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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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Chris_B Forums etiquette: give support to receive support
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newb... View more

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newbies are welcomed when they first post, and we understand that it’s a big step to post for the first time on a forum like this, especially if you aren’t feeling great. It’s important to remember, though, that these forums are a community of real people, just like you, not a one-on-one support environment like going to see your psychologist. To get the best out of being here, one of the best tips we can offer is give support to receive support. Being a good community member means: participating in different threads (not just your own), replying to people who have taken the time to reply to you (even if it’s just to say thank you), and... posting words of emotional support and encouragement when you see others who are hurting and reaching out. You don’t have to feel obliged to solve the problems of others: that’s not what we’re here for. But you can offer empathy and what you’ve learned from your own life experiences, even if it’s just a line or two, eg. “I don't know what to say, but I want to give you my support and tell you I care about what is happening to you and hope life will get better soon.” Try to develop an interest in the journeys of others here on the forums. You may be surprised at how good being an active, caring member here can make you feel. For those of you who have had good experiences giving support here on the forums, please post in this thread here and let us know how it has helped you on your journey.

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sarahlouisexo Pure O (Pure Obsessional) OCD?
  • replies: 7

Hey guys x I'm new to this forum but I'm pretty certain I'm struggling with 'Pure O' OCD. Does anyone else struggle with this or OCD in general? I would love you hear your stories/experiences. Thanks for reading.

Hey guys x I'm new to this forum but I'm pretty certain I'm struggling with 'Pure O' OCD. Does anyone else struggle with this or OCD in general? I would love you hear your stories/experiences. Thanks for reading.

_yuki15_ Anxiety & ASD
  • replies: 1

Hello Beyond Blue counsellors, I am suffering with ASD and anxiety. I'm not enjoying home life especially with my dad he frightens me. He yells at me, swears at me and hits me sometimes when i do the wrong thing. I really want to move out of my home ... View more

Hello Beyond Blue counsellors, I am suffering with ASD and anxiety. I'm not enjoying home life especially with my dad he frightens me. He yells at me, swears at me and hits me sometimes when i do the wrong thing. I really want to move out of my home since i don't feel safe nor good there. Sadly i can't and i need to wait until i'm 18. Kind regards, Yuki (zoe)

8-8-8 Being in a relationship with someone who was married
  • replies: 2

My current boyfriend of almost one year has an ex wife. They are not legally divorced yet but have been separated from what I am aware about 5 years he's also had relationships post her before me. In 2020 she moved back in to live with him for a bit ... View more

My current boyfriend of almost one year has an ex wife. They are not legally divorced yet but have been separated from what I am aware about 5 years he's also had relationships post her before me. In 2020 she moved back in to live with him for a bit then left again. She moved back in with him 6 months ago (they have separate bedrooms) as she is suffering with mental issues and other sickness my boyfriend doesn't wish to share. However he has not told her about me and our relationship. This has cause me to grow majorly insecure and for both my boyfriend and I to have problems and cause a strain in the relationship. He doesn't want to be selfish and tell her about me because he doesn't want her to get worse I guess. I don't know what to do because I love him and he loves me and wants to be with me. But she has no idea about me and told him that she wants to have kids with him. I have already given him an ultimatum but he still wont tell her. What do I do? Is she making him feel guilt tripped? Its giving me major anxiety and feel depressed and somewhat lonely because he doesn't help reassure me and nobody has been in my situation before.

MrsX Health anxiety - fear of a stroke
  • replies: 5

Warning - May be triggering for some I suffer with severe health anxiety which has manifested into an obsession with stroke. I have been to the gp probably 6 times over the last year, maybe more, sure I was having a stroke. This particular fear began... View more

Warning - May be triggering for some I suffer with severe health anxiety which has manifested into an obsession with stroke. I have been to the gp probably 6 times over the last year, maybe more, sure I was having a stroke. This particular fear began when I read an article online about a super rare case of a woman having a stroke after visiting a hairdressers. Since then I am terrified to visit hairdressers. Every time I hurt my neck (I have a touchy neck), I believe I've torn an artery and a stroke is impending. I've had therapy, meds... nothing is working. Currently my neck is giving me grief and I have sharp head pain/ headaches on one side and pins and needles in my feet. On the stroke merry go round I go. I'm always crying because I have 2 small kids and I'm terrified of the stroke happening and killing or disabling me. I want to go to my gp as this time, I'm sure it is a stroke as the symptoms are so real, but my husband and mum tell me this is another tales alarm. I'm worried I'm like the boy who cried wolf. Sorry for the rant. Has anyone got any words of wisdom? Thanks.

