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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SquireHarbour Anxiety Derailment
  • replies: 1

This sounds a lot, but I recently got taken off holiday that I was on (a tour) due to my panic attacks that I was suffering on it and I feel so angry at myself for allowing it to happen. It was so bad that my support worker had to fly up from Melbour... View more

This sounds a lot, but I recently got taken off holiday that I was on (a tour) due to my panic attacks that I was suffering on it and I feel so angry at myself for allowing it to happen. It was so bad that my support worker had to fly up from Melbourne to Sydney to pick me up so I could get home safe (I'm on the NDIS because I'm diagnosed with ASD). I feel so ashamed and humiliated that I'm unable to control my anxiety despite attempting coping strategies and all I can do is just mope around and cry because now everyone else gets to go to Byron and Cairns but I'm just sitting at home doing... nothing.How can everyone just go on holiday and do it well while I can't even manage a short domestic flight? People keep saying that I need to control it but it feels like a constant struggle to even recognise that I'm suffering from it let alone deal with it. I feel so useless and pathetic and all I want to do now is sleep for two weeks straight.

Exhausted-girl Upset
  • replies: 4

Just for context I have lived in the same place for the last few years work shift work and lived next to the person in the below issue for the whole time I’ve lived in my dwelling, with out a conver for Atleast the last two, maybe three years.This mo... View more

Just for context I have lived in the same place for the last few years work shift work and lived next to the person in the below issue for the whole time I’ve lived in my dwelling, with out a conver for Atleast the last two, maybe three years.This morning after returning home after work via Cole’s to get a few items, my neighbour, I shall call M, must of pulled in to his car spot (directly next to mine) as I was replying to a message. Once I was out of the car M out of the blue told me to stop my stalkerish behaviours, proceeded me to get a life and told me to get a life, as this is just weird. I am unaware where this is coming from or how to react. I did not respond to M’s comment out of being shocked. For further context, What M dose - ie work,activities, I really do not know anything about and if o do go out to either go grocery shopping, out to visit friends ect I don’t see M in my travels. I occasionally will see M go to go his car if Im outside having a smoke, which is something I’ve done for years.This has made my anxiety, which I’ve been living with for the past 15 years worsened and unable to sleep.

JEF15 Is it Low self esteem?
  • replies: 3

Hello Lately I’ve been noticing myself obsessing over things I say or things i do when I’m with people. I go home and obsess over something silly i said or did. Even if it’s not that silly, my brain tells me that it is and that everyone thinks I’m st... View more

Hello Lately I’ve been noticing myself obsessing over things I say or things i do when I’m with people. I go home and obsess over something silly i said or did. Even if it’s not that silly, my brain tells me that it is and that everyone thinks I’m stupid. Usually after a day or so I’ve moved on from it, but usually cause it’s replaced with the newest things to obsess over. sometimes it can be something I did, like not let a car go in front of me. And I just obsess over itwhy do i do this???

Guest_86143806 Suggestion - What has helped me through a mental breakdown/anxiety attack
  • replies: 1

My friend had suggested a treasure hunt of sorts, where they had requested me to go for a walk and take pictures of 5 specific items/things (e.g. beware dog sign, Halloween decoration, etc.). That way they not only ensured that I went out and did som... View more

My friend had suggested a treasure hunt of sorts, where they had requested me to go for a walk and take pictures of 5 specific items/things (e.g. beware dog sign, Halloween decoration, etc.). That way they not only ensured that I went out and did something nice for myself, but also put a bit of a dopamine twist to the situation itself (it gave me a sense of accomplishment along the way).Feel free to try it if you're feeling overwhelmed, it helped me a lot!

Shazi Night mares moods and depression
  • replies: 3

Hello 勺 I have been smoking weed now for about 20years. The last 10years very heavily.I quit one month ago, I am really struggling with moods, depression and nightmares. My brain just isn't coping during the day from the nights. I think im getting en... View more

