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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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Peter_A Its back
  • replies: 2

After many years of coping with anxiety reasonably well, im now feeling overwhelmed. Meeting other peoples expectations seems to be a real worry for me. Ive always worried, i think, too much about what other people think. Something as silly as sellin... View more

After many years of coping with anxiety reasonably well, im now feeling overwhelmed. Meeting other peoples expectations seems to be a real worry for me. Ive always worried, i think, too much about what other people think. Something as silly as selling my boat seems to have set me off this time. Ive had boats for about 20 years and its become a chore to look after so i thought, thats it, ill sell the boat and no more boats for me. Now im feeling anxious/guilty that im depriving my wife, mother in law and friends of somthing they enjoy. Not that we were doing it very often anyway. Ive finally told my wife how im feeling and broke down in tears. Dont want to worry her but i do want her to support me but she doesnt seem to understand. I guess someone who hasnt experienced it cant understand. I dont want to go back to the major depression i went though many years ago. Hoping i can get through this and get back to "normal"

Lenny__ Anxiety
  • replies: 1

My anxiety has officially ruined my sleeping pattern i can never get a good 7-8 hour nights sleep i am also sick of struggling to breathe and overthinking and feeling numb in my arms and face. Can someone please tell me how you manage your anxiety

My anxiety has officially ruined my sleeping pattern i can never get a good 7-8 hour nights sleep i am also sick of struggling to breathe and overthinking and feeling numb in my arms and face. Can someone please tell me how you manage your anxiety

Lyssaa Scared of job applications
  • replies: 3

Hey everyone,I'm 18 years old and at the end of the month I'm going to start applying for a new casual job. My current job which I've had for nearly two years now isn't giving me many hours at all, and I believe it's because I'm now one of the older ... View more

Hey everyone,I'm 18 years old and at the end of the month I'm going to start applying for a new casual job. My current job which I've had for nearly two years now isn't giving me many hours at all, and I believe it's because I'm now one of the older and therefore more expensive employees. It's been a long time since I've last handed out resumes and I'm getting so much anxiety over it. My plan is to hand out a bunch of resumes in person as well as applying to places online, but the thought of handing out resumes in person literally gives me so much anxiety that I feel sick to my stomach. I don't know why, but I have this intense feeling that whoever at the front counter is taking my resume is going to judge me or think I'm a massive loser. I'm also afraid that nowhere is going to be interested in hiring me. I've deciced to wait until the end of the month to hand out my resumes because I'm going on holiday in a week for most of the rest of the month, so there's really no point in applying anywhere until I get back. Despite having made this choice I have this horrible sick guilty feeling in my stomach, like I should be working more right now even though its not a choice that I'm getting less hours at work. I know my fear of handing out resumes in person because they're going to judge or hate me is completely irrational, but I'm still feeling this awful overwhelming sense of anxiety. Does anyone have any kind of reassurances for me, or any ways to manage this anxiety? Lyssa

Natalie22 Changing MH professional. Asked to be reallocated to someone new
  • replies: 5

Hi. To end my year I bit the bullet and called and asked if I could see someone different. I was seeing a MH social worker for a few months. Don't get me wrong she was lovely but in that time I had several incidents which made me uncomfortable and I ... View more

Hi. To end my year I bit the bullet and called and asked if I could see someone different. I was seeing a MH social worker for a few months. Don't get me wrong she was lovely but in that time I had several incidents which made me uncomfortable and I left thinking WTF.When I mentioned some medication I was taking she told me that I she stop my medication and find new doctors. I felt that I had to defend my team and why I was taking the meds.She has admitted that she does not really like doctors and has trust issues and this has clearly came through in the sessions. I have to admit that I am anxious around doctors so I don't think this is a perfect match.At our last appointment I mentioned an incident at work and she told this terrible story about when she was an early social worker.slightly relevant but...Then I mentioned how a gp treated me like a drug seeker but finally read my file and she went on about her story about needing drugs and yes she sounded desperate,Sorry about all my rambling but I am super tired.Am I being totally unreasonable for leaving her even though she is someone who has got to know me well.My neurologist wants me to see a psychologist and she keep telling me 'the gp can't do anything to you as long as you see me'. I don't know what that is even supposed to mean.I have anxiety and I am very stressed.It has been a lot of misinformation and I don't think very successful.I have issues at home and she said her role was to support me with that but there has been no strategies for my MH

SamH Parental Anxiety
  • replies: 2

So over the weekend my son bumped his head falling from play equipment at a park, landing on his head which caused a deep cut to his head. I was in complete power mode my partner and I grabbed my son from the ground then to the car applied first aid ... View more

So over the weekend my son bumped his head falling from play equipment at a park, landing on his head which caused a deep cut to his head. I was in complete power mode my partner and I grabbed my son from the ground then to the car applied first aid and took him straight up to emergency as it was a bad head injury. The doctors were so great treated straight away head injury was glued etc.but since this incident I cannot move past this, I keep stressing about my son doing anything now, All I can think about is protecting him ,I lay in bed crying of a night thinking about the injury, Feeling mum guilt and stress about it , and I keep questioning the whole scenariothinking about the what ifs

