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

Boo Does this count?
  • replies: 3

Hi, so I do not have a diagnosis but I think this might be the most fitting forum to talk about this in. I get pretty worried about inconsequential things most days and can’t really remember the last time I genuinely didn’t worry about a yogi g for m... View more

Hi, so I do not have a diagnosis but I think this might be the most fitting forum to talk about this in. I get pretty worried about inconsequential things most days and can’t really remember the last time I genuinely didn’t worry about a yogi g for more than a couple hours. I’m doing okay now, but frequently feel like I can’t breathe enough. It’s kinda hard to describe, as I don’t have any health issues regarding my breathing. As for the small worries, that’s stuff like feeling worried about missing a bus hours before it departs, or that a friend hates me if they don’t text back quickly. There’s plenty of other examples of course. My stress has been increasing, and I’ve been having more physical signs of this too. On the one hand, I can’t hold still, constantly need to fidget and frequently try self-soothing behavior without noticing. So I’ll absentmindedly stroke my arm with my hand over and over, make hushing noises or force myself to do breathing exercises. On the other hand, the physical signs also show themselves in acne outbreaks, increased hair loss, and frequent headaches that won’t go away. I've experienced all this before and know it’ll get a little better if I keep focusing on living healthily and just try to get through the bad moments. I really don’t know whether this counts as anxiety, but hope to get a professional test done within this year.

Guest_43335967 Coming to new country and missing my child at 2022. Disagreements number ever since b/w me and spou
  • replies: 1

I left my country when I got student visa with my husband in 2022. Ever since then I got depressed, have anxiety, cannot sleep, have fear of driving after a lady died while driving. Affected my relationship with husband, always having emotional stres... View more

I left my country when I got student visa with my husband in 2022. Ever since then I got depressed, have anxiety, cannot sleep, have fear of driving after a lady died while driving. Affected my relationship with husband, always having emotional stress of leaving my young kid. Have affected my relationship with husband with whom I cannot speak cordially. Feel lonely and have insomnia

Grant Anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone I have been living with anxiety now for 12 months and have many times thought about taking my own life. My wife has been diagnosed with blood cancer MDS .I have been kicked off our family farm partnership. As such feel somewhat lost now.I... View more

Hi everyone I have been living with anxiety now for 12 months and have many times thought about taking my own life. My wife has been diagnosed with blood cancer MDS .I have been kicked off our family farm partnership. As such feel somewhat lost now.I used to volunteer as a Ambulance officer in a small town where I have seen more than my fair share of tragedy and loss of life some of them being friends. Have already spent several weeks in a mental health clinic. Sometimes I think I'm making progress and other times it is just way to much to handle. Recently lost my mother and mother in law with cancer as well.

Adam Long Term SAD Setback
  • replies: 3

Hi,I'm extremely reluctant making this post for all the obvious reasons, but reading some of the other posts here has given me the courage to do so. I'm 48, have had s.a.d for at least 35-40 of those years and have never sought advice on the subject.... View more

Hi,I'm extremely reluctant making this post for all the obvious reasons, but reading some of the other posts here has given me the courage to do so. I'm 48, have had s.a.d for at least 35-40 of those years and have never sought advice on the subject. I've never been diagnosed officially, and have only started to fully accepted the fact recently, due to a problem I'm facing. A problem I had managed to avoid up until this point in my life. I have done some reading online over the years to get an understanding of my condition and believed I understood it well enough. I spent my teenage years and most of my 20s completely ignorant and fighting off depression. After realizing s.a.d was the main cause I was able to move past the depression, or so I thought. Gradually I chose to live a very isolated life and not rely on other people for my own happiness. I have never been able to hold a job for a long period of time, or had many friends that ever lasted particularly long. I have never found any true happiness, but in recent years I had found peace. There has always been a personal reason that has allowed me to get out of bed each and everyday. The peace I had found always had a clock on it and I knew it. It gave me both the confidence and motivation to step well out of my comfort zone and that seems to have backfired on me. The combination, of my s.a.d and lacking social skills which have deteriorated over time, has left me extremely confused and disappointed to say the least. I am capable of, participate in, and enjoy short social interactions. However I have never been capable of speaking to a gp, or anyone really, face to face about mental health. Any advice on moving forward after a huge reality check and setback would be appreciated. I'll say thank you, now, for reading...and any replies, as I'm unsure if I will respond to any. Sorry hope you understand.

Guest_41 Help... Internal Tremors/Buzzing
  • replies: 33

Hey all... I have been getting this really odd internal vibration buzzing feeling in my legs, stomach & chest for about a month now... ever since I came off an antidepressant (it started while I was on the antidepressant)... It only happened occasion... View more

Hey all... I have been getting this really odd internal vibration buzzing feeling in my legs, stomach & chest for about a month now... ever since I came off an antidepressant (it started while I was on the antidepressant)... It only happened occasionally to begin with but now I'm dealing with it all day & everyday. Every time I mention it to a Dr they brush me off or on one occasion I was blatantly ignored... I honestly don't know what to do? Anyone had this? Is it anxiety related or do I need to take this further? I forgot to mention I also feel very rundown but I also have a 4 months old Daughter who isn't sleeping well.. HELP!!!

