Immediate support
Immediate support

Anxiety

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with anxiety.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

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

Start a discussion

George_K Protracted Panic Attack???
  • replies: 3

I've never had a panic attack as far as I know, certainly never been diagnosed as suffering from them, but I'm wondering if I'm currently suffering one. I woke about 4:45am this morning and struggled to get back to sleep due to chest pressure. After ... View more

I've never had a panic attack as far as I know, certainly never been diagnosed as suffering from them, but I'm wondering if I'm currently suffering one. I woke about 4:45am this morning and struggled to get back to sleep due to chest pressure. After pacing round the house for a while then tossing and turning for a bit I did get a few more hours. This entire day however I've noted an uncomfortable degree of tension in both my chest - which periodically causes me to worry about a heart attack, and my head. My hands are a bit shaky, and after charging an old Fitbit, I'm thinking my heartrate is higher than normal, though not dangerously so, but that could just be general lack of fitness courtesy of CFS etc. The chest\head pressure waxes and wanes but isn't dissipating even though it's now headed for midnight. Am I likely self-diagnosing correctly? I live with CFS, was diagnosed with (some degree of) ADD as a kid, am a quintessential monotasker i.e. can't multitask to save my life or get a licence, and am on the mild side of the scale in the anxiety-depression-stress test. Panic attacks aren't something I'm familiar with. On the other hand I had to spend a couple of hours with family yesterday - no I don't hate my family or anything, but there was something like 3 conversations or activities going on at the same time, none of which I was really involved in or interested in, so I spent several hours dealing with\trying to ignore multiple things happening whilst attempting to read an e-book. Is it possible the social overload triggered a belated protracted panic attack, or am I simply grossly misreading the symptoms? Yes I've seen: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety/types-of-anxiety/panic-disorder but it's not as crystal clear or conclusive as I'd like. I'm hoping I can just drop off without issue tonight, and wake up feeling normal - normal for me at least, but as to whether that'll happen ... I already have a GP visit scheduled for just over a week away, and I'd really rather not bother the hospital staff if this is a trivial event or a one off incident, but I'm just not sure what I'm experiencing. Thoughts, suggestions, advice? (Especially from those who actually do know what a panic attack actually feels like)

99isthebest Been told I have sleep apnea. Anxiety about having to use a CPAP machine.
  • replies: 10

Hi everyone, I Wanted to reach out and ask if anyone out there suffering health anxiety has ever experienced being diagnosed with sleep apnea as I am struggling to come to grips with my diagnosis. All of these started because I was constantly feeling... View more

Hi everyone, I Wanted to reach out and ask if anyone out there suffering health anxiety has ever experienced being diagnosed with sleep apnea as I am struggling to come to grips with my diagnosis. All of these started because I was constantly feeling tired but not so tired as I was falling asleep during work or driving etc. But tired enough that it was noticeable and even my friends and family commented. Your always tired. Of course being a health anxiety sufferer I came up with an abundance of reason why I could be feeling this way. Cancer, hiv etc. you name it I’ve thought it. Then I stayed at a friends place before his wedding as I was a groomsman. We were in the same bed as there was a few of us staying that night. He was adamant he noticed me stop breathing in my sleep and seemed alarmed by it. Of course this got me thinking and my grandfather suffers from this condition. So I took the test. Results from the sleep dr put me in the moderate category I am about 24 per hour on the rdi index. And he said any oxygen drops under 90% are cause for intervention. Mine dropped to 88% at the lowest and for 10% of the total sleep time. I feel super depressed about my cpap trial. Having to wear something to bed just irks me so much. I’m the type of person where a clicking fan, to much light or not the right temperature is enough to irritate me falling asleep let alone staying asleep. I realise I’m not the only one but I feel let down by my body. Being only 30 and skinny something just doesn’t feel right when I’m sitting in a waiting room with people all over the age of 50. I’m also super worried that the sleep dr ask for extra blood tests my gp has never tested for. Which makes me wonder if he thinks whatever I have is more then just sleep apnea. Does anyone know if blood tests are normal for this? Of course this leaves me with this dilemma of if I don’t want use the machine I hear all this terrible stuff about it shortening your life etc. what day will I drop dead.

