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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.

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Froggy2903 Do I have anxiety? Or is it just moodiness?
  • replies: 3

Hey guys, I just signed up for the site but I've seen you guys really help others out when they're in need. I'm a 16 year old male and I'm genuinely confused as to whether I have some form of anxiety at all, or if it is just teenager and hormonal moo... View more

Hey guys, I just signed up for the site but I've seen you guys really help others out when they're in need. I'm a 16 year old male and I'm genuinely confused as to whether I have some form of anxiety at all, or if it is just teenager and hormonal moodiness and swings. I just always seem to worry about the smallest thing with no reason to even think these things. For example, over these holidays and quarantine I am always worried that my friends don't like me anymore and I can't ask them at all because I believe that I'm going to bother them and I don't want to annoy them. When in actual fact, I'm always sure that they don't hate or dislike me once I look back at that thought and I feel stupid for thinking it. Stuff like this happens constantly and even ranges to me making up scenarios in my head about why they would hate me (along with other scenarios about random things that worry me). I've searched symptoms up for anxiety and when I look at them it feels like I match them but I also think that I may be reading into too much. Any help will be much appreciated, sorry if this post rambles on or seems silly in any way. Thank you all so much in advance.

Angie9999 Home alone, no work, no friends
  • replies: 3

About a month ago I made the decision to leave my workplace due to being unable to find the energy to get up in the morning let alone go to work. I was in a workplace that wasn't suitable mine or bubs needs. It's been a few weeks and I am unable to g... View more

About a month ago I made the decision to leave my workplace due to being unable to find the energy to get up in the morning let alone go to work. I was in a workplace that wasn't suitable mine or bubs needs. It's been a few weeks and I am unable to get out of beds until 12pm and then just go straight to bed at 3-5pm for another nap. I know it's partly because I am pregnant and I'm growing a little human inside of me but I do have a diagnosed depression and anxiety and have been off my meds since I found out I was pregnant due to having risks taking them of deforming bub. So basically my routine is sleep, eat and sleep with very little fresh air as I struggle to be able to get myself out of the house also. My question to everyone is; does anyone have anything they tried to get them out of bed or out of the house? Are there any people that have been in the same boat as me and have found ways to improve their ways naturally? I don't want to go on meds again if I can help it and the Phsychologist can't do much as he can't just get me out of bed in the morning. I feel useless, I can't work and now I don't even know what I will do when bub arrives and he's old enough to go to kindy. I feel so lost...

MlSn Jobless and Worthless
  • replies: 3

Over 50 , Quit Job due to numerous panic attacks. Jobless and Worthless. Covid in VIC is making my life unbearable

Over 50 , Quit Job due to numerous panic attacks. Jobless and Worthless. Covid in VIC is making my life unbearable

Jarred28 Anxiety and heart palpitations
  • replies: 2

Hey just wondering if anyone else worries about their heart when they get palpitations. I feel like my heart is beating out of my chest and in turn this makes me worry about having a heart attack, which then in turn makes me palpitations even worse.

Hey just wondering if anyone else worries about their heart when they get palpitations. I feel like my heart is beating out of my chest and in turn this makes me worry about having a heart attack, which then in turn makes me palpitations even worse.

Fidget Can't get past the wall
  • replies: 3

To whoever is out there. A little background. I'm of the larger/curvy variety of woman. I've been to gyms on/off since my early teens. I love working out & how I feel afterwards. My current issue is I've gradually put on most, if not all, the weight ... View more

To whoever is out there. A little background. I'm of the larger/curvy variety of woman. I've been to gyms on/off since my early teens. I love working out & how I feel afterwards. My current issue is I've gradually put on most, if not all, the weight I previously lost. I have a gym membership but my anxiety stops me from going. What I mean by stops me from going is it gets to the point where I can't breath & panic sets in. I don't want another PT. It's not so much a waste of money but I don't want to spend it during the pandemic. I'm confident in my ability to organise appropriate exercises. This is my biggest issue at the moment. I'm absolutely terrified to go. I don't have anyone I can go with & I don't make friends easily. I know I need to lose the weight again as I'm feeling fat. I've managed to shut out some of my closest friends because of my depression & anxiety. It's the fear they'll see me & be shocked at how much weight I've put back on. This was a massive step for me. It's been an awful 18 months & I need to be able to get on top of things. Thank you for listening.

