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

Andy999 More sleep anxiety!
  • replies: 6

So for the past few months, since sometime late last year I’ve been getting some crappy sleep anxiety, I would get the this occasionally a couple years back, mainly when I had to be up early, which wasn’t often back then, but Yeeh I felt so pressured... View more

So for the past few months, since sometime late last year I’ve been getting some crappy sleep anxiety, I would get the this occasionally a couple years back, mainly when I had to be up early, which wasn’t often back then, but Yeeh I felt so pressured to get to sleep early enough to get a good nights sleep, this caused a lot of anxiety and would cause me too not fall asleep for a while and if I did it was pretty disrupted, anyway this held me back from getting a full time job for many years. But that was a while ago since then I did get a job in construction and funny enough I snapped into a good sleep cycle pretty quick, I’d aim to get into bed by 8:30 almost every night and I’d usually be out cold by 9-9:30 and because I’m up at 5am. Was all going smooth for a few years, little hiccups along the way but good. Since this annoying habit has returned it’s really been putting a strain on me, I’ve since progressed at work and now am a leading hand at work and am In the process of starting my own business, I know I’m capable of all this but my sleep issues are holding me back a bit mentally, I find myself nervous about it every night sub consciously “will I get to sleep quick tonight” seems to be the daily question leading into bed time, some nights I’m sleeping 4-5 hours maybe after tossing and turning for ages, flicking the Tv on and off, then I’m off to and long day of physical labour just for the same thing to happen again the next night, look I know I’ll sleep, it will happen and I generally do catchup a bit of my day off, but yeh it just sucks, I wanna go back to laying in bed and just falling asleep naturally without Tryna force it, I’ve been told to read a book before bed, lay in bed for 20 mins then if you can’t sleep jump out read again in another room and so on, but that’s just not me l, my whole adult and teenage life is was falling asleep to the TV, watching something and dozing off before I could think about it, I guess I can still do that now but sometimes it hits 12 and I havnt dozed off yet and the anxiety just fires up inside and I’m even more awake, I just know how important sleep is for the mind and body, I’m just not sure where to go from here, sorry for rambling on

Nifty198807 Anxiety at work
  • replies: 3

Last few weeks at work I've felt extremely anxious receiving calls from customers and making outbound calls to customers. I have never felt like this before and have worked in the same industry for nearly ten years. Not sure if it just nerves or lack... View more

Last few weeks at work I've felt extremely anxious receiving calls from customers and making outbound calls to customers. I have never felt like this before and have worked in the same industry for nearly ten years. Not sure if it just nerves or lacking confidence. Let me know your thoughts.

Yurchenko Hi
  • replies: 2

I'm new to the forum and am struggling with anxiety atm. Just started a new job - not sure I can manage almost full time hours as I've never worked full time before due to health. I'm highly anxious over the thought of it all. Currently on anxiety me... View more

I'm new to the forum and am struggling with anxiety atm. Just started a new job - not sure I can manage almost full time hours as I've never worked full time before due to health. I'm highly anxious over the thought of it all. Currently on anxiety medication and as of today the Dr has increased my dose, I've organised a mental health plan but the symptoms of anxiety are crippling me at the moment. I've made a total work change - loved my old job but boss was crazy so I had to get out. Now working for a large company which has it's positives but after falling ill and ending up in hospital (after just 1 shift) I can tell I'm not going to get any help in reducing hrs etc. I was told at job interview it would be minimum 24hrs a week but more likely 30ish which is great however it's 37-37.5hr so far. I know it takes time to settle in and I really do want to give it a chance but the physical symptoms are not helping me! I'm also on medication for gastritis (inflamed stomach lining) which is causing side effects including fatigue. I can't not work - it's only me with a mortgage to pay. I had 3months between jobs trying to find work so used up a fair bit of my savings.

KFPDW OCD STRESSES
  • replies: 10

I've been told that I'm way too hard on myself by lots of people. I can't help it I feel like this is hardwired into me. Like I should be able to get even little things right the first time round. I shouldn't be getting annoyed every time I fail or m... View more

I've been told that I'm way too hard on myself by lots of people. I can't help it I feel like this is hardwired into me. Like I should be able to get even little things right the first time round. I shouldn't be getting annoyed every time I fail or mess up or can't get things right. I feel like this can be applied to a lot of things in my life that if I don't get something right the first time or perfect even, I get really upset and angry at myself automatically. It's not easy feeling this way like I got to get things right all the time. It's so hard. I feel like it’s hardwired into my brain since forever. If I can’t get something right the first time then doesn’t matter how many tries I make afterwards or find ways to improve to get better, the fact remains I feel like I should have had it the first time and there’s no reason why I shouldn’t. Especially when it’s something I know how to do well. It’s like this friction that I just can’t do it or look at whatever I do because it’s just there. That I failed at something I should be able to do. It feels frustrating and my brain locks on this ongoing cycle that won’t stop. The OCD stresses can get really annoying. I feel like they are invisible barriers that prevent me from enjoying things in life. Like there’s this special edition book I got for my birthday last year from my Mum and I really treasure it. It’s a huge heavy volume. Only a few days after I got it, in my haste to put it away when we had guests coming to the house, One of the pages got caught as I was closing it and there’s this sort of 2 vertical creases on the front page. And no matter how much I try to smooth it out, I won’t go away. It doesn’t stop me from reading the book and it’s not like it’s water damage or anything like that. But it’s sucks to know that it’s there, it can’t be fixed in anyway I know who because it bends both ways and it happened a few days after I got it. It’s a special book and I didn’t want that sort of thing to happen, at least so soon. And I feel like I can’t read it because it happened. I’ve been told that creases and worn pages show how much a book is loved and what not. But I feel like the creases is something that could have been easily avoided and I’m annoyed at myself that it happened. This is the sort of hell I live with in my head that won’t go away.

