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

Needleina Just need an ear
  • replies: 4

I finally decided to seek professional health for my anxieties . Waited near 3 mths for first appointment. I clicked with the psychologist. I could open up. Delving into my life I saw a pattern of always feeling second in importance to everyone, even... View more

I finally decided to seek professional health for my anxieties . Waited near 3 mths for first appointment. I clicked with the psychologist. I could open up. Delving into my life I saw a pattern of always feeling second in importance to everyone, even my spouse did it to me (everyone except my dad). I know it’s my reaction to events and I’m the only one responsible for how I feel. Anyway, I had 3 appts with the psychologist and on the third appt when paying the bill the receptionist said I had no more appointments booked. I showed her a copy of the appointments they had made for me (every 3 weeks for 4 more appointments) . She read the times, wrote them down and said she would fix it up. For my next appointment my psychologist had to cancel. They called to tell me. I was fine with that. We all have things happen. I felt a bit stressed as I wouldn’t see her for now 6 weeks between appointments . Again the receptionist said I had no more appointments left now ( after this upcoming) cancelled one and would she like me to make more. I told her I had 2 more appointment times now. I felt my anxiety rise. She asked me to email the list to her which I did. I got a return email. It said the next appointment being made for 20th May!!! That will be 12 weeks between appointments as my 29/4 and 13/5 had been now allocated to other patients ( and 8/4 cancelled). While they apologised for their mix up ( and nothing can be done ) it’s been an extra hard time for me churning issues in my mind. Trying to work through things. I had taken some bold steps with discussing my issue with my husband, prior to the cancelled appointment. I know that cancellation couldn’t be helped. At that time I thought I could discuss with her at the 8th April how the discussion went with my husband Then I settled to accepting it would be 3 more weeks til I could discuss this with her. Now it’s turned into 12 weeks between appointments. 20/5 is the next available as all my others have since been allocated to other patients. My only hope is one of these cancel. It’s extra hard because my issue is about feeling second place to everyone- and now others have been put ahead of me. It’s like even my psychologist is doing it. Makes me feel a bit like it’s not my reaction but it’s something that really happens to me. Probably not a big issue in terms of the lives of others, but I just need someone to listen. Thanks for reading.

AnxiousSara Medical anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I suffer from extreme medical anxiety in large part at least due to 2 significant medical issues I’ve had in my past where I was only diagnosed and treated thanks to advocating strongly for myself. Both the issues were resolved through major ... View more

Hi all, I suffer from extreme medical anxiety in large part at least due to 2 significant medical issues I’ve had in my past where I was only diagnosed and treated thanks to advocating strongly for myself. Both the issues were resolved through major surgery, the last being about 10 mths ago. My trust in doctors is now low as a result and my belief that all symptoms point to something terrible is high. I am seeing a therapist as I can’t function falling in a heap at every symptom. As of a few weeks ago, I developed a tremor, mostly an intentional one (when moving) but I also have a general buzzing throughout my body. I’ve had a brain mri (clear) and I’m seeing a neurologist who doesn’t think there is anything terribly dire causing it. This is of course little comfort to me. I’m finding that I’m struggling distinguishing now between tremor that is normal for everyone and tremor that isn’t. I know that the shaking I get currently when I reach for a cup of coffee for instance is not normal and needs to be investigated further. However for example, my eyelids shake rapidly if I squeeze my eyes shut tight. Does this happen to others or is this part of whatever my current issue is? My teeth also mildly chatter when I place top and bottom together in a somewhat unnatural way. Would this be part of what I’ve got going on or would I have had this even before? Anyone else have this? Thank you for reading. I’m so tired of this stress and uncertainty.

Snowflake36389 Hating school and wanting to drop out
  • replies: 2

I’m really hating school at the moment. My anxiety has been so bad at the moment. I’ve just gotton lots of marks back from last term and I only passed by a few marks for every assignment and test. I feel so dumb and stupid. I just hate school so so m... View more

I’m really hating school at the moment. My anxiety has been so bad at the moment. I’ve just gotton lots of marks back from last term and I only passed by a few marks for every assignment and test. I feel so dumb and stupid. I just hate school so so much. I can’t deal with the assignments and stress and it’s becoming too much. I really want to go to uni though and the course that I want to go to doesn’t really have and VET or TAFE courses that could be used as an entry way. So I’m just stuck at school doing subjects that I’m liking less and less the more I do. It’s becoming so unbearable. I just don’t see the point of going to school if I’m hating it stressing about it and then not even getting anh good marks. I’ve spoken to my parents my therapist school counsellor teachers and nothing has worked. I just don’t see the point I’m absolutely miserable. Im struggling and hate that I’ve gotten to this point where I’m back to being depressed all over again.

