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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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OllieB Anxiety really bad
  • replies: 17

Long story short I had a version of a panic attack yesterday in a very public space I had to sit down for ten minutes with heaps of people walking by and honestly it was horrible and has left me feeling very emotional and physically drained. I'm just... View more

Long story short I had a version of a panic attack yesterday in a very public space I had to sit down for ten minutes with heaps of people walking by and honestly it was horrible and has left me feeling very emotional and physically drained. I'm just wondering what people do in this situation as I didn't feel safe at all but was unable to get away from people like in a bathroom or anything like that any advice for management especially when you are out alone?

MT23611 Unsure where to.turn
  • replies: 2

Hi, I am new here and would really like some guidance. A bit of background. ANXIETY is at an all time high. I am.struggling with trying to find the positives in life. I am anxious, I over think absolutely everything and with that I tend to want to cu... View more

Hi, I am new here and would really like some guidance. A bit of background. ANXIETY is at an all time high. I am.struggling with trying to find the positives in life. I am anxious, I over think absolutely everything and with that I tend to want to curl into a ball and just switch off. I need to get out of this rut of feeling lonely and worthless. Hoping for some.guidance.

Booklover17 Feeling down
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I just wanted to reach out because me like everyone else I guess am worried about Covid-19. At first I didn’t take it seriously and now the whole world has turned upside down. I am so sad all the time. I have anxiety and depression alrea... View more

Hi everyone, I just wanted to reach out because me like everyone else I guess am worried about Covid-19. At first I didn’t take it seriously and now the whole world has turned upside down. I am so sad all the time. I have anxiety and depression already and all this has just made it worse. I miss going out, seeing people and having fun. I even miss going into work. I am very lucky at the moment I still have a job and am working from fun but I am afraid I will lose it at any moment. I don’t know what to do anymore. It’s so hard to cope. I can’t even speak to my psychologist because she had a new baby and doesn’t have time to speak to me right now. On top of all that, my sister doesn’t speak to me and one of my best friends won’t return my texts. I am so sad and tired. I don’t know what to do anymore.

Maccap Life is here, medication is there, coping is extraordinary
  • replies: 3

Medication for depression has been apart of my life for over 10 Years! Would you believe that I was suprised? I am 35 now with a husband and two children. 6 and 3 as to date. In my family depression is hereditary. Situational has it's place as well b... View more

Medication for depression has been apart of my life for over 10 Years! Would you believe that I was suprised? I am 35 now with a husband and two children. 6 and 3 as to date. In my family depression is hereditary. Situational has it's place as well but highly hereditary. This is a bitter pill to swallow. I truly have believed I could have control over my illness, if I changed more like my lifestyle habits. It does help to an extemt but is not a CURE. The most scariest time for me is now. I tried to come off antidepressants over a yr ago, trusting my GP and only weaned off in 4wks (which was, now looking back way too quickly) and I suffered extraordinary side effects which I would class as extremely detrimental to my health. I did I have to call the paramedics at one stage and could not function and was discussing hospitalisation. Since Coronavirus has been prevalent, my anxiety and depression has severely come to the forefront. I struggle to breath, focus and function normally. My whole life has stopped. Both my children are now at home for their own health thank goodness. My business as of tomorrow, has no business. I AM GUTTERED. Everything I have fricken sacrificed and worked so hard for is dead today. I am relying on my husband. I have never had to do that. I feel I have lost my independence and power these tears are real

Whistle Anxiety Just Joined the Form today
  • replies: 3

Hi just joined today, couldn't find how to do my first post, Hi Everyone.

Hi just joined today, couldn't find how to do my first post, Hi Everyone.

Centaured Centering this centaur
  • replies: 8

Hi. I ain't quite sure where to start. I'll start by introducing myself. I'm a 26, non-binary nerd. I'm obsessed with mtg, gaming, and pretty much anything in fantasy genre (though due to my mh can't actually read a good book anymore) I have a long l... View more

Hi. I ain't quite sure where to start. I'll start by introducing myself. I'm a 26, non-binary nerd. I'm obsessed with mtg, gaming, and pretty much anything in fantasy genre (though due to my mh can't actually read a good book anymore) I have a long list of my issues, most of which I guess can be pointed down to anxiety and obsessive thoughts. Though rn I'm manic and don't know how to get support. I ended up in emergency on Tuesday following police intervention only to be kicked out the psych ward them telling me having a goal will fix all my problems. Ive been on the wait list for a psychiatrist for months, I have no idea what happened to a psychologist referral I had last month, and I can't get into a dietitian til next month. I don't know how to recenter and get my head screwed on straight enough to use my safety plan right now. How do I slow down enough so I can use a strategy. Though the main reason I'm turning here is for advice on eating disorders. Does anyone have experience in this topic. Where do I go for help. Is recovery possible. Can you find yourself aside from the ED. Is even centering oneself possible when the brain is shutting down from lack of nutrition and sleep.

