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

x_BLUE_MOON_x Video Game Collecting Addiction
  • replies: 9

I have a video game collecting addiction. I spend most of my money on video games, even if i owe money to my parents. I have spent $1000's on video games, and most the time I don't even play video games. The worst part of this is that i'm totally obs... View more

I have a video game collecting addiction. I spend most of my money on video games, even if i owe money to my parents. I have spent $1000's on video games, and most the time I don't even play video games. The worst part of this is that i'm totally obsessed with the condition of my video games that's including the paper inserts, case and the disc. Recently the paper inserts of my video games, got a little bit ruined by moisture, and now some of them have wrinkly artwork which very makes me obsessed, anxious and depressed. A few years ago, I threw out all my video games, because I thought they were contaminated with germs. And then after that I started re-buying them again. This is a problem I have been having for a few years. And what makes this problem worse, is that I have no friends, I'm lonely, I have anxiety and depression , OCD, ADHD , very low self esteem, and no life really. Please any positive feedback would help, thanks.

Alel Tips for showering
  • replies: 3

Hello! I struggle with taking showers. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on: how to stop being afraid of showers?And how to stop procrastinating/how to stay consistent? The feeling of being wet and naked just makes me panic. I don't know why. I ... View more

Hello! I struggle with taking showers. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on: how to stop being afraid of showers?And how to stop procrastinating/how to stay consistent? The feeling of being wet and naked just makes me panic. I don't know why. I ger dizzy and nauseous and start freaking out. I don't know how to just do what I need to even tho I don't want to or I'm scared to. I used to have alot of discipline in the past, but now it just dissappeared out of nowhere.

Nahs Overwhelmed
  • replies: 1

Feeling overwhelmed by so much lately. Finding just completing basic tasks is difficult to do. getting dressed, sweeping the floor, doing my job… none of it’s hard, none of it makes me feel anything once I do them I just find it so hard to start. I h... View more

Feeling overwhelmed by so much lately. Finding just completing basic tasks is difficult to do. getting dressed, sweeping the floor, doing my job… none of it’s hard, none of it makes me feel anything once I do them I just find it so hard to start. I have no motivation to do them. I don’t know… I feel panicked and stressed because I know none of these tasks are difficult and it’s infuriating to not physically be able to get up and just do them. I'm so overwhelmed.

Bellanana Anxious mum is making me anxious
  • replies: 1

My mum has anxiety that is similar to mine. We both mostly get panic symptoms when it comes to showers and going out. When I go out with my mum or watch my mum take showers when I was younger, it cuased me to always freak out. Eventually causing me t... View more

My mum has anxiety that is similar to mine. We both mostly get panic symptoms when it comes to showers and going out. When I go out with my mum or watch my mum take showers when I was younger, it cuased me to always freak out. Eventually causing me to have anxiety too. I don't know what to do. She refuses to get help and I can't move out because I need assistance to do basic tasks and I don't have the money to move out. I also hate being like her. She is toxic, as is my dad. They both used to be abusive and still are verbally. I feel bad for them because they delt with alot in life. But I want to be someone different from them. I don't want to end up like them. Are there any tips?

spiralshapesun Putting My Needs First
  • replies: 3

does anyone else struggle to put their needs first? I’m always worried about how the other person will feel if i say no and worried of some terrible consequences. Even for something really simple. eg i’ve been under a lot of stress with work and I ha... View more

does anyone else struggle to put their needs first? I’m always worried about how the other person will feel if i say no and worried of some terrible consequences. Even for something really simple. eg i’ve been under a lot of stress with work and I had to take Wed off for my mental health due to not sleeping and panic attacks. I’m literally so burned out. I was supposed to focus on my own needs for the day and take it slow but i was worried about how my partner was working and probably didn’t want to clean or cook after work so instead of just relaxing and doing what i needed to do for myself, i spent most of the day just making myself more exhausted by cleaning everything. I never actually did the mindfulness and journaling i planned to do… this was all to avoid even any slight criticism from him or slight change in mood. When someone seems even slightly disappointed in something i have done, then i get a heavy scared and guilty feeling in my chest and start to feel like i’m the worst person ever and I always just assume I’m in the wrong even when i know the other person was being unreasonable about something… So yeah, I guess I’m just wondering if i’m the only one?

Zeeko Health Anxiety - Possible Neuropathy or just simple anxiety etc...
  • replies: 13

Hi all. For a month now I have been having tingling, occasional burning and muscle aches in my feet. I also feel my heart pulse in my foot if I put pressure on it for a while and even temporarily when there is no pressure at all. The symptoms feel li... View more