Steves_87 RE:Anxiety,Depression,ADHD
  • replies: 2

Hi all. I’ve been struggling for some time. I recently started zoom therapy sessions and discovered that I still have adhd which explains a lot of what I’ve been going through for years. I have to go see a psychiatrist to get prescribed dex or someth... View more

Hi all. I’ve been struggling for some time. I recently started zoom therapy sessions and discovered that I still have adhd which explains a lot of what I’ve been going through for years. I have to go see a psychiatrist to get prescribed dex or something to help with concentration. I’m so over having a mental illness it’s exhausting every day. I feel like I’m a burden to my amazing partner who has been my support network. I feel like my problems are exhausting to my partner she also suffers from a mental illness and is medicated. So a little background I separated from my ex wife April 2 years ago subsequently went through a horrible time started a relationship with this other girl which lasted 6 months she wasn’t the right person then in December 2019 I met my current partner we met online I had just decided to take a chance on finding my soul mate and there she was we lived in two seperate cities and it was fate that bought us together love at first site and subsequently we went on 2 dates and New Year’s Day last year became official moved in together in February everything has been a fairy tale. I struggled to find work during the early days of Covid and I did find work in September back in my industry of support work. Things had been going well until this year a lot of stress with the management and uncertainty in our site closure led to a lot of anxiety about being out of work again I then applied for jobs got hired the site closed one of the lovely clients requested for me to work privately with him as we had a good relationship. Currently I’m only working 3 days a week started work in the new place I also got hired at but it’s casual and I’m waiting for shifts which sucks because I’m not working as much as I’d like to I decided to undertake study to do my diploma of community services but as I have adhd I struggle with motivation concentration anger depression anxiety. I feel like I always want to sleep even though I’m not actually tired I could listen to music play video games do constructive things but I don’t I constantly feel like I have this brain fog. I know I’m very intelligent but I feel like my mental health will always hold me back. At 34 I haven’t really achieved much in my life left school at the end of year 10 and have struggled all my life trying to keep my head above water one thing I am good at is keeping a job and I guess I’ve gained confidence over the years. My partner has been wonderful to my confidence & continues to support me

Booklover17 Life is so hard right now
  • replies: 31

Hi Haven’t posted in a while but really struggling. In lockdown, have anxiety, live alone, can’t participate in singles bubble and going through a divorce. Anytime I have a conversation with someone it’s always like “well talk to you later.” I just w... View more

Hi Haven’t posted in a while but really struggling. In lockdown, have anxiety, live alone, can’t participate in singles bubble and going through a divorce. Anytime I have a conversation with someone it’s always like “well talk to you later.” I just wish just one person would stop saying this and just talk to me for a bit longer. I fee so lonely right now. It’s not like I can tel my friends/ family how I am feeling - they don’t get it and have not checked in with me at all - they seem to be unaware or don’t want to ask how I am really doing. I just want someone to talk to me.

Anxiousmumma903 Very anxious 2nd time mum during lockdown
  • replies: 3

Hello, I just had a little bub during the lockdown and I am finding it so overwhelming going from 1 to 2 kids and I find myself being very anxious about everything… I can be an anxious person and over think things a lot. but since becoming pregnant I... View more

Hello, I just had a little bub during the lockdown and I am finding it so overwhelming going from 1 to 2 kids and I find myself being very anxious about everything… I can be an anxious person and over think things a lot. but since becoming pregnant I have had a few panic attacks (thought I was having a heart attack at 1st) and a couple of bad ones after baby came along. I also find myself worrying about more and more things. Just every little thing sets me off, I can see something on the news and often I will put myself in that situation and thinking what if it happen to me or my family. I don’t know if it’s me being in lockdown for too long or just all the extra hormones from having a baby. I just don’t feel quite right. I also find myself getting quite short with my older son, kinda feels like we are all stuck in a space for too long and can’t tolerate each other. I snapped at him sometimes then I feel really guilty about it after I feel bad for asking for help because I know there are a lot worst off people out there, specially during these difficult times and I feel that I am taking up resources. But I feel I need some guidance or knowing I am not the only one feeling this way. thank you for reading.