Zmet This is not a life worth living
  • replies: 6

I don’t really know if this will make sense but I don’t feel like this is a life worth living. I’m currently 20 I live at home with my mum and two younger sisters. My parents divorced last year due to a very toxic relationship. I’m studying at the mo... View more

I don’t really know if this will make sense but I don’t feel like this is a life worth living. I’m currently 20 I live at home with my mum and two younger sisters. My parents divorced last year due to a very toxic relationship. I’m studying at the moment. Basically I feel like my whole life is a joke, I know I’m only 20 but I don’t feel like I can continue on. Ever since I was a child I’ve been very timid. Being in an abusive household and being bullied for most of my life has definitely contributed to that. My social anxiety has terribly impacted my life. I can’t keep a job because I’m too dumb and socially awkward. Now I can’t even get past the interview stage of a job because I can’t speak up and when I do I nervously shake or can’t get my words out. Sometimes even just approaching people is daunting to me. Most of the feedback I get on my assignments is that I need to talk more. I just wish I was normal and functioned properly. This is so painful. I feel like I’m so socially unaware. I can’t even hold a proper adult conversation. I have friends but a few. I was medicated for social anxiety and depression a couple of years ago but I stopped because I felt better. I also participated in counseling but to be honest it didn’t really help. My mother is also very spiritual and religious and thinks that spiritual healing will get rid of this but it hasn’t. She also believes in witchcraft and that the witches have messed up my brain since I was a kid. It’s really hard to open up about this to my parents because they have come from a background where they’ve suffered severe trauma incomparable to this. Now I feel like I’m in a dark place again and there’s no way of getting out.

Starxzzx Anxiety
  • replies: 1

i hate school because of the people. it tires me out. 

i hate school because of the people. it tires me out. 

Donsgo Unrelenting anxiety
  • replies: 1

Unrelenting anxiety recently beset me. I'm retired and in my 70's. There is no apparent trigger. It in turn brings on depression. I force myself to walk a few short kms each day, use an exercise bike, do some light weights - these activities help. It... View more

Unrelenting anxiety recently beset me. I'm retired and in my 70's. There is no apparent trigger. It in turn brings on depression. I force myself to walk a few short kms each day, use an exercise bike, do some light weights - these activities help. It is very difficult to motivate myself. What do suffers of these most unwelcome conditions do that helps reduce the impact of anxiety and depression on their daily lives? Your experiences /suggestions that you have found beneficial may be helpful to me too. Please keep them age appropriate ie relevant to a senior. thank you forum members.

matt05 Anxiety caused by sick people
  • replies: 1

Hey all im looking for help to try overcome a trigger of mine. Ever since covid i have developed anxiety when ever i come in contact with someone that is sick or has a partner that is sick. I tend to spend days worrying if im going to get sick or not... View more

Hey all im looking for help to try overcome a trigger of mine. Ever since covid i have developed anxiety when ever i come in contact with someone that is sick or has a partner that is sick. I tend to spend days worrying if im going to get sick or not and it’s effecting my day to day life and sleep. It never was a issue in the past but only developed ever since covid started.

Cate26 Big job decision = big anxiety
  • replies: 4

I have been offered a new job at a different company which would be a promotion, increase in responsibilities and a pay rise. My anxiety has kicked in and i am an emotional wreck. I know this new job is a great opportunity however the thought of resi... View more

I have been offered a new job at a different company which would be a promotion, increase in responsibilities and a pay rise. My anxiety has kicked in and i am an emotional wreck. I know this new job is a great opportunity however the thought of resigning and going through the process of leaving and starting new is terrifying. I know that without taking risks there will be no reward but I still feel extremely anxious

Hereandthere Trapped by indecision
  • replies: 6

Hello, I'm feeling totally trapped and depressed by my own inability to make decisions. It's gotten to the point it's causing problems in my relationship and I feel so stupid. I just seem scared of everything. I need to consider absolutely everything... View more

Hello, I'm feeling totally trapped and depressed by my own inability to make decisions. It's gotten to the point it's causing problems in my relationship and I feel so stupid. I just seem scared of everything. I need to consider absolutely everything all the time and it's exhausting. I need to look at every single option of everything- it's almost like an obsession. Just had a huge argument with my partner because of my indecision affecting our life and I feel I'm ruining everything. Feeling utterly useless right now. I also think I have a control issue and this may be an expression of it. I'm constantly feeling anxious, seems like I can't be relaxed anymore. Just more and more things make me anxious, even the least important things worry me and sometimes even scare me. I don't know who to talk to, I've also been avoiding my friends for long time, don't even know why.