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

Mike33 Anxiety and depression and boredom
  • replies: 3

Hi my name is Mikei left work 5 years ago due to my anxiety and depression. I am 67 years old. I have had anxiety and depression for over 50 years. About 2 months ago I felt the illness re-emerge. I cannot work out if it is the illness plus boredom. ... View more

Hi my name is Mikei left work 5 years ago due to my anxiety and depression. I am 67 years old. I have had anxiety and depression for over 50 years. About 2 months ago I felt the illness re-emerge. I cannot work out if it is the illness plus boredom. As I spend most of the day at home. I get terrible headaches and spend about 2-3 hours in bed as it is the only place that eases the headache. Any remedies or ideas would be appreciated.

Baileysmells My social anxiety is making University really tough for me
  • replies: 4

I’ve been on campus for 13 now, I admit I kinda had the mindset of being a loner and just finishing the work. But it turns out my classes require a lot more than that of me. I just looked at tomorrows lecture guideline and there’s going to be an in-c... View more

I’ve been on campus for 13 now, I admit I kinda had the mindset of being a loner and just finishing the work. But it turns out my classes require a lot more than that of me. I just looked at tomorrows lecture guideline and there’s going to be an in-class debate where we get into a group and act as someone from this pre-determined hypothetical situation. Then present results from that to the class. We are also beginning our first assessment which is a group work assignment, we have to figure out the groups and begin planning/exchange information. I am absolutely terrified of those. It feels like it’s going to be a lot of pressure. The people at the table I happened to sit at already seem disinterested in me and talk amongst themselves, I don’t know how I’m going to be grouped up. Wether the people I get with don’t want me there or make an awkward mess of myself during it.

abb01 I hate Year 12
  • replies: 7

I'm in Year 12 this year, it feels like the year just started, but suddenly the end of the year is approaching so fast. Part of me is so scared to be an adult, but I don't even have time to focus on that part of me, or on the part of me that's excite... View more

I'm in Year 12 this year, it feels like the year just started, but suddenly the end of the year is approaching so fast. Part of me is so scared to be an adult, but I don't even have time to focus on that part of me, or on the part of me that's excited. I'm just so overwhelmed with school work all the time. I've been feeling this stress all through high school, especially during quarantine, but these last few months, it's been especially bad. I remember, in Year 9, I had it all planned out, I was so sure I'd have a part time job by the time I was 16, I was going to get great grades, and my life would be do much fun. But I'm almost an adult now, and STILL haven't had my first job. Or my first anything, tbh. Covid's messed everything up. And I just feel so stressed, and so angry sometimes, and I know that there's all these ways to be happier and healthier, and all I've got to do is do them, but I just can't get the motivation somehow. Whenever I feel stressed, I do things to myself that I hate, and I feel way to embarrassed to ever tell anyone about. Either that, or I binge eat tons of food after not eating for days. But somehow, when I do that, my mum always finds out, and she gets so mad at me. But I'm always already feeling mad enough at myself. After doing any of these things, I just hate myself so much, more than I've ever hated anyone in my life. What's worse is I know that there's heaps of simple ways for me to help myself, like just by just stopping doing the things I do to myself. And I know that I'm just so lazy and stupid for not helping myself, after all these years. But part of me also feels like I don't even deserve to get better, I don't deserve to be happy. I just hate myself so much, I hate everything about me, I hate the way I look, and act, and think. I just see so many perfect ppl around me, living perfect lives, and I'm not even trying to be pretty or successful, coming on this chat is the best I've done for myself in ages, but I guess it's better than nothing. I just don't know what to do anymore.

BobbyOz Failed uni due to panic attacks
  • replies: 7

I was doing really well in all my uni courses but since I couldn't do the exams due to anxiety I got no marks and I've failed and am now in massive debt and have to do it all again. What should I do?

I was doing really well in all my uni courses but since I couldn't do the exams due to anxiety I got no marks and I've failed and am now in massive debt and have to do it all again. What should I do?

Giggyy intense spiral from university rejection
  • replies: 4

hi so I have struggled with anxiety and almost crippling self-doubt which has prevented me from doing a lot of things but I decided to put in an application for university early entry, the course had quite low standards and I thought I might get it..... View more

hi so I have struggled with anxiety and almost crippling self-doubt which has prevented me from doing a lot of things but I decided to put in an application for university early entry, the course had quite low standards and I thought I might get it... I didn't. My self-doubt has spiralled out of control because I really thought this was something I could do, now I've convinced myself that I can't do anything and it's hard to get out of this panic/catastrophizing mind. How can I deal with this and try and take control of my future? it's almost time for me to apply to more unis and figure out my life but I'm so panicked that ill be rejected from everything and ill be a failure, I haven't even looked at the pages for any other courses or even jobs because I'm so scared of more rejection any advice is appreciated thx

car10001 when is it time to leave jobs and what can you do to hang on a bit longer
  • replies: 5

hi not sure where to put this but want to ask following and hope someone can listen. because the place that am working at is for sale have decided to call it when it sells or the owners 60th whichever comes first because have goals that am wishing to... View more

