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

Patrick 79 Moving forward.
  • replies: 3

Hi, I really don’t know how to start this as I have never done this before. I’m a 41 year old male living in fear of myself. I have had everything and opportunities but I keep failing because of my anxiety and depression. Everyday I am trying to find... View more

Hi, I really don’t know how to start this as I have never done this before. I’m a 41 year old male living in fear of myself. I have had everything and opportunities but I keep failing because of my anxiety and depression. Everyday I am trying to find the easiest way to end it. I can’t turn to anyone because I feel ill be a burden or drama queen so I keep it to myself. I feel every day in my mind is a torture. I turn to alcohol as a crutch even though I know afterwards it’ll make me feel worse but I do it to make me feel good at the time. I lie to people just to fit in and make myself feel better. I have lost relationships because of being this way and I just honestly feel giving up is the only option now. I am lost and sick to my stomach being this way . I’m sorry for writing this but don’t know how this works. I’m even anxious writing this.

MTrixie I got a pet and we both feel suffocated
  • replies: 2

I thought long and hard before deciding to post this. I don’t want to sound like a brat or a bad human or posting something that others would think menial, but I really feel like I’m at the end of my line. Today’s day 3 after I got my bunny. I was so... View more

I thought long and hard before deciding to post this. I don’t want to sound like a brat or a bad human or posting something that others would think menial, but I really feel like I’m at the end of my line. Today’s day 3 after I got my bunny. I was so excited for him long before I got him. I was looking through videos, blogs, everything for the last couple of months before I finally decided that I was ready. Then I found him last week and finally got him 3 days ago. He’s 10 weeks old and he’s just so cute and shy. A day before I got him I got the playpen, litter box, his hays, his pellets, his bowls, etc. And I got him. Along with hidden massive ball of anxiety. I put him in his playpen and was planning to let him familiarised himself with my home before I let him out. I am going back full time so he would have to stay there basically 10pm-6pm daily. And then I feel like I’m an abusive human. Because plan is just a plan and I haven’t let him out his playpen area. Day 2 he started digging on his playpen. That was when anxiety hit. I talked with a friend and she said that his digging is completely normal. I know that. But my anxiety just can’t take notes. I feel my heart rate is constantly high, I’m sweating, I’m dizzy, and I can’t sleep nor eat. Google is both my saviour and doom. I googled everything from puppy blues to surrendering a pet, from how to be close to your bunny to how to look at your bunny without hate, from how to free roam your bunny if you’re not home to can your bunny stay in playpen for life. I don’t want to hate him as he has not done anything wrong. It’s me. I really want to make this work. I want to believe that getting him is not an impulsive decision. But I feel suffocated and he is suffocated and I feel like such a big failure and I just broke down. I was looking through the forum and saw that some people has faced the same thing. So I am bracing myself and post my story here, hoping for some advice. Note: I can’t get a 2nd bunny as financially it’s hard for me, and I also don’t have the space for another playpen. Thank you.

hanne6 Repeating words to cancel out thoughts
  • replies: 11

I have no idea if this is just anxiety. Often when I think of a conversation, memory, or event that caused me anxiety, or was embarrassing, or if have a thought I don't like or one that feels distressing I start saying a word or phrase over and over ... View more

I have no idea if this is just anxiety. Often when I think of a conversation, memory, or event that caused me anxiety, or was embarrassing, or if have a thought I don't like or one that feels distressing I start saying a word or phrase over and over again, very rapidly. Often I'll be repeating it louder and louder and will look visibly distressed. It's like I need to cancel out the thought entirely. Sometimes it's so effective I'm not even sure what the thought was going to be. Other times when I stop repeating the word or phrase the thought will reappear for a mere second and I start over again trying to (I assume) snap myself out of it. Sometimes it's a swear word or something hateful. Over and over. I don't even think I make a conscious decision when to stop. My mind just seems to know when it feels right and has completed the task of shutting down the thought. It's over quickly, but it's embarrassing, distressing, and happens so fast I don't have a chance to stop myself. I absolutely hate it. I'm left feeling so on edge. I'm anxious about enough stuff without this thing I feel like I have absolutely no control over. Does anyone have any thoughts, suggestions, or maybe experienced similar?

