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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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Si1enzio Anxiety/PTSD
  • replies: 4

Hello, my recent epidsode has caused my anxiety over sleeping. Bit more detail of the epidsode, i woke up from sleeping choking & I believe I may have sleep anea. I am booked for a sleep study for sleep apnea early November however i believe it has c... View more

Hello, my recent epidsode has caused my anxiety over sleeping. Bit more detail of the epidsode, i woke up from sleeping choking & I believe I may have sleep anea. I am booked for a sleep study for sleep apnea early November however i believe it has caused an issue which is anxiety. For the past 2-3 weeks I am struggling to get a good night sleep & have only a few hours sleep. My mind is restless & cant control my thoughts as I am trying to sleep. As soon as I lay down my mind races a million miles & cant settle down. I am currently seeing a psycologist however my next session is in 2 weeks & my GP does not recommend me taking sleeping pills due to my sleep apnea. I am so fed up & so helpless & not sure what else I can do. If you have any advice i would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Roogirl14 I have myasthenia Gravid
  • replies: 4

I have been diagnosed with this disease. It's causing me anxiety and I am getting into trouble at work because I get anxious and get into arguments with my co workers. I have to attend a meeting with management tomorrow and I am very anxious about lo... View more

I have been diagnosed with this disease. It's causing me anxiety and I am getting into trouble at work because I get anxious and get into arguments with my co workers. I have to attend a meeting with management tomorrow and I am very anxious about losing my job. I don't mean to do these things.Any help would great please.Thankyou Gerri

Apricit123 Anxiety and tablets
  • replies: 7

Does anyone get a fear when they need to take their medication I hate it

Does anyone get a fear when they need to take their medication I hate it

Doglover66 Health Anxiety Ruining My Life
  • replies: 18

Hi All I have suffered from the dreaded Health Anxiety since I was a young child. I have had so many diseases; mostly terminal...that haven't actually eventuated to anything. However; I have really suffered in the last two years. It all began after l... View more

Hi All I have suffered from the dreaded Health Anxiety since I was a young child. I have had so many diseases; mostly terminal...that haven't actually eventuated to anything. However; I have really suffered in the last two years. It all began after losing my job due to severe shoulder injury. In that time I have had tongue cancer, throat cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, bowel cancer, ovarian cancer........had numerous tests etc all ruled out any pathology. I do realise that major stress in my life brings this on. Five weeks ago I began a new job. It was full on; 9 hour days of skype training....within two days I had severe thoracic and chest pain and decided I had lung or pancreatic cancer. I spent three weeks doing this job with the constant fear gnawing away at me and making the symptoms so much worse. I had a thoracic spine and chest xray two weeks ago which ruled out cancer of lung but did show a herniated disc...which is now being managed by physio etc. Deep down I still think there is something more sinister going on...and of course that makes the pain worse. I thought that was bad enough. But then I heard about Van Halen dying from throat cancer and almost immediately my throat began to hurt. I absolutely loved him....I was so gutted to hear of his death. This throat business started four days ago. I took a torch and had a look and almost fainted when I saw one tonsil is huge and red and the other side has a yellow spot and looks so weird. I am now convinced I have tonsil cancer. It hurts constantly; my ear hurts...I am so terrified and so convinced it is cancer. I know....I went through all of this a year ago. My horrible mind is now saying "cancer can sneak upon one; regardless of clear mri 13 months ago"....I am now back on that rollercoaster from hell...of googling and rechecking and rewriting my will....I seriously cannot live like this. I hide it from my beloved teenage son as much as I can. My fear is all about him; not me. I cannot leave him until he is at least 18! I cry all the time; I have panic attacks; I google stuff and almost faint...I cannot sleep or eat. I KNOW what I am doing is totally nuts. I have been doing this shite since forever...I feel a prisoner of my own mind. I have seen so many professionals and had so many medications thrown at me. Nothing works. I am truly at my wits end. I have made an appointment to see my gp tomorrow and am terrified. thanks

Pawprint Discuss with Parent about seeking help with Retirement
  • replies: 7

Hello,My mum retired in 2019 and at first, she was happy with the retirement and was doing things in the garden, seeing people, and doing stuff she had never been able to do while working full-time. However, over the last year, things have changed to... View more

Hello,My mum retired in 2019 and at first, she was happy with the retirement and was doing things in the garden, seeing people, and doing stuff she had never been able to do while working full-time. However, over the last year, things have changed to the point where she refuses to try new things, go out, and see people. She has been using excuses to avoid any activity and recently was using excuses to stop going to the other side of the country to see her oldest daughter because of the dogs. She takes care of a family friend’s child once a week but other than that, she barely leaves the house. My mum spent most of her life working as a nurse and we notice when she spent time working casually undertaking COVID-19 vaccinations to people in the community, I notice that she seem happy again with the interactions with people but since she stop doing that, her mood changed back again. It is getting to the point that it is affecting my mum and dad’s relationship at home. Two of the children live far away and I live the closest to her. I call her every week and try to see her when I can, but I travel a lot with my work and at certain times of the year can be very difficult. Recently I found out she went back to the doctor and got anti-depression medication. However, I think she might need to talk to someone about this transition in life. My mum is incredibly stubborn and every time we make suggestions for activities she might enjoy, she would make excuses and get defensive. I know when I ask her, she won’t tell me how she is really feeling. I do feel it is affecting our relationship.How can I have the conservation with my mum to get her to potentially seek help about the transition in life and some strategies to help her start enjoying retirement? Pawprint

