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

Basilboy Big mistake and anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I've made a big mistake (under tough conditions). I'm having some serious intrusive thoughts and being incredible hard on myself. My mistake is work based and could be catastrophic for my career. I also have information that could destro... View more

Hi everyone, I've made a big mistake (under tough conditions). I'm having some serious intrusive thoughts and being incredible hard on myself. My mistake is work based and could be catastrophic for my career. I also have information that could destroy a business. I'm so torn as to what to do and I don't know how to stop the racing, intrusive thoughts.Thanks everyone, I'm new to this community but must say the chat feature saved me today!

Alel Uncomfortable with feeling okay
  • replies: 2

I've recently been diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression as well as agoraphobia. I've also been dealing with my fear of vomiting, fainting and sometimes weather ever since I was young. I'm only on my 2nd week of my meds and i still feel on edg... View more

I've recently been diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression as well as agoraphobia. I've also been dealing with my fear of vomiting, fainting and sometimes weather ever since I was young. I'm only on my 2nd week of my meds and i still feel on edge or low sometimes. But most of the time, I feel relaxed and okay. The thing is tho, I don't know what to do with this feeling? Because when I'm anxious or depressed, I have steps and practices to do. But when I'm happy, I just have to live? Why is it so weird to me? I don't know what to do. Even tho I feel better, I don't see the appeal of going out, doing a hobby or going for a little walk even. I'm just sitting on my phone. All day. I know meds takes a while to actually work, I don't know how it feels for meds to fully work as I was never got to that point with my last mess. So I'm still quite scared of what's to come before it works or if it actually works. I'm also afraid that I'll never overcomle my fears as I can't get myself to face them. As well as accepting I have a chemical imbalance. It just makes me feel broken knowing I'll deal with anxiety and depression for the rest of my life. It just seems like such an exhausting and terrifying life. I also got alot of bad things going on in life, but luckily not too bad. I have to work on finding a life for myself and getting over my past. There's just so much, which is quite overwhelming, and being uncomfortable with feeling okay is just pushing me back. I want to make progress but now I have to get comfortable with it?

Alel Can I get tips or advice?
  • replies: 4

Things that scare me or give me anxiety: Thinking about my past (especially) Thinking about my present Thinking about the future Urges Eating Vomiting Fainting Nausea Dizziness Feeling gassy Thinking about religion (not religious but my family is and... View more

Things that scare me or give me anxiety: Thinking about my past (especially) Thinking about my present Thinking about the future Urges Eating Vomiting Fainting Nausea Dizziness Feeling gassy Thinking about religion (not religious but my family is and I feel like I'm lying to them. Also dealing with religious trauma) Thinking about death The thought of being broken The thought of never getting better Cold or hot weather The thought of going crazy or insane Constantly feeling on edge or off Headaches The thought that I'm faking my mental illness or that I like being mentally ill Side effects of my meds and not knowing when I should be concerned Constantly being in existential dread everyday Being too conscious of my mental health, but also panic when I realise I've been too much in my head Loud sounds The thought of being a mean or toxic person Depression or depressive episodes coming back The thought of not eating on time, eating too much or too little, eating too fast (emetophobia) Change but also feeling stuck Body fatigue The thought of drinking too much ot too little (emetophobia) Living with a dysfunctional family that constantly fights Living with an anxious mom Bad family health history I'm just struggling and so many people have gone through this before and I have so much to learn and conquer and achieve. I wouldn't even have to go through all this, or have to overcome so much things or have to achieve things everyone already has or didn't even have to try for them to achieve it. If my brain was normal, the only thing on my mind would be teen things. But no, I have to have severe anxiety, depression, agoraphobia and ocd. It's so hard to deal with. I'm so afraid of my own brain. I feel so different from everyone around me. I know I'm not alone but it honestly feels like it. Don't have to help but tips for any of these things would really help please. I am trying to see a psychologist but I wanted to get a start now until I can get one.

apok90 Anxiety and advice on mental support
  • replies: 1

Hi, I’ve always struggled with social anxiety and it has been always hard for me to meet new people and make friends. It takes several times before I feel comfortable with someone and all the tasks (except for work) that involves going out my home in... View more

Hi, I’ve always struggled with social anxiety and it has been always hard for me to meet new people and make friends. It takes several times before I feel comfortable with someone and all the tasks (except for work) that involves going out my home in a social environment, often give me a stomachache and the need to go to the bathroom. I think the main issue is that I’m not feeling confident with myself and I often feel ugly and different. My situation improved the last years when I had to care for my son and my partner (that suffered from depression in a different way). Last year I moved here in Australia with my family so that we can stay closer to my partner’s parents and improve her situation, but after a few months she broke up with me and now I feel like I’m at the same point I started 9 years ago, plus the only people I know here are related to her. I spent the last five months just working and staying at home, without seeing anyone after work, except for my son when I got him the weekend. I’d like to change and find a way i can make friends and enjoy my life. I apologise for my English as is not my first language.