H-c What’s wrong with me
  • replies: 1

Every since i was young I’ve had this nagging feeling, like something bad is going to happen to me and everyone around me. If sth bad did happen then I’d blame myself of it and that little voice would say see i told you so. I’m really lost and i dont... View more

Every since i was young I’ve had this nagging feeling, like something bad is going to happen to me and everyone around me. If sth bad did happen then I’d blame myself of it and that little voice would say see i told you so. I’m really lost and i dont know what to do. Now because of COVID I’m stuck at home and alone with that voice and it’s really getting to me. Today for some reason, my phone played some sort of music out-loud and i have no apps running in the background. So that made me even more paranoid like i got a virus or sth. But I’ve never visited any dodgy website and downloaded any dodgy apps. So i did a virus scan on avg and the security app that came with my phone and both said its safe? So why did the music play? Because I couldn’t find the cause of the problem it made me panic like that it wasn’t a good feeling at all. I hate feeling like this all the time. Feeling so paranoid and feeling like it’s my fault every time. If somehow you are an expert with phones could you please help me with that? Is it a virus? What do it do? Pls help me so i can relief that little burden off my shoulders. Please. Help me

Krix Work performance review in the financial year after hospital admission
  • replies: 1

seeking advice. In the the year past i was hospitalised with severe depression & anxiety. I've lost significant amounts of time and productivity recovering and that is still in progress. How do you have that conversation in a work review meeting? in ... View more

seeking advice. In the the year past i was hospitalised with severe depression & anxiety. I've lost significant amounts of time and productivity recovering and that is still in progress. How do you have that conversation in a work review meeting? in a discussion about 'rate your performance over the past 12 months' - how do you answer that? i've discovered my major schemas are unrelenting standards and self sacrifice, so i am fighting against throwing my hands up and .. giving up. i just don't have the language to express or defend if things get, well, personal. which it already is. Help. Krix

Lady04 anxiety about corona virus & everything
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, I'm still kinda new to the forums, so please bare with me for a moment, I don't know if I'm posting this in the right section. I've been dealing with anxiety and depression most of my life. And this covid-19 has really effected my anxiet... View more

Hi everyone, I'm still kinda new to the forums, so please bare with me for a moment, I don't know if I'm posting this in the right section. I've been dealing with anxiety and depression most of my life. And this covid-19 has really effected my anxiety even worse. I live in Sydney, and it was hard enough the first lockdown. But this lockdown seems worse then the first one, with this "Delta strain" or whatever its called. There seems to be cases literally EVERYWHERE, and its freaking me out, I'm trying not to look at the news to much, but each time I get a glimpse of it, it scares me how bad its getting. Everyone around me is freaking out too. I keep trying to tell myself "other countries had it much worse and they got better, Melbourne / Victoria had worse & they got better, we can to.." but its really hard, each time I see the cases how much they're rising. We've been living in this pandemic for almost 18 months now, & I'm struggling atm & I'm losing complete hope, I just don't see how its going to get better..

Cloud123 Relationship anxiety
  • replies: 2

I am in a healthy and loving relationship but struggle with anxious thoughts about the future. It's getting to the point where I feel like I need to make a decision as to marriage. I want to marry him but I can't help but feel that after the wedding ... View more

I am in a healthy and loving relationship but struggle with anxious thoughts about the future. It's getting to the point where I feel like I need to make a decision as to marriage. I want to marry him but I can't help but feel that after the wedding and kids it will all end terribly. I am not sure I have any real reason to believe that except that we are different in some ways. For example, he is introverted and I am extroverted; I am very spiritual and (while he supports it and will listen and engage), he is not so much. In saying that, we have similar values of wanting to be kind and help people, wanting to build a strong family etc and we get along really well. We are really in love, both humble and supportive towards each other, always kind, communicative and willing to work together. Has anyone else experienced something similar and have any tips on trying to understand the difference between anxious thoughts, and my body/subconscious/intuition telling me something important?

