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

o0 3ree6ixty 0o I got into a fight and don’t know what to do and what will happen
  • replies: 1

I was hanging around a group of guys and girls having my lunch they were all just talking shit about everyone and just joking around and they started to make up roumers about me wich iI thought were just jokes and everyone being silly, a few minutes ... View more

I was hanging around a group of guys and girls having my lunch they were all just talking shit about everyone and just joking around and they started to make up roumers about me wich iI thought were just jokes and everyone being silly, a few minutes past and Jacob comes up behind me with a DARE bottle and tips it down my shirt there isn't much in the bottle, I was just thinking that it was all a joke and a prank like something that you do as a teen so I grabbed the bottle off of him and throw the rest of the contents in the bottle back at him, he didn’t seem to like that and some got on his shoes and me with a playful smile on my face say that we are evan, Jacob takes off his shoes and starts chasing me so I ran away not like scared for my life ran more like a speedy walk as I thought we were still playing around he chases me and grabe me by the back of my neck and pushes me to the ground it hurt alitle but me still thinking he was playing was smiling and laughing and than he started to kick me, and gestured towards stomping on my head, me finally realising that he was mad about what happened and I was in in abit of shock so I was inbatween bursting out laughing and bursting out crying because I was really confused about the situation, we both start walking away and I head towards the bathroom to go to the toilet and I am in there and hear Jacob talking about me and so i peak my head out to see what was up and apoligise and he won’t listen Paul De’crest was in the area and told us all to go to class so I went to my class room and he went to his after him saying to meet him mount druit a go to class and things go as normal and I slightly rush to the station as I have work and I get to work and just start freaking out and have to come home because of the fear of what could happen next time I see him. I go home and unloaded all of what happened to my mum and she advises me to talk to the police and out in a report about the incident not to press charges but just incase somthing further happens,

anonymousmouse Cannot think positively
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone. I recently just found out that my mum plans on downsizing in about a years time. I live with her and my two younger brothers. There are only 2 rooms in the new house I have already been having a hard time, but this is tipping me over the... View more

Hi everyone. I recently just found out that my mum plans on downsizing in about a years time. I live with her and my two younger brothers. There are only 2 rooms in the new house I have already been having a hard time, but this is tipping me over the edge. Mum says that we can buy a caravan to put at the back of the house and that she can sleep in it so myself and my brothers have room inside. But it still feels pretty awful. I keep seeking advice/sympathy, but it only feels like a temporary band-aid. Every time something good happens, the reality will then hit me that in a years time, someone (either me or my mum) will be sleeping in a caravan. She keeps telling me not to worry and that everything will be okay, but I really can't control my anxiety over the situation.

Centaured Scared of success
  • replies: 3

In my life I feel like I've never accomplished anything. I've never had a job, im nearly 31. I havent been to uni. I have been in hospital for probably half my adult life due to mental and physical health problems. I think I'm scared of success and s... View more

In my life I feel like I've never accomplished anything. I've never had a job, im nearly 31. I havent been to uni. I have been in hospital for probably half my adult life due to mental and physical health problems. I think I'm scared of success and sabotage every opportunity I get. Well, today I'm freaking out. I'm launching my own business. I am an artist and hosting my first ever market stall to see if I can start selling it and to put myself out there. I am so nervous and anxious, im scared I will mess this up like I have messed up my life. The worst thing is that they are forecasting thunderstorms this evening when the market is on. Even the universe doesn't want me to succeed.

Tigermoth Work stress
  • replies: 1

I am working at a telecommunications company and am being pressured to sell things as well as being monitored to ensure I spend most of the calls with customers forcing them to buy things. I now how insomnia, chest pains, headaches, depression and an... View more

I am working at a telecommunications company and am being pressured to sell things as well as being monitored to ensure I spend most of the calls with customers forcing them to buy things. I now how insomnia, chest pains, headaches, depression and anxiety. I also gave increasing pain in my legs and feet from peripheral neuropathy. I have pleaded with them to allow me to go to an administrative role but they said they couldn’t do that. Another worker had to go on sick leave last week as he said he felt so pressured he felt like he had no control over his life and was on a skateboard which was going over a cliff. That is three people in our team in 12 months who have had to leave due to mental health issues. Any ideas how I can get some peace? I have already reduced my hours but the pressure is getting worse

bob_the_builder anxious about going out into the world.
  • replies: 4

Hello, I am a new young Adult who is only just getting started on the road creating a future for myself. I was wondering if anyone has experienced these emotion and anxiety that I feel toward getting a job to support myself through life and UNI. And ... View more

Hello, I am a new young Adult who is only just getting started on the road creating a future for myself. I was wondering if anyone has experienced these emotion and anxiety that I feel toward getting a job to support myself through life and UNI. And those emotion also towards getting a university education. I don't like doing task and other everyday things alone, I dislike driving alone and not fond of the idea of going to uni classes not knowing anybody, which cause me to have breakdowns about it. I just want to live peacefully and become finally stable. But i know that it won't happen without having hardships and challenging moment in my life to get there. When i had job during high school I would cry and get angry before most of my shift, and I still do it to this day with preparing for a job interview -that I am unsure of taking- or anything that involves talking to strangers and new people. I tend to overthink about my life choices and what they could result in, and I also tend to be optimistic about my future. But eventually reality knocks it down, which causes me to become more anxious about my future. So, my question is that I would love for anybody to let me know if they have experience similar to this and are able to provide advice on what road I should take to help me become willing to want to go out into the world by myself and do things I dream of doing. Thank you!

