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.

All discussions

Ando Anxiety day to day.
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone. I am new here and very grateful to be able to connect with people with similar mental health issues. I have diagnosed anxiety, diagnosed PTSD and depression. I’m on medication snd see a psychiatrist and have just started seeing a psychol... View more

Hi everyone. I am new here and very grateful to be able to connect with people with similar mental health issues. I have diagnosed anxiety, diagnosed PTSD and depression. I’m on medication snd see a psychiatrist and have just started seeing a psychologist who is going to help me process some of the trauma. I guess I just wanted to say hi. To let you know that I work full time at a “high level” job. No one would really know how I am. I keep it hidden. So well. I’m supposed to be going to see the James Blunt concert tonight. But I won’t go. I just pull out of going everywhere unless someone is relying on me, then I try hard to go. But if it’s just me, I just don’t go. I also think I’ll take tomorrow off because my anxiety has been horrendous this weekend. I have the Sunday afternoon anxiety thing already and it is only 6.30am. I hope you can all have a calm day and have some joy.

Rascally Am I paranoid or very aware?
  • replies: 2

I feel someone is contributing to a lot of trouble in my circumstances. (I have a very poor health) this person works at a hospital & once boasted she could access any file. Her motive seems to be an obsession with my sister, with whom I was very clo... View more

I feel someone is contributing to a lot of trouble in my circumstances. (I have a very poor health) this person works at a hospital & once boasted she could access any file. Her motive seems to be an obsession with my sister, with whom I was very close to. She has stolen from me & given those things to my sister. Once she worked at at a law firm. I received a letter, demanding I give my sister money. I took it to that same law firm & they had no knowledge of it. This woman once told me she wished she had my family instead of her own. There have been many lies & manipulation for the last 20 years. My siblings do not interact with me at all. Even after I tried many times to meet with them, this person was always there & humiliated in front of my siblings. Do to my continual health issues, I feel she is interfering somehow. Things don't make sense. I really don't know what to do anymore. My family were a very close unit, we did everything together. "Character assassination" comes to mind, yet if so how do I deal with that?. I now live in total isolation, Acquaintances have approached me on a few occasions discussing how much trouble she caused in their lives. At times I'm fearful, a car was parked when I put my bin out. The young man was on the phone & said " yeah, here lights came on, she's here" I really do wish it was paranoia, but my gut instinct tells me otherwise. I have no proof & am a nervous wreck. If I do see her, she gets no reaction from me... none... what hurts are my siblings, celebrating birthdays, Xmas all getting together. Close relatives have passed & no one told me.. I don't get it. I was always there for them, we laughed & played all the way into our 30s. This is devastating me & because of the thievery, lies & betrayal, I can't move on.. I have no one

Guest_10046 I Need Help With Health Anxiety
  • replies: 3

13.11.20249:43pm I need help with health anxiety. I have been struggling with health anxiety for about 7-8 years since I was 11 I am now 18. I have a fear of being sick or feeling sick more like. I have a fear of throwing up and it is majorly impacti... View more

13.11.20249:43pm I need help with health anxiety. I have been struggling with health anxiety for about 7-8 years since I was 11 I am now 18. I have a fear of being sick or feeling sick more like. I have a fear of throwing up and it is majorly impacting my daily, everyday routine and my whole life at this point! I am reaching out on this platform to try and get some advice or some instructions to how to reach out for help. I am embarrassed, I have major panic attacks, lose lots of weight and I am constantly anxious. I have been to a therapist before she moved to a different department. I went to Headspace, I only had one session, so I didn't even get to unpack much. I haven't told anyone the real reason why I have panic attacks. Because I have found it a really embarrassing reason. I want to know how to get CBT (Cognitive Behavorial Training), I need some advice (any advice is helpful), on how to reach out for help. I have done a lot of research, and the internet tells me to book an appointment with my local GP and they can refer me to a therapist. Looking forward to hearing from someone soon!Thank you, stay safe, take care!Charlimay04

Ranga-1 Student Teacher Struggling on Internship
  • replies: 5

I'm doing my internship (secondary). I have had a few lessons go really bad (and I mean REALLY bad) on me and the mentor and supervising teachers have told me they're not happy with the standard I'm teaching at and they won't sign off my internship i... View more

I'm doing my internship (secondary). I have had a few lessons go really bad (and I mean REALLY bad) on me and the mentor and supervising teachers have told me they're not happy with the standard I'm teaching at and they won't sign off my internship if they don't feel I'm ready. I'm so scared and upset. I completed a prac earlier this year and it went well. I was offered work from it. Now everything's going down the gurgler. Also, I work in home care. I didn't realise I had been rostered to work this morning (Saturday - they know I am not available through the week at the moment). I have been so wrapped up in internship that I didn't check my roster app - and I'm generally not rostered on Saturdays. I got a call from on-call to see where I was. I had a shock and said I would get to the client's house straight away - which I did. Given I'm normally a reliable employee, I don't think there will be any repercussions. It just added to my general anxiety. I hate this so much.

Guest_87363593 Anxiety
  • replies: 1

I have so much anxiety I have decided to let go of my boyfriend he has mental health issues and I can’t deal with the abuse any longer it’s so hard for me but I have to do this.

I have so much anxiety I have decided to let go of my boyfriend he has mental health issues and I can’t deal with the abuse any longer it’s so hard for me but I have to do this.