LucasFA14 Struggling with anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I am struggling to keep up with juggling life. I’m currently at tafe but finding it difficult to get a job. I have major goals and aspirations and will never give up in whatever circumstances. However I have been struggling with my menta... View more

Hi everyone, I am struggling to keep up with juggling life. I’m currently at tafe but finding it difficult to get a job. I have major goals and aspirations and will never give up in whatever circumstances. However I have been struggling with my mental health and me being single. I have never been close or loved by a woman. I am able to talk to girls but most of the times I just end up not liking them or something about them I don’t like. I struggle to come to the grips that I may have high expectations and people will always have flaws, but I don’t want to commit to something if I’m not happy. I am also struggling to juggle starting my online buisness and trying to get a job at the same time. In the back of my mind I am depressed that I did not have a high school girlfriend. I’m always wanting more out of my life and I struggle to cope with my raw ambition.

Rubyhasanxietyandocd_556 Anxiety is shit
  • replies: 6

Do you guys have any strategies for asthma anxiety? I get lots of panic and anxiety attacks over asthma and sometimes out of the blue. I already have strategies but I probably need a few more. Love you all and to who ever is reading this, you're stro... View more

Do you guys have any strategies for asthma anxiety? I get lots of panic and anxiety attacks over asthma and sometimes out of the blue. I already have strategies but I probably need a few more. Love you all and to who ever is reading this, you're strong and beautiful.

maplesyrup1 Scared of Camp
  • replies: 1

I'm supposed to go to a camp really soon and I'm not able to attend I'm scared that the reason that I can't attend is invalid and a bad reason because it's about my mental healthA family member recently passed away and it's made my depression worse a... View more

I'm supposed to go to a camp really soon and I'm not able to attend I'm scared that the reason that I can't attend is invalid and a bad reason because it's about my mental healthA family member recently passed away and it's made my depression worse and I'm not sure if I can cope being away from home while having to do hard activitiesI'd also have to bunk with people I've never met before and I don't really have friends going to the camp as wellThe ticket for my flight has already been paid and I was initially excited to go but things have taken a turn for me and I really can't goI feel guilty that they paid $500+ for a ticket that is going to waste but I emailed them saying I can't go and that my parents would like to know if a payment is needed (The ticket is non refundable)I just feel like I'm letting everyone down and that I'm only making things harder for everyone and that the reason I can't go isn't good enough

GoldCoast Living a full life with Depression
  • replies: 1

Well, this is a bit out of my comfort zone, but here we go. I have had depression from a young age. I'm now in my early 20s and it is seemingly becoming a piece of baggage that I will carry for life. I feel the switch flick and depression kick into g... View more

Well, this is a bit out of my comfort zone, but here we go. I have had depression from a young age. I'm now in my early 20s and it is seemingly becoming a piece of baggage that I will carry for life. I feel the switch flick and depression kick into gear from inside to out. Sometimes it quickly passes over, other times I want nothing more than to simple dissolve. My dad passed away a few years ago and I haven't had much of a relationship with my mum for 5+ years. I often find myself craving a north star to tell me what to do, or at least bounce ideas off and receive a bit of unconditional love from. I guess this is the starting point of where my depression receives much of its fuel. I find that my resilience as a person can be as fragile as a glass tissue at the best of times, so I can be pretty touch and go as a friend and partner. Yes, there are the days where my bed is my haven and there's no where I rather be than in that false sense of warmth and safety. But, to why I'm here. At the end of last year (Dec, 2022) I finished my undergraduate degree at age 22. I have two companies that I've moulded ready for take off, with them both showing good prospects through minimal income. But, I find watching them start to fly makes my depression flare up. Committing to the future makes me sad I guess; I never thought that I would still be here. How do you accept that Depression is going to be a part of your long-term? And, what do you find best works when depression and anxiety start to exacerbate one another?

D-A D.A.
  • replies: 3

Hi, my name is Darryl. My wife experiences anxious thoughts ie. all or nothing thinking, negative final outcomes from singular event or difference of opinion etc. I find myself becoming frustrated and sometimes angry when resolving issues because my ... View more

Hi, my name is Darryl. My wife experiences anxious thoughts ie. all or nothing thinking, negative final outcomes from singular event or difference of opinion etc. I find myself becoming frustrated and sometimes angry when resolving issues because my wife needs to dissect the current issue which often leads to revisiting previous issues claiming those were never fully dealt with. I believe the previous issues were dealt with, an argument ensues and the current issue gets lost in fallout. Perhaps its me that is suffering anxiety. After 30yrs of marriage I am struggling to find the strength to resolve issues the way my wife needs to. Our current issue, being an indiscretion of mine, has triggered her anxious thoughts. I am extremely sorry for what I did and I have taken full responsibility for that. However, we cant move on from this without revisiting the past, which now includes issues I was unaware of. I need help finding a way to manage issues in a way that satisfies the needs of my wife without me becoming frustrated and angry.