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

Wubbit Struggling with terrible health anxiety
  • replies: 2

First time member here. I am having such a hard time right now and did not know where else to turn. I have a few weird symptoms going on and because of terrible health anxiety I have decided that I have MND. I saw my doctor yesterday who is running s... View more

First time member here. I am having such a hard time right now and did not know where else to turn. I have a few weird symptoms going on and because of terrible health anxiety I have decided that I have MND. I saw my doctor yesterday who is running some tests. He told me he did not see any red flags and was not concerned about anything sinister. My GP is great and I trust him BUT this bout of anxiety has turned to debilitating fear. I can’t eat, I can’t function in life at all and I am pacing my house all day every day monitoring symptoms, just expecting more to turn up. I am terrified. I am trying to be rational but I can’t snap myself out of it. This has been going on since Sunday and I am exhausted, anxious and scared beyond belief. I have a very supportive husband but he does not suffer anxiety and I think struggles to understand my behaviour. thanks for listening.

Lucyyy Sudden disorder after recreational drug use
  • replies: 6

Hi guys! little introduction, I’m Lucy. I’m 21 years old and have recently been told I have a weed induced anxiety/panic disorder. One night I was out with a friend and we decided to smoke a joint together. I started to have what I believe now to be ... View more

Hi guys! little introduction, I’m Lucy. I’m 21 years old and have recently been told I have a weed induced anxiety/panic disorder. One night I was out with a friend and we decided to smoke a joint together. I started to have what I believe now to be a panic attack but at the time I truly thought I was dying. It felt like my vision blacked out and my feet were so heavy and felt swollen. I couldn’t walk straight and my heart was pounding. I was in hospital at the time of this diagnosis and they told me it should only last around a month before I’m back to normal but it has been 4 months now. I constantly have panic attacks thinking I’m losing my vision and dying, that I’m having brain aneurysms or strokes or that my brain is bleeding even though I had a CT scan in hospital which cleared all those possibilities. I’m struggling a lot with this and am finding it hard to get on with every day things. It’s been especially hard to sleep as I constantly tell myself that if I fall asleep I won’t wake up again. I’ve always had anxiety but I never experienced panic attacks like this before the weed incident. has anyone else experienced this here? How did you get through it and what steps did you take. My brain constantly tells me I’d rather die than live like this so I know it’s time to get more help thank you in advance

silicontrip I just need to vent (or why isn't anyone listening)
  • replies: 2

I've been dealing with many different things since the last time I posted and it's all just now that I need to get it out. Yesterday I got a call from our rental agent that the owner is selling and we have 60 days to get out of the property. I've onl... View more

I've been dealing with many different things since the last time I posted and it's all just now that I need to get it out. Yesterday I got a call from our rental agent that the owner is selling and we have 60 days to get out of the property. I've only had very bad experiences with moving as a child, associated with my mum having a relationship breakup and then moving into whatever she could afford by herself. As a consolation I'd get a new computer, so technology is my safe place. I never felt secure anywhere, until I bought my own place (something about high water and hell...) until my current wife, who didn't like the property, said we should rent. I admit the location was much more convenient but I never felt safe or secure. Dreading what happened yesterday (I probably just manifested that) when I came home trying my best to keep my anxiety under control, in front of the kids. My wife did state, "why are you so stressed, I'm the one who will have to do all the work" to which I was so stressed that I couldn't coherently remind her of how moving has been for me. She isn't listening. oh wow, I've run out of characters for my next concern but wait there's more (I wanted to get it all out) ... I feel that this online forum engine isn't listening. frustrated, sad, alone. No one is listening. (not proof reading it either, you'll just have to deal with spelling mistakes, typos an incorrect use of you're and they're)

PsychedelicFur I’m struggling
  • replies: 7

I’m really struggling with a lot of anxiety at the moment.

I’m really struggling with a lot of anxiety at the moment.

Flipperz Ocd pure o intrusive thoughts
  • replies: 8

Hey, I’m new to this and this will be my first time posting on any type of forum but I have been struggling for probably a few years now with 100% certainty pure o and also ADD both being undiagnosed so far but with some internet searches I strongly ... View more