Craig_m Pain / depression
  • replies: 6

I've always had some depression. About 7 years ago I was diagnosed with arthritis in my spine. That has since developed into what a pain specialist calls acute on chronic. I have also developed arthritis in my hips and knees. Another painful conditio... View more

I've always had some depression. About 7 years ago I was diagnosed with arthritis in my spine. That has since developed into what a pain specialist calls acute on chronic. I have also developed arthritis in my hips and knees. Another painful condition I have is diabetic nurophathy. Although I'm not suicidal I am self destructive. And take risks akin to stupidity. Some days the depression rules and I just stay in bed. Other days pain runs the days agenda. On days when both get going I just laugh it off. Another stressful part of life is the centrelink thing. I know it's not the workers fault, it's just a big machine that grinds people into the ground. Not enough being done with duty of care by c/ Link. I'd be interested to hear if anybody has had mental health issues over the big machine. Pain and depression a nasty combination

laneyp84 Social anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi, I'm hopping on here in the hope of at least finding some like minded people.. I am mum to three children (two of which are teens) and have been feeling depressed and anxious on and off for years. I don't have support as my family are in another c... View more

Hi, I'm hopping on here in the hope of at least finding some like minded people.. I am mum to three children (two of which are teens) and have been feeling depressed and anxious on and off for years. I don't have support as my family are in another country. I recently quit my job for various reasons but now I'm struggling to find another one.. I have had social anxiety for as long as I can remember and I know I just need to get out there and get a job or it gets worse but I live in a small isolated town where there are very few jobs going, especially if you are a newcomer like me. I have no friends here and my mum and dad who I haven't seen for two years were supposed to come and visit but now they can't, thank you coronavirus. I recently joined a bookclub which I was excited about but when I'm there it's obvious I haven't been socialising for months and I get too anxious to even talk without going very red. I feel inadequate too because the other women all have careers as well as kids which doesn't help. My partner has his own problems and struggles to help/ understand any of this. thanks for listening

G.P Overwhelmed - Turning 30 - Feel like I don't have my life together
  • replies: 14

Hello! This is my first post, so I am a little anxious about sharing and writing about what's going through my head, but I'll give it a go... It seems silly, but I'm anxious about turning this new age, especially with my birthday so soon. I recently ... View more

Hello! This is my first post, so I am a little anxious about sharing and writing about what's going through my head, but I'll give it a go... It seems silly, but I'm anxious about turning this new age, especially with my birthday so soon. I recently started seeing a psychologist because mentally things have been overwhelming for me - asides from turning 30. I think it's just this age that's perpetuated this feeling more so. I feel this way because I can't help but look at my friends and family who to me, have their sh*t together - married, living out of home, successful careers etc.), living proper adult lives. Currently I'm living at home (which makes me feel unaccomplished and incompetent, because I feel like I haven't even achieved that!), and I'm the last of the siblings (there's 3 of us, me being the eldest) still living at home, which then makes me feel incapable because I'm not as independent as I'd like to be. Then part of me gets either jealous or just beating myself up and thinking of myself as inadequate. I know some of it is the high expectations that I've set for myself, with the thinking that, "I should have completed this, or achieved that", and it continues to make me feel sick when I haven't hit these. I find myself having to avoid conversations of people's good news, and I know I should be happy for them - now I sound like the worst person Because of all of this, I've found myself living in a lot of fear for a very long time - I'm a very anxious driver and find myself reliant on others to take me places, which then also brings my self-confidence down when people ask why I don't drive... I find myself getting angry at little things, and then other times being quite ok with myself. I'm also not great with confrontation, and find my confidence lacking at work when it comes to being more direct and communicative. The moments when I do feel ok is after exercise which helps, but it's quite temporary. Or sometimes when I'm a quiet space. But sometimes these thoughts get the better of me. My psychologist mentioned that I've trapped myself, a part of me agrees, another part of me doesn't... I'm not sure how to get out of this negative spin cycle, sorry for the rant.. Thanks, G.P

megss is this anxiety?
  • replies: 7

Hey everyone, I hope everyone is well. I just was wondering if this is anxiety or just me doing I don't even know what. I am 17 and doing year 12 Sometimes when I get really nervous I feel sick and if I am super nervous I vomit. This happens for a wh... View more

Hey everyone, I hope everyone is well. I just was wondering if this is anxiety or just me doing I don't even know what. I am 17 and doing year 12 Sometimes when I get really nervous I feel sick and if I am super nervous I vomit. This happens for a whole range of situations such as races, tests, meetings with coaches and teachers, waiting for replies, you name it. I also get really paranoid about the outcomes of things that I can't control, like all of the above. Also sometimes I can't breathe. This can be gradual and mild or it can be really severe like I can't breathe at all. During one of these severe cases I was at a school camp and the teacher helped me to be able to breathe. she mentioned something like "because you can talk to me now it's probably just your anxiety" and I was a little bit confused because I don't have anxiety. this happened last year. I was just wondering if I should get it checked out, which I probably won't do, but also and tips? thank you xx