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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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Guest_42887650 anxiety
  • replies: 2

When ever I start working I feel very anxious and feel like quitting. Even when I am not doing anything, my pending tasks keep bothering me. I am a mother of 11 years old, married. I don't even know how to put my feelings into words.

When ever I start working I feel very anxious and feel like quitting. Even when I am not doing anything, my pending tasks keep bothering me. I am a mother of 11 years old, married. I don't even know how to put my feelings into words.

Guest_35916291 dizzy
  • replies: 2

Does anyone else get dizzy with anxiety 

Does anyone else get dizzy with anxiety 

sparrowhawk Very conflicted
  • replies: 7

I have been doing support work for a couple of months and really love it. I’ve got three clients at the moment, which is great as it balances well with my part-time job. I came into this work after living in a very structured religious community for ... View more

I have been doing support work for a couple of months and really love it. I’ve got three clients at the moment, which is great as it balances well with my part-time job. I came into this work after living in a very structured religious community for almost ten years. Like everything being accounted for, often being supervised and criticised on performance, having very little independence. I left that life very unwell with anorexia and now live with that (I’m recovering) and PTSD, which has been dealt with on-and-off by professionals. One client is seriously unwell and has support workers round the clock. They live with family and they have set up a really clear system and routine for support workers. Support workers sign in, there’s a handbook for them, they need to record all the tasks they do, etc. My client is so lovely, but they’re also very assertive and direct. They are great qualities, and this might sound weird - I find myself a bit scared of them at times. Dealing with very direct people reminds me of my past, because directness has often turned into personal attacks, and because I was always expected to be perfect, all the time. I also find the routine and environment gives me a lot of flashbacks - being supervised as I do housework, being directed on chores to do, etc. Sometimes I actually dread going there. And it’s nothing they are doing wrong, these are all my issues, and that’s what makes me feel bad. I have thought about ending with this client, but I feel terrible doing so. I feel like I’ll let them and their family down because they need support. Part of me thinks they will understand if I explain it. I really love working with them generally, it’s just these things which have hit me unexpectedly. I guess I’m looking for a bit of perspective here….? Thanks!

Brent01 Anxiety and lightheadedness was
  • replies: 2

Hey everyone I am just wondering If anyone else gets anxiety where it really affects them being dizzy and lightheaded and it last weeks,been to doctor and they said it’s fine but the worrying about it is keeping me dizzy and nauseous does this happen... View more

Hey everyone I am just wondering If anyone else gets anxiety where it really affects them being dizzy and lightheaded and it last weeks,been to doctor and they said it’s fine but the worrying about it is keeping me dizzy and nauseous does this happen to anyone else thankyou

Sal2645 New experiences and anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hey everyone, I posted for the first time a few months ago and kinda wanted to track my progress. I’ve recently gone through a lot of new experiences with starting uni and a new job which have been quite challenging. New things bring up a lot of anxi... View more

Hey everyone, I posted for the first time a few months ago and kinda wanted to track my progress. I’ve recently gone through a lot of new experiences with starting uni and a new job which have been quite challenging. New things bring up a lot of anxiety and it is often super hard to deal with. I honestly I didn’t think I would be able to do it as I often cut experiences short due to overthinking and panic. However I’ve taken the time to reflect on the past few months and realised that I am indeed still surviving. Though it’s not easy and I feel like shit most of the time - like I’m too stupid for uni or I’m doing my job completely wrong, which led to a bit of a breakdown in front of my boss. And that no one likes me and all my friends want to leave me; I’ve realised that I’m actually sticking with it all. This is the longest I’ve held a job for (the last one I quit cause the thought of doing things wrong was too overwhelming), I’ve been getting good grades at school and I’ve even managed to make new friends at uni whilst still being in contact with old ones. it’s so hard to recognise my achievements when it seems like other people do all those things so easily and I’m drowning. But I’m proud of the fact that I now am able to take a step back and recognise that I am doing the things that I thought would ruin me everyday. Maybe this means I’m getting better at dealing with my troubling thoughts? I just wish I knew how to deal with things better in the moment. Hope everyone is well, just wanted to vocalise my thoughts.

jordan Vomiting, GAD, GERD
  • replies: 2

Hello everyone, I have had anxiety for the past 15 years and I managed it as best as I could. I was diagnosed with GAD and PTSD and I am only 38 years old, but the GAD has been around forever. My main problem is physical symptoms of anxiety. I have a... View more

Hello everyone, I have had anxiety for the past 15 years and I managed it as best as I could. I was diagnosed with GAD and PTSD and I am only 38 years old, but the GAD has been around forever. My main problem is physical symptoms of anxiety. I have acid reflux, sometimes I vomit acid. Blood work came back with fatty liver, high cholesterol. I've also had high heart rate and high BP. I 'self medicated' with non-alcoholic beer (around 100 beers a month), high fatty foods and lots of sugar. I have this embedded fear of dying young, but in the same time I do next to nothing to improve my wellbeing. What concerns me the most is that from time to time (recently they have begun to appear more frequently), I get these vomiting and coughing spouts. I usually vomit acid, which may be from the stomach. Today I vomited twice. I am afraid of revisiting the doctor and I don't quite know where it is coming from. Can someone please share their diet and acid reflux+anxiety stories? Any useful information will help so that I may start doing something to improve myself. My only vices are my bad diet, non-alcoholic beer and I play video games a lot. As I type now I have this fear that an anxiety attack might resurface and I will be awake at night or have interrupted sleep. Thank you!Jordan

