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

Guest_36343474 Rejection of Centrelink urgent payment
  • replies: 1

I applied for a urgent payment this morning due to my partners medical condition having invasive breast cancer. And we are short $170 for her medications i uploaded all the evidence and the diagnosis and the costs of the medication. After been on hol... View more

I applied for a urgent payment this morning due to my partners medical condition having invasive breast cancer. And we are short $170 for her medications i uploaded all the evidence and the diagnosis and the costs of the medication. After been on hold for nearly 2hrs switched over to 3 different people the phone cuts out. So I call back only to be told my urgent payment is rejected as it's not a urgent requirement and my partner will just now have to be strong and go without her medications than the lady hung up on me. Those were the exact words a government agency employee who is meant to help but instead says words that were not needed and I'm given a bad excuse as to why my request was denied. So much for compassion and understanding

Lmsco2001 Bf and I broke up due to mental health
  • replies: 5

Hi, I’ve never used this and I’m honestly scared to hear people’s opinions. My bf struggles mentally, really badly, it’s becoming a lot worse in the past few months, he started a new job that has caused him to stress a lot but he loves the job. We tr... View more

Hi, I’ve never used this and I’m honestly scared to hear people’s opinions. My bf struggles mentally, really badly, it’s becoming a lot worse in the past few months, he started a new job that has caused him to stress a lot but he loves the job. We tried just having space for a bit because he loves me so much and doesn’t wanna lose me, he says he loves being with me I help him numb his feelings, he loves my family he feels like they’re his family and so he knows breaking up will hurt so bad. But we decided on it because he told me he keeps thinking he can’t have the responsibility of a relationship right now because it’s unfair on me that he can’t be the amazing boyfriend he wants to be for me and he needs to deal with this alone. He says he has a big part of him that wants to fix things so badly because he loves me so so much but then a big part of him that just can’t be in a relationship right now. I told him it’s okay I accept it I’ll be okay and I believe in you and I love you and he responded saying “I love you so much” “everything will work out”. I also want to mention that he was saying “a break for now” or “breakup for now” and that he sees his future with me, he wants to marry me and have a life together. It’s only the first day but he’s still messaging me. I don’t know what to do. I don’t message him first I give him space but I think should I be there as a friend? I just don’t want to constantly be waiting to get back together but I know he loves me and I love him so it’s far more difficult than a “normal” break up.

Flowergirl97 People gossiping/talking about you
  • replies: 8

Hi there,I'd appreciate your thoughts or suggestions on what to do about knowing people are talking about you behind your back or if you suspect they are talking about you behind your back. There have been times in the past when this has been overwhe... View more

Hi there,I'd appreciate your thoughts or suggestions on what to do about knowing people are talking about you behind your back or if you suspect they are talking about you behind your back. There have been times in the past when this has been overwhelming and confusing because, what are you supposed to do in this situation? It can bring on a sense of dead and insecurity and I'm not sure how to respond to it. I'm the sort of person who avoids conflict but I've also noticed this is very common in today's society where everyone is comparing themselves and using social media, which has increased the amount of gossip, misinformation, and dare I say it 'bitchy' behaviour in general. Sometimes I have overheard people talking about me in a way that they have clearly misunderstood my intentions or who I am as a person, but I also want to keep the peace and not confront anyone. Anyway, I'd appreciate your thoughts!

Fishies Work stressed- comparison with colleague etc
  • replies: 1

Feeling unrecognised and being told about how my partner at work is doing such an amazing job. Boss being indirect about the possibility of continuing next year's contract (currently on a 1-year fixed term contract), by mentioning that other permanen... View more

Feeling unrecognised and being told about how my partner at work is doing such an amazing job. Boss being indirect about the possibility of continuing next year's contract (currently on a 1-year fixed term contract), by mentioning that other permanent staff are coming back from their leave. I directly asked if this meant you would like me to leave but the boss said “No, of course I would like you to stay.” But I felt the opposite. I'm not sure what to do as this conversation still bothers me and makes me doubt my performance and what I'm doing a lot.

Tash Moving house anxiety
  • replies: 5

Hi all, I've been in my rental for 8 yrs by myself & last week was told I need to vacate. This has triggered a lot of panic & fee in me as it was unexpected & I have a dog so the rental market is challenging. I've been unable to do simple things like... View more

Hi all, I've been in my rental for 8 yrs by myself & last week was told I need to vacate. This has triggered a lot of panic & fee in me as it was unexpected & I have a dog so the rental market is challenging. I've been unable to do simple things like concentrate at work & basically not cry several times per day. I yesterday found somewhere to live, with my partner but I still have anxiety about leaving my home & also living with someone which I haven't done in 10 yrs. Every time my landlord contacts me I get triggered & my friends haven't been supportive at all, just placating me while they live in huge houses & don't offer any way of helping. My partner is great but I of course think of every way this all might go wrong despite having a great relationship for 4 yrs. I'm so down, lonely in my thoughts & just feel hopeless & lost.