hi not sure where to put this but want to ask following and hope someone can listen. because the place that am working at is for sale have decided to call it when it sells or the owners 60th whichever comes first because have goals that am wishing to follow at some point and starting to get a bit tired of the hospitality work and always working when events are on and missing out on so much because of it and feel that after 13 years its time to start planning the next move and think its better to plan at some point while you may be able to hang on just a bit longer. by the time the shop sells itll probably be 15 years in service and after that long and giving up your life its time to get out. what am wanting to do next is electrical test and tag and add antennas and emergency lights inspection and should be enough to get consistent 2-3 days a week work, plus may be able to take a few second hand things to sell at markets once in while as well. am looking into testers and need something for now just to get started but dont have much to spend to start off with so wondered wether basic one would be ok for now and upgrade later or should you try get the one you want from the start and is there a way to laybuy it online without afterpay like you would in a shop where the laybuy just gets cancelled if you dont or cant pay and money minus the laybuy fee gets returned to you. being in hospitality is wearing you down because you work every weekend and every events and every holidays and you just want to go to some events and/or meet people but cant because youre always working and it wears you down and am tired and had enough and have goals and want to follow them while am still able to. the food industry work is already hard work and has gotten harder in last couple years and will probably never be same plus it isnt meant to be a forever thing but instead be a stop gap for uni students or to just have a job while you work towards what you want. what could you do to try and hang on a bit longer until you can get out. you dont always have to leave on bad terms, sometimes you have goals that you want to reach

Rose.8 Feel like I’m not doing enough with my life
  • replies: 7

I am 21 still live at home, currently enrolled at university and I work a casual job, I’m doing 14 hours of class a week not including the time it takes to do my assignment, sometimes I freelance photography work for extra money… I help my parents wi... View more

I am 21 still live at home, currently enrolled at university and I work a casual job, I’m doing 14 hours of class a week not including the time it takes to do my assignment, sometimes I freelance photography work for extra money… I help my parents with house work, grocery shopping ect, I’m basically the only one that cleans the house….. I also work around 12 hours at my casual job which is not a lot compared to some people, but that’s where I stress, I feel like I’m not doing enough? People I work with seem to always be picking up shifts wherever they can whereas I say no when I’m asked to come in last minute. I don’t say no all the time but when I do I feel so so guilty even if I actually have 5 assignments due and I can’t work or I’m out with friends. I know I could say yes but I feel like I get burnt out so quickly….. am I just being lazy? Do I need to stop having a sook and just work? I’ve been asked to work tonight and I don’t want too….. I need to prepare for class tomorrow, do assignments and I also need to find an internship for uni. anyone else get an overwhelming amount of guilt saying no? I hope this makes sense, I don’t want to come across as a privileged sook who still lives with parents and doesn’t want to do anything with her life….

KaiyaE Anxiety Sucks
  • replies: 5

Anxiety has effected my life in ways I could never imagine, and I only just sat down and reflected on what it's done to me. I haven't been sleeping well, my appetite has been ruined (And I LOVE FOOD), I can't stop shaking, and I'm constantly afraid t... View more

Anxiety has effected my life in ways I could never imagine, and I only just sat down and reflected on what it's done to me. I haven't been sleeping well, my appetite has been ruined (And I LOVE FOOD), I can't stop shaking, and I'm constantly afraid that I'm going to start freaking out in front of people.My counsellor has described what I go through as panic attacks. Feel sick, short of breathe, shaking. It's every day. It's exhausting, I don't want to do it anymore...The biggest thing I want is for someone to ask me if I'm ok. I would tell them how I'm feeling. Just them asking proves to me that they care. But no one does..

R.Penn Homeless and in limbo indecision
  • replies: 9

Hi there, I have previously posted here before a couple of times. I have reached out and am receiving therapy once a week on the phone with lifeline which I am super thankful for. I have moved around so much since my first relocation interstate and s... View more

Hi there, I have previously posted here before a couple of times. I have reached out and am receiving therapy once a week on the phone with lifeline which I am super thankful for. I have moved around so much since my first relocation interstate and since covid things have gotten progressively worse for me and prolonged unemployment hasn’t help either has my attitude to returning to employment. I want to work I just want to work with good people, I have had so many jobs where people have just been awful and bitchy and gossip. I got involved with a woman at one of my longest held jobs a meek 1 year and it ruined me. I won’t go into this detail as I have worked through it and have gone no contact for a year. I just have become homeless now due to the housing crisis and lack of decent share houses/ affordable rooms and lack of rentals in QLD. I try to remain thankful for my friend in Brisbane, my family and my car that is my safe space. I haven’t slept on the street yet but am close to it as I can’t find anywhere to live and have no money for bond upfront. I receive job seeker allowance which I am so thankful for but the whole process seems to be weighing me down and I feel like I am drowning. I am 32 I should know how to look after myself by now but I feel so behind. I want to buy a van because half my problem is not knowing where I want to based and not really feeling like I belong anywhere. I lived in Melbourne for 9 years which was my home and I tried to return last year but got stuck in the 5 month lockdown with some not so close friends in a sharehouse. I just don’t know what to do now… I need somewhere to live this week so I can find a job as I am at desperate point now. I can’t focus on one direction and feel like I am a burden to my family and friends now. I just want to run away some days but I don’t want to become more isolated. Has anyone been in this position before? I know its happening to a huge amount of Australians at the moment and I get rage against the system and our government not providing enough emergency accommodation for everyone. There are so many homeless people… I was thinking maybe I could go join them wherever they are camping… I just get scared about my safety. I think I have decision paralysis from moving back and forth interstate too many times during covid pandemic also getting stuck in quarantine and a longer lockdown. I would appreciate anyone’s advice moving forward Thankyou

Rupes79 Anxiety and depression
  • replies: 5

Hi Everyone, Is it possible to have anxiety but not depression? I feel my symptoms are more in line with someone suffering anxiety but that makes you feel pretty awful about life which is sort of associated with depression. Do the two go hand in hand... View more

Hi Everyone, Is it possible to have anxiety but not depression? I feel my symptoms are more in line with someone suffering anxiety but that makes you feel pretty awful about life which is sort of associated with depression. Do the two go hand in hand? Thanks