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

Flowergirl97 People gossiping/talking about you
  • replies: 8

Hi there,I'd appreciate your thoughts or suggestions on what to do about knowing people are talking about you behind your back or if you suspect they are talking about you behind your back. There have been times in the past when this has been overwhe... View more

Hi there,I'd appreciate your thoughts or suggestions on what to do about knowing people are talking about you behind your back or if you suspect they are talking about you behind your back. There have been times in the past when this has been overwhelming and confusing because, what are you supposed to do in this situation? It can bring on a sense of dead and insecurity and I'm not sure how to respond to it. I'm the sort of person who avoids conflict but I've also noticed this is very common in today's society where everyone is comparing themselves and using social media, which has increased the amount of gossip, misinformation, and dare I say it 'bitchy' behaviour in general. Sometimes I have overheard people talking about me in a way that they have clearly misunderstood my intentions or who I am as a person, but I also want to keep the peace and not confront anyone. Anyway, I'd appreciate your thoughts!

Fishies Work stressed- comparison with colleague etc
  • replies: 1

Feeling unrecognised and being told about how my partner at work is doing such an amazing job. Boss being indirect about the possibility of continuing next year's contract (currently on a 1-year fixed term contract), by mentioning that other permanen... View more

Feeling unrecognised and being told about how my partner at work is doing such an amazing job. Boss being indirect about the possibility of continuing next year's contract (currently on a 1-year fixed term contract), by mentioning that other permanent staff are coming back from their leave. I directly asked if this meant you would like me to leave but the boss said “No, of course I would like you to stay.” But I felt the opposite. I'm not sure what to do as this conversation still bothers me and makes me doubt my performance and what I'm doing a lot.

Tash Moving house anxiety
  • replies: 5

Hi all, I've been in my rental for 8 yrs by myself & last week was told I need to vacate. This has triggered a lot of panic & fee in me as it was unexpected & I have a dog so the rental market is challenging. I've been unable to do simple things like... View more

Hi all, I've been in my rental for 8 yrs by myself & last week was told I need to vacate. This has triggered a lot of panic & fee in me as it was unexpected & I have a dog so the rental market is challenging. I've been unable to do simple things like concentrate at work & basically not cry several times per day. I yesterday found somewhere to live, with my partner but I still have anxiety about leaving my home & also living with someone which I haven't done in 10 yrs. Every time my landlord contacts me I get triggered & my friends haven't been supportive at all, just placating me while they live in huge houses & don't offer any way of helping. My partner is great but I of course think of every way this all might go wrong despite having a great relationship for 4 yrs. I'm so down, lonely in my thoughts & just feel hopeless & lost.

Merlin Random physical symptoms from anxiety?
  • replies: 3

Almost 12 months to the date, I had the unfortune experience of discovering i had a tumor on my kidney when I collapsed in the office due to a massive internal bleed. Thankfully my kidney was removed and 1 year on my scans 12 months have not shown an... View more

Almost 12 months to the date, I had the unfortune experience of discovering i had a tumor on my kidney when I collapsed in the office due to a massive internal bleed. Thankfully my kidney was removed and 1 year on my scans 12 months have not shown any spread to other organs. The entire experience has been very traumatic and stressful but I thought I was handling it all ok, until January when I started developing pains in my abdominal area (literally the 1st day of my holiday). Of course I thought the worst and given the time of the year, I had to wait 4 weeks to have further tests, which thankfully showed nothing sinister. The stress of that episode seem to tip me over the edge and it was it was like the weight of the whole experience caught up with me. Since March i have been getting random physical symptoms; in particular pins and needles in hands and feet, electric nerve sensations, muscle fatigue, aches and pains ,metallic taste in my mouth , jaw tightness etc. Even my knee joints are clicking all the time which never happened. Unfortunately Dr Google is saying all the worst case scenarios i.e. MS , cancer etc., and I'm now having a brain MRI this week to rule that out. I have read on multiple websites that anxiety can cause these types physical symptoms but i didn't think they would be this noticeable or this intense and i thought it would go away after a short period time and not get worse. It feels like a catch 22 , that the more symptoms i experience the more stress and anxiety i feel and im now stuck in a vicious cycle. The chronic pain issues over this 4 month period has been really getting me down, even though I'm being told its "all in my head" (which is just as annoying). Of course I'm not looking for some horrible diagnosis, but I would be interested to hear of anyone experience similar symptoms after a high period of trauma related stress? What techniques can you use to get out of this horrible hole i have found myself in?

