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

Lil_fitz Natural supplements for anxiety
  • replies: 8

Hi all! I’m a newbie here and I am just wondering whether anyone has tried supplements or natural medicines to treat anxiety? And if so, any recommendations? im a little apprehensive to take prescription medication for anxiety but I think I am gettin... View more

Hi all! I’m a newbie here and I am just wondering whether anyone has tried supplements or natural medicines to treat anxiety? And if so, any recommendations? im a little apprehensive to take prescription medication for anxiety but I think I am getting to the point where I think I need too. thank you.

Beyond348 Hit a brick wall
  • replies: 1

Hello all, I previously posted here a couple of months ago about my current situation. Since then, I have had a few days where I have been good and have been able to manage my anxiety, but as of late, I have been struggling to get out of the dreaded ... View more

Hello all, I previously posted here a couple of months ago about my current situation. Since then, I have had a few days where I have been good and have been able to manage my anxiety, but as of late, I have been struggling to get out of the dreaded dark hole of "doctor google or doctor youtube" and I have self-diagnosed myself with something drastic because my doctor "missed something". There have been times when I would journal but have found it difficult to make journalling a routine to write something good about that day - if that makes sense. I kinda am the person that I would be a listening ear for someone during their hard times, but when it comes to myself, i tend to flick it under the rug and go about my life. I have hit a brick wall.

Guest_21690352 Anxiety Techniques
  • replies: 1

Hi all, I am a young person who has had anxiety for over 10 years. I know the techniques to use - breathing, meditation, distraction etc, but have never put in the time to practice these things so when things do hit the fan (like right now!) I am a j... View more

Hi all, I am a young person who has had anxiety for over 10 years. I know the techniques to use - breathing, meditation, distraction etc, but have never put in the time to practice these things so when things do hit the fan (like right now!) I am a jittery mess. I need advice on getting myself motivated to get back on track to do normal things like work and see friends. I don't want to live my live being controlled by my own silly thoughts anymore.

Ail_ Peripheral Neuropathy
  • replies: 6

I have had numerous sleepless nights because of restless legs Sometimes I only have 2 hrs sleep i take medications on prescription and over the counter pain killers Have numerous showers Am desperate to find some help Doctors have given me no treatme... View more

I have had numerous sleepless nights because of restless legs Sometimes I only have 2 hrs sleep i take medications on prescription and over the counter pain killers Have numerous showers Am desperate to find some help Doctors have given me no treatments to follow or drugs for RLS I have been diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy Anyone with same problem

Guest_72635358 Anxiety
  • replies: 2

I am struggling really bad with anxiety especially when driving on the freeway

I am struggling really bad with anxiety especially when driving on the freeway

Guest_9965 How do I get through school as a teen with ADHD, OCD, anxiety, sensory issues, and depression?
  • replies: 3

Hi, I am 14 in year 9 and live in Australia. I am a high achiever, I get good grades, am house captain, and get some academic awards. so most people think I am fine but I am not. I have panic attacks every day and always feel like my mind is a black ... View more

Hi, I am 14 in year 9 and live in Australia. I am a high achiever, I get good grades, am house captain, and get some academic awards. so most people think I am fine but I am not. I have panic attacks every day and always feel like my mind is a black hole of empty nothingness that will never be good enough. I am pretty good at faking a smile and only crying when I am alone but sometimes I just can't and people always judge me. School takes up so much of my energy that I am usually stuck in bed for the rest of the day as soon as I get home because it is too hard to get up. whenever I tell someone they are always surprised and I am scared they don't believe me. I am on medication and go to therapy but if anyone has any suggestions on what I can do to not feel like this I would appreciate it. thank you.

Wiltingdaisy Looking For Tips To Help Overcome Social Anxiety & Shame
  • replies: 10

Hi everyone, I'm reaching out as something that has been coming up for me a lot lately has been social anxiety, mostly stemming from my deep issues with shame. I am aware my unhelpful thinking style makes me jump to conclusions and assume people thin... View more

Hi everyone, I'm reaching out as something that has been coming up for me a lot lately has been social anxiety, mostly stemming from my deep issues with shame. I am aware my unhelpful thinking style makes me jump to conclusions and assume people think I'm stupid, pathetic, weak & useless. And I know it isn't true, but in the moments that I talk to people, I find I lack the confidence to think differently. I don't have a diagnosis of ASD or ADHD, and I actually have a good amount of friends which one might not think of someone with social anxiety. But I can only be myself around 'my people' or only certain kinds of people. I'm an introvert that can sometimes pass as an extrovert but I'm always extremely drained after social events/work. Here are some examples for context:-At work, I struggle to have conversation & make eye contact with my boss. I am afraid they will discover I am not cut out for the job. I'm also hyper aware that they are an 'extremely business-minded' person, and I sometimes feel my interactions with them are not genuine...People that are in authoritative positions, especially older men, I find extremely difficult to talk to. I sense that they write me off as 'a silly' girl.-I attend a writing group once a month. During the group, I am so uncomfortable in sharing my opinion about someone's work (because it involves speaking in front of people I don't really know) that I can't concentrate on the writing they are reading aloud. Everyone is able to give solid feedback, but I struggle to remember what they even said as I was panicking about speaking!-Lastly, when people ask how I'm doing, how my writing is going yatta yatta, I start rambling. Because I don't feel like I've accomplished much with my life I always feel embarrassed talking about the fact I work part time and I struggle to write because I'm feeling depressed...but I can't say these things! I'm probably rambling right now! Sorry for the long post...I'm after advice, materials and strategies to combat these issues. Does anyone else ever get moments when you disassociate in a conversation, or think about trying to make eye contact when someone is speaking that you really struggle to stay in the moment?

Guest_64938635 Anxiety and maybe depression
  • replies: 2

Lately or even for a while now I have had anxeity. Previously I had depression for a while but feel I have some what over come it and sometimes have it over time.

Lately or even for a while now I have had anxeity. Previously I had depression for a while but feel I have some what over come it and sometimes have it over time.

Guest_07474344 Fear of driving
  • replies: 3

I want to know if anyone has successfully overcome a fear of driving. I have limited places I can drive to and cannot to motorways, large duel carriageways or any news places. I have convinced myself I can’t read maps or signs and find even the idea ... View more

I want to know if anyone has successfully overcome a fear of driving. I have limited places I can drive to and cannot to motorways, large duel carriageways or any news places. I have convinced myself I can’t read maps or signs and find even the idea of driving to new places completely overwhelming. I’ve tried many times since passing g my test 29 years ago and the panic attacks are getting worse. There are even places I used to drive to that I now can’t. It limits me in so many ways.

Guest_25694560 My anxiety is too hard
  • replies: 3

I have recently been diagnosed with anxiety and it is really hard. I’m usually really outgoing and it’s made me into a person that never wants to leave the house. I haven’t been able to go to work without having panick attacks and i will loose my job... View more

I have recently been diagnosed with anxiety and it is really hard. I’m usually really outgoing and it’s made me into a person that never wants to leave the house. I haven’t been able to go to work without having panick attacks and i will loose my job if i keep calling in sick because i have anxiety. How do i get through a shift at work?