Rach28 extremely overwhelmed and anxious after quitting my job
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone. Im writing this post to i guess vent but also seek support because Ive been interalising this for a while now. In August 2024 this year I got a job and quit very quickly after I started the role. I recieved some very negative "constructi... View more

Hi everyone. Im writing this post to i guess vent but also seek support because Ive been interalising this for a while now. In August 2024 this year I got a job and quit very quickly after I started the role. I recieved some very negative "constructive" feedback from my employer regarding my work performance. As a result of this feedback I had an anxiety attack and quit on the spot. To this day their feedback has been imprinted in my brain making me think over and over again "im not good enough" and "im not employable". I know I should be telling myself that their feedback was nothing personal and yes this job wasnt right for me - i hated every single second and was burnt out on my first shift. But I cant help but feel that after being told this same feedback face-to-face and over the telephone. Frustrating part is they werent aware i quit and wanted to offer me a different form of work which in my opinion was rude after the feedback they shared with no emotion or care for my feelings..... Its really impacted the way I view myself and my absolute fear and trauma of failing. I'm scared to fail again after what happened.I'm scared of getting a job and dealing with an employer that tells me that I am not good enough. So yeah I guess I'm sharing this because deep down I'm petrified and scared of repeating my failure and putting myself in a situation where my hard work and energy is criticized. Has anyone else dealt with this situation after quitting a job and receiving negative feedback? I just am so scared of repeating my same mistake and forced to find a job again as I'm currently on Centrelink Job Seeker payment. I feel trapped and stuck dealing with people that dont understand my anxiety or the fact I dont feel like I am employable. I hate that others have made me think this about myself when I know deep down I am employable. But I cant help but let others opinions impact me when my self-esteem and self-confidence is already so low. I hate that my anxiety controls my life this way and makes everything impossible. Does anyone have any suggestions or strategies? I'm trying to consider studying before jumping into a new employment role and even that triggers my anxiety and i feel overwhelmed. So no matter what I do - my anxiety is always there. Help and advice because I am scared and stuck wanting to avoid anything stressful or that will cause me to be in a position of failure. If anyone is reading this and can relate - please help.

meeeeeeee emetophobia chat
  • replies: 17

hey i have emetophobia and i really need people who understand! please reach out if you have this phobiai have it severely about watching other people but also a bit myself no one respects it with me and i need help to be a bit more clear about my bo... View more

hey i have emetophobia and i really need people who understand! please reach out if you have this phobiai have it severely about watching other people but also a bit myself no one respects it with me and i need help to be a bit more clear about my boundaries and if anyone has tips about how to calm down with this phobia please help thank you!

Rachel_25 Knowing when to ask for support
  • replies: 2

I’ve recently titrated off my anxiety medications at the advice of my GP. Now I’m two weeks into the 2025 working year realise my anxiety cloud is returning (IBS type anxiety symptoms, feeling very teary and emotional, a sense of impending doom, a st... View more

I’ve recently titrated off my anxiety medications at the advice of my GP. Now I’m two weeks into the 2025 working year realise my anxiety cloud is returning (IBS type anxiety symptoms, feeling very teary and emotional, a sense of impending doom, a strong sense of listlessness and feeling untethered). Knowing that I need to deal with this before it becomes worse, I’ve booked myself to see my GP and will discuss resuming a lower dose of medication. I’m glad to have a greater awareness to seek help before it gets even worse and wanted to share. I’m not ashamed to ask for help or share my anxiety journey anymore.

bigaloo Anxiety + Comparing oneself
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I just wanted another person's opinion on how exactly do I overcome my issue of comparing myself with others? I know the harm of it, and I can very much feel the pain that it gives me but I just can't stop. For instance, I either feel like I'... View more

Hi all, I just wanted another person's opinion on how exactly do I overcome my issue of comparing myself with others? I know the harm of it, and I can very much feel the pain that it gives me but I just can't stop. For instance, I either feel like I'm never doing enough / never achieving enough / my life isn't where I expect it to be etc. It's really messing with my head and has led to quite bad anxiety and I'm not too sure what to do. Open to any input and advice.

Guest_52249044 Just need someone to talk to
  • replies: 1

Hi, sorry i just need someone to talk to/get this off my chest. Just had a really bad argument with my partner in which he was telling me that I need therapy and all that and I asked to stop the discussion lots of time but they just kept going on. Th... View more

Hi, sorry i just need someone to talk to/get this off my chest. Just had a really bad argument with my partner in which he was telling me that I need therapy and all that and I asked to stop the discussion lots of time but they just kept going on. The things they said weren’t necessarily wrong I just didn’t need to hear them then and there, and already felt bad enough about the situation. I also could’ve heard those things in a nicer way (not the point I guess). Anyways I may have taken it a bit far by saying like well we both deal with our issues a different way and they could probably use therapy too to cope healthier, in which they took it as I was comparing our issues of their sick father and my anxiety. Obviously that’s not the case and I feel so terrible that it came across that way and I just don’t know what to do.