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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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Louisezea Eating disorder /anxiety & moving to a new city advice
  • replies: 1

Hi all, I’ve moved to a to a new city for work and I’ve been struggling with dealing with an eating disorder + anxiety. It’s been 3 months since moving and I’m considering moving back, I feel unmotivated and struggling to find support. Im finding it ... View more

Hi all, I’ve moved to a to a new city for work and I’ve been struggling with dealing with an eating disorder + anxiety. It’s been 3 months since moving and I’m considering moving back, I feel unmotivated and struggling to find support. Im finding it hard to trust my gut, I’m not sure if moving is the right decision. I have been dealing with an eating disorder for the past 4 years and it’s becoming out of control, I’m not sure if it’s worth quitting work to seek help. Does anyone have any advice? Would appreciate it so much. Also has anyone else experienced depression/anxiety when moving to a new city?

DancingQueen18 Mask wearing Anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi, First Time poster, long time Anxiety and Depression sufferer. I have high functioning anxiety. I commute 5 hours a day (which makes me anxious by itself) for work and now with the mask wearing mandate in the office, my anxiety is through the roof... View more

Hi, First Time poster, long time Anxiety and Depression sufferer. I have high functioning anxiety. I commute 5 hours a day (which makes me anxious by itself) for work and now with the mask wearing mandate in the office, my anxiety is through the roof! I feel like I'm suffocating when I wear a mask for longer than a couple hours at a time. Is that weird? I have a phone appointment with my doctor on Friday to discuss my anxiety. Covid mandates have definitely made my anxiety worse.

River77 Throat issues and anxiety
  • replies: 9

Hi does anyone else suffer throat sensations due to anxiety? I have one particular spot deep in my throat that feels like lump that comes and goes, but what really scares me is some pinching pains I experienced, also ear ache and sensation in ear , j... View more

Hi does anyone else suffer throat sensations due to anxiety? I have one particular spot deep in my throat that feels like lump that comes and goes, but what really scares me is some pinching pains I experienced, also ear ache and sensation in ear , just one side of the face, and sometimes aches in that one spot or burns in the throat . So ,I saw ENT who couldn’t see nothing , swan done nothing, now I got from different doctor referral for U/S .... of course I fear cancer! Many thanks for your replies!

MissJ94 Dealing with social anxiety
  • replies: 3

How do i manage this? I have no friends, the only people i talk to are a couple family members. I cant maintain relationships because i panic that theyre hiding something or that theyre just going to let me go so i let them go first to avoid that hap... View more

How do i manage this? I have no friends, the only people i talk to are a couple family members. I cant maintain relationships because i panic that theyre hiding something or that theyre just going to let me go so i let them go first to avoid that happening, if that makes sense? All thanks to previous abusive relationships. I get very anxious even going to the shop. I have everything delivered or as click and collect to avoid being around people. I only do the click and collect if the delivery isnt available. I want friends, i want a social life, but this anxiety gets so bad. Even job interviews, ill have them locked in and then completely miss it without letting them know because of this anxiety! I have a job interview tomorrow, a job i REALLY am hoping on getting! Its literally a 5min walk for me. But im already having thoughts of just not turning up! Even going for a walk, i fear that people will see me and judge me, talk about me negatively. Every time im out i feel like everyones eyes are on me. Is it because im dressed funny? Because im overweight? Do i just look angry and thats why i feel like people stare? Do i walk weird or too fast? How is it possible to deal with it?

Trichster Me and my Trich
  • replies: 7

Hey guys! I’m trichster and I have Trichotillomania. For anyone out there who doesn’t understand what it is or for people who have it (like me) I’m writing this to help. Trich is a lot to deal with, and I know because I have it. I pulled my eyelashes... View more

Hey guys! I’m trichster and I have Trichotillomania. For anyone out there who doesn’t understand what it is or for people who have it (like me) I’m writing this to help. Trich is a lot to deal with, and I know because I have it. I pulled my eyelashes when I was young, I eventually got over it, then when I did a dance comp I had to have makeup on and it came back. This time on my eyelashes AND my eyebrows. It’s been a tough time and I know mine can be worse or yours can be worse but all I want to do is help others and get help myself. Here are some strategies I use/used to help me. Worry stones-stones with a flat side to help stress (stress may be to do with picking), any fidget toys such as squishy’s, slime or play dough, go to your happy place- where you feel safe, welcomed and happy-where you can get distracted and not pick and my personal favourite, just tell yourself you can do it and you aren’t going to pick. Anyway thanks for your help. I really appreciate it. Thank you.