M_A_ Physical Anxiety fear of dying
  • replies: 2

I feel anxious most of the time and it's all used to be physical for me but now it's also emotional and as if I feel my brain is turning around or smh. Sometimes I'm feeling sad and even a little depressed. I've never felt like this weird unexplainab... View more

I feel anxious most of the time and it's all used to be physical for me but now it's also emotional and as if I feel my brain is turning around or smh. Sometimes I'm feeling sad and even a little depressed. I've never felt like this weird unexplainable sadness before as I always being the most positive person. This really scares me, sometimes I can't even talk properly, my thoughts are raising so fast and I have slurred speech, which in fact gives me even more fear and anxiety. I just don't know how to stop feeling like this, relaxation techniques only work when I'm a little anxious but when I'm in a panicky mode nothing seems to slow me down. I even take medication and even tho I feel a bit more relaxed I still feeling on the edge like if I can't relax fully my fast thoughts and body sensations. Help, even writing this making me more anxious and weak and I don't like it...

Alel Still afraid of covid
  • replies: 2

TW HEALTH ANXIETY Ive only gotten covid once or twice. But lately I've been trying to overcome really bad anxiety and I live with a really really anxious mom. She is saying that the covid vaccine is bad and that covid is really dangerous which is sca... View more

TW HEALTH ANXIETY Ive only gotten covid once or twice. But lately I've been trying to overcome really bad anxiety and I live with a really really anxious mom. She is saying that the covid vaccine is bad and that covid is really dangerous which is scaring me as well as her which then scares me more. I can't stop worrying and panicking. I already got the covid vaccine couple years back. But I'm still scared of getting really sick or dying. Whenver I explain my fears to my family, they just say believe in God. I'm not religious and they don't know that, so it just feels like I have no one that understand how scared I am. I'm too afraid to read the news about australia and covid bc I don't want to get more anxious than I already am, but I also have an urge to read on it. What do I do? Does anyone have any tips for health anxiety and covid?

beny i have no friends how do i cope with it
  • replies: 2

I've lost all my friends over conflict & no longer have the option of being friends with them again. I feel like I don't know how to make a new group of friends as I've always been comfortable with all I had and never really bothered with making more... View more

I've lost all my friends over conflict & no longer have the option of being friends with them again. I feel like I don't know how to make a new group of friends as I've always been comfortable with all I had and never really bothered with making more friends besides the ones I had. i try my best to keep my mind busy with other things but sometimes with stresses from running my business, studying fulltime combined with the feeling of loneliness can be frustrating.

Belblu Struggles through med change
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, I'm at the beginning of a med change after 15 years on the same medication. The last couple of weeks have been hell. The mood the anxiety the worthlessness just seems so overwhelming. I have always been a go getter and this has floored m... View more

Hi everyone, I'm at the beginning of a med change after 15 years on the same medication. The last couple of weeks have been hell. The mood the anxiety the worthlessness just seems so overwhelming. I have always been a go getter and this has floored me. At the moment preparing a meal, cleaning the house takes everything out of me. I worked a day last week and was bedridden for 2 days. I'm hoping I get some relief soon but feeling very nervous the new medication isn't going to work. I do hope you are have a day that will bring you some peace and happiness today.

Louise1993 Constantly in fear of dying
  • replies: 2

I’ve been really struggling with the fear of dying since moving to Australia from the UK. I never had this before then. I’ve had a lot of health issues since being here (nothing life threatening) but out of nowhere I will have these debilitating pani... View more

I’ve been really struggling with the fear of dying since moving to Australia from the UK. I never had this before then. I’ve had a lot of health issues since being here (nothing life threatening) but out of nowhere I will have these debilitating panic attacks where I feel like I’m going to die. It’s terrifying. I genuinely believe that I’m not going to make it home. I’m constantly Googling my symptoms, and body checking. I’ve become so hypersensitive to my bodily sensations. To make it worse, I witnessed someone who died in a motorcycle accident the other day where I was heavily involved (called the ambulance, checked for a pulse etc). I feel awful for him and his family, and I can’t help but feel that this has confirmed that I could just die at any moment. It probably sounds ridiculous and I know my partner doesn’t fully understand. I’m going back to the UK in a couple of weeks time, but even getting on the plane is scaring me in case something happens. I haven’t been able to get therapy due to not having Medicare or the money to afford it so feel it’s gotten worse. I guess I’m just trying to get my thoughts down and see if anyone has any advice, or has similar feelings to me? Thanks so much in advance x

CeeCee33 Anxiety over moving out of home
  • replies: 9

I just bought a house by myself and am moving out of my parents home in my late twenties but ever since I bought it I’ve been so upset. I know it will be good for me and that I need to start gaining independence, etc. but I love my parents so much an... View more

I just bought a house by myself and am moving out of my parents home in my late twenties but ever since I bought it I’ve been so upset. I know it will be good for me and that I need to start gaining independence, etc. but I love my parents so much and am devastated to leave. I can’t stop crying or feeling anxious about it because I’m going to miss this house and living with them. Has anyone else felt this way or have any advice?