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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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Ts_1962 Obsession with neighbours dog
  • replies: 1

Hello everyone, I think I'm becoming obsessive about the welfare of my neighbours dog. I'm sure he's fine, but if I dont hear or see him (and its been nearly 2 weeks now), I obsess and dont know what to do, this dog is continually in my thoughts. Ive... View more

Hello everyone, I think I'm becoming obsessive about the welfare of my neighbours dog. I'm sure he's fine, but if I dont hear or see him (and its been nearly 2 weeks now), I obsess and dont know what to do, this dog is continually in my thoughts. Ive texted the neighbour to see if we can chat as we dont really get on, but she hasnt replied as yet. The Animal Welfare Branch here in Darwin is of no help, they have checked the place several times and assured me the dog is fine, and have advised that the dog is receiving the minimal care, and that I should stop "harrassing" my neighbour as its tying up their resources for more urgent cases, totally understand. I dont know what to do?

StephenP12 Anxiety- panic attacks without even knowing, being aware- potential for them
  • replies: 1

Yeah just wondering how and what people use for distractions and techniques for anxiety? Beyond the norm, which for me is leaning to bad habits, old habits when yeah have just struggled with this every day. For a long time now it feels like, yeah let... View more

Yeah just wondering how and what people use for distractions and techniques for anxiety? Beyond the norm, which for me is leaning to bad habits, old habits when yeah have just struggled with this every day. For a long time now it feels like, yeah let me know if people have any ideas about this sort of thing. About this kind of stuff thanks

JacintaMarie Need a rant
  • replies: 7

H Just an update, I go back to work tomorrow & I've enjoyed being on holiday & this afternoon had a cry about going back to work, need too as I'm too young to retire. But I feel angry, more about management but don't have reason too & I'm being unfai... View more

H Just an update, I go back to work tomorrow & I've enjoyed being on holiday & this afternoon had a cry about going back to work, need too as I'm too young to retire. But I feel angry, more about management but don't have reason too & I'm being unfair to them, they're learning still, they make mistakes (don't seem to be learning). My next goal is to understand why I have this anger inside me, why can't I live & let live. Why am I annoyed at them. Why does my period make me feel like this, I know, hormones & my serotonin is low. Just tired of not getting it!!! Of my stupid brain not stopping my thoughts. Of not being able to relax.

anonymousmouse I feel so tired
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone, I am still pretty young and have just started my journey into adulthood but it’s so hard. I feel so exhausted and want to give up. Every day feels like a challenge. I feel like I’m in a nightmare and I can’t wake up. Nothing is going to ... View more

Hi everyone, I am still pretty young and have just started my journey into adulthood but it’s so hard. I feel so exhausted and want to give up. Every day feels like a challenge. I feel like I’m in a nightmare and I can’t wake up. Nothing is going to plan. I want someone to wake me up and tell me that I’m going well in my degree and that my friends can like me again. But instead I just keep crying to my mum, it feels like she is my only support. I reach out to coworkers and even after venting, I do not feel any better. I just want to fall asleep forever. If this is what adulthood is going to be like, I feel like I should just leave now

white knight Anxiety, how l eliminated it
  • replies: 22

Its a very common topic on this forum, anxiety and its long list of symptoms. I grew up in a highly strung household. Screams without notice and unreachable expectations...took their toll. So when a major workplace event came along at 27yo my anxiety... View more

Its a very common topic on this forum, anxiety and its long list of symptoms. I grew up in a highly strung household. Screams without notice and unreachable expectations...took their toll. So when a major workplace event came along at 27yo my anxiety came to roost. Its peak was reached. I visited my GP and therapy commenced and lasted 12 months. My therapist identified l needed the following- Awareness of the severity of my anxiety Reprogramming of my thoughts like thinking realistic thoughts Stop worrying Learning relaxation Rehabilitated into a diffetent profession. He was correct. Add to that, medication for 12 years to "help me on my way" My change of career went from local law enforcement (where it was full of controversy) to a supervisor of adults with mental illness difficulties in a sheltered workshop. Some years later a friend told me about Maharaji Prem Rawat and copied tapes of his speeches. My relaxation up till now was using muscle tensioning exercises at night, now l also listen to this fabulous man. Later I'd google his youtube videoes. Maharaji sunset Maharaji the perfect instrument. And many more. So what other measures?. Well l began to rid my life of toxic people, change my environment to the country, grow vitamin packed vegetables and fruit, revamp finances and utilise direct debit (less bills in the mail, less surprises) and increased my positive thinking by attending motivation lectures. By 2012 my anxiety was no longer measurable. Yes 25 years. Do readers think it would only take a short time? Likely yes, because l did. Like other ailments, a pill alone isnt enough, relaxation alone not enough and so on. Its the combination of many things that was most effective for me. Undertaking a review of all facets of your life is essential for recovery. And dont be alarmed if you try something and it doesnt work. Eg Cognitive therapy didnt work for me but l read here that some have had success. As it turned out in 2009 it was discovered l had bipolar2 depression and dysthymia. The same personal approach was made. Never give up, review my environment, review friendships, lower stress, lower debt, have a 5 and 10 year plan for goals etc Sometimes subtle changes are needed like introducing a sport or hobby, sometimes radical ideas like relocating or career change. Whatever is needed put all options on the table. Anxiety the mental illness deserves nothing less than your full attention. What works for you.? Tony WK

