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

Maroon_Moon Maroon Moon Here
  • replies: 8

Hello Everyone, New to posting here I've had depression and anxiety on and off for years, but in the past year and a half my anxiety has skyrocketed relating to Health Anxieties that have had no reality after talking with GP's Three ish weeks ago, st... View more

Hello Everyone, New to posting here I've had depression and anxiety on and off for years, but in the past year and a half my anxiety has skyrocketed relating to Health Anxieties that have had no reality after talking with GP's Three ish weeks ago, started having the sensation that breathing was unsatisfying. at first, I thought it was just allergies and ignored it, but when this snap lockdown kicked in, the symptom kicked into high gear. Spent a few days and nights thinking I was going to die, and yet the GP still insists there is nothing wrong. I've seen a psychiatrist and the therapist for a while now, and I managed things in relation to my ADD and ASD, but this latest one has me blunted. I focus on one of these different symptoms through the day that I fear will kill me, which I will then go days/weeks/months not worrying about, even getting checked up and confirming they are nothing before I look at the spot they are in and the cycle begins again. a few days ago I started getting tension headaches, still got one writing this out now, just on one side of my head. I've not been on medication for managing these symptoms for a long time, took some a few years back but then stopped and didn't have any problems. I've always come through these periods in the past, and I'm confident I will for this one as well, but then another part of my brain starts saying "Unless..." and i'm sure you can fill in the rest of that sentence. I guess i want to feel less alone, and talk about these experiences with people outside my direct circle, so I'm not burdoning them with something uncontrollable. it makes it easier to withdraw if that's the reason i['m' withdrawing, and i don't want to withdraw. Hope this makes sense

Ikvic Next step a hurdle
  • replies: 6

I have fluctuating levels of anxiety that I have never talked to anyone about. I have recently been to my GP for a MHP but now I feel I may have made the questionnaire that I completed about my mental health- worse that it really is, and I'm not THAT... View more

I have fluctuating levels of anxiety that I have never talked to anyone about. I have recently been to my GP for a MHP but now I feel I may have made the questionnaire that I completed about my mental health- worse that it really is, and I'm not THAT bad, that I should just just get over how I feel, pick up my big girl pants and get on with life. It took me about 3 months maybe even 6-12 months to talk to the GP, I'm afraid it's going to take me even longer to actually make an appointment with a Pyschologist. I saw that they only have appointments in my work times, and I'm not going to take time off work to go as I dont want to tell my boss or work mates. Does anyone else feel like a fraud ? Has anyone else found it difficult to make that next step?

thomasjaja father and partner- compulsive liar- alcoholic-former drug user- depressed- anxiety filled and happy attempting to turn my life around.
  • replies: 3

Hi, Im 31 and im a compulsive liar, except when saying that. its true. Ive lied about anything and everything since I can remember, age 4-5 id say.I have adhd, anxiety, depression, Im an alcoholic and former drug user. Ive never paid back money, make... View more

Hi, Im 31 and im a compulsive liar, except when saying that. its true. Ive lied about anything and everything since I can remember, age 4-5 id say.I have adhd, anxiety, depression, Im an alcoholic and former drug user. Ive never paid back money, make excuses and lose friends over it. i have no relationship with any family except my dad. Ive isolated from my friends, My partner is amazing and has stuck with me for 2 years now, we have a son and another due in 2 weeks. Shes never judged me and supports me endlessly. I havent been diagnosed bipolar but it seems im two people- The Liar and The one that hates seeing people hurt and dealing with the liars mistakes. Always had anger issues though episodes are further apart these days. I never got help, it was only after an accident at 30 I flipped out getting a ct scan and was met by a top psych when the benzodiazepine kicked in back in my ward bed when it all came out. Day after discharge I had a formal appointment, diagnosed with clinical depression andadhd (at 30) my life then made sense. I got my prescription. I never went back. I dropped out of high school thinking i was stupid unable to concentrate and always anxious. Ive just enrolled into uni at 31. Im freaking out but want to really turn my life around and be someone for myself and kids. Thats not a lie. Im genuinely scared of failing and not concentrating and lying to get through knowing that makes it worse. Im not on medication, Ive gone 6 days with no alcohol after 12 years of a minimum 10 standard drinks a day with maybe 10 sober days in that time. 9 months no drugs aswell. I know i have to see a professional but the aniexty of them not believing me is overwhelming full well knowing thats not the case. None of this is even making sense, I just want to know if anyone is the same and I want to start changing my life and who ive acted to be and be true from now.

Ocdiff Job Hopping
  • replies: 1

Good afternoon everyone, hope we are all doing well! I have a habit of "job hopping" due to my high anxiety. I'll start a job, get overwhelmed with anxiety/stress and hate it, and then quit. Seeing if anyone shares this issue and what you have done t... View more

Good afternoon everyone, hope we are all doing well! I have a habit of "job hopping" due to my high anxiety. I'll start a job, get overwhelmed with anxiety/stress and hate it, and then quit. Seeing if anyone shares this issue and what you have done to better deal with it? thank you!

Trans_boi LGBTQ+ and social anxiety
  • replies: 1

im trans, and pan(for those who know) and i also have anxiety. i just want to know what kinds of things that could help overcome the homophobes and transphobes? And i also want to know some wys to come out to homo-trans-phobic parents... IT IS DRIVIN... View more

im trans, and pan(for those who know) and i also have anxiety. i just want to know what kinds of things that could help overcome the homophobes and transphobes? And i also want to know some wys to come out to homo-trans-phobic parents... IT IS DRIVING ME INSANE!!!having to pretend to be a girl, and not liking them... so if you have a good coming out story, please share...

