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

Nervybella Anxiety and WFH
  • replies: 3

Hi all so I’ve started a new job about three weeks ago. It’s a step up for me and an overwhelming/big kind of job is that makes sense. I’ve been feeling very anxious since starting - no appetite, constant self doubt and waking up with a racing heart ... View more

Hi all so I’ve started a new job about three weeks ago. It’s a step up for me and an overwhelming/big kind of job is that makes sense. I’ve been feeling very anxious since starting - no appetite, constant self doubt and waking up with a racing heart at 4am every morning. then throw on top of that the sudden Melbourne lockdown and now I am working from home with no support from colleagues. How do people cope with working from home? I feel like I’m not good enough and it’s so hard to switch off and keep work and home seperate when it’s all happening in the same rooms… my previous job was in healthcare so I was going into work for all lockdowns so I am just new to working from home. I’d love to hear some others that have felt like this before

unigirl1994 Panic attacks every night - fear of death
  • replies: 15

I few years ago a massive fear of death popped up into my head. It came in waves sometimes bad and sometimes I didn't think about it at all. I saw a psychologist and it really helped. Last year I watched one of my grandfathers pass away in a nursing ... View more

I few years ago a massive fear of death popped up into my head. It came in waves sometimes bad and sometimes I didn't think about it at all. I saw a psychologist and it really helped. Last year I watched one of my grandfathers pass away in a nursing home and it was really helpful for my fear as he chose to go and was ready. This past few weeks my fear has come back full force. I'm having panic attacks every night before I fall asleep and most days at random times. Last night my mum was telling me a story about how a 90-something year old man had committed suicide as he was tired and chose his own time (she is a policewoman) - she started crying while telling me and it set me off into a panic, I had to pretend to go to the bathroom so I could quietly freak out in there alone. I have spoken to her about me fear before and she encouraged me to speak to my psychologist. I have since contacted my psychologist but her books are closed for a few months. I'm tired of being scared every day and I don't want to waste my life living in fear but everything I read about this phobia sets me off in a panic. I need help and I don't know what to do, because I know its inevitable but I need to come to terms with it.

Jr5251 Out of control anxiety over son
  • replies: 1

Hi all, first time poster, long time lurker. My son is 18 and I am constantly anxious and worried that he is going to get into trouble. I was a police officer for many years, but not for past 16yrs. My son has discovered drinking and goes out with fr... View more

Hi all, first time poster, long time lurker. My son is 18 and I am constantly anxious and worried that he is going to get into trouble. I was a police officer for many years, but not for past 16yrs. My son has discovered drinking and goes out with friends to clubs, parties at houses etc. If he is going out with lads his own age, I don’t worry so much, but he has started going out with men (over 25) from his sports team and I am so worried. He does tell me what he is up to and has me on his app so I know where he is, but every weekend now I am so anxious I feel sick, headachy, worried. He gets quite drunk, even though I have asked him to not drink to the point of being smashed. BUT and a big but, is there are rumours that several of the team take cocaine and mdma. He has promised that he wouldn’t take anything, but to be really honest, I don’t trust him. He always wants what others have or do and I worry this will be in relation to drugs too. Can anyone give me pointers to deal with my anxiety and worry, am I just being a helicopter/snowplough parent and need to back off…HELP please thanking you in anticipation

Squiddly_diddly Hello and some anxiety questions...
  • replies: 3

Hello all, I’m suffering a bad phase of anxiety at the moment. im an ex pat . Really missing Uk, but do have good friends here. I just get so anxious if say, a friend takes all day to reply to a text... I imagine that they are ignoring me etc etc. I ... View more

Hello all, I’m suffering a bad phase of anxiety at the moment. im an ex pat . Really missing Uk, but do have good friends here. I just get so anxious if say, a friend takes all day to reply to a text... I imagine that they are ignoring me etc etc. I feel like I’m on the outside looking in, I get short breath and dwell on imagined slights, things I’ve said that may upset people and so on. just reaching out really, on medication with a good GP. Just meh right now. Also, dr gave me medicinal cannabis to try, not sure if a co incidence but been sad and low since I started it. Wondering if anyone had any other issues with it? sending love and support to all xx

Zeity Anyone quit a job due to not having a grip on Anxiety?
  • replies: 24

I have been in my role for 7yrs. It offers flexibility, ridiculous great hours but poor pay, lil progress and a boss who will praise you one day and humiliate you in a meeting room the next. Ive been buried in a pressure cooker for the last 2 months ... View more