Jamielee88 Close to giving up
  • replies: 4

I feel like giving up most days I do not no what to do anymore I've got pass anxiety I'm bipolar too. I've pinched a c4 and c5 nerve that affects my nerve roots and left side of my body. I'm in so much Emotional and physical pain. I have a son who I ... View more

I feel like giving up most days I do not no what to do anymore I've got pass anxiety I'm bipolar too. I've pinched a c4 and c5 nerve that affects my nerve roots and left side of my body. I'm in so much Emotional and physical pain. I have a son who I can barely pick up and do things like go to the park. And activities that he likes to do because I can barely bend my neck with out pain. My husband says I'll be ok.... It feels like I'm dying and no one understands. I just wanna feel normal and to play with my boy. It breaks my heart even more that I can not do so. I don't have any friends as I have severe social anxiety. I'm so broken

Hendo100 Anxiety & depression
  • replies: 3

Hey my name is leah, I am a new member here and not too sure how it works... but I have been suffering with anxiety for a little while now but recently it has gotten worse as well as my depression and I am struggling to find ways to help me calm down... View more

Hey my name is leah, I am a new member here and not too sure how it works... but I have been suffering with anxiety for a little while now but recently it has gotten worse as well as my depression and I am struggling to find ways to help me calm down. I do suffer with panic attacks and nausea here and there, I also overthink a lot which makes it very difficult day to day and was just seeking some guidance to help me get though it. Many thanks Leah

Soraya_A Feeling like the only one with anxious+fearful thought
  • replies: 2

Hi, I'm an 18 year old female struggling with GAD for 7 years. I have no social life, no drivers licence, never had a job or boyfriend, pretty much in isolation at home 24/7, don't speak to my family except for my mum but she doesn't take it seriousl... View more

Hi, I'm an 18 year old female struggling with GAD for 7 years. I have no social life, no drivers licence, never had a job or boyfriend, pretty much in isolation at home 24/7, don't speak to my family except for my mum but she doesn't take it seriously nor understands. Does anyone else experience a great deal of anxiety about the time and future? I feel stuck in a constant loop of misery and dread. Thinking about living tomorrow, the day after that and so on makes me feel extremely anxious+fearful. I get scenario images in my mind about tomorrow having to go through the whole process again about being dreadful & miserable and repeating the same routine i did yesterday. I have had this for almost 2 months now no idea where it had come from. Just feel stuck in my head can't enjoy the present moment the future is all i think about. Would like any advice or someone with similar experiences to help me with what I'm going through. I apologise if the explanation is a bit confusing. This is my first time doing something like this and I'm not that great at explaining but I hope you'll still be able to understand.

DeidreDear Have you tried Redi Calm?
  • replies: 5

I'm looking at buying redi calm which I found on the internet from america and was wandering of anyone has tried it before and what was their experience?

I'm looking at buying redi calm which I found on the internet from america and was wandering of anyone has tried it before and what was their experience?

Dove20 Worried about not being able to financially take care of my parents
  • replies: 4

Hi guys, Lately, with my dad nearing retirement, I've been developing constant anxiety about whether I will be able to financially take care of my parents whilst dealing with my own mental health issues. Both my parents were immigrants and came over ... View more

Hi guys, Lately, with my dad nearing retirement, I've been developing constant anxiety about whether I will be able to financially take care of my parents whilst dealing with my own mental health issues. Both my parents were immigrants and came over to Australia with little to no money. We are not a rich family. Right now, my dad is 62 and works a really labour intensive job travelling to many different locations a day (around 25+); he is trying his hardest to work until he can reach 66-67 so that he can qualify for age pension benefits and won’t need to worry that much about finances. However, given that it is a really labour intensive job this is unlikely. At most, I believe my dad can only work for 1-2 years more. My mum has always been a stay at home mum of 3 and is currently a stay at home caretaker of my sister's infant (childcare is too expensive to be an option). I currently work as a casual employee but with COVID it is difficult to get shifts. So, when my dad cannot physically work anymore and has to retire but doesn’t qualify for age pension benefits, it will be me and my older sister who will likely be taking care of the finances from then on. This thought has stressed me out and is one of the main thoughts that are triggering my mental health issues. In terms of my health, I've been suffering from mental health issues for a while and it has affected me and my ability to do a lot of things. This year my mental health was debilitating; my mind would not stop overthinking about my finances and responsibilities. It was so bad I started having random panic attacks, even at home when there was no trigger. I know Super is a thing, but at the current moment, my dad only has around $27,000 in his super. Arguably, this is not enough to keep afloat for a few years until he can qualify for his age pension benefits. I’ve been really worried about what’s going to happen so I decided to halt my goals, deferred my studies (in law) to find a stable job and save as much as I can before this happens. 
 However, my anxiety has made it difficult for me to commit to full-time jobs so, after deferring, I’ve been searching for a part-time job at an environment that is calm and won’t have any events or situations that can trigger me. However, this is also difficult given the current employment situation in Australia. Any advice or reassurances about our government benefits would be welcomed