Elizabeth Louise Anxious Ex Husband about my adventures with the Kids
  • replies: 13

My Husband doesnt want me to take the kids kayaking because he is "concerned". I have taken the kids twice already without him. If i take them it means i dont care about him and they get to experience a fun day. If i dont take them, i appease his anx... View more

My Husband doesnt want me to take the kids kayaking because he is "concerned". I have taken the kids twice already without him. If i take them it means i dont care about him and they get to experience a fun day. If i dont take them, i appease his anxiety but we miss out. He says his concerned of the risks. What risks? That they will drown? They can swim and they have done it twice before. All I can think of is some fun & adventure and making memories with them. The past 6 weeks all I have been doing is packing, unpacking, moving and renovating. I'm exhausted and stressed and want a break and a little adventure. Plus it's my birthday soon. I wanted to do a fun activity with the kids. When i explained this he says I am free now I can do whatever I want and that I never listened when we were together. But I know he will hold it against me. And when I ask to get back together he will throw it in my face and say I don't care and they are just words and I havnt shown him that I care about him. (Just some background. I really want to get back together but with hes afraid. He blames me for it all says its all my fault, he fled because he's been hurt) I have mentioned to him not to worry I won't do anything dangerous. The kids will be fine. I even asked him if he would feel more comfortable to come along with us and would that help. He says No. I have pointed out that this is anxiety and fear is holding him back and to please challenge those negative thoughts. He always thinks worse case scenario. He reminded me that I did this last year when I was on holiday with the kids. We were on a tour boat ride in the Whitsundays and it was chopping seas and he was included in the online group and saw the weather forecast. Someone posted something about do not go out on the sea its 22 Knots. But our boat was full! The Captain changed from the sail boat to a stronger faster boat and I was confident in the captain. My husband wasn't there and he asked me not to go. I didn't want the kids to miss out on snorkling! And they were really looking forward to it. The boat trip was chopping at times but it was fine. We were safe. He still knocks it to me. That I had an opportunity to show him that i care about his concerns and listen. I think it was so unfair. What do I do? I want to save our relationship, but I also want to Live a little. It was a horrible year last year. I went into depression. I really need some adventure in my life to make me feel alive.

Weeny Can Anxiety cause coughing? New here.
  • replies: 9

So I had a work breakdown about 3 months ago, and had a lot of issues since, and have finally got to the point I have about 50/50 ok days and bad days, instead of nearly everyday that I was having. But I get this cough that comes and goes, not really... View more

So I had a work breakdown about 3 months ago, and had a lot of issues since, and have finally got to the point I have about 50/50 ok days and bad days, instead of nearly everyday that I was having. But I get this cough that comes and goes, not really bad, but just persistent and annoying, so was wondering if stress/anxiety can cause coughing.

Ralph23 Parent support for teen with anxiety
  • replies: 2

We have a 13 year old who is suffering from anxiety. He symptoms have become worse over the last few weeks with the return to school. We are seeing a psychologist with her, however our household is breaking down quicker than any positive changes can ... View more

We have a 13 year old who is suffering from anxiety. He symptoms have become worse over the last few weeks with the return to school. We are seeing a psychologist with her, however our household is breaking down quicker than any positive changes can occur and I don't know what to do.Does anyone know of a support group for parents dealing with a teen with anxiety?

K_Ley Am I going backwards
  • replies: 3

Hi it has been quite a while since I was on here as things were going pretty well. My sister's death in May last year was the catalyst to seeking help although I think I probably needed it long before that. I am in regular therapy and was even able t... View more

Hi it has been quite a while since I was on here as things were going pretty well. My sister's death in May last year was the catalyst to seeking help although I think I probably needed it long before that. I am in regular therapy and was even able to go 5 weeks over the christmas new year period with no therapy at all. In early January I almost lost my brother he was in a critical condition when the ambulance arrived. He is ok now, but still having tests as they don't know what caused him to collapse in the first place. Hopefully we will get answers one day. Anyway, I am a teacher and since returning to school the requirements of the job have increased 10 fold. I had to take the day off today to get some work done to try and relieve the pressure. My anxiety is through the roof and quite frankly I currently feel like I am drowning. Therapy is currently fortnightly and I feel like I need to increase it back to weekly until I get on top of things at work. My head is saying this is a step backwards though and I don't want to look at it like that. What do you think is increasing my therapy a step backwards????

Richju Fear of driving
  • replies: 11

I have a fear of driving in unfamiliar places and I easily give into this fear, making excuses such as my poor sense of direction, my failing eyesight due to my cataracts. But the real reason is that I'm afraid of the fear itself. After all, driving ... View more

I have a fear of driving in unfamiliar places and I easily give into this fear, making excuses such as my poor sense of direction, my failing eyesight due to my cataracts. But the real reason is that I'm afraid of the fear itself. After all, driving is a risky persuit. I'm afraid that I will do something unwise and cause an accident, if I panic. I don't like that feeling of fear sitting in my stomach. Just thinking of driving in the city incites feelings of dread. I learnt to drive to my son's house, very close the city but there are so many roadworks on that route now, I have lost confidence, fearing I might take a wrong turn and end up in the city. And when I have plucked up the courage to drive over to my son's, I don't enjoy myself, as I'm worried about the return journey.The GPS is helpful but not infalible. I remember the friendly voice advising me to make a u turn on a freeway once!I have asked friends to accompany me when venturing to new places but each time they just say, 'There's nothing wrong with your driving.' But there's obviously something wrong wirh me! Can anyone offer advice please.Regards,Richju