Mina19 Age 23/very anxious about doing driving test next month
  • replies: 3

Hi people,I’ve been diagnosed with severe anxiety, ptsd, panic disorder and a few other smaller things but have been trying to take care of myself. Anyway, I’m 23 now and want to push myself to do my driving test. I haven’t had a ridiculous amount of... View more

Hi people,I’ve been diagnosed with severe anxiety, ptsd, panic disorder and a few other smaller things but have been trying to take care of myself. Anyway, I’m 23 now and want to push myself to do my driving test. I haven’t had a ridiculous amount of practice but I would say I know the main things fairly enough but I’m just scared because from people who have taken the test, are the driving test instructors like the ones on the main day of the test mean to people and yell?? I know it might sound like a stupid question but I just have seen in like movies and things like they yell at people and make it impossible for them to pass. I feel like I’m overreacting but I’m just so scared. I will definitely practice more in the coming weeks for sure but I’m just worried about the actual day.

blues23 Struggling
  • replies: 31

Having a bad time lately lots of things happening at work I went to work safe cause of Persistent bullying behaviour from co workers , and ever since I did this my anxiety is thru the roof I have so many people poking prodding making me relive the th... View more

Having a bad time lately lots of things happening at work I went to work safe cause of Persistent bullying behaviour from co workers , and ever since I did this my anxiety is thru the roof I have so many people poking prodding making me relive the things those people did to me I am so sad and scared and just want it all to stop all I want is a safe work place where I won’t be bullied threatened and assaulted is this too much to ask ? Obviously it is I’m my workplace

MummaDonna Anxiety Dealing with Young Adult
  • replies: 3

Hi Everyone - this is my first time on this site. I have bad anxiety and at the moment it’s the worst it’s every been. I have a 23 yr old son who has gone through big drug struggles over last 3 years and it has caused me turmoil. Now just being aroun... View more

Hi Everyone - this is my first time on this site. I have bad anxiety and at the moment it’s the worst it’s every been. I have a 23 yr old son who has gone through big drug struggles over last 3 years and it has caused me turmoil. Now just being around him causes me so much anxiety I’m looking for advice on ways to manage this. All the psychologist techniques haven’t helped xxx

Ponder Going Out on My Own & Challenging Day
  • replies: 1

Tomorrow I have to check my eBike into the the shop on my own. Is hard when people don't understand I can't remember my phone number and when I start to stutter but I feel I am getting less annoyed compared to those that struggle to control their own... View more

Tomorrow I have to check my eBike into the the shop on my own. Is hard when people don't understand I can't remember my phone number and when I start to stutter but I feel I am getting less annoyed compared to those that struggle to control their own responses. Whilst I also struggle with hearing words and processing them incorrectly like I do words when reading (dyslexic hearing kind of thing) + severe sensorineural hearing loss ... I at times can actually hear speech sounds more clearly when the place is quiet enough. Last time I took my bike in I could hear a technician having a joke at my expense regarding having to get things just right on my bike. More the sarcasm and energy in his voice. It kind of cut me deep at first but I am getting better at ignoring it. In the mornings when I post I might appear to be unaffected although when re-reading I can see how I slip up. When I am under stress or have exerted myself I quickly start to become a lot more impaired. Tonight I just wrote down as best I could a list of things I need fixed with my details on it in the hope that will be enough. I explain better my ailments to the manager tomorrow and tape my instructions to my bike before quietly leaving. I even have my sticky tape packed after I read off the paper why I am there. If I find I am disrespected again I will seek out another repair shop elsewhere and explain why I left the other one. I spent like 3.5K on my bike as I don't drive and my bike is everything to me. Tomorrow will be my last try with that shop. Today was challenging. I had to ring Community Mental health because after a friend of mine you stop calling me and another close friend, I checked his house where he had smashed the place up. I did not want to ring MH but was concerned about him. Thankfully they were already attending to him when I called. That was stressful because they are the last people I wanted to call. He has been entrenched in their grip for some time now. It's hard to explain the pros and cons with that, but the lady sounded nice enough. Is hard to see him having such a hard time. I think I did the right thing as I gave them extra info I know he is not telling them. [Denial] - It was not easy to reveal but I kind of got to put my own boundaries down as well. Not making much sense tonight as big day but all good. I prep for my anxious visit to the bike story in the morning.

kwi Anxiety
  • replies: 3

Good afternoonthe last few days my anxiety has resurfaced after such a long timeof it being stable. I feel like this is the biggest step backwards. And I feel so terrible my children have had to see my crying and having a panic attack. please tell me... View more

Good afternoonthe last few days my anxiety has resurfaced after such a long timeof it being stable. I feel like this is the biggest step backwards. And I feel so terrible my children have had to see my crying and having a panic attack. please tell me this is just a minor setback. As feel so low it’s come back