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
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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

altered_stu I have had ongoing burning/stinging/irritated skin for months. Could this be anxiety?
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For a few months now, I have been experiencing a sensation that feels like sunburn in certain parts of my body (tops of feet, buttocks, neck, forehead). The sensations come and go but they are there every day. My dermatologist ran blood tests and can... View more

For a few months now, I have been experiencing a sensation that feels like sunburn in certain parts of my body (tops of feet, buttocks, neck, forehead). The sensations come and go but they are there every day. My dermatologist ran blood tests and can't find anything wrong. Often there is no visible sign, but sometimes there is some blotchy redness. It's causing me a lot of distress - it's uncomfortable to walk or sit sometimes, and other times my feet burn so much I can't get to sleep at night. It's also contributing to my health anxiety because I keep wondering if it means MS or something, or just that it will never get resolved. Has anyone else had this with anxiety?

MelJan1990 A man keeps coming to my house. I have a lot of anxiety!
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Hi, so I have camera outside my house and it has captured a man several times in my yard. At first I didn't know who he was but come to think of it he looks a lot like the builder who came to fix my shower ages ago. I have reported it to the police b... View more

Hi, so I have camera outside my house and it has captured a man several times in my yard. At first I didn't know who he was but come to think of it he looks a lot like the builder who came to fix my shower ages ago. I have reported it to the police but the police haven't done anything. I am anxious as I think I may be being watched. Footage has come up of him standing next to my bedroom window. I don't even know why he is there.

Dave_100 Affordable Medication for Anxiety
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Hi everyone, new to this site. Struggling really bad with Anxiety and Depression as well as Epilepsy. I have been to see the CDA doctors and been prescribed oil and flower to control my symptoms but I cannot afford to buy it? Is this some kind of sic... View more

Hi everyone, new to this site. Struggling really bad with Anxiety and Depression as well as Epilepsy. I have been to see the CDA doctors and been prescribed oil and flower to control my symptoms but I cannot afford to buy it? Is this some kind of sick joke? I had no idea it would be so expensive. I would like to get it the legal way but this is not possible for me. I blame the government for making me have to go through the black market to be able to get my medication and would hold them responsible and accountable for anything that might happen to me while trying to achieve this. Has anyone else had this problem? Is there a way I can get cheaper scripts ? Can I get a discount through Medicare or the government? Any help is appreciated sorry if it seems like a big rant but I am so lost and confused as to how to move forwards in my life with out my medication.

Lucyyy Healthy anxiety, panic attacks and agrophobia
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Good evening my lovely’s!!! as we all know, we are going through the absolute ringer but at least we’re doing it together right? I wanted to put this thread out there as I’ve recently started having a new symptom, I have started to convince myself th... View more

Good evening my lovely’s!!! as we all know, we are going through the absolute ringer but at least we’re doing it together right? I wanted to put this thread out there as I’ve recently started having a new symptom, I have started to convince myself that all my food will give me anaphylactic shock. Has anyone else experienced? I’m not allergic to anything that I know of and haven’t ever experienced it first hand or have a reason to be traumatised by it. while we are on the subject does anyone have any tips or stories they’d like to share on anxiety, panic attacks and acrophobia? love, Lucy

Andre92 Hi, this is new to me
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Hey guys, new here. I'm a single bloke in my late 20s heading towards my 30s and find myself dealing with the pressures of work and family expectations. This week really triggered my anxiety and stress. Tiring that I have to muster the energy to mana... View more

Hey guys, new here. I'm a single bloke in my late 20s heading towards my 30s and find myself dealing with the pressures of work and family expectations. This week really triggered my anxiety and stress. Tiring that I have to muster the energy to manage my team at work and tiring that i have to deal with my parents setting up these suitors for me. I've always been an anxious person and to tend to overthink things. My family and friends tell me its just stress and to relax but they don't understand what i feel all the time. Its hard for me to explain but there are days where i ask myself what am i doing with my life, what can't I do this or be good enough. And sometimes i just feel empty and tired from all of it.

Celtic3 Panic Attacks - Falling Asleep and Waking At Night
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I've seen this topic discussed somewhere a while ago. Have had 3 big bouts of clinical depression three times in my life, last 25 years ago. All good since then - except - I was diagnosed with Mild to Moderate Anxiety late last year, did a CBT course... View more

I've seen this topic discussed somewhere a while ago. Have had 3 big bouts of clinical depression three times in my life, last 25 years ago. All good since then - except - I was diagnosed with Mild to Moderate Anxiety late last year, did a CBT course, recovered. Had a relapse March this year maybe half as bad as before, but still lingering. Amongst other aspects of each episode were panic attacks in daytime napping, plus waking from sleep with panic attacks at night. Very scary. No panic attacks during day. I'm not on any anxiety or other relevant medication. Tried meditation and controlled breathing with very limited success. Anyone had similar experiences and/or know how to deal with this? Thanks.

