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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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Rhysb93 Anxiety physical symptoms
  • replies: 8

Hi I was wondering if anyone else has had the following physical symptoms ive had pains in my left arm moving from hand to elbow to shoulder then goes away then comes back has been going on for days and sometime in my left leg and then chest I’ve bee... View more

Hi I was wondering if anyone else has had the following physical symptoms ive had pains in my left arm moving from hand to elbow to shoulder then goes away then comes back has been going on for days and sometime in my left leg and then chest I’ve been to my gp he says it’s the anxiety it just seems hard to believe when it feels like it’s life threatening, I’ve had all heart tests done about 6-12 months ago so he’s confident it’s anxiety hopefully someone else out there feels the same thanks!!

Ghostboy Confused and lost
  • replies: 1

I’ve never done this before or reached out to anyone for help but I really need some advice. I’m 21 and studying. I used to be confident and felt happy with my life. About two years ago it started to go downhill but I have no exact reason why. I star... View more

I’ve never done this before or reached out to anyone for help but I really need some advice. I’m 21 and studying. I used to be confident and felt happy with my life. About two years ago it started to go downhill but I have no exact reason why. I started to go out less and less but I didn’t think anything of it. I feel like everything is an effort and I just don’t like going out or meeting new people anymore. Sometimes when I’m out in public I feel sick to my stomach. I told my mum I don’t think I can go to school anymore two days ago and a day after she said I need to keep up with my work. It’s hard when the person you think will understand, doesn’t at all. im lost

EmReid My Life
  • replies: 1

I’ve been getting quite shaky and twitchy lately. I don’t really understand why. I find myself getting really itchy when I get adgitated or flustered. I get seriously worked up and cranky whenever I’m rushed by someone. I have feelings of “realness”w... View more

I’ve been getting quite shaky and twitchy lately. I don’t really understand why. I find myself getting really itchy when I get adgitated or flustered. I get seriously worked up and cranky whenever I’m rushed by someone. I have feelings of “realness”when you focus so hard on the present moment you become numb that you feel yourself in your skin and I get sweaty/clamy palms. Similar with noise and sounds trying to listen so hard into silence, you hear your pulse and the sound like you are outdoors in middle of no where. Ive overthinked so much that I’ve started believing I genuinely can predict what others are thinking and act upon that assumption. I always felt a sense of selfishness, that I don’t want to be like everyone else in the sense of having problems. It’s like someone could say they feel the same, or have experienced this feeling the same way but deep down I feel like I’m the only one thinking you are wrong, this can only be felt by me. I find myself wanting constant reassurance. constant attention feeling like when I’m alone I make bets with myself. I’m not okay I need help and I know I do.

jack85 Job Anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi there, I thought I’d post about my own experience with mental health (depression and anxiety) as I’ve found a lot of posts similar to my experience. I’ve experienced feelings of depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember. Anxiety more so... View more

Hi there, I thought I’d post about my own experience with mental health (depression and anxiety) as I’ve found a lot of posts similar to my experience. I’ve experienced feelings of depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember. Anxiety more so. Earlier this year I saw a GP and was referred to a therapist, who I I did a few sessions with but unfortunately had to stop due to the increasing cost. However the whole experience of getting help and talking with someone helped a great deal.I still experience strong feelings of anxiety and often times depression. I’m a personal trainer and I find my job, workplace and helping other people helps me a lot. However over the years and recently I’ve taken bar jobs here and there, sometimes long term and sometimes just to get a bit of cash together. However I find my anxiety and sometimes my depression skyrockets when I’m back in that environment. Most often the people, patrons, odd hours and just the general negative environment finds me looking for any way out and generally leaves me feeling pretty negative before and during a shift. I’ll spend most of the week leading up to a shift miserable and anxious. I also have a bad habit of bailing on these jobs, not showing up to shifts, leaving without notice etc. which makes me feel terribly guilty but I feel the environment is not conducive for my mental health and only makes my anxiety worse. I’ve found this as rarely, if ever, do I experience these feelings with my personal trainer job. I was just wondering if any one had experienced similar, particularly in the hospo industry. I constantly feel guilty for leaving these jobs at a moments notice but feel as though it’s best for my mental health. thanks

Katherine22 Scared I may never be able to work again
  • replies: 13

Hi just looking for some support from people that understand. Ive had depression and anxiety for a long time. I’ve had more jobs than I can count and have big issues with keeping them because of anxiety. I’ve left nearly all of my jobs because I beco... View more

Hi just looking for some support from people that understand. Ive had depression and anxiety for a long time. I’ve had more jobs than I can count and have big issues with keeping them because of anxiety. I’ve left nearly all of my jobs because I become overwhelmed with anxiety and can’t face anyone and don’t go back. I tried so hard to not do this and tell myself every job that I won’t let it happen again. I hate letting people down and it totally throws my life out of whack for weeks and leaves me depressed beyond belief. I’m only mid 40’s and am so worried I just can’t hold a job down successfully anymore. Anyone else have this destructive pattern with anxiety? Thanks very much

LostinLife01 I am not enough
  • replies: 4

I have a partner that I live with but who never wants to spend any time with me. I do b have any friends - only acquantances. I don't have anyone I can talk to. I have an aging parent who I just cannot talk to as she is from a completely different ge... View more

I have a partner that I live with but who never wants to spend any time with me. I do b have any friends - only acquantances. I don't have anyone I can talk to. I have an aging parent who I just cannot talk to as she is from a completely different generation of thinking. I don't have anyone. I am clearly just not enough. I have had an awful day & I'm sitting in my car crying because I went to go somewhere & realised I have no where to go & no one I can call.