Zap_Nell Trying to be brave for my child for years now I’ve crashed
  • replies: 3

Hi I’ve tried for so long to keep a healthy mindset so long it’s turned into survival mode of self care but now it’s habitués that when I do something like go to coles I have a panic attack I feel like my body has given up or needs a rest I go to bed... View more

Hi I’ve tried for so long to keep a healthy mindset so long it’s turned into survival mode of self care but now it’s habitués that when I do something like go to coles I have a panic attack I feel like my body has given up or needs a rest I go to bed so early because it’s easier than feeling anxious ive Nursed my child back from a trauma/ injury that left her at 6 with ptsd and anxiety I’ve been back and forth to children’s hospital and rocked back and forth with the panic attacks all while having my own and not showing it i was on a tablet for 6 months but I ended up unwell and had to go off it . so I’m on nothing now I eat well , do yoga and meditate but I still feel in survival as a escape I write and publish children’s books my question is do tablets help this or shall I just keep trying everyday I’m tired of trying to keep myself safe from panic and anxiety my doc gave me a SSRI to try but reluctant and If it makes me tired I dont want to feel like a bad mum I have 3 auto immune diseases and I ache all day aswell with chronic pain just lost I try to do different things daily to feel better any helpful advice please

littlepenguin anyone with anxiety who works within a life and death profession i.e nursing, paramedic, anaesthetist etc ...
  • replies: 3

Hello I am a veterinary nurse working in a specilist hospital. I have been diagnosed with generalised anxiety. I have previously worked in a small GP setting for the last 12 years. So I do have 12 years experience as a nurse however never in such a b... View more

Hello I am a veterinary nurse working in a specilist hospital. I have been diagnosed with generalised anxiety. I have previously worked in a small GP setting for the last 12 years. So I do have 12 years experience as a nurse however never in such a big beast of a specialist hospital. In my previous roles I have really enjoyed monitoring anaesthsia during suregry - this is one of the trcikiest parts of a veterinary nursing role , the life of that animal is in your hands, you need to be noticing small trends and changes and act on them quickly, if you fail to act or do not notice something small things can go down hill very quickly. I have always had a vet in the room whilst I am monitoring anaesthesia. They are performing the procedure or suregry andnot concentrating on the anaestheisa but they are there if I need them/ to ask a question/ advice. I now have a vet who is on the floor in another room or a few rooms away and If I need them I need to call them on the phone to get advice or assistance. I am moniting patients under General anaestheisa for CT scans..... My anxiety is through the roof with this...something I could usually do no worries, has now made me feel very anxious ... I am constanly thinking that If i need the vet they wont be available, wont answer my call, or my patient will die or something bad will happen and it wil be on my watch... I think this could be becuase I am using new equipment and my patients are higher risk being cancer patients, I am used to young healthy dogs and cats a lot of the time. I have a lot of knowledge with anaetshisa and completed a lot of post grad study to help with the anxiety around it. I think I have major conficne issues and I am in a spiral of negative/ catastrophic thinking. How do you do it to the medical professionals out there who have anxiety... how to push past the what ifs and worst case scenarios, the imposter syndrome as well, I feel like these thoughts are paralysing me at the moment and I am now avoiding do the CTs and making someone else do them .... which I know is not the solution. I am not on any medication and I have just started seeing a psychologist to help with my thought patterns through some CBT work. I feel like I feel dread every time I see there is a CT on the schedule... this is part of my day every day so i realyl need to get on top of oit before it completely consumes me.

