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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ScottyW Left multiple jobs and just at a loss
  • replies: 3

Hi, First time posting here. I’m a 27m with two kids aged 2.5 and 9 months and my partner that I live with. I’ve struggled with social anxiety my whole life but could mainly deal with it up until recently. I worked a warehouse job for 5 years, where ... View more

Hi, First time posting here. I’m a 27m with two kids aged 2.5 and 9 months and my partner that I live with. I’ve struggled with social anxiety my whole life but could mainly deal with it up until recently. I worked a warehouse job for 5 years, where I went from standard pick/packer all the way up to warehouse manager. I enjoyed the work of being a manager and enjoy being extremely busy as it makes my day go faster. I also had friends there that had accumulated over the years. Fastforward to December last year and something changed. I didn’t enjoy going to work anymore and I was looking for another job, thinking a fresh start would allow me to enjoy it again. i was offered a position through my father at a warehouse where he works, but it ended up just not feeling right and I left the job halfway through the first day. After this I almost immediately got employed by another company. This was just another warehouse job but closer to home. I worked there for around 3 months and knew I should of enjoyed the work and people, but something inside me just wasn’t letting me enjoy it. I would hate coming into work, and hate being there for no apparent reason. i subsequently left that job. Since then I have applied for multiple other jobs and left within the first day. This week I was offered a job at the place I worked at for 3 months and should of enjoyed, but at another branch. I took the job and worked there for 3 days, and ended up leaving again. This time because every time I would complete all the work, there would be nothing else for me to do. I realise this is nowhere near a justifiable reason to leave a job, but the feelings that build up in my stomach and head just wouldn’t allow me to stay. Having a job to me is extremely important. My partner does not work and I have two children to support, and without a regular income, I will lose the house we live in also. I don’t know what to do, but I need to know that this will get better. In my foreseeable future, I am going to lose the house me and my family live in, and I feel like it can’t get better because I just keep repeating a cycle. Not sure what to do from here but thanks.

Sammmmmmm123 Athletics Carnival tmr
  • replies: 7

As the title suggest... i have a school athletics carnival tommorrow.... Im super anxious, sweating, even crying just thinking about it. i really don't wanna go. and i wanna let my parents know about this. but i cant open up. i just cant. i have had ... View more

As the title suggest... i have a school athletics carnival tommorrow.... Im super anxious, sweating, even crying just thinking about it. i really don't wanna go. and i wanna let my parents know about this. but i cant open up. i just cant. i have had really really really bad social anxiety since the start of year 8 (im in yr 10 now), when i became isolated. before then i was super extroverted and had a positive outlook on life. IDK where i went wrong but people started avoiding me, and bullied me, etc. And look at me now: a wreck. I feel like a lost cause. friends are trying to save me but its no help. im on a sinking ship. and ill sink to the bottom of the ocean. until i drown. cool cool but yea, the carnival is tommorrow and im with no friends to be frank. well at least thats what my brother says lol. its gonna be awkward as frickkkkkkkkkkkk and ill be sitting by myself for like 7 hours with nothing to do but hey i did this to myself i guess. any tips to make it less awkward?

Sammmmmmm123 Depersonalization?
  • replies: 2

i had this really weird thing that happened in class. i just started tripping balls for a solid minute, though i was completely aware of what was happening. i felt as if i was in a 2 dimensional space for a second, then flashed back to real life, but... View more

i had this really weird thing that happened in class. i just started tripping balls for a solid minute, though i was completely aware of what was happening. i felt as if i was in a 2 dimensional space for a second, then flashed back to real life, but i felt like i wasnt even in my body, and it felt so surreal and weird, like i shouldnt even be there. this happened a few times until i finally returned to normal. it was really confusing and scary. also ive had this happen before, once when i was like 9, again when i was 11 or something and its happened a lot in the past 3 years or so [im 15 now]. anyway, i was looking this up, to see if it was normal, and the only thing i can link it to is ''depersonalization disorder''. apparently it's linked to people who have anxiety, i have social anxiety. if anyone could offer insight as to what could have happened or could just help me understand that would be great. thanks, sam

pvroom Feeling overwhelmed by life - anxiety, parenting, grief,
  • replies: 3

I'm a mum to two young boys, married, mid-30s and a student. I had a long career before kids but my oldest has special needs and I have not gone back to a paid job (yet!). I study because my brain is too active to be 'just a mum'. Motherhood has been... View more

I'm a mum to two young boys, married, mid-30s and a student. I had a long career before kids but my oldest has special needs and I have not gone back to a paid job (yet!). I study because my brain is too active to be 'just a mum'. Motherhood has been wonderful but difficult for me. I have basically no family support. Without going into my entire life story which would take years to write, I am really struggling at the moment with feeling overwhelmed by life. Whether it's paperwork for my boys' various medical conditions and developmental issues, or cleaning, cooking, housework etc. It's a lot to do and not enough time to do it. I'm a perfectionist unfortunately and so I obviously have this internal pressure to do it all, and do it now! It's exhausting. I'm self-aware enough to recognise this, but obviously, it's easy to say things but harder to do them. I see a psychologist but there is never enough time to talk about all the different issues in my life and work through things. There is not enough support for people financially who need it - I can't do anything beyond what Medicare (in Australia) gives me. Anyway, I'm hoping to just have another place to be able to talk through these feelings. I have posted in the relationships / family forum before about my marriage which is still in place but still rocky.