Hello 🩷 I have been smoking weed now for about 20years. The last 10years very heavily.I quit one month ago, I am really struggling with moods, depression and nightmares. My brain just isn't coping during the day from the nights. I think im getting enough sleep , but if given the chance I crash out during the day. I'm constantly tired and sad. Does anyone have any inspiration stories of similar to help me keep moving forward and staying off the weed. I have past experiences with anti anxiety and anti depression tablets but I seem to be worse. I have seen my gp but unfortunately the help offered isn't working.I suffer very bad anxiety and depression which is worsening since quitting. I have no motivation and feel like life isn't worth living anymore. I have had thoughts of ending my life due to the anxiety and not coping with the feeling I get. My family means alot to me so leaving them behind in this world seems far to selfish. I don't like living like this. I am healthy, I am in a wonderful relationship with a beautiful 12yr old step daughter but I'm always worrying about things I don't need too. I try and stay busy in hope this helps, but its worsens. I work about 2 hrs a day on a very casual schedule as I work for myself. I walk, I exercise etc but lately all I want to do is sleep. My head hurts maybe my its my brain from the nightmares. I'm hoping someone can shead on light on this and let me know it'll all ease up soon. I've always been a believer that weed wouldnt have withdrawal symptoms. I feel so stressed and sad. I have not felt happy in a very long time almost years. Weed wasn't making me happy anymore and I feel smoking it has created my panic attacks and anxiety.Thank you for this opportunity of hope 🩷

FrenchHorn Ongoing concerns
  • replies: 6

I've struggled on and off with anxiety for 11 years, and I'm currently going through another tough time. I see a psychologist every 6 weeks, but she's away at the moment, and I won't see her until late November. I'm scared I won't cope for that long:... View more

I've struggled on and off with anxiety for 11 years, and I'm currently going through another tough time. I see a psychologist every 6 weeks, but she's away at the moment, and I won't see her until late November. I'm scared I won't cope for that long: I'm not eating, I'm so very tired, and I'm not motivated.I think I understand what has triggered my current episode, and I believe what I'm experiencing is processing the feelings from my recent trigger. It's been almost two weeks now and these feelings aren't going away. I've just upped my medication and hoping the change will kick in soon.Does anyone else experience long bouts of depression after anxiety? Is this normal?Does anyone have any tips for getting through this next few weeks? I'm fortunate to be on leave at the moment but have to return to work next week, and I'm so worried I'm not going to cope.Thank you.

yesitsme21 my anxiety and panick attacks
  • replies: 2

lately i have been feeling really stressed, i only recently became a teenager and it seems that everything has fallen apart since. i thought i had a girlfriend then when i told how stressy I have been she told me that she has been through this kind o... View more

lately i have been feeling really stressed, i only recently became a teenager and it seems that everything has fallen apart since. i thought i had a girlfriend then when i told how stressy I have been she told me that she has been through this kind of stage in her life and that it can get dark. we have long distance issues as she lives 4 hours away and she cares very deeply about me but she treats me like im some mental patient, she constantly tells me that I need more people in my life. I told her i only needed her but she said that talking to a professional could be good for me. I've been having a lot of trouble with my sexuality and I feel like people are judging me all the time for being me. I had a massive arguement with my "girlfriend' and she replied with the simple 'whatever' over text. I felt useless, hopeless and defeated. I proceeded to have no sleep that night and had a 30 minute panick attack on my own. This girl was my friend before we started going out and I feel like I've ruined any hope of being friends with her at all. Worst thing is I feel like nothing will cheer me up. I feel alone.

Helencatlover Stess
  • replies: 2

I am feeling very stressed right now 

I am feeling very stressed right now 

Guest_65617110 Help
  • replies: 1

I feel so ashamed and embarrassed. I had a baby 10 months ago and I think I have severe anxiety. I have nearly destroyed my relationship, by constant worry that my partner is cheating, saying that he doesn’t love me, and by pretty much being a horrib... View more

I feel so ashamed and embarrassed. I had a baby 10 months ago and I think I have severe anxiety. I have nearly destroyed my relationship, by constant worry that my partner is cheating, saying that he doesn’t love me, and by pretty much being a horrible person. I feel like a failure, I don’t know where to start to get help. I’ve tried all the online advice, meditation, exercise self care. But continue to get worse. I literally had to beg my partner for one last chance. What do I do. I’m so ashamed and feel like such a failure. Please help

Merricat Trusting myself
  • replies: 10

When I have to make a decision or ask a question I get very confused. Because I have had mental health issues since I was a little girl, I have never trusted in myself to make the right decisions or say the right words. I still feel like that same li... View more

When I have to make a decision or ask a question I get very confused. Because I have had mental health issues since I was a little girl, I have never trusted in myself to make the right decisions or say the right words. I still feel like that same little girl who never spoke up or made a decision. I'm scared my mental health issues are influencing what I say or do, and that what I say or do may not be normal. Most recent example was a few weeks ago on this forum, I read a reply to the original poster and I was so upset by what they said. I remembered thinking I should report it but was worried that I may have misinterpreted it so I did nothing. I found the post again a few weeks later, as I had decided to report it to the moderators, only to find the offensive reply had already been removed. I hate myself for not actioning it at the time as I know it hurt this young woman. I can't seem to trust myself with anything. Sorry if this post doesn't make sense.