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

Bee Breakup, Anxiety and Interstate Move
  • replies: 1

About six weeks ago my partner of five years (on/ off again) decided to separate for good. We were both very upset (lots of crying/expression of love ) . I feel incredibly sad, unable to stop crying these last few weeks. I recently got a job offer (d... View more

About six weeks ago my partner of five years (on/ off again) decided to separate for good. We were both very upset (lots of crying/expression of love ) . I feel incredibly sad, unable to stop crying these last few weeks. I recently got a job offer (dream job) in another state. My ex and I were potentially planning on moving to this state together. I accepted the job, but am feeling so overwhelmed as I am moving away from family into a new state/city where I have never been and do not know anyone. Not to mention it's a move that really finalises/closes the door on my relationship with my ex. The past couple of weeks, I have felt such acute anxiety (especially at night). I know a certain level of anxiety is normal as moving somewhere new, away from your family is the 'unknown'. But this feels so amplified by the loss of the presence of my ex in my life. I feel utterly lost. Staying feels unbearable as there are so many memories here and I fear sliding into a stagnant state. And moving is terrifying as I know I will feel isolated and lonely for a bit of time. Has anyone ever moved interstate after a breakup? What helped you cope with feelings of loss, anxiety, loneliness? Thanks for reading. Xx

jacky78 workplace harrassment / bullying maybe??
  • replies: 11

Hey legend need some trusty advise please, I have a work colleague that continuously make comment about my career prospect saying im underpaid why I'm working so hard. This stress me out, I like my job and don't care with the pay. He also doubt the i... View more

Hey legend need some trusty advise please, I have a work colleague that continuously make comment about my career prospect saying im underpaid why I'm working so hard. This stress me out, I like my job and don't care with the pay. He also doubt the importance the role of my job, he's a higher up and I'm a technician. He does all the calling and I did all the background and paperwork. Does this mean my job is of lower importance than his. His communication often highlight this as the case Do you guys consider this bullying or harrasment as its impacting my daily life as I'm stressed due to this Any advise would be appreciated Thanks

Paul301 OCD
  • replies: 3

Hi there ,my first time putting anything up on a discussion board but feel for the younger people dealing with OCD, i was diagnosed with Pure O OCD three years ago when i was 50 and not going to lie it was an extremely challenging period in my life w... View more

Hi there ,my first time putting anything up on a discussion board but feel for the younger people dealing with OCD, i was diagnosed with Pure O OCD three years ago when i was 50 and not going to lie it was an extremely challenging period in my life with a brief stint in hospital, but as challenging as therapy was and is eventually there can be a freedom that can help release you from the prison within your head . it was only after being diagnosed that i was able to look back and see how much of my life was driven by OCD , the best advice i was given at the time was to educate myself on OCD first as i think that is a massive step forward to be able to understand what is OCD , second and the absolute most important thing was to find a therapist that is experienced in dealing with OCD as lots claim it but i dont believe some are well enough trained in that specific disorder , the third thing for me was being able to open yourself up at therapy and do the work as OCD is very paradoxical , facing your fears with the help of your therapist i believe was the best way , i wanted to write this for the people new to this disorder to give them so hope so that they can find the courage to seek help and move forward and not let OCD dictate their lives, there will be some difficult days but they will get better ! three years ago i was on medication and having rigorous therapy and now i am off medication and touch base every now and then with my therapist and feel much better , OCD along with Depression still challenge me but i have the tools and the understanding of the disorder to calm myself down much quicker , there is light at the end of the tunnel you just have to make the first step, to the people caring for someone with OCD remember if you find it hard, imagine how they must be feeling not being able to understand themselves , so i tell you, you only need to help them by being understanding and not necessarily having to understand the condition , i think it is also important that the people caring for them get up to speed on the best way of helping an OCD person as it will be just as difficult for you because often it will require you not to offer reassurance.anyway i wish everyone here who is suffering to go and get help because it is there and whilst not perfect it will help ALOT !!

Hi_ Anxiety due to toxic manager
  • replies: 3

Hi, first time poster. I have been dealing with a toxic manager who does not provide support to me at all. I dread coming to work everyday, with massive anxiety, panic attacks, heart palpitations and feeling like vomitting before work. I know I shoul... View more

Hi, first time poster. I have been dealing with a toxic manager who does not provide support to me at all. I dread coming to work everyday, with massive anxiety, panic attacks, heart palpitations and feeling like vomitting before work. I know I shouldn't let it affect me this much but it does. She belittles me, points out everything she thinks I do wrong, when I try to stand up for myself with all the accusations she has against me, I am shut down and she makes excuses pinning things back on me. I know I am not in the wrong, that I know, because I do the work that is given to the best of my abilities but it's not my fault the work lacks direction and clear expectations which then leads her to say I'm not doing the job right.. anyway it sucks because I'm not financially stable to quit my job. I'm also trying to find new jobs too but no luck so far. This anxiety is sometimes getting too much it's affecting my personal life (lost of appetite, being distant to friends/family) and I don't know how to handle it while I'm still here.. I don't know how to handle such a toxic manager who doesn't hear me out or sets me up for success.. any advice would be great, thanks.