Apricit123 Dizziness
  • replies: 2

Does anyone get dizzyness with anxiety this sucks

Does anyone get dizzyness with anxiety this sucks

Belle_07 Health anxiety making me feel exhausted and hopeless. 
  • replies: 6

Hi, I’m new to forums. Like many of you I have been suffering with health anxiety for many years. I have had many significant episodes where I have been debilitated for long periods, obsessing over symptoms, seeking reassurance, multiple tests and do... View more

Hi, I’m new to forums. Like many of you I have been suffering with health anxiety for many years. I have had many significant episodes where I have been debilitated for long periods, obsessing over symptoms, seeking reassurance, multiple tests and doctors/ hospital visits. I am on AD which helps and have seen numerous psychologists and have done CBT, mindfulness training etc and have Learnt that my health anxiety is triggered by stress. I have long periods of being “normal” but if I have what I consider an abnormal bodily sensation for a period of time eg I have chest wall pain at the moment, my mind goes into anxiety overdrive and no matter how rational I try to be, I keep coming back to compulsively checking that symptom, with associated negative thoughts.The problem is that I am EXHAUSTED by all of this and cannot see an end in sight to these constant periods of anxiety. As I get older (I am now 50), more everyday stresses seem to be occurring and I don't see how I am going to be able to cope. I am super worried that if and when I do get diagnosed with something I will not be able to cope and will go insane. The emotional pain is becoming severe and sometimes I think that if I was diagnosed with something, it would be easier to opt out. All of these thoughts are going around my head. I have plenty of support, but like many don’t want to continually burden other people. I’m not really expecting an answer from this post. I just thought it might help if I wrote it all down. So thanks for listening..

britta8888 Anxiety Making Me Want To Leave Job
  • replies: 4

My anxiety has lately crept back up to a level where it is impacting my day to day life. I have only been at my job for a few months and I am completing a traineeship through this workplace. However, I have been having panic attacks at work and am no... View more

My anxiety has lately crept back up to a level where it is impacting my day to day life. I have only been at my job for a few months and I am completing a traineeship through this workplace. However, I have been having panic attacks at work and am not enjoying working there as I thought I would. Furthermore, my boss who trains me sometimes embarrasses me in front of clients which only exacerbates my anxiety. I haven't told them about my anxiety but I really just want to leave anyway as I am not enjoying it and the environment exacerbates my mental health issues. How do I go about resigning in a non-confrontational, respectful way. What do I say and I know that they will try to get me to stay but I really don't want to. Im intimidated by my boss too. Thank you for your help this has really been playing on my mind. XXXX

TentativeSteps Workplace anxiety and workers compensation claim
  • replies: 14

Because of the stigma I’ve avoided taking out a claim, having used considerable leave over the years to cope instead, but have bitten the bullet and lodged a claim going back to a recent event (not years but presumably that is helpful to explain what... View more

Because of the stigma I’ve avoided taking out a claim, having used considerable leave over the years to cope instead, but have bitten the bullet and lodged a claim going back to a recent event (not years but presumably that is helpful to explain what pushed me into a claim) which is well documented. Anyone understand why all I ever read is how difficult claims are because employer always claims it was ‘reasonable management action’ and insurer investigators buy this? Is it standard to be rejected to simply be pushed into an apparent toothless tiger conciliation and therefore the courts disregarding model litigant requirement and knowing employee cannot live without a wage? Have read Ombudsman reports wanting to have insurers improve their actions but has anything improved other than immediate reasonable medical costs being paid to start recuperating?

Hyperballad Anxiety about work
  • replies: 2

New to the forums here. I have had anxiety for a long time and one of the things that happens is that after a certain time into a job I get anxious about work, losing my job, and some paranoid/suspicious thinking that they are going to get rid of me.... View more

New to the forums here. I have had anxiety for a long time and one of the things that happens is that after a certain time into a job I get anxious about work, losing my job, and some paranoid/suspicious thinking that they are going to get rid of me. I’m a little socially anxious as well so not the limelight at work but I tend to work well and fit in well. It becomes so hard to work with these thoughts that start to make me nervous about work and insecure. It’s started up again in this new job that I’m in for nearly a year and received a promotion for about two months ago. I still think they only gave me a promotion with the intention on getting me out. I’m also nervous about the person who is taking my new role as she is a bit prickly and not so friendly to me but is to my boss. anyway, I’ve approached my doctor and started on meds (tho don’t went to get into them too much or for too long) and have started with a psychooogist. Just want a respite from the thinking and worry.

Amanda2000 anxiety - my coping tool
  • replies: 3

Hello fellow anxiety-sufferers. Do you recall the many times that you've been all worried about nothing? But you only know this after having wasted a lot of time and energy feeling so so so worried. And then at the end, you're fine! Next time when yo... View more

Hello fellow anxiety-sufferers. Do you recall the many times that you've been all worried about nothing? But you only know this after having wasted a lot of time and energy feeling so so so worried. And then at the end, you're fine! Next time when you find yourself excessively worrying about something, try to remember one of these positive incidents from the past. It's become a powerful tool for me to manage my anxiety issues.

RISL Trouble talking
  • replies: 8

Hi everyone. I was just wondering if anyone else has difficulties talking in front of others? I get so nervous I muck up my speech and then that makes me more nervous. Does anyone have any advice? Thankyou

Hi everyone. I was just wondering if anyone else has difficulties talking in front of others? I get so nervous I muck up my speech and then that makes me more nervous. Does anyone have any advice? Thankyou