Hey, I’m new to this and this will be my first time posting on any type of forum but I have been struggling for probably a few years now with 100% certainty pure o and also ADD both being undiagnosed so far but with some internet searches I strongly believe I have them ! I do think I have done quite some damage to my brain in my 20s with partying being my main focus for the majority and never really set meaningful goals so my brain chemistry has been a little wack for a while but porn has also been a problem so sexual thoughts were quite frequent but never really bothering me too much. Until a few years ago multiple videos of some fetish pornography videos were shown to me and of-course shrugged and cringed as most would but out of nowhere I kept getting flashes of some of those scenes throughout the day and started thinking yuck why did that pop up in my mind but would only be about a dozen times per day but as I’ve read the more you dwell on a thought the stronger it becomes so fast forward a couple of years I now suffer with constant images of that theme which is extremely embarrassing to even admit even though I understand they are just thoughts but also just total confusion and scattered thinking to the point I can barely think at all or focus on any task at hand I quite literally feel I’m becoming demented at times but to the average eye I probably seem fine and I guess just a little slow sometimes! I strictly have disgusting foul images, there is no voice in my head saying that I want to be this way or no urges at all and funny enough no real anxiety just pure disgust and feeling like I’ll never have nice thoughts and clarity again! I’ve seen a psychologist for a few sessions but he pretty much told me what I’ve already read and was costing too much, so now as I know I shouldn’t be doing is googling ways to attack this rotten monster that saps away at my soul and this is where I’m stuck because on one end is ERP but that’s aimed at reducing anxiety where I feel I don’t have much of that due to the thoughts only when I can’t give my undivided attention to someone and the other was from a book I read called brain lock where they talk about rewiring your brain chemistry through focused attention on anything you value so more of a mindfulness approach to getting through this disorder! I’m not sure which way to turn on this cross road :s I’m very sorry for the lack of grammar but I would love some advice thnx

Sarah0209 Bulimia & chest pains
  • replies: 1

Hi there, ive never been diagnosed with Bulimia but I’m pretty aware that I have it. Ive been having symptoms for quite a few years now and we’ll aware that I have a problem. My dr is aware that I have issues with my body issues but I have never brou... View more

Hi there, ive never been diagnosed with Bulimia but I’m pretty aware that I have it. Ive been having symptoms for quite a few years now and we’ll aware that I have a problem. My dr is aware that I have issues with my body issues but I have never brought up all my symptoms. Yesterday however, I have noticed that I have been getting sharp pains on the right side of my chest during an episode and this has continued to happen today. Obviously being the opposite side of where my heart is, does anyone know what this could be? thanks everyone..

Worried_Dad Anxiety before work
  • replies: 3

My son has just left school and started a job. He was very nervous the first two days, but talked highly of his experience and people he worked with, on both afternoons after work. On the third day he was unable to get out of the car to go into work ... View more

My son has just left school and started a job. He was very nervous the first two days, but talked highly of his experience and people he worked with, on both afternoons after work. On the third day he was unable to get out of the car to go into work and sat there shaking and feeling like he was going to throw up. He tried again today, with the same result. I am not sure what I can do to help personally and not sure what help I should try and get him professionally.

Rhi-Ann Stopping those "protective" thoughts
  • replies: 6

Keen to hear what strategies you guys implement to avoid catastrophising? Those intrusive thoughts spiralling, that can stagnate and avoid you getting into action. What are some different tips you guys utilise? ✌ Rhi-Ann

Keen to hear what strategies you guys implement to avoid catastrophising? Those intrusive thoughts spiralling, that can stagnate and avoid you getting into action. What are some different tips you guys utilise? ✌ Rhi-Ann

LC80 Is it just too hard?
  • replies: 3

I am an older retired male, and I have been estranged from my two daughters from my first marriage for ten years. I have tried to have some contact but that has been rejected. The older one at least reads my messages but does not reply. I recently se... View more

I am an older retired male, and I have been estranged from my two daughters from my first marriage for ten years. I have tried to have some contact but that has been rejected. The older one at least reads my messages but does not reply. I recently sent a thoughtfully written letter to the younger one who is 42 y/o to at least convey how much she still means to me and received a extremely abusive social media message from her via her mothers account. The resulting shock of the viciousness of the wording has taken me fully a day or two to understand. To be told that I am worthless and I will never see her again has resulted in two nights of night terrors. I could go one for quite some time but that's the gist of it. My first marriage was a disaster from early on, and I have sought help from mental health professions to understand my actions during that time of my life. Living my life on tenterhooks wondering if she will seek me out for retribution is tiring. My life is full of other things that are good, but the anxiety shades them grey a lot.

daisy211 Severe anxiety with meeting new people
  • replies: 6

Hey there, I've recently joined the online dating world and I would absolutely love to meet the person I've been talking to in person but I am way too anxious for that. I guess I have a fear of not making a good first impression but I also don't real... View more

Hey there, I've recently joined the online dating world and I would absolutely love to meet the person I've been talking to in person but I am way too anxious for that. I guess I have a fear of not making a good first impression but I also don't really know the kind of things people usually do when they meet new people from the internet. Things like eating in front of someone makes me anxious enough I'm not sure about other date ideas that might work for me without feeling like spiraling out of control. We've been talking for over a month now and honestly its about time I meet him in person but yeah I'm just way too anxious about it and I don't know how to take control of my thoughts.