BeHappy Unnecessary Anxiety triggered by thought of work
  • replies: 2

I’m in a relatively new job, been there 2 months. Work in a school so just had the last 2 weeks off for school holidays. The last 2 days before the holidays I had off due to legit sickness (stomach bug) then a reaction to my new anxiety meds (I assum... View more

I’m in a relatively new job, been there 2 months. Work in a school so just had the last 2 weeks off for school holidays. The last 2 days before the holidays I had off due to legit sickness (stomach bug) then a reaction to my new anxiety meds (I assume) and a panicked late night phone call to a friend to come over because I thought I was dying (biggest panic attack I have ever had). I just now over the phone turned down an extra days work a week (that I had agreed to before the holidays) as I desperately feel the need to have a day to myself (single mum of a toddler, plus an exhausting & emotional few years - mum passed away, had to move house twice, completed a course qualification, and being a single mum with very very little support). Anyway, due to go back to work tomorrow and I just don’t want to! But I’m not even sure why. I know I haven’t done anything wrong by taking legit sick days, I know I haven’t done anything wrong my turning down an extra days work. Still, thinking about those things makes me panic.And, I don’t even like the job… I’m looking at other employment opportunities. If I had to blurt out a reason, I feel it’s the people.. and again I can’t pinpoint why. There’s a few personalities that I just can’t take to, and am somewhat ‘fearful of’ for lack of a better term.I do have a bit of stress trauma from being bullied in a previous position back in 2012.I just hate feeling this way! Makes memiserable, panicky, scared and really sad…. and I bet I won’t sleep well, if at all tonight. Thank you for taking the time to read this, any advice would be amazing

Moopong Struggling with being repetitive
  • replies: 1

Is there anyone else out there who has been diagnosed with OCD? If so, have you had to struggle with asking questions repeatedly and have frequent conversations about the same things? Does this annoy others? if so how do you deal with it?

Is there anyone else out there who has been diagnosed with OCD? If so, have you had to struggle with asking questions repeatedly and have frequent conversations about the same things? Does this annoy others? if so how do you deal with it?

Heidi Family
  • replies: 4

My husbands siblings have organised a holiday together without even asking us, it’s made me really upset. I feel bad for my husband as he’s such a nice guy and would never want to leave anyone out. It’s now hard to act like everything is normal aroun... View more

My husbands siblings have organised a holiday together without even asking us, it’s made me really upset. I feel bad for my husband as he’s such a nice guy and would never want to leave anyone out. It’s now hard to act like everything is normal around them, I just don’t know what to do. I feel like distancing myself but is that the right thing to do? Sounds like a small issue but I don’t know why it’s made me upset.

affctnn Exercise and anxiety heart palpitations
  • replies: 1

I had a anxiety attack last night and since then i've been having heart palpitations + shortness of breath. would exercising such as jogging help with this? or should i try to minimalize any movement?

I had a anxiety attack last night and since then i've been having heart palpitations + shortness of breath. would exercising such as jogging help with this? or should i try to minimalize any movement?

Lostkey_ Not worthy
  • replies: 3

I already feel guilty that I’m writing this while ignoring my daughter.I wake everyday feeing anxious about the day, I have zero confidence as an adult. I wake most nights and cry uncontrollably I don’t feel worthy of this life I have never achieved ... View more

I already feel guilty that I’m writing this while ignoring my daughter.I wake everyday feeing anxious about the day, I have zero confidence as an adult. I wake most nights and cry uncontrollably I don’t feel worthy of this life I have never achieved anything or have any skills I should have a bit of a career by now but I dontI have everything anyone could want yet I feel I dont deserve iti am extremely lucky but I go to sleep feeing guilty Regret that I can’t restart while fearing of failure I’m jealous of everyone I’m letting my partner and my children downi dont socialise because of the anxiety that I have nothing interesting to talk about and honestly I don’t have the energy to listen to other people I can’t find the right helpIve been navigating my whole life with anxiety and depression and I’m exhausted Ive had enoughCan I get better? Or is this just who I am a part of me?

Guest_02338444 Why do I feel / How do I stop feeling really unhappy when someone I don't really know unfriends me
  • replies: 1

Hello, I'm coming here because I couldn't really find anything else, and this happens pretty much every time something like this happens. I'll just be looking at messages/gc's and sometimes I'll see that someone's unfriended me. I think all of the ca... View more

Hello, I'm coming here because I couldn't really find anything else, and this happens pretty much every time something like this happens. I'll just be looking at messages/gc's and sometimes I'll see that someone's unfriended me. I think all of the cases have been people I don't really know all too well, but it makes me feel awful. I question all of my past interactions with the person trying to just understand why, like if I did something wrong I'd wanna apologise because that wouldn't have been my intention! I know that usually it's for some other reason and that the person probably doesn't spitefully hate me, but like it really wears on me, and I usually can't sleep for ages or even do other things. I guess what I'm asking is there anything I can tell myself or any ways to stop thinking about this, since it ultimately doesn't matter but yeah...