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

Nigel  Alastair Aspergers.
  • replies: 2

HII am a man of senior years whohas suffered with aspergers syndrome for most of my life.It has had a big impact on my emotional and mental health with serious ongoing health issues.I am fortunate in other ways but still feel life has been a daily ch... View more

HII am a man of senior years whohas suffered with aspergers syndrome for most of my life.It has had a big impact on my emotional and mental health with serious ongoing health issues.I am fortunate in other ways but still feel life has been a daily challenge. People see me as someone positive and always in control that is far from the real me.

inferiore03 Whats wrong with me
  • replies: 1

I always used to be scared of growing up alone and terrified of rejection but for a while things were good I managed to have a few relationships and hook ups even be some what confident but since I ended my last relationship I have completely forgott... View more

I always used to be scared of growing up alone and terrified of rejection but for a while things were good I managed to have a few relationships and hook ups even be some what confident but since I ended my last relationship I have completely forgotten how to talk to anyone and ive gone so long with out any form of human contact that even though i crave it, it also makes me uncomfortable. I guess part of me wishes i never did hook up or have a relationship because now I know what im missing out on Ive come to the conclusion that I will be alone forever and not because im not good enough for someone but just because I'll never be able to put my self out there to meet anyone and even give it the chance of happening. I just feel like as a 22 year old I should be having the best time of my life not scared to even look at someone or leave my room.

mandie121332 I am always upset
  • replies: 3

I need to talk to someone about this thing that I am going through 

I need to talk to someone about this thing that I am going through 

Romy Anxiety and eating
  • replies: 1

Hi all, I have anxiety which has been managed for years with medication. For the most part it is very well controlled, I haven’t had a big flare up for awhile until now. I had been talking to a guy I met online for a few months, we went on 2 dates, I... View more

Hi all, I have anxiety which has been managed for years with medication. For the most part it is very well controlled, I haven’t had a big flare up for awhile until now. I had been talking to a guy I met online for a few months, we went on 2 dates, I had a great time. He is really sweet and I was open with my nerves/anxiety and he was completely supportive. He however said from the start he just wanted casual and was not ready for a serious relationship right now. This suddenly sent thoughts running through my head and I freaked out as I just don’t think I can do the casual thing. I ended things because I don’t think I can see someone if there’s no chance we will ever be together. It ended amicably and openly, we said we might reconnect in the future and try again when we are both ready. Well now i am absolutely riddled with anxiety. I’ve realised how terrified I am of having my heartbroken like my first relationship. My thoughts run non stop, I cry every day and I’m struggling to eat. I feel stupid for ending things, I feel I should have just gone with the flow but I don’t know how to do that. I have an appointment with my psychologist on Monday which I’m looking forward to as we have much to discuss. Can anyone else relate to dating anxiety and does anyone have success stories? There’s nothing I want more than to get married and have children one day.

Merle Get out of your own head
  • replies: 4

Hi I would just like to know how people get the worry thoughts off their mind. How do you stop thinking about things when everyone keeps telling you not to worry?? How do you think positive when everything feels so negative.

Hi I would just like to know how people get the worry thoughts off their mind. How do you stop thinking about things when everyone keeps telling you not to worry?? How do you think positive when everything feels so negative.

Sophie2001 Extremely overwhelmed with uni
  • replies: 2

It’s nearly the end of uni and i’ve been having panic attacks nearly everyday. I dream about all the uni i haven’t done and when i try and do it I just break down as it is too hard. I’ve been trying to find tutors but I can’t. I work 6 full days a we... View more

It’s nearly the end of uni and i’ve been having panic attacks nearly everyday. I dream about all the uni i haven’t done and when i try and do it I just break down as it is too hard. I’ve been trying to find tutors but I can’t. I work 6 full days a week also so I have no time and everyone is pressuring me to keep it all together but all I want to do is leave! It’s too much and I just want to hide

tikalouise Health anxiety
  • replies: 1

Health anxiety - is killing me before my health is. over the last 4 years I’ve been on a downward spiral of anxiety concerning my health. every scratch, tickle, cough, sneeze, bowl cramp is something. And it worsened rapidly after catching covid for ... View more