J10 Resigned From Work due to Anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi, I made the decision to resign from my job today due to my mental health. Specifically dealing with my anxiety. I know people are struggling at the moment to keep their jobs or have lost their jobs due to covid. You would think I would be grateful... View more

Hi, I made the decision to resign from my job today due to my mental health. Specifically dealing with my anxiety. I know people are struggling at the moment to keep their jobs or have lost their jobs due to covid. You would think I would be grateful to have had a job in this covid pandemic world we live in. However, it was a constant upheaval battle everyday with dealing with my anxiety as well as working as a customer service representative in a company that required high standards be met to its customers. Having being on a return to work plan after attempting suicide 2 months ago due to a horrible team leader, I thought I could handle going back to my original role of taking inbound calls. However, there is only so much you can do to implement strategies to overcome your anxiety when dealing with challenging and difficult customers and meeting the expectations of the company with each interaction. To strike this balance, in the long run, was going to be exhausting and was tiring before my suicide attempt. I was tired, rundown and exhausted. A meeting was arranged to discuss whether I could be moved to a different team in which the work involved would have being less stressful and anxious. However, the company wasn't willing to accommodate this request due to business needs and for what I was originally contracted for when employed by the company. I guess that was understandable. The only thing that really got me during that meeting was the fact that I felt management invalidated my feelings and thoughts surrounding the circumstances of my suicide attempt. My suicide attempt was caused by my previous team leader and his management style. His lack of empathy and compassion towards someone who deals with mental health illness everyday. I felt management were protecting and defending their own by saying that his style or rather the way he approached me in terms of constantly reminding me of my mistakes, making feel guilty and playing on my insecurities was never intentional. It was never to hurt me or be malicious. But it was hurtful. It scarred me and got me to the point that the only option I had left to escape how he made me feel was to end my life. For a company that preaches empathy and patience with everything, their actions demonstrate they are unable to understand the point of views of others. So, long story short, I believe I made the right decision to leave this job. I feel relieved. I see this as an opportunity to find something better.

PsychedelicFur Trying my absolute best
  • replies: 1

Here is a little clarification. Let me explain ; Up until a month or two months ago my father and I were on the verge of homelessness. As we had to sell our house due to my parent’s divorce and we had been applying for places to live but there were m... View more

Here is a little clarification. Let me explain ; Up until a month or two months ago my father and I were on the verge of homelessness. As we had to sell our house due to my parent’s divorce and we had been applying for places to live but there were many rejections that we faced. Luckily we have a house now! So basically I pretty much live in certain cases of poverty. Most times we barely have enough money to pay bills and grocery shopping can be very expensive. Sometimes we resort back to community resources - like food banks: and they help tremendously! So appreciative of them! I study at university but I am just concerned that my life will always be like this. I sometimes feel like having goals, ambitions and dreams in my life is a slight waste of time.. because I have grown up in this type of environment all of my life. Not much money, so much financial stress and so much hardship.. I’m a definite high achiever and I study hard. And above all else I am thoroughly invested in my studies. I love learning! I just feel like I am experiencing so much unnecessary stress and anxiety, haha don’t we all feel that way though?! My mother was psychologically abusive towards me and I’ve had to parent my father, in some ways. Plus I am a misfit and don’t have many friends my age. Plus my first ever proper relationship made me feel unappreciated and undesirable. Seven months no contact with him though! YAY! Life is so uncertain and sad. I’m just trying my absolute best. I hope I can achieve my goals and be a better version of myself. PF.

Coco18-8 Social anxiety to loneliness
  • replies: 3

Hi, I just wanted to say that I feel so anxious right now because I just got home from work and had to walk behind three girls awkwardly and another situation was me and this other girl had to wait together and I tried to make small talk but messed i... View more

Hi, I just wanted to say that I feel so anxious right now because I just got home from work and had to walk behind three girls awkwardly and another situation was me and this other girl had to wait together and I tried to make small talk but messed it all up. Was very awkward. It feels anything I ever do is awkward and eveyone at my work is so close and friends and I’m this outsider. I’ve been here for a year so it’s not like because I’m new. And I told my dad I literally have no friends and he was like that’s what you said a year ago. Then it really put it in perspective I’m never going to have more friends I’m incapable of making them and will be alone forever. I love my friends now but I know after we graduate I will loose half of them and I’ll be even more alone then I imagine myself to be alone for the future. I just want a friends at work and just makes me think this is how my life will be for the rest of my life . No more new friends , just lonliness. Idk why put I just can’t escape the fear of being alone and it’s making me have the fear of making friendships