Jay_Tee22 Health Anxiety & Anxiety Weight Loss
  • replies: 2

Hi team, Hope everyone is well. I have a two part question: 1. Health anxiety - Has anyone here dealt specifically with health anxiety/hypochondria and have you successfully overcome it? It is consuming so much of my life so would love to know if peo... View more

Hi team, Hope everyone is well. I have a two part question: 1. Health anxiety - Has anyone here dealt specifically with health anxiety/hypochondria and have you successfully overcome it? It is consuming so much of my life so would love to know if people have overcome it? 2. Have you found anxiety causes you weight loss? Even if it is just a kg or so, have you found being in a constant anxious/stressed mind you will suffer weight loss - Sometimes you feel you are eating enough but overall if you tracked calories you probably are not. Thanks in advance

joezep Unsure
  • replies: 4

Not sure about the process but will try and describe my queries...not even sure if this is the right area to post?...where to begin...i have just officially reached age pension status and this should be the best years of my life but for the last few ... View more

Not sure about the process but will try and describe my queries...not even sure if this is the right area to post?...where to begin...i have just officially reached age pension status and this should be the best years of my life but for the last few years i have been suffering from a type of anxiety, GAD as diagnosed by a couple of doctors, have tried different medications, psychologist, psychiatrist, but all to no avail..it is as bad today if not worse than when first diagnosed, my symptoms are quite simple as it relates to every aspect of my life, from brushing teeth , cooking shopping...all these things just overwhelm me which causes loss of breath, i am at a loss to try and find some sort of solution so any help wpold be appreciated...

Tim1982 Can anyone help?
  • replies: 9

Hi all. does anyone else get like weird feelings on one side of there head and it seems to never go away? When I say it never goes away, sometimes it feels like it does and then comes back. The sensation is like tension on one side of my head? Someti... View more

Hi all. does anyone else get like weird feelings on one side of there head and it seems to never go away? When I say it never goes away, sometimes it feels like it does and then comes back. The sensation is like tension on one side of my head? Sometimes feels cold in a spot and also feel like numbness. I've been so scared it's something serious but the doctors have told me I don't need a scan because they're sure it's anxiety and stress. I googled and the worse results appeared and it's been getting worried. Yesterday I felt it disappeared for about 10mins or so and then it came back. A couple of other times it's gone but only briefly and then returns. I feel like it's gotten worse after I googled. I'm constantly fixated/focused on it. I just want to know if anyone has the same sensations? ... It's quite a scary feeling. This is started 3/4 weeks ago... I got blocked ears and developed a ringing and turns out of have fluid behind my ear which can cause these sensations but the doctor has put it down to also Anxiety/stress. I've also been to emergency and 2 other doctors before that and they said the sensation is normal.

Shesaleo Failure as a parent
  • replies: 1

I feel like I have failed. Yes I'm strict with my daughter and I know I have to let her make her own mistakes but she has made a lot already and she's only 13. I think she is acting out because she doesn't get to go roaming the streets with her frien... View more

I feel like I have failed. Yes I'm strict with my daughter and I know I have to let her make her own mistakes but she has made a lot already and she's only 13. I think she is acting out because she doesn't get to go roaming the streets with her friends or have boys over. She has done things at 12/13 that I didn't do until I was like 16. And she doesn't care. It breaks my heart that I have lost my girl.

Andrea75 Frequent Panic Attacks
  • replies: 4

Hi, I have been suffering panic attacks for close to 30 years. I have been on one medication for about 25 years. Even though I still get Panic Attacks they aren’t as severe. But lately they have been getting very bad again. I spoke to my Doctor about... View more

Hi, I have been suffering panic attacks for close to 30 years. I have been on one medication for about 25 years. Even though I still get Panic Attacks they aren’t as severe. But lately they have been getting very bad again. I spoke to my Doctor about them and she prescribed a new medication. I filled the prescription on 1st December and have already used 35 of the 50 tablets in two months. When I have been having a panic attack I quite often take the tablets and find it is not working that well for me. I have Camomile tea and rescue remedy. I’m starting to feel nothing is going to help me. Has anyone got any suggestions? I don’t want to take the new medication as regularly as I have as it can be addictive. Please help

naralle How to deal with my Anxiety?
  • replies: 8

I have been having a lot of trouble with my Anxiety, I don't know how to deal with I need help.

I have been having a lot of trouble with my Anxiety, I don't know how to deal with I need help.