NoGivenName Anxiety or Something Else
  • replies: 8

Hi All, I am 37 and have never had any real anxiety related issues till last December. I was had some pain on the lower left side of cesht and went into ED to get that checked. I was sent home with a diagnosis of Costocondoritis. 2 days later at work... View more

Hi All, I am 37 and have never had any real anxiety related issues till last December. I was had some pain on the lower left side of cesht and went into ED to get that checked. I was sent home with a diagnosis of Costocondoritis. 2 days later at work I fealt darkness in front of my eyes and went into a shock thinking I was having a heart attack. I was taken into emergency but was released later with no issue with heart diagnosis. I started seing my GP and after a numerous tests such as Echo, Stress and CT scans of heart was was cleared. But sine then I have been having these raising heart issues pretty much twice a week. I am taking some anxiety medicine now but not sure how to overcome this.

Katyonthehamsterwheel Anxiety is ruining my life
  • replies: 4

I've been alone for ten years because I didn't think I could manage a relationship. Turned out I was right. My worries and insecurity tired my boyfriend out and we've split up. I'm finding it incredibly difficult to accept and move forward, perhaps b... View more

I've been alone for ten years because I didn't think I could manage a relationship. Turned out I was right. My worries and insecurity tired my boyfriend out and we've split up. I'm finding it incredibly difficult to accept and move forward, perhaps because I'm absolutely alone now. I don't have family or friends either as those relationships were equally difficult for me to manage with my anxiety. I feel like I can't seem to connect with anyone. I don't work either so my days are long and empty. I do have a psychologist that I see every six weeks, but I just feel like "is this it?" "is this my life?". Is there anyone else out there that is entirely alone?

beebug I'm terrified to work
  • replies: 4

I just started a new job and I haven't been sleeping every night before a shift. I become so anxious about working. Its fast paced working in food something I have some before and do have a good grip on. The only problem is whenever I get overworked,... View more

I just started a new job and I haven't been sleeping every night before a shift. I become so anxious about working. Its fast paced working in food something I have some before and do have a good grip on. The only problem is whenever I get overworked, my anxiety goes through the roof and I start to get paranoid. I think everybody in the store is talking about me (customers) and looking and staring and judging. I haven't told anyone about my anxiety yet because I'm still in the three month period and I don't want to get fired (I know it's ilegal to do so but still) I sit hours on end before my shift trying to think of ways to get out of it, to avoid going into work. And it sucks because I do love the work. I enjoy being focused and have structure and doing something. And on good days I can handle the fast paced environment. I'm trying so hard because I really do need this job. I'm just scared I'm going to stop going in like what normally happens because my anxiety gets too much. I'm not ready to see somebody about my anxiety right now because I have a hard time trusting doctors/pyschologists. I feel like a burden to everyone around me. If I stay at work I'll let people down by being slow. But if I stop working I let the people close to me down by not working. I've lost a lot of confidence as we from being out of work and let all the thoughts get the better of me. I don't know what to do.

KALIN Night Sweats and anxiety?
  • replies: 2

Hello, Concerned newbie here. My partner, who has always been prone to health anxiety, has had a hellish few months with a number of diffuse symptoms (far too many to list here) needing investigation and testing, leading to extreme anxiety and panic.... View more

Hello, Concerned newbie here. My partner, who has always been prone to health anxiety, has had a hellish few months with a number of diffuse symptoms (far too many to list here) needing investigation and testing, leading to extreme anxiety and panic. Luckily nothing serious has been discovered, but 3 weeks ago he started sweating at night. I wouldn't describe it as drenching night sweats, but he's certainly sweating profusely. As he has already had blood tests, ct scans and had a doctor examine him physically I can only put it down to stress. Is this a common experience for anxiety sufferers? Thanks in advance!

Raku Woke up out of the blue with pins and needles and numbness everywhere
  • replies: 5

Hi. Thursday 2nd May woke up with tingles in my left arm Went to Dr. She thought it may be trapped ulnar nerve. It's going to be seen on ultrasound on 15th. Hours after I left the Dr. Tingles in my right arm. By night was in both legs feet toes arms ... View more

Hi. Thursday 2nd May woke up with tingles in my left arm Went to Dr. She thought it may be trapped ulnar nerve. It's going to be seen on ultrasound on 15th. Hours after I left the Dr. Tingles in my right arm. By night was in both legs feet toes arms hands and face, scalp neck, lower back and shoulders. Racing heart beat. Feeling on edge. I am a mum of 4 kids. And normally deal with life fine. I have experienced this once before 10 days after my 4th baby's c section birth. I was in so much pain and couldn't sleep. Went into full melt down mode. It is now Saturday. I still have numbness in the spots I mentioned before. It comes and goes. Presented to Hospital Friday morning. They said it was just anxiety. They did a ECG it was fine That's all they did. Saw Dr again Friday afternoon she has put me on medication for anxiety and nerve pain/ numbness. I know it can take weeks to kick in. But I am so scared.

YellowPoppy Day to day struggles
  • replies: 17

Hi again, Aside from my triggered anxiety, I feel a constant unease. It's so hard to be happy or even present in the moment because I feel this dread underneath the surface. I'm trying not to dwell but I don't feel anything else, just panic and dread... View more

Hi again, Aside from my triggered anxiety, I feel a constant unease. It's so hard to be happy or even present in the moment because I feel this dread underneath the surface. I'm trying not to dwell but I don't feel anything else, just panic and dread. The only thing that seems to bring me any relief is playing uno with my mum and/or my partner, but even then, the fun is clouded in this darkness. I don't know if anyone can relate and if not well maybe someone else will find relief in playing uno. Thanks for reading, YellowPoppy