BabySteps Contemplating the Meaning
  • replies: 7

For me, I can't Find the Meaning In Life, When you're a Introverted Beta Geek Celibate Male at 26! Without having Interest or Entry Work History and wanting more than a Casual Future Only having,11 Month's In something you didn't want before the Fort... View more

For me, I can't Find the Meaning In Life, When you're a Introverted Beta Geek Celibate Male at 26! Without having Interest or Entry Work History and wanting more than a Casual Future Only having,11 Month's In something you didn't want before the Fortnight was Finished with Not wanting University, and the Standardnised Bachelor Degree Or TAFE, Unless I did a Cert IV Nutrition or not that, with only If It was a Proximity TAFE Campus with 120 Work Placement and Concession Cost's Also being Soft, and Gentle, and Kinder and not A Fighter, Just a Lover, Like Michael Jackson without Touching more than my Problem's - Hehe? Being Shy, because your Dad was a Personality, Generation and Nationality that you couldn't tolerate And being beneath Alpha or Social Strength Men Not being able to Follow Creativity, because you don't want Fame and Paganism and tolerating Society, before or After Yes or No, and more other Reason's beyond that, and why did I mention a Creative Rare Dream, because their Real for someone, I would never Say It Isn't possible for other's, I am Listing this aspect because Creativity Is a Pathway that Ia A Future for some people, For me It's what I Generally Like and Love, but If your not wanting Success, Beyond Talent and Money not Fame, Than I don't know what other Direction Is for me, I wouldn't want a Creative Degree, It's Just $40k or Less Salary for 3 - 4 Year Bachelor to match a Casual Median Entry Wage, Plus Paying back, $30k or $50k, - After $46k Earning's I don't want Trade's and Physical Labour Construction Job's I don't even want Free Lance because you get Stagnant and your Working from Home, making Less than $45k, and your Isolated from Society and lose Social Skill's

Italianstalion New to this / anxiety/depression/bipolar...
  • replies: 6

Hi, First time posting here, this is a pretty big step in itself for me due to my stubborn proud nature. I am 30 years of age a father to 3 beautiful kids with a very loving attentive wife, a great career with family all around me. This brings me to ... View more

Hi, First time posting here, this is a pretty big step in itself for me due to my stubborn proud nature. I am 30 years of age a father to 3 beautiful kids with a very loving attentive wife, a great career with family all around me. This brings me to wonder why I am having these feelings as I feel there is nothing to trigger these things that I am going through.. I am very stubborn and for years I have pushed aside the fact that the things I feel are obviously not normal, as I feel I'm the rock/the man of the house I felt the need to push aside these feelings. Any here goes.. I feel sad one minute, the next happy, the next angry. My emotions seem to be all over the place to the point I can't control how I feel any more even when doing the things I otherwise used to enjoy such as fishing ect. I get anxious over small minute things such as dealing with people from day to day ie. Customers at work. I can't stand crowds, I can't think straight most times, I can never concentrate on anything for long, my thought patterns are all over the place my mind races, I find it hard to switch off at any given moment. For example just yesterday my wife gave me the day off I got rained out at work and I just sat on my bum all day doing nothing yet in my mind I couldn't relax I couldn't switch off, thinking about work, the kids, things I should be doing.. You can even say quite overthinking all these things. Some days I find myself some days so mentally and physically exhausted despite really not having a full on day at work. I really appreciate anyone taking the time to tell me 1. I'm not alone and 2. Can I get better? Im just really mentally exhausted from pushing it all aside and pretending I'm OK. I already feel better getting all of this off my chest, I appreciate anyone's feed back.

Ellie_Dee Health anxiety stress
  • replies: 3

Hi, I’ve struggled on and off with health anxiety for years and, once I identified it as health anxiety (after having numerous tests for every medical issue I could think of) have been able to manage it quite well. I’m currently 33 weeks pregnant and... View more

Hi, I’ve struggled on and off with health anxiety for years and, once I identified it as health anxiety (after having numerous tests for every medical issue I could think of) have been able to manage it quite well. I’m currently 33 weeks pregnant and idk maybe the hormonal changes are making it flare up again but I’ve been struggling a lot more the last few weeks. It’s culminated in the last two days - I had breakfast at a restaurant yesterday which included foraged mushrooms, and I’ve convinced myself that they picked a death cap and it was in my breakfast, and that I’ve already got liver damage and I’ll die and there’s nothing I can do about it. It was a reputable restaurant that I’ve eaten at many times before with no issues, and the risk is super super low, but I can’t turn my brain off. I know I shouldn’t google - but I did, and it says symptoms appear within 6-24 hours or later and involve nausea/vomiting/diarrhoea/abdominal pains, and I’ve been having nausea and abdo pain but it’s mild and if I’m honest it’s probably caused by the anxiety!!! has anyone else ever convinced themselves of something like this? What techniques did you use to turn the negative thoughts off? Logically I know the risk is minimal but I’m terrified!!