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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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Ben_k ANXIETY
  • replies: 1

What we first think when we hear or see the word "anxiety" is many things for every individual; confusion, fear, medication, the illness, the feeling, memories, and for many, what is actually is and why it causes so many people to struggle to live, d... View more

What we first think when we hear or see the word "anxiety" is many things for every individual; confusion, fear, medication, the illness, the feeling, memories, and for many, what is actually is and why it causes so many people to struggle to live, deal and manage with. "Anxiety" isn't just anxiety; anxiety it's the word used to describe what anxiety illness which branches off that word. To make things more simple, picture anxiety as a tree trump. Now, a tree isn't a tree without those branches that spread out from that trump and those leaves that further more spread out from those branches. If you can picture this, then let me elaborate, anxiety isn't a mental illness, its what the illness that 'branches' from anxiety is; which then is a illness from anxiety. Yes that sounds confusing, even for myself, but hear me out. Anxiety has many different characteristics regarding anxiety related illnesses being; attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and many more that haven't been mentioned or characterised. Having anxiety is what makes you, you. It's one of those life lessons that not all have to deal with, that come at a different rate of intense for everyone, and that makes that person stronger, smarter and better than if they were to never have had any anxiety related disorder at all. It feels like voices in you're head that you cant hear but you can think, and it tells you how to feel, or how to act or what to say. Yet, it's all lies, tricks, manipulation which anxiety "says," or "feels," Such as overthinking to a point of having a rush of anxiety right through you, where you think of the worst and least possible situation that can happen and tell yourself that its the most likely situation to occur, so you fear, you panic, you get anxiety. However, once those thoughts leave, mainly after you know that what you overthought never happened, you have a sense of relief, and come to the realisation eventually, that it's you're anxiety lying and tricking you. Anybody who has anxiety wouldn't wish what they have on anyone else, because you know the pain, you know that struggle, the struggle of dealing with and fighting something in you're head that no body else can see and it cant be just simply patched up by a ban-aid. Dealing and managing it is a long process, its scary, but always you come out winning and you can only do that by never giving in, and keep on fighting.

OllieB Look for tips to stop avoiding things
  • replies: 4

So today was a good day, I actually went to class managed to ask a question to the group and I felt like this was a huge step. Now I have work tomorrow and I'm completely stressed out, I'm talking headache, butterflies and constant monologue of overb... View more

So today was a good day, I actually went to class managed to ask a question to the group and I felt like this was a huge step. Now I have work tomorrow and I'm completely stressed out, I'm talking headache, butterflies and constant monologue of overbearing thoughts. How can it change so drastically and so quickly I didn't even see it coming? I want to cancel work, but I keep doing this whether it be plans with friends, uni or work I cancel and end up spending the day at home worrying about the fact that I have cancelled, any tips for making myself go to these things- how to force myself to face the anxiety that I know walking in the door to work class or an ordinary everyday situation will cause? - thanks in advance ollieB:)

Casper121 My anxiety symptoms
  • replies: 6

Hi my names Alex I've had anxiety for about 4 months and I've had symptoms I'm not sure if they are normal for anxiety my symptoms are Week muscles I keep feeling my pulse Eyes are dry and blurry vision More pimples than normal My tummy is empty even... View more

Hi my names Alex I've had anxiety for about 4 months and I've had symptoms I'm not sure if they are normal for anxiety my symptoms are Week muscles I keep feeling my pulse Eyes are dry and blurry vision More pimples than normal My tummy is empty even. Tho I've eaten Weightloss I keep thinking I have a bad desease Feels like lumps in neck Throat feels smaller Swollen glands Feels like the back of my head is different Sore back And breathing difficulties Heart palpitations nearly all the time If anyone could help me maybe someone could tell me about their symptoms to put me at ease thanks...

YellowPoppy Can anyone Relate
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I finally have my first pysch appointment today and I really anxious. My mum and I put to get her a mental health history for the Dr so that I wouldn't need to rehash everything and we've also requested that my mum come into the session with ... View more

Hi all, I finally have my first pysch appointment today and I really anxious. My mum and I put to get her a mental health history for the Dr so that I wouldn't need to rehash everything and we've also requested that my mum come into the session with me as I am so distressed. I know this is not the best way to receive help but right now it's what I can manage. I'm so worried that I won't click with this Dr and then need to find a new one and I'm worried about how much toll that will take on me. I was wondering if anyone else had heard of a website called mindspot? I'll let everyone know how it goes. YP

Sheepie30 Feeling lost
  • replies: 1

So I live on a farm with my parents, I don’t drive but trying to learn to drive although it’s very hard to when I rely on other people and sometimes my anxiety gets the better of me so Its hard to drive with even my friends, because my parents are no... View more