Merlin Random physical symptoms from anxiety?
  • replies: 3

Almost 12 months to the date, I had the unfortune experience of discovering i had a tumor on my kidney when I collapsed in the office due to a massive internal bleed. Thankfully my kidney was removed and 1 year on my scans 12 months have not shown an... View more

Almost 12 months to the date, I had the unfortune experience of discovering i had a tumor on my kidney when I collapsed in the office due to a massive internal bleed. Thankfully my kidney was removed and 1 year on my scans 12 months have not shown any spread to other organs. The entire experience has been very traumatic and stressful but I thought I was handling it all ok, until January when I started developing pains in my abdominal area (literally the 1st day of my holiday). Of course I thought the worst and given the time of the year, I had to wait 4 weeks to have further tests, which thankfully showed nothing sinister. The stress of that episode seem to tip me over the edge and it was it was like the weight of the whole experience caught up with me. Since March i have been getting random physical symptoms; in particular pins and needles in hands and feet, electric nerve sensations, muscle fatigue, aches and pains ,metallic taste in my mouth , jaw tightness etc. Even my knee joints are clicking all the time which never happened. Unfortunately Dr Google is saying all the worst case scenarios i.e. MS , cancer etc., and I'm now having a brain MRI this week to rule that out. I have read on multiple websites that anxiety can cause these types physical symptoms but i didn't think they would be this noticeable or this intense and i thought it would go away after a short period time and not get worse. It feels like a catch 22 , that the more symptoms i experience the more stress and anxiety i feel and im now stuck in a vicious cycle. The chronic pain issues over this 4 month period has been really getting me down, even though I'm being told its "all in my head" (which is just as annoying). Of course I'm not looking for some horrible diagnosis, but I would be interested to hear of anyone experience similar symptoms after a high period of trauma related stress? What techniques can you use to get out of this horrible hole i have found myself in?

Matty Neck pain and anxiety
  • replies: 5

Greetings. I am trying a forum for support for the first time. I have been struggling with ongoing jeck pain and associated headache pain for many weeks which in turn his spiked my anxiety (long time anxiety sufferer usually controlled very well by m... View more

Greetings. I am trying a forum for support for the first time. I have been struggling with ongoing jeck pain and associated headache pain for many weeks which in turn his spiked my anxiety (long time anxiety sufferer usually controlled very well by medication and CBT). It is impacting my work, social and family life a lot and causing large amounts of stress, worry and sadness. Not sure if this is the correct place for support but any advice is always appreciated. Thank you all. Matt

nootnoot I told a lie and now I'm very anxious.
  • replies: 5

A consultant at work was given some chocolates from a patient and left the clinic without taking them. One of the other doctors working with the consultant said I should take them home because I don't think she will want them. A week later the the co... View more

A consultant at work was given some chocolates from a patient and left the clinic without taking them. One of the other doctors working with the consultant said I should take them home because I don't think she will want them. A week later the the consultant had been asking around who took them. The doctor who said I should take them home said she left them with the nurses and the nurses would keep them safe. A few people asked me if I knew what happened including the consultant which I lied and said I didn't know. Ever since, I have had bad anxiety thinking I am going to get in trouble. I have asked a few friends and family what I should do and if I should replace them. They have all said to not worry about it but I can't stop worrying. I might need more or better advice please.

James d morning anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi I have anxiety and depression it seems that every morning when I wake up I feel physically sick and no energy and my lower legs ache I feel so bad it’s an effort to get out of bed and into the shower each morning just no energy get dressed etc and... View more

Hi I have anxiety and depression it seems that every morning when I wake up I feel physically sick and no energy and my lower legs ache I feel so bad it’s an effort to get out of bed and into the shower each morning just no energy get dressed etc and after that my energy is worse struggle to eat breakfast and a coffee sitting down to eat I’m so exhausted my legs feel so week also I have ringing in my ears I was on one type of antidepressant for many years and 9 weeks ago they switched me to another the ear ringing started then they also informed me I could stop the old medication and next day start the new one direct switch as in the same ssri class of drug since then I haven’t felt myself and the new medication doesn’t seem to be doing anything not sure if anyone else has had similar situations like I describe hope to hear from someone

m2468 ocd uti fear
  • replies: 1

feel super silly talking about this but i’ve had ocd for most of my life and only recently has my brain been fixated on having a fully empty bladder?? i go to the toilet all the time cause i have this fear that i’m gonna get a uti if there’s anything... View more

feel super silly talking about this but i’ve had ocd for most of my life and only recently has my brain been fixated on having a fully empty bladder?? i go to the toilet all the time cause i have this fear that i’m gonna get a uti if there’s anything left and no matter how long i sit on the toilet for i still feel like i haven’t passed everything so it’s on my mind pretty much 24/7 and i always feel like i need to go?? it’s really frustrating me and i don’t know what i can do to take my mind off it.