Hi all. For a month now I have been having tingling, occasional burning and muscle aches in my feet. I also feel my heart pulse in my foot if I put pressure on it for a while and even temporarily when there is no pressure at all. The symptoms feel like they get worse when I am wearing shoes. They also feel like they are worse when I am sitting down. I can recreate tingling in feet when I put my legs in certain positions (like hamstring stretches, sitting on the toilet seat). I have foolishly used Google to self-diagnose and I am now terrified on a daily basis that this can be small fibre peripheral neuropathy. To me it seems to match all the symptoms I have and I am constantly worried every day. Its disrupting my daily activities because its a life long condition that only gets worse over time. Now I will say that the tingling started on my left foot for a month (it then spread to my right foot) and ONLY after my doctor asked me whether I had tingling in my feet which I didnt at the time. So that seems to suggest anxiety right? But I just dont know. AIl the symptoms seem to match peripheral neuropathy!!! I am seeing a neurologist but i have to wait a month and the wait is driving me crazy. I dont know how I can live with that condition and the effect it would have on my family and my future. I cant stop thinking about it and I know things are worse the more anxious I am. I will say as well that I can still sleep. I dont get any pain that disrupts my sleep except for the anxiety which has been disrupting my sleep. But i know neuropathy starts off mild and gets worse... I am just trying to keep myself together until my appointment and needed to get this off my chest. Thank you for reading.

Bellanana What if I made myself mentally ill?
  • replies: 5

When I was younger, I used to always do research about mental health and decide which one I related to the most. Then I would spend hours or days reading about it and thinking about it. Consuming media about it. Making everything in my life about it.... View more

When I was younger, I used to always do research about mental health and decide which one I related to the most. Then I would spend hours or days reading about it and thinking about it. Consuming media about it. Making everything in my life about it. Than I'd get distracted with something else and forget about it. Then eventually go back to obsessing over mental illness and figuring out what's wrong with me. I feel like I manipulated myself into having mental illness because I was never like this when I was younger. If anything I was the opposite. What if I convinced myself I had depression when I was just a little sad and then over time it turned to depression? What if I made myself mentally ill without noticing? What if I did notice but I just can't admit it to myself? What if I just like being sick and will never be able to move on?

Mumoflots Health anxiety, fear, scared to take medication
  • replies: 10

Hi everyone I’m hoping I’m not alone but I could do with some advice & support. anxiety has been a problem on and off all my life but I always managed to pull myself together, now days I’m anxious, nervous all day and ride the waves of panic but it’s... View more

Hi everyone I’m hoping I’m not alone but I could do with some advice & support. anxiety has been a problem on and off all my life but I always managed to pull myself together, now days I’m anxious, nervous all day and ride the waves of panic but it’s getting harder to pull myself together with natural ways, I’m calling my doctor few times a week, had blood tests and ECG that all came back normal and my doctor is wanting me to take two different medictions, I’m just too scared, scared of all the what if’s, scared it will make me worse, I don’t drink, don’t do drugs I don’t like that “out of body” feeling. I’m always on edge waiting for something bad to happen, always thinking the worse (heart attack, stroke, Brain aneurysm, cancer) I have a good support around me but they are getting tired and abit frustrated with me. I have a canceller who I was seeing regularly for more depression and I’ve just made a appointment to speak with her now with the anxiety Sorry it’s long but I guess what I’m asking is anyone else have health anxiety but scared to take medication and nothing else seems to be helping? I’m feeling alone,lost and like this will never get better I’m losing hope and feeling crazy thank you.

kaityo1 Ruminating
  • replies: 1

Hey all, I’ve been experiencing excessive ruminating lately, this topic came completely out of no where and I haven’t been able to feel somewhat content since. Long story short, I’ve had anxiety, ocd and to top it off.. a stutter since childhood. Mos... View more

Hey all, I’ve been experiencing excessive ruminating lately, this topic came completely out of no where and I haven’t been able to feel somewhat content since. Long story short, I’ve had anxiety, ocd and to top it off.. a stutter since childhood. Most of my teenage and adult life I had no confidence, was very uncertain of myself and my interests.. and just feeling very blank. In the past few years I’ve developed confidence when it comes to my job/career and a great work ethic. However, now I can not stop obsessing over ‘wasted time’ and ‘wasted years’ spent not working the amount of hours I should have after finishing high school, to the point where it affects me and distresses me in the present. I think this has developed from a fear of being perceived as lazy and comparing myself to others. I’m convinced no one else has experienced this.I know I should leave the past behind, but it has become extremely difficult. Is this a common occurrence? Do many people with anxiety related disorders experience difficulty starting in the workforce? I feel so uncertain.

Oliver2023 Pregnancy and anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi All. Im currently happily married with my partner. She really wants kids and we have just found out we are pregnant. It’s been a difficult process for this eventuating for us as unfortunately I’m pedophobic (fear of children). It’s something I’ve ... View more

Hi All. Im currently happily married with my partner. She really wants kids and we have just found out we are pregnant. It’s been a difficult process for this eventuating for us as unfortunately I’m pedophobic (fear of children). It’s something I’ve had for as long as I can remember which I have comfortably managed up until this point. Originally my partner wanted three kids and honestly still does, but understands that this is something I most likely can not provide. Since we have found out my anxiety levels have gone through the roof. I’m a fit guy, train everyday, work full time and study full time. I’ve been finding myself physically sick from my levels of anxiety that I’m struggling to eat, protein shakes seem to be sustaining me at the moment. I hoping someone else has been through this very unique situation that can give some advice on methods to help me cope and improve the quality of life for my partner, future child, and myself.