So I live on a farm with my parents, I don’t drive but trying to learn to drive although it’s very hard to when I rely on other people and sometimes my anxiety gets the better of me so Its hard to drive with even my friends, because my parents are not very helpful, I have severe anxiety I feel very lost, I feel like I can’t get help because my parents don’t want to take me anywhere, there’s no transport around here where I live. I feel hopeless when I try talking to my parents all they do is talk about their problems just don’t know what to do anymore, anyone have any suggestions that be nice

renae_J anxiety in children from age 10
  • replies: 1

im in desperate need of ideas on how to deal with my childs anxiety, we cant get in to see someone for a couple of months and its starting to take its toll on us, shes not getting bullied its nothing major with school. not much going on at home, its ... View more

im in desperate need of ideas on how to deal with my childs anxiety, we cant get in to see someone for a couple of months and its starting to take its toll on us, shes not getting bullied its nothing major with school. not much going on at home, its within her self, ever since i had my youngest 2 years ago it has just gotten worse,

llamalover23 Tips for beating a driving phobia?
  • replies: 5

I’ve had a very severe driving phobia since I started learning to drive 3.5 years ago. I’ve never been in an accident, although I’ve made a few stupid mistakes which were scary at the time. It’s ruining my life. I’ve had to miss classes because I cou... View more

I’ve had a very severe driving phobia since I started learning to drive 3.5 years ago. I’ve never been in an accident, although I’ve made a few stupid mistakes which were scary at the time. It’s ruining my life. I’ve had to miss classes because I couldn’t drive to them, avoid meeting up with friends because I couldn’t get there, miss out on new jobs, missed countless opportunities and generally been way more housebound than I should have been. This is also really triggering for my depression, and I really want to make changes. I’ve tried doing meditations and breathing exercises in and out of the car. I’ve tried thought challenging and mindfulness. Every counsellor I’ve seen has told me to do a graduated exposure. I try really hard but the tasks don’t become easier the more I do them. I can never advance beyond driving to a select few places, even then it is extremely difficult. Even driving to my work, which takes me 3 minutes to drive to, where I’ve been going 2-3 times a week for as long as I’ve been driving, still makes me anxious. I’ve also tried reading the road rules a hundred times, hasn’t helped. I try listening to music and audiobooks a bit, it provides slight distraction but it clearly not a cure. I’ve visited 3 GPs and 1 psychiatrist, all have refused to prescribe me anti-anxiety medication. I’ve also tried exercising more, eating healthier, reducing caffeine and sleeping more to reduce my general anxiety, it hasn’t helped. i could really use some advice on how to beat this. It is limiting my life greatly, and every health professional I have talked to has told me to keep up what I’m doing. Clearly this isn’t helping! What on Earth can I do to make this phobia go away? I hate living like this!

B_Kojo My friend has problems and IDK how to help her
  • replies: 1

My closest friend has depression and anxiety, for years I've given her support and advice in the best way I know but recently things have been bad for her and shes crying almost every time she calls. I can only give the same advice every time, I feel... View more

My closest friend has depression and anxiety, for years I've given her support and advice in the best way I know but recently things have been bad for her and shes crying almost every time she calls. I can only give the same advice every time, I feel like I'm useless and idk what else to tell her, it stresses me out just thinking about her. I feel like I can't talk to her the same as I use to.

Bella_93 Anxiety and work
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, this is my first time posting. I am 25 and withun the last 8 months I have been suffering from bad anxiety and depression. I work in the financial planning industry and have now discovered that it is a big reason for my anxiety and depre... View more

Hi everyone, this is my first time posting. I am 25 and withun the last 8 months I have been suffering from bad anxiety and depression. I work in the financial planning industry and have now discovered that it is a big reason for my anxiety and depression. In the last year I have worked at 3 offices and experienced severe bullying, being treated like I'm nothing because I'm female and having expectations that can't be fulfilled. I had a breakdown last year with multiple panic attacks daily, bad depression and anxiety and have been struggling to find myself again since. Any tips would be greatly appreciated as I know I need to get a new job in a different industry but jobs are very hard to get at the moment and I don't know how much longer I can stay in this job anymore. thank you

yarrow Worried I'm Burdening my friends with my Anxiety and Depression
  • replies: 5

Hi you all, Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for this amazing online community. Lately I feel like I am close to loosing my friends, or that our friendships are suffering because of my mental health problems. The past year has b... View more

Hi you all, Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and for this amazing online community. Lately I feel like I am close to loosing my friends, or that our friendships are suffering because of my mental health problems. The past year has been enormously hard. I moved from America to Australia, and have moved around Australia living and working 6-7 days a week in many cities here, I broke up with my partner of six years, and had some incredibly challenging health problems, have barely been able to make ends meat, etc. I've leaned on my friends more than usual and keep trying to show up for them but I need their help more than they need mine and I feel awful and burdensome. I've experienced a lot of childhood and young adult trauma that I have worked on tirelessly for many years, but it seems like the issues keep coming up. I've been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. As my family is responsible for so much of my trauma I do not have a support network outside of my friendships. I feel utterly helpless and frantic/ frazzled all the time. I've easily overwhelmed, and the smallest inconveniences seem monumental to me on top of every other stressor in my life. I feel ashamed that the SAME issues continue to haunt me and I feel resentful that I've never received the support or care I need. I don't want to ask my friends for emotional labour they can't provide. I fixate on everything I do wrong, I feel like every option before me seems unrelentingly hard, even my dreams seem like they won't yield happiness and I'll constantly fail. In many ways I feel like I was an adult so so young, and now I feel like a baby in an adult's body. I feel wholly incapable of taking care of myself even though I have been for so long. I worry my mental ill health affects people I love and I just want to do right by them. Thank you for any feedback and for all the support, I am truly grateful.