my shoulder blades and a tightness in my throat on most days, however after countless scans my Dr believes there is nothing wrong with me and that this is all anxiety related. For anyone who can be bothered ready, here is my more detailed story: About 4 months ago I was at the cinema when I began feeling a really sharp pain in my right shoulder blade, this developed into palpitations and numbness in my right arm. I went to ER and after a few hours there was sent home with nothing. I saw my Dr who believed it was all anxiety related due to a panic attack, and since then I've had countless symptoms. I saw a Neurologist due to headaches, had an MRI which found a Chiari Type 1 Malformation I was convinced this was the cause. I then saw a Neurosurgeon who said that my scans are fine and aren't the cause of my symptoms. I've had blood tests, chest and neck x-rays, allergy testing and everything is clear. I've been on more medication over the last 4 months than I have ever been in my entire life. I was referred to a Psychologist, who in my opinion was terrible, and stopped going. To this day I still have the neck pain, and tightness in my throat. My Dr acknowledged that I've had various sinus infections this year, however has no idea what is causing these symptoms. I'm convinced that I have a mystery illness that is going to kill me, I can't sleep some nights because I'm scared I won't wake up, I feel like I can't make concrete plans for my future because I might die tomorrow. I appreciate anyone who has taken the time to read this long post, and would appreciate any advice, experience or to know I'm not alone. Much love to everyone!

Failed_dietitian Anxiety, University and my Future
  • replies: 3

For context I have been at uni for about 5 year. Initially I didn't really want to go but once I switched degrees I really thought I had a chance to make something of myself. My grades improved and I was granted a conditional offering to do a 6 month... View more

For context I have been at uni for about 5 year. Initially I didn't really want to go but once I switched degrees I really thought I had a chance to make something of myself. My grades improved and I was granted a conditional offering to do a 6 month honours program towards a research path of something that I love. Currently my parents are supporting me financially so that I can volunteer for work experience to increase my chances of employment after graduation in an extremely competitive field (3-6 grad jobs in the state) Up until this semester my grades have been good but not outstanding, however I knew that I needed to achieve a certain mark to fit the conditional offer for the research program of around 75%. I have been sitting about 80% for the whole semester up until now. I started 3 weeks out from exams studying 16 hours most days, taking 1 or 2 days a week sometimes to make sure I could spend time with my girlfriend but put everything else to the side. I studied every piece of course content I could have for this exam. I open up the exam and what the ***. I could not have possibly known the things they were assessing. The only reassurance I felt was the fact that everyone else that had sat the exam seemed to be in the same boat. But if there was nothing I could have done to prepare for an exam that will determine whether or not: 1. I have to repeat an entire year (it's only offered in this half of the year) 2. Can get into the honours program and follow the career path that I want 3. I have wasted 5 years and an immeasurable amount of my parent's money who have sacrificed so much for me. Marks haven't been released yet but I am not even confident I would have got enough to pass let alone meet the required hurdle of 60%. I don't know what to do. Everything was looking so positive for my future and now it's all falling apart. I don't know who to talk to. My