Bell87 Physical symptoms of Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi, im not new but I haven't posted on here in awhile. im really struggling at the moment with physical symptoms of my health anxiety i dont know why im feeling this way as I haven't for quite awhile. I can breathe but feels like I'm short of breath ... View more

Hi, im not new but I haven't posted on here in awhile. im really struggling at the moment with physical symptoms of my health anxiety i dont know why im feeling this way as I haven't for quite awhile. I can breathe but feels like I'm short of breath it does come and come but it seems to be worse at night. Has anyone got any good tips to reduce this feeling? I find when I'm busy I'm fine but as soon as I stop I feel tightness. I'm scared I hate feeling this way I'm trying so hard not to go to the doctors because I'm breathing. I'm just scared and hope someone is/has experienced this before too as horrible as it is and wouldn't wish this upon anyone. I hate this feeling

Bee Still struggling with breakup months after
  • replies: 1

Hey, I know I'm not alone in struggling to accept and move on from a breakup. It's a tale as old as time and something most everyone has grappled with at some point in their life. It's been three months since my partner and I broke up. We were togeth... View more

Hey, I know I'm not alone in struggling to accept and move on from a breakup. It's a tale as old as time and something most everyone has grappled with at some point in their life. It's been three months since my partner and I broke up. We were together for five years- I believed I would marry this man. I imagined our future life-he and I often talked about it. Having children, creating a life and a home. And three months ago that came crashing down. I thought with even this small passing of time (3 months) I would be feeling better- if only marginally. I feel worse. I am able to function in my life, my job, my self care routine. But the pain of missing him, all the hopes, dreams and plans we made play out in my head. I know it's a grieving process, he wasn't just my partner, he was my best friend, my family, someone who was always in my corner. I really loved him. Still do. I am just so exhausted from this pain of not having him in my life. Of missing him. Everywhere I go, I'm reminded of five years' worth of memories- all with him. How do you learn to let go of someone you thought would be in your life forever? How do you let go of someone that you love so deeply?

Tigers2017 Anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi I am a 64 year old male married for 40 years , great job for 41 years , homeowner and due to move and retire - So why am I stressed ? Have a son been in jail , a wife who went thru bowel cancer a daughter looking for love and they are pretty happy... View more

Hi I am a 64 year old male married for 40 years , great job for 41 years , homeowner and due to move and retire - So why am I stressed ? Have a son been in jail , a wife who went thru bowel cancer a daughter looking for love and they are pretty happy so why not me . Had a couple recent stints in hospital with a bad heart but nothing wrong with it? All stress on my behalf yep have some prostate issues and some old footy injuries giving me grief but life compared to some others is bloody good, So why do I think so negative when I put my head on the pillow ? Negative thoughts and not happy ones about our life together next few years first time on so love some feedback who to see and how to change

byuuy892 Constantly reliving negative social memories?
  • replies: 3

Hello. My mind will constantly pop up with negative social memories from my past, particularly from late primary school and high school. I've been having this issue since around 2018. I'm in my early 20s and haven't socialised much since, hence not m... View more

Hello. My mind will constantly pop up with negative social memories from my past, particularly from late primary school and high school. I've been having this issue since around 2018. I'm in my early 20s and haven't socialised much since, hence not many opportunities for new negative memories (but some exist). Context:I've had persistently negative social experiences for a long period (or so I perceive). I was a very shy kid. From around the age of 10 I felt I was being mistreated socially, my mental health became overall negative, and has been there ever since. The core beliefs I have developed are something along the lines of "I'm unlikeable" and that "I don't know how to socialise". I remember having severe levels of social anxiety in school (sore stomach before school, constantly keeping hands in pockets, being unable to speak properly, etc). Whilst I'm socially anxious now, it's no where near to the same extent. Although my "social performance" still feels inadequate. Types of Memories:- Times people mistreated me (bullied, excluded, mocked, etc.)- Instances where I perceive that people disliked me (telling me to shut up, giving me that "why are you here" sort of look, etc).- Embarrassing things I did (usually the things need to imply that I'm unlikeable or socially incompetent, otherwise they aren't a big deal)- Times I was bad to others (I didn't do this super often, but I feel severe guilt about it) My question:So, what can I do to assuage/stop the constant reliving of negative memories I experience? Even if I assume I am unlikeable etc., I just don't see how constantly reliving the memories serves me. It's torturing me for no benefit, every day. It feels like something unresolved that my mind has been in severe strife about for a very long time. I understand people with PTSD will relive their memories, but that's much more understandable to me, it would be very difficult to process those sorts of experiences. It's driving me insane. Is this something I just have to accept until I maybe solve my social isolation/struggles in the future? Is this some rare issue only I face? What do I do?