Health anxiety - is killing me before my health is. over the last 4 years I’ve been on a downward spiral of anxiety concerning my health. every scratch, tickle, cough, sneeze, bowl cramp is something. And it worsened rapidly after catching covid for the first time! I’m so frightened I only got one dose of the Covid vax because in my head it made me soo sick, maybe it did, I wouldn’t know? Cause my anxiety is so bad I can figure out what is real and what isn’t. I live in a constant struggle tallying up which friend is worth seeing cause if I get sick from them will i regret having seen them at all. I always regret it, I don’t want to but I just can’t help it. I’ve had a headache for a day and a bit now, convinced myself I’m gonna be bed bound for the next four days, I probably won’t but just the thought of it i don’t understand why!! but just cripples me. My favourite line to say in my head is “what if no one can save you” or “what if today was your last good day” I’m so tired I just want to rest, I want my mind to rest. Im done waking up every morning and the first thing I do is swallow to check if I have a sore throat. Im tired of this.

Rosm_ Over thinking
  • replies: 14

I have been struggling with over thinking for a long time.im an event or something happens during the day at work I can't switch off and think about it for far to long.then I worry that I'm leaning on people to much and worry the will get sick of me ... View more

I have been struggling with over thinking for a long time.im an event or something happens during the day at work I can't switch off and think about it for far to long.then I worry that I'm leaning on people to much and worry the will get sick of me any advice

Orangeicy Narcissist??
  • replies: 8

I had the mind blowing experience encountering a narc in a group of friends. Well so I think.Long story short, a group of 4 friends..new person joined our group because we had initially spoken about how sucky it is being on your own and we didn't wan... View more

I had the mind blowing experience encountering a narc in a group of friends. Well so I think.Long story short, a group of 4 friends..new person joined our group because we had initially spoken about how sucky it is being on your own and we didn't want to exclude people. Anyway, over the past 6 months this person has completely turned on me. It started slowly, but over these few months I can see the poison. She started not greeting me when she was alone and saw me. Only saying goodbye to everyone else. In a group of people would never look at me or talk to me, but be so "nice" to everyone else.Then she started inviting other group members out to events and stuff. Never me. She has my (now) former friends acting like little puppies around her. Overheard her saying "she needs to be taught a lesson" (meaning me).Thing is I don't know what I've done. Asked several of them and I am being ignored by everyone. I generally try to be respectful of others. Take an interest in other people. Listen when someone opens up and needs to vent.But this woman has me questioning everything I do! Sent my anxiety sky-rocketing because I couldn't figure out what I had done. I am starting to put it all behind me. But I keep coming back to the question of her behaviour. Was she gaslighting me...or just a nasty person?Input please as I'm trying to understand it all so I can move forward. Thank you!

Rainbowpolly 1st Vaccination Anxiety
  • replies: 14

I'm getting my 1st Covid Vaccination today and its causing major anxiety, I'm actually not as worried about myself but I'm seriously having anxiety about my 17 year old daughter, I left the decision up to her if she wanted to take it as she is 6 mont... View more

I'm getting my 1st Covid Vaccination today and its causing major anxiety, I'm actually not as worried about myself but I'm seriously having anxiety about my 17 year old daughter, I left the decision up to her if she wanted to take it as she is 6 months off 18 and figured it should be a decision she makes, and now I wish she had decided not to have it, recently the Dr put me on medication to help with the anxiety but these feelings Im having about my daughter are so overwhelming I can't stop worrying about her having it....please can someone offer something its 2 hours away and I'm so worried I will have a full blown panic attack in the Drs in front of my daughter which will cause her to then worry about having the vaccine and I will be back on the ride again going in a vicious circle, sorry if this makes no sense I'm all jumbled in my head at the moment.