I have been in my role for 7yrs. It offers flexibility, ridiculous great hours but poor pay, lil progress and a boss who will praise you one day and humiliate you in a meeting room the next. Ive been buried in a pressure cooker for the last 2 months and finally uttered the words IM DONE...penned a letter, decorating with thanks yous and fluffy stuff and admitted it was to take time off for self-care, basically due to "health" reasons. I dont have a back plan and my husband is currently not earning. But ive spent 2 months not sleeping, not eating, working almost 3 times the amount i csn physically do. When he turns on you, he is anniliating. Basically, i go to work in constant fear that im going to stuff up and get told off by him all the time....and i just need a bresk to sort my life out and reset my head to die doen the crazy chatter. It is stupid for me to not have another job lined up and resign.in 48hrs but the reality it is my anxiety wont let me look for a shop whike i still work there. Itll be written all over my face

Kitty1991 Is the crying normal?
  • replies: 11

Hi everyone, I have been diagnosed with server depression and anxiety recently. I don’t really notice the depression to much just not really understanding what emotion I should be feeling when, no motivation and a lot of apathy. But the anxiety is ex... View more

Hi everyone, I have been diagnosed with server depression and anxiety recently. I don’t really notice the depression to much just not really understanding what emotion I should be feeling when, no motivation and a lot of apathy. But the anxiety is exhausting me. I go around in a constant state of panic basically. For no reason, don’t know why. And every time I try to relax I end up crying and can not seem to stop. It’s quite ridiculous really because whenever I try and sleep, I relax end up crying, then cannot sleep and the next day the cycle begins again. Does anyone else have the same or similar crying issue I do? If so I would really appreciate any tips you have on how to stop crying. I have tried distracting myself- normally makes it worse. But if I tense back up again I can stop crying, but then I can’t sleep. Unless anyone has any tips on how to sleep tensed up? Lol. Also tried deep breathing to no noticeable effect. Thank you for your help, it’s really appreciated. Cheers.

Bree751 I need relief
  • replies: 5

I have been experiencing existential worries that have been plaguing my mind for 3 days, and I was just feeling better when I saw an article that confirmed society would collapse if not enacted on in 10 years from now. How can I cope with the prospec... View more

I have been experiencing existential worries that have been plaguing my mind for 3 days, and I was just feeling better when I saw an article that confirmed society would collapse if not enacted on in 10 years from now. How can I cope with the prospect of societal collapse taking away any hope of me recovering whilst I am being plagued by existential fears? Please, I am feeling trapped and scared, and can’t bring myself to do anything, I feel like I could crack and have a panic attack any time should it continue from now. Is there any remedies including herbal remedies that calm such feelings of being trapped and panic? My life has barely begun and I’m faced with a dire prospect in the next 10 years.

Floyd13 How to deal with short-term anxiety?
  • replies: 8

Recently I've been having the most debilitation anxiety of my life. I could never have imagined that it could get this intense, thus I have now developed a huge respect for all people that not only live with it, but can also beat it. I'm doing everyt... View more

Recently I've been having the most debilitation anxiety of my life. I could never have imagined that it could get this intense, thus I have now developed a huge respect for all people that not only live with it, but can also beat it. I'm doing everything in my power to take it on. I have a new therapist whom I'm seeing on a weekly basis, and my doctor has prescribed me medication which I've been taking for a little over a week now. I'm also on another drug, which seems to do very little. I am trying to maintain a positive outlook, and I do have things in future that I am focusing on as a long-term goal. My problem is, how do I fix the anxiety that's absolutely flooring me in the meantime? I've tried breathing exercises, meditation, calming music, and talking to friends about my thoughts. These are all very effective in the moment but lose their effectiveness almost instantly afterwards. I need ideas on what else I can do whilst I wait for the medications to kick in. I'm sick of feeling anxious and constantly on edge and nauseated and wanting to scream out loud over something that's nothing more than mere thoughts in my head. Help?

Chaudharym New here
  • replies: 4

Having a anxiety attack. Is someone there to talk?

Having a anxiety attack. Is someone there to talk?

48Ggalan I get anxious thinking about talking about my enxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi I'm new here. I'm a husband, a father of 2 kids I am a 48 year old Male. And for the las 3 weeks or so my enxiety and depression but mainly my enxiety has be controlling my every moment of my life. If this wasn't bad enough, my paranoia and self-w... View more

Hi I'm new here. I'm a husband, a father of 2 kids I am a 48 year old Male. And for the las 3 weeks or so my enxiety and depression but mainly my enxiety has be controlling my every moment of my life. If this wasn't bad enough, my paranoia and self-worth has been compromised. I haven't told my wife how I'm feeling. I think she has enough to deal with and I don't wanna add more to her plate. I've made an appointment with my gp next week to talk about whats currently going on and put in place strategies and maybe the possibility of seeing a psychologist. Currently I don't have strategies or plans to help me navigate this moments. I guess till now I thought I could do it alone. But having children changes everything and I want to and need to be some kind of normal if such thing exist for my family. Is true what they say that, for most men it's difficult to express this kind of feelings.