Jane22 Too anxious to get help for my anxiety
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Hi. This is my first post. I really don’t know where else to go so I thought this might be a good place. I have suffered anxiety for so long it’s hard to remember when it started. It’s friend depression likes to visit me too but not as often. I have ... View more

Hi. This is my first post. I really don’t know where else to go so I thought this might be a good place. I have suffered anxiety for so long it’s hard to remember when it started. It’s friend depression likes to visit me too but not as often. I have tried over the years to seek support but there always seems to be a roadblock that maybe sometimes I’m creating. Anxiety has stopped me from living, unable to go do the things that I used to. It has broken up my marriage. I’m sure it has impacted my children’s lives. And it is debilitating and never ending. I have sought gp’s. I was put on medication that made me gain weight very quickly and feel emotionless. I came off it. After coming off the medication I had my very first intrusive thoughts. I told me husband. He held me and told me things would be ok. I never went back to the gp because I didn’t want to be medicated again. Years went back with me trying to find new things to help. My husband was getting tired of supporting me. I sought another go and requesting something other than medication. I was sent to a dietician because by this time I was unable to eat if I had to leave the house as my anxiety would cause diarrhoea. The look my dietician gave me when I said I was still struggling to eat even if it was just to take my dog for a walk just reinforced that I was nuts and no one understood. I didn’t go back. At this time I was seeing a psychologist and things were starting to get quite bad and after one entire session of crying hysterically and finally admitting I was thinking of suicide the time was up and the psychologist said her next appointment wasn’t for a month. I had just told this lady that I wanted to die. I will never forget that day. It was devastating. Since then I have called lifeline on the worst nights. My husband has left. I am a single mother. I am lost and alone and I honestly don’t know where to go from here.

G1997 Teacher anxiety
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Hello! I am a graduate teacher who recently took over in a maternity position role. I have OCD, general anxiety and depression but I am fairly on top of it usually. Last year, I worked my butt off going to therapy, a healthy diet, exercising everyday... View more

Hello! I am a graduate teacher who recently took over in a maternity position role. I have OCD, general anxiety and depression but I am fairly on top of it usually. Last year, I worked my butt off going to therapy, a healthy diet, exercising everyday and completing self care practises and it made the world of a difference. I went off medication and felt like I was really in control of things. I love my job a lot and have enjoyed the term thoroughly. However, when it came to report writing time I suddenly started to experience anxiety around it. I had no motivation to go to work, I have been panicking about it and obsessing over it wherever I go. Even when I am in bed reading my book or scrolling on my phone it’s all I can think about. I was having a panic attack almost every single night after work. Logically, when I speak to people I am able to think about things clearly and feel calmer but it’s not long before I spiral again. I ended up going to emergency as I couldn’t calm myself down and I had recently moved house where I had not set up a GP or psychologist in my new area. They gave me some medication to get through the weekend which helped but I was to the point where I couldn’t complete reports without having medication. I saw a doctor who put me back on medication but most psychologists are currently not available until September and it’s tricky that I work school hours. I have reached out to my school who have been super supportive and I expected to feel relief after having a good conversation with them but it hasn’t gotten any better. I am still either consistently anxious or I’m sleeping all day and not getting out of my pyjamas. I am to the point where I want to leave my job or ask for a job share position. I feel like a failure though because I worked really hard at uni to achieve this and I feel like I’m throwing it away. I’ve been told that I have so much potential as a teacher and that I am doing a great job but at the moment my anxiety is crippling me. I don’t want to give up but I don’t know what the best decision is for my health. Does anyone have any advice or has been in a similar situation??

jakewillo Anxiety question
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Hi, I believe my son has anxiety he is 9 years old. He sleeps in the same room as me as hes scared on his own. He recently started having nightmares. He asks me sometimes if hes in a dream. He came home from school today as i think he had anxiety. He... View more

Hi, I believe my son has anxiety he is 9 years old. He sleeps in the same room as me as hes scared on his own. He recently started having nightmares. He asks me sometimes if hes in a dream. He came home from school today as i think he had anxiety. He said he asked his friend if he was in a dream, he said yes and his tummy started hurting. I have looked online and i think this may be derealization although i am not entirely sure. I think its defo a form of anxiety?? Any tips would be helpful.

Helpmeeeee Hey guys I have a question
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CW: d*ath Does anyone else feel absolutely terrified and hopeless because everyone you know and love will eventually die? Follow up question: How can I manage this? At this point I'm really scared of losing everyone, and I feel like it's gotten to th... View more

CW: d*ath Does anyone else feel absolutely terrified and hopeless because everyone you know and love will eventually die? Follow up question: How can I manage this? At this point I'm really scared of losing everyone, and I feel like it's gotten to the point where it's irrational. Like I'm worried about this almost all the time now and it makes me feel sick.