Clear82 Sleep anxiety
  • replies: 8

Anyone else get sleep anxiety? I wake up every morning around 4am and can’t get back to sleep. My mind races, heart races and I can never get back to sleep. I then overthink how long I’ve slept and how long till I need to get up. Getting up isn’t eas... View more

Anyone else get sleep anxiety? I wake up every morning around 4am and can’t get back to sleep. My mind races, heart races and I can never get back to sleep. I then overthink how long I’ve slept and how long till I need to get up. Getting up isn’t easy ether, i feel anxious about starting the day. It’s like I’m anxious about being anxious. I was a very good sleeper too. I’ve tried all the advice for sleeping and nothing has worked. Does anyone take sleeping pills on a daily basis?

Amber_C Overwhelmed
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I am new here. I have been struggling with anxiety half my life and in January this year I had to go home from work due to pains in my stomach. I went to have tests done and have had many many doctors visits, even hospital ones to see wh... View more

Hi everyone, I am new here. I have been struggling with anxiety half my life and in January this year I had to go home from work due to pains in my stomach. I went to have tests done and have had many many doctors visits, even hospital ones to see what's going on. So far everything seems normal. Doctor's are saying it's IBS. Last week i finally had my appointment to see the pelvic pain specialist. It could be pelvic floor. I am due for a colonoscopy in a couple of weeks and i'm terrified. I am very overwhelmed due to me having to leave work, and the confusing things going on with my body. On top of that most people around me who i thought might be more supportive aren't. They do not understand high anxiety. My father has been my Angel throughout all this. However I need to step out of this anxiety as it's ruining my life, and i feel that this is a wake up call. I also would like to move out of home, but I feel i won't be able to cope living on my own especially being alone at night.

Lofty2314 Breathing Difficulties / Health Anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi, Going back a couple of years ago now I had a severe panic attack, the first I'd ever really had and I haven't been the same since, I've had difficulty breathing with really shallow breathing and sometimes gasp for air like I can't get the oxygen ... View more

Hi, Going back a couple of years ago now I had a severe panic attack, the first I'd ever really had and I haven't been the same since, I've had difficulty breathing with really shallow breathing and sometimes gasp for air like I can't get the oxygen down through my throat to my stomach with ease and then back up and out again, it's like I've forgotten how to breath normally and of course when it happens I freak out that somethings wrong with me and it makes it worse I panic and can't control it at all. I have been to 2/3 different GPs, been checked for a hiatus hernia, had Asthma / allergy tests, blood tests, scans, the lot yet everything has come back fine not one doctor has been overly concerned and said my results look good I'm all clear yet I am still convinced something severe is wrong with me and can't get it out of my head. Has anyone else experienced anything like this before or currently dealing with something similar? I feel so trapped and just want my breathing and life to return to normal without living in fear. I feel like medication may be the next step as I've seen a psychologist about it a while back and openly discussed it with a couple of people the doctors included and tried some natural remedies but nothing seems to fix it although I have had a couple of good patches where it's completely gone for a bit I've returned to normal and forgotten I even had the problem but it always seems to return like something is triggering it which leads me to believe it's severe anxiety. my throat feels closed over, I have difficulty swallowing food, feel uptight in the chest and uneasy/irritable constantly! Please help!

jg1996 My anxiety story (pointers needed!)
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, I’m a newbie on here! Just thought I would try something new and put my story out there to try and get another solution/ some tips to manage my anxiety. It started a few months ago when I was super busy at work. I started making a few mi... View more

Hi everyone, I’m a newbie on here! Just thought I would try something new and put my story out there to try and get another solution/ some tips to manage my anxiety. It started a few months ago when I was super busy at work. I started making a few mistakes and then it would affect the end result of the job. I coped with it, but i dwelled on the thought of it and I got worse, to the point where I would panic every day on my way to work (just an FYI, I absolutely love my job and the people I work with). My manager started to get concerned and asked if I was ok and offered to take me to the doctor. I said it’s ok and I went myself that very afternoon. The doctor asked me questions and then sent me for a blood test and an ECG heart scan. The results came back and they were all perfect, not a thing wrong with me. The anxiety got worse and The doctor recommended I go see a physiologist. I have been 4 times and I feel like it isn’t working. I freaked out that bad one day that I ended off going back to the doctor and they gave me a light anti depressants. It started working and now it isn’t working anymore. It’s like they aren’t strong enough. I don’t know what to do anymore, my stomach is tight, my chest is tight, i constantly worry about everything and the worst part is I just want to give up and quit. I hate everything about what this anxiety has done to me, it’s turned me into a different person. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how I can handle this or calm myself down a bit. Thank you.