Lipson4 Newbie....
  • replies: 5

Hi Everyone ... New kid on the block here.... Suffering from lot of head wooziness Drs say is BP issues but I have it when blood pressure is ok.. sometimes hangs around all day. So I am assuming the worse... I have never slept well but now waking aft... View more

Hi Everyone ... New kid on the block here.... Suffering from lot of head wooziness Drs say is BP issues but I have it when blood pressure is ok.. sometimes hangs around all day. So I am assuming the worse... I have never slept well but now waking after 4 hours rather anxious and taking a while to get back to sleep. Been taking medication for almost two weeks.... so could be from bad sleep.... who knows.. does anyone else suffer from anything like this?

AnonymousTeen11 am I making it all up and looking for attention??? help.
  • replies: 1

Hi, I am feeling quite conflicted and would like some outside input. I am diagnosed with anxiety and depression, and while at the start I believed it really 'explained' how I was feeling, I am now concerned I am making it up. See, I feel like I put a... View more

Hi, I am feeling quite conflicted and would like some outside input. I am diagnosed with anxiety and depression, and while at the start I believed it really 'explained' how I was feeling, I am now concerned I am making it up. See, I feel like I put a lot of my identity in my diagnosis, like it is a major part of who I am. I'm not directly proud of my diagnoses, but at the same time sometimes my mind tells me it is 'cool' and makes me 'interesting'. Like I want something vaguely not boring about myself. I know I shouldn't think like that, and on my really low days I cringe at myself ever thinking that. I don't know if those are just intrusive thoughts or if I am not actually anxious and depressed, and am making it up for attention. I feel like sometimes I can put myself out there for sympathy, so very confusing. Honestly I am hyper aware of how I am feeling in the moment and I feel like while on the outside I am acting somewhat normal, that on the inside I am constantly constantly constantly checking myself and the intensity of my symptoms. That might not be inherently bad, but I worry because like I said I put a lot of my identity in my illnesses. And that almost makes me not want to get better because I would lose a huge chunk of who I am. Help please! I am feeling quite conflicted and don't know what's going on, any input would be really appreciated. If you read this far, thank you.

Mudcakes Scared for 3 things at once. Anxiety at a high
  • replies: 33

I start year 11 today. Anxious all night. Can’t sleep. My dog woke up coughing for a long time. She’s almost 10. She has previously been diagnosed with a heart murmur, and she is licking a lot anxious. I am thinking the worst which I should never do.... View more

I start year 11 today. Anxious all night. Can’t sleep. My dog woke up coughing for a long time. She’s almost 10. She has previously been diagnosed with a heart murmur, and she is licking a lot anxious. I am thinking the worst which I should never do. I might have to take a taxi from the vet later by myself to get to school. I have social anxiety and freaking out. I honestly feel scared and stressed. Any ideas how to cope? Or what has helped you before? My anxiety/social anxiety is full on.

MrsReev Getting anxious after talking with friends/relatives
  • replies: 8

Hello , I'm new to these forums and looking for help or reassurance . A few years ago I was diagnosed with social anxiety and have been managing it with counselling top-up sessions when needed. However I've noticed in the last year or so I've become ... View more

Hello , I'm new to these forums and looking for help or reassurance . A few years ago I was diagnosed with social anxiety and have been managing it with counselling top-up sessions when needed. However I've noticed in the last year or so I've become panicky/stressed out after having chats with friends or family in public settings whether it's the same day as the outing or it hits me out of nowhere within 3 days of the interaction. It feels awful and makes my brain feel like it free falling into over analysing or panicking about "What if someone overheard us chatting about something harmless / or I overshared / or perceived me as gossipy?". Yep , not fun . I recently talked about a prospective job offer with my FIL over a coffee and spoke about two clients I may work with (didn't mention names , the company etc , ) and kept it safe and confidential (I believe so). But of course within hours of coming home from this my brain sprung panic upon me and bombarded me with all kinds of horrible thoughts , making me ruminate and feel so crap . Honestly still feeling shaky. I'll be back to my therapist in under two weeks , but I was hoping someone could offer advice or insight into their own similar experiences. Thank you x

Eoeon My boyfriend makes me feel sick!
  • replies: 2

Hi! recently, I confessed to a boy I’d liked for quite a while, and he said he likes me too. We got together and he’s the sweetest boy I’ve ever met, kind and caring to everyone, especially me. However, even though he’s such a nice guy, whenever I ne... View more

Hi! recently, I confessed to a boy I’d liked for quite a while, and he said he likes me too. We got together and he’s the sweetest boy I’ve ever met, kind and caring to everyone, especially me. However, even though he’s such a nice guy, whenever I need to see him, my anxiety peaks to a point where I get really sick. Even to the point of throwing up in front of my school friends. Once I’m in his presence, I feel a little bit better, but still not well. I feel like if I eat something I’ll get sick, even looking at food makes me gag at those times. as it’s happened before. It’s embarrassing. I’ve always had mild social anxiety symptoms (a bit of dizziness and hyperventilation as a child) but nothing this bad before. On Sunday we’ve scheduled a date and he wants to go for a picnic in a the park, where we’re going to have food! I don’t know what I’m going to do. If anyone has any experience or advice! Please let me know! (for background information I never have experienced an eating disorder or disordered eating and when I’m not anxious, I have no issues with food.)