SilvaLady Disappearing
  • replies: 4

Is it normal wanting to disappear? I live with my brother and sister-in-law and I feel like I don’t want to live with them anymore. But I’m not able to, as I’m suffering from early stages of alzheimers. I recently been diagnosed with this condition. ... View more

Is it normal wanting to disappear? I live with my brother and sister-in-law and I feel like I don’t want to live with them anymore. But I’m not able to, as I’m suffering from early stages of alzheimers. I recently been diagnosed with this condition. It can be a bit hard at times, especially when I can’t cope with this

Spph Needing support.
  • replies: 2

Hi, I have suffered with anxiety over many years and normally I try to tackle it alone but now I admit to needing support. I'm glad of this forum and I think I will seek out counselling.

Hi, I have suffered with anxiety over many years and normally I try to tackle it alone but now I admit to needing support. I'm glad of this forum and I think I will seek out counselling.

Mon013 Husband going on a overseas work trip
  • replies: 3

Hi there, my husband is going overseas for work. He will be gone for 2 weeks. He only needs to do this once a year, but everytime is causes such awful anxiety the week leading up to it for myself. I am so concerned about something bad happening to hi... View more

Hi there, my husband is going overseas for work. He will be gone for 2 weeks. He only needs to do this once a year, but everytime is causes such awful anxiety the week leading up to it for myself. I am so concerned about something bad happening to him, or that we won't communicate well, that my anxiety will stay with me for the 2 weeks and that myself and the kids will miss him. I seem to count down the days even before he leaves. I am so frustrated with myself for not being able to get on top of it. My rational mind knows I am being irrational. But i can not seem to shake the thoughts. 2 weeks just seems like such a long time to me right now. Any advise or help would be so appreciated please.

JS9595 Severe health anxiety - scared I have lupus
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone I am so glad to have found this forum. I’m 31 yr old mum to two little kids and I suffer from severe health anxiety. It all started a few years ago when I was misdiagnosed with breast cancer. It was the scariest time of my life and I stil... View more

Hi everyone I am so glad to have found this forum. I’m 31 yr old mum to two little kids and I suffer from severe health anxiety. It all started a few years ago when I was misdiagnosed with breast cancer. It was the scariest time of my life and I still can recall the stress like it was yesterday! recently I’ve been feeling a bit off, dizzy etc so I went to the doctor to get my iron checked (I do occasionally have low iron) but everything came back fine.. except my ANA came back positive (and a pretty high positive at that). The doctor said that we will have to explore it further with more blood tests, but I can’t do those for another three months. She mentioned they would be looking for lupus.. once I heard that I FREAKED OUT. I have been crying and googling non stop about lupus, and all the complications that come with it. I’m scared I’m going to die and convinced myself I have it. I feel like my mental health and stress level is back where it was when I experienced the cancer misdiagnosis. I can’t sleep, I can’t focus on my kids and I am convinced I will die. I went back to speak to my doctor and she said that she was while I did have a positive ANA result, it does not confirm I do have lupus or even an autoimmune disease, but I have to wait the 3 months before the next blood test to rule it out. that made me feel a bit better but only for a short amount of time. I am back to googling, scanning my body for ANY and ALL signs of lupus. It’s making me crazy. I’m scared it’s attacking my brain, lungs and heart and I’ll have a heart attack! I am not sure what to do, or who to speak to. I just want to know I am ok for my kids. Any advice, support or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated. much love!

Olliepop My brother gives me anxitey!
  • replies: 24

My brother, middle child, is very pushy and narcissistic.He always thinks he is right, he always is so judgmental on people, hes rude, he doesn't listen, when we all reach our breaking points, then he pipes down a little bit.I blame my mother, for ne... View more

My brother, middle child, is very pushy and narcissistic.He always thinks he is right, he always is so judgmental on people, hes rude, he doesn't listen, when we all reach our breaking points, then he pipes down a little bit.I blame my mother, for never allowing my father to punish him and learn discipline at a young age like my older brother did. She forever covers for him, till this day.I find the more i avoid him, and a situation he is in the better. We do work together, which isnt easy, but avoiding him throughout the day i have learn how to manage.I have realized, anything that changes in my life, he over involves himself and sometimes i cant help but feel i have to start defending myself when he starts commenting, or asking too many questions.Recently, my husband left his job, which he was very unhappy in.My husband continues to provide, in his own ways, i just don't inform everyone on what he does, which to me is perfectly fine, and its none of anyones business. Were happy. We both have an income. There is nothing to talk about.My husband purchased me a brand new car, and recently sold my current. My husband is a thinker, if the new car is coming soon, why wait to sell the current when we can manage together getting to and from places, have the funds ready to lay into the new car when its time.My brother starts commenting, why sell the car before the new one?.. how can you both get around blah blah blah. If we manage, its none of your business. My husband has told my brother he left the previous job, but my brother still asks me acting dumb, and when i get on the defense explaining why things were done, he doesnt reply and ignores me.. in which i stated, you shouldn't judge situations when you dont know first hand how people feel. he snaps back with im not judging but that happens in all workplaces, it happens here, i even do it. For him to hear himself, i dont respond. and then i think he realized what he was saying then goes on pretending he hasn't made me react, so now IM the one who is upset and hes moved on acting all cool. I find the more i try to voice my opinion to make my brother back off, the worse it gets, but its also not okay NOT voicing my opinion too. My brother is easily jealous of situations, who has the better house, who has the better car, and when people move in silence, and he doesnt know whats going on, i believe he doesnt like that.Some advice on how to handle him please!Annoyed sister.