Jazzy135 Anxiety and depression
  • replies: 8

My anxiety and depression is debilitating. Every day I convince myself I have a new disease and it's exhausting. Who would have thought anxiety could create physical symptoms to accompany the torment already going on in my mind

My anxiety and depression is debilitating. Every day I convince myself I have a new disease and it's exhausting. Who would have thought anxiety could create physical symptoms to accompany the torment already going on in my mind

Buzzybees101 Anxiety after pfizer :/
  • replies: 4

Hey all, I received my 2nd shot of Pfizer 3 weeks ago, and my heart rate has been seriously high on and off since. I've always suffered with anxiety and had alot of health anxiety when I was younger, and I can't tell if this is just my anxiety over a... View more

Hey all, I received my 2nd shot of Pfizer 3 weeks ago, and my heart rate has been seriously high on and off since. I've always suffered with anxiety and had alot of health anxiety when I was younger, and I can't tell if this is just my anxiety over all the side effects you read about, or if there is anything wrong, I went to ED and they did an ecg but couldn't draw blood because I am scared of needles they said the ecg is ok but had some small abnormalities... I am going to a gp tomorrow and hopefully will be able to let them take a blood test and get to the bottom of it, if it's anything, the doctor at the hospital said it's nothing sinister and they have had alot of people with this but nothing has been wrong and they don't know why people keep going to the hospital with this... has anyone here experienced this for weeks post vaccine and if so, how do you cope? Thank you. '

Matt_y Anxiety triggers Anger
  • replies: 2

Hi all, First time reaching out on a forum like this. Main reason it’s taken me so long is that I have only just realised that the idea of talking to someone face to face, or even to someone I hold dear, is just not realistic for me. For some reason ... View more

Hi all, First time reaching out on a forum like this. Main reason it’s taken me so long is that I have only just realised that the idea of talking to someone face to face, or even to someone I hold dear, is just not realistic for me. For some reason it actually compounds my anxiety which comes out in my worst trait, anger! This is something I hate. Let me say right now, that this anger is not physical in any way, but I would say it’s bordering on mental abuse to those close to me as I am unable to talk to them about anxiety or make them understand on how I’m feeling. has anyone else had an instance like this when the pills are only doing so much, and y out feel toy can’t talk to a professional or to those toy love and it makes it worse? Just looking for some coping mechanisms

GraceyJ Anxiety after drinking
  • replies: 5

Hi, I’ve been feeling really low and embarrassed after too many drinks on NYE. I was having a great time but then had too many and got emotional and then sick. My friends looked after me and took me home which was very much appreciated. I feel so hor... View more

Hi, I’ve been feeling really low and embarrassed after too many drinks on NYE. I was having a great time but then had too many and got emotional and then sick. My friends looked after me and took me home which was very much appreciated. I feel so horrible to have ended everyone night like that. My friends say it was ok and they didn’t mind but it doesn’t take away the guilt or embarrassment. There are also parts I don’t remember which makes me feel even worse. I know these feelings will slowly go away but I have been feeling so low about it all. There is nothing I can do to change what has happened but how do I get out of the self pity pit.

Araxdamas_Burres I hate myself. Hours spent diarying
  • replies: 7

I am devastated that I can't stop journaling. I am having serious bouts of sadness and panic attacks. When I started to journal, I didn't know it would develop into huge sprees of writing down my thoughts. Menial everyday things are written down like... View more

I am devastated that I can't stop journaling. I am having serious bouts of sadness and panic attacks. When I started to journal, I didn't know it would develop into huge sprees of writing down my thoughts. Menial everyday things are written down like This is what i ate for lunch today I cant multitask My parents told me about a friend that did x and even more menial thoughts than that. It is such an embarrassing and colossal effect on me. For a sense of scale, I currently have 3902 messages in a private discord server for journaling - just the discord server, not my notes nor my physical diary. I'd estimate that's well over 100000+ words. All in the course of a week or so. I won't tire from this. I'm almost crying for one of the first times I can remember, from the burden this has on my life. I write notes all night long as they pop into my head. ( I've actually pulled all-nighters doing this. Sometimes I literally type every single note as I think of them like I am mentally connected to dairy. I know what's causing it, probably. Its the fear that I lose part of myself by not treating it. I don't know where this fear came from, but I don't want to spend a lot time figuring it out. I need a quick solution to this debilitating severe form of memory hoarding. I've written down every logical reason why this is completely batshit insane and I still cant stop it. I hate how this is destroying my life. My parents don't get it. They're great but wouldn't understand these types of things. I thought I was going to post a logical coherent and emotional response but I absolutely cant. Please it would do so much if you could console me or offer some really smart advice. thanks a lot I hate that i have to give you such a poorly edited post.