KirSa Nothing I do seems to work
  • replies: 4

I don't know what to do when I'm struggling. Nothing I do seems to work. It just postpones the inevitable... me seeking relief with alcohol and any other depraved hedonism I can find. I feel like a child when I ask for help. The world goes on without... View more

I don't know what to do when I'm struggling. Nothing I do seems to work. It just postpones the inevitable... me seeking relief with alcohol and any other depraved hedonism I can find. I feel like a child when I ask for help. The world goes on without me while I sit and wallow in the memory of the past 48 hours. The busy, hot mess that was my mind before is replaced with the dull, painful silence of regret. It's silence I need... but I don't want to face what's in there. I'm scared. I can't handle the anxiety and pressure of it all, then the 'cure' hurts more than the illness. Recently diagnosed bipolar 1 - does not seem to do anything to help. Nobody to talk to. Infrequent GP visits I have to chase. I can't face my counselor. I'm quite sure I'll break down this time. I hold it together to the world, I can't even talk to my partner... and she's wonderful and understanding. I feel like a fool. I have to be strong. I want to save the world (I know, crazy right?).I want to live forever. We could, you know? But nobody believes me. I know I will die one day. I think I just want to sit outside and wait. Maybe walk on the sand... feel the cool water between my toes. Breath the cool air.

KirSa Bipolar 1 question - elevated mood and anxiety management/prevention
  • replies: 2

I've been struggling for many years with what I've recently learned is bipolar disorder. I really need to get a handle on what to do when I start feeling overwhelmed. For some reason, I go from feeling confident and capable (and I am these things), t... View more

I've been struggling for many years with what I've recently learned is bipolar disorder. I really need to get a handle on what to do when I start feeling overwhelmed. For some reason, I go from feeling confident and capable (and I am these things), to feeling stressed, anxious, and losing control. Like there's too much to take in. It builds up over a few days usually. But a disruption or setback... some kind of unexpected news or interruption can bring it on quicker too. I try to fight it off... sit and think it through... get my bearings... or distract myself with music, movies, or another project or hobby. Guitar, rubiks cubes, reading. But usually the result is adding more noise to the existing chaos that's building. I don't know how to stop it and I'm struggling to keep up. My partner knows and is very supportive. But I don't know what she can do to help. I have to get baseline blood tests before I can take the medication. But I'm scared that I'll be a stupid mess taking that stuff too. How do I deal with this feeling when it comes? I'm not doing very well handling it so far.

TDM24 Managing Anxiety at work
  • replies: 3

I've had anxiety since i was little. It has recently made a come back. I used to deny it. But now i cant. For a solid month now i have woken up in panic, panic attack to the point i needed to take a week off work & my better half had to stay home fro... View more

I've had anxiety since i was little. It has recently made a come back. I used to deny it. But now i cant. For a solid month now i have woken up in panic, panic attack to the point i needed to take a week off work & my better half had to stay home from work with me also. I know where my anxiety has stemmed from this time, however i do not know where it began from a young age. I am in the process of waiting for my first appointment with a physiologist - 2 1/2 month wait I guess my main frustration is being anywhere but home. I live on a farm, which i adore. I have the most loving and supportive partner, my furbabies are the best comfort blanket. I am not depressed. i love my life, my job etc But i have never struggled this much to get up in the morning and go to work where i know my comfort place is home. It is where i feel safe, and less anxiety. The moment i step into work or a place where i cant focus on myself and my breathing is where my anxiety heightens more. I need to work. No doubt. We all do in order to pay for day to day life. But in my head - I DONT WANT TO WORK I work 40 hour weeks- 8:30 - 5pm everyday and its the last thing i want to do right now. I struggle to get up out of bed at the thought i have to go to work and put on an act of how im really feeling, push my own thoughts aside and deal with other people's issues at work. When all i want to do is focus on myself, my farm animals and be productive at home as i know that is what helps me. My boss is supportive with what is happening, however i cant help but feel so much guilt at even the thought of taking another mental health day. Something has to give. I cannot hide at home forever. This is my first thread and im probably doing it all wrong. But there is only so many times i can talk to my family & partner as i feel like i bring them down and im draining to the point i feel im a burden as i know i am repetitive in my thoughts. i guess im just trying to find some ease while i wait to see a psychologist in 2 1/2 months time, but its just so hard. Ive never been one to struggle to get up out of bed when i know im needed to feed the animals, water the vegetable garden, let the chooks out etc before i head to work. But as of late - i cant do any of that because i know in the back of my head i have to go to work where i dont want to be. I dont know exactly what i want to get out of this thread, but it feels good to just say it. Even if its only a fraction of my thoughts. Thanks T

JacintaMarie Hi
  • replies: 20

HiHow are you? Back again, had a break through this morning, realised a part of my anxiety. Have had some rants (by myself at home) about work people being stupid. Realised why I did it.Felt better when it was out, but ashamed for calling them that! ... View more

HiHow are you? Back again, had a break through this morning, realised a part of my anxiety. Have had some rants (by myself at home) about work people being stupid. Realised why I did it.Felt better when it was out, but ashamed for calling them that! I ended up getting sweaty & hot. Then today, deep inside me I think I'm a bad person, I am aren't I for calling people that.That's what I feel deep down, that I'm bad. To call someone stupid, I may be being condescending & judgemental. I asked someone what is stupid & true stupid is maybe when your closed minded & don't listen to people. And with that, I have & been stupid, but everyone can learn to be more open minded, but it takes time.Thank you Beyond Blue & I hope I haven't offended anyone.