Matty Neck pain and anxiety
  • replies: 5

Greetings. I am trying a forum for support for the first time. I have been struggling with ongoing jeck pain and associated headache pain for many weeks which in turn his spiked my anxiety (long time anxiety sufferer usually controlled very well by m... View more

Greetings. I am trying a forum for support for the first time. I have been struggling with ongoing jeck pain and associated headache pain for many weeks which in turn his spiked my anxiety (long time anxiety sufferer usually controlled very well by medication and CBT). It is impacting my work, social and family life a lot and causing large amounts of stress, worry and sadness. Not sure if this is the correct place for support but any advice is always appreciated. Thank you all. Matt

Losttwentysomething_ Going on my first trip overseas, and also on my own. HELP ME!!
  • replies: 5

As the title says I am going on my first trip on my own and it will be overseas. I have never been overseas before so I am quite frankly shitting myself. I have so much to think about before I go such as getting myself familiar with my flights, what ... View more

As the title says I am going on my first trip on my own and it will be overseas. I have never been overseas before so I am quite frankly shitting myself. I have so much to think about before I go such as getting myself familiar with my flights, what to pack, what i cant take, what bag/s to buy, etc. I will be going on a tour so activities and making friends will be done through this tour group. Has anyone else been overseas on their own and how did you cope? I could use people advice and tips and how they managed to prepared for their trip. There are so many websites out there that I don't know where to start I also feel pressure to travel as I am in my late twenties and that it will be harder to do when older

nootnoot I told a lie and now I'm very anxious.
  • replies: 5

A consultant at work was given some chocolates from a patient and left the clinic without taking them. One of the other doctors working with the consultant said I should take them home because I don't think she will want them. A week later the the co... View more

A consultant at work was given some chocolates from a patient and left the clinic without taking them. One of the other doctors working with the consultant said I should take them home because I don't think she will want them. A week later the the consultant had been asking around who took them. The doctor who said I should take them home said she left them with the nurses and the nurses would keep them safe. A few people asked me if I knew what happened including the consultant which I lied and said I didn't know. Ever since, I have had bad anxiety thinking I am going to get in trouble. I have asked a few friends and family what I should do and if I should replace them. They have all said to not worry about it but I can't stop worrying. I might need more or better advice please.

James d morning anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi I have anxiety and depression it seems that every morning when I wake up I feel physically sick and no energy and my lower legs ache I feel so bad it’s an effort to get out of bed and into the shower each morning just no energy get dressed etc and... View more

Hi I have anxiety and depression it seems that every morning when I wake up I feel physically sick and no energy and my lower legs ache I feel so bad it’s an effort to get out of bed and into the shower each morning just no energy get dressed etc and after that my energy is worse struggle to eat breakfast and a coffee sitting down to eat I’m so exhausted my legs feel so week also I have ringing in my ears I was on one type of antidepressant for many years and 9 weeks ago they switched me to another the ear ringing started then they also informed me I could stop the old medication and next day start the new one direct switch as in the same ssri class of drug since then I haven’t felt myself and the new medication doesn’t seem to be doing anything not sure if anyone else has had similar situations like I describe hope to hear from someone

m2468 ocd uti fear
  • replies: 1

feel super silly talking about this but i’ve had ocd for most of my life and only recently has my brain been fixated on having a fully empty bladder?? i go to the toilet all the time cause i have this fear that i’m gonna get a uti if there’s anything... View more

feel super silly talking about this but i’ve had ocd for most of my life and only recently has my brain been fixated on having a fully empty bladder?? i go to the toilet all the time cause i have this fear that i’m gonna get a uti if there’s anything left and no matter how long i sit on the toilet for i still feel like i haven’t passed everything so it’s on my mind pretty much 24/7 and i always feel like i need to go?? it’s really frustrating me and i don’t know what i can do to take my mind off it.

Guest_44772179 Not sure what to do
  • replies: 3

Struggling with no supportI’m a young mum to a toddler, trying to navigate relationships, working full time (I have 2 jobs) and nursing full time.Safe to say that’s a lot for anyone to deal with day to day.on top of this, I have been struggling every... View more

Struggling with no supportI’m a young mum to a toddler, trying to navigate relationships, working full time (I have 2 jobs) and nursing full time.Safe to say that’s a lot for anyone to deal with day to day.on top of this, I have been struggling every single day of my life since childhood. I’ve been experiencing debilitating anxiety since I was 6 (granted I always thought I felt guilty for no reason but didn’t understand the feeling till I got older)I used to tic a lot as a kid and many other issues like that which were never taken seriously or followed up on by my parents. Instead they would shame me about itand this has snowballed to the point where I’ve experienced multiple traumatic events and I’m struggling to process it all on top of my day to day life, this anxiety and everything else happening in my brainI notice One normal issue anyone else experiences really takes a toll on me and I internalise all my emotion with itI struggle with reaching out for help I always have. But I have made steps to outwardly tell my partner or family or friends but they seem to picture me as someone who “handles everything” and any advice they give just seems so superficial and vague. Stuff like “oh but you’ll work it out like you always do :)”Helplines and counselling services are just as uselessI seeked out professional help but sadly I’m not in the financial position to pay $300 per session a weekI don’t know what I’m supposed to do. It seems wherever I seek help in the places your supposed to, they don’t work and when I try talk to my ‘support’ I feel like I’m not being believed or taken seriouslyI don’t know what to do but I know I can’t keep living with this burden for the rest of my life. I’m so overwhelmed most days I constantly think of ways I can try to run away or escape everything… this isn’t healthyWhat should I do?