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

bowie66 cant stop stressing
  • replies: 2

hi im new.i cant turn my brain off.having probs at work and have taken some sick leave after describing my sumptom to gp.any techniques to helpswitch off

hi im new.i cant turn my brain off.having probs at work and have taken some sick leave after describing my sumptom to gp.any techniques to helpswitch off

Zel failed courses, bank loans...
  • replies: 1

I failed all my courses from last semester (I know it was all my fault) and I'm suffering financially too

I failed all my courses from last semester (I know it was all my fault) and I'm suffering financially too

Cimmaron phobias
  • replies: 1

Anyone have similar phobias to me out there? I feel a bit alone though friends and family are good to me they don't really understand. 1. Fear of bushfire on my property. 2. Fear of going over bridges and in tunnels. 3. Fear of going to shopping cent... View more

Anyone have similar phobias to me out there? I feel a bit alone though friends and family are good to me they don't really understand. 1. Fear of bushfire on my property. 2. Fear of going over bridges and in tunnels. 3. Fear of going to shopping centres and the movies as there might be a fire and I can't get out. Fear of being on the road as have been in several accidents. Fear of going into banks and takeaway places because of robberies. And also the common ones like fear of flying and ekevators. There are probably a few more but that's enough for now. I know these fears are irrational but can't stop the fear. Am getting help by just feel like I'm getting nowhere at the moment.

ashlee1999 Anxiety about sexuality
  • replies: 1

Hi all, I have had generalised anxiety for as long as I can remember, however, when I got into high school it suddenly stopped for a period of 6 six years. Now I'm 20 and in my 2nd year of uni and my anxiety is back worse than ever. This problem star... View more

Hi all, I have had generalised anxiety for as long as I can remember, however, when I got into high school it suddenly stopped for a period of 6 six years. Now I'm 20 and in my 2nd year of uni and my anxiety is back worse than ever. This problem started a couple of months ago when I suddenly starting to fear and obsess about the fact that I have turned gay or bisexual. Please keep in mind that before this period I'm in now, I never once questioned my sexuality and always knew that I was heterosexual because I always liked boys and wanted a relationship with one. But now all I do is obsess, fear and get anxiety about the fact that I'm not straight. This fear and anxiety have lead me to become isolated and depressed because I get anxiety attacks just by looking at girls and think to my self "OMG do I like her sexually?". I feel maybe there is also I sense of guilt attached here because I used to watch lesbian porn last year and like it but still never wanted to with a woman. I don't do this anymore though. My biggest fear is that I don't want to be gay or bisexual, but I just can't seem to convince myself? Can you please help me overcome this issue? Thanks.

DMATTAO84 Can't beat anxiety on my own
  • replies: 2

I've had anxiety for a long time now. When I was younger it wasn't as much of an issue as I thought I grow out of it, and had plenty of time to figure it out as I was still young. It's getting harder now I'm older, and I am slowly losing touch with m... View more

I've had anxiety for a long time now. When I was younger it wasn't as much of an issue as I thought I grow out of it, and had plenty of time to figure it out as I was still young. It's getting harder now I'm older, and I am slowly losing touch with my friends. They are all moving on with their own lives, partners, children, careers etc. I want to meet more people, have relationships etc. but find it almost impossible on my own. I've tried online dating, but I don't know what to say, and never go beyond a few conversations before I stop getting replies. This makes me feel hopeless and alone. No matter how much I try to improve my social life I seem to go nowhere. In the past I had friends to go out and do things with. Having support made it easier to go out and meet more people etc. Now when I go to functions by myself anxiety overcomes me and I can't easily talk to people. This makes me feel like a failure, and worse than if I just stayed home. I've sought professional help, but this only helps so much. I need a person, or people to do things with so I can meet more people, and increase my chances of starting a relationship. I feel I can't continue with this isolation much longer and want to fix my life rather than just give up. Any advice on how people in similar situations overcame this would be greatly appreciated, I'm at a point where I don't want to continue on like this anymore. Thanks in advance.

Banjoman Have you experienced sleep paralysis?
  • replies: 6

wikipedia: Sleep paralysis is a phenomenon during which an individual is unable to move during falling asleep or awakening, but is aware of their surroundings. It is often accompanied by frightening hallucinations to which one is unable to react beca... View more

wikipedia: Sleep paralysis is a phenomenon during which an individual is unable to move during falling asleep or awakening, but is aware of their surroundings. It is often accompanied by frightening hallucinations to which one is unable to react because of paralysis and perceived physical experiences, such as a strong current running through the upper body. Hello everyone, Have you ever experienced sleep paralysis before? How did you deal with it? Does it happen often to you? I have just experienced my second frightening sleep paralysis episode with the last 3 years. I noticed I had a big headache and bout of anxiety before going to bed last night. It felt like I was strapped down and something was coming to get me, I tried calling out but had no function of my voice. After a few long seconds I was free. Now I feel knocked out as if I haven't slept all night. I am Thankful that it's Sunday and I don't have to go to work. Banjoman,

Angel_hand Returning to work after workplace discrimination and bullying causing anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi after 2.5 years of poor treatment at work, I am now diagnosed with acute anxiety. I am on stress leave at the moment and my manager have ask me to provide a letter from my doctor saying that I’m deems to return to work. My question is... how can a... View more

Hi after 2.5 years of poor treatment at work, I am now diagnosed with acute anxiety. I am on stress leave at the moment and my manager have ask me to provide a letter from my doctor saying that I’m deems to return to work. My question is... how can a doctor say that if our anxiety is cause from the circumstances and situation... my anxiety comes from the way they treat me. Can anyone advise if you have been asked for this certification to say you are deems to be fit for work, noting that I work indoor, at my desk. Thank you

Guest_937 Ruminations
  • replies: 3

How do you stop ruminations? I have a sense of impending doom so am scouring my life for all the mistakes I’ve made or might have made, to figure out which of them will send me to jail and ruin my life. It’s crazy I know. But I can’t stop. And becaus... View more

How do you stop ruminations? I have a sense of impending doom so am scouring my life for all the mistakes I’ve made or might have made, to figure out which of them will send me to jail and ruin my life. It’s crazy I know. But I can’t stop. And because I can’t remember everything clearly (I’m going back 2-3years) I’m sure I have made some kind of mistake that I’ve blocked out and I’m some kind of horrible person committing crimes that I can’t even remember. It’s like I think if I figure out what it is I can somehow fix it before it ruins my life, so my brain is on overdrive thinking of all the possibilities.

RebeccaL What's the point of life?
  • replies: 6

All you do is sleep, work and watch everything and everyone around you die. It's horrible

All you do is sleep, work and watch everything and everyone around you die. It's horrible

Lalunia82 Anxiety comes back every 4 weeks
  • replies: 5

Hi, I am just wondering if anyone experienced something similar to me. I suffer from acute anxiety from Feb 2018. Since March I started my medication on antidepressants and I regularly see my Psychiatrist and Psychologist. The first few months were t... View more

Hi, I am just wondering if anyone experienced something similar to me. I suffer from acute anxiety from Feb 2018. Since March I started my medication on antidepressants and I regularly see my Psychiatrist and Psychologist. The first few months were the worst when my organism was getting use to the medication. After 2 months I had few weeks of relief and I felt like me again. unfortunately my anxiety came back and I was living the true hell for the next few weeks. My psychiatrist incrased my medication to maximum dose and after 2 weeks I went back to normal. Since then my anxiety is like a wave. 3-4 weeks I feel great, sleep like baby, laugh, go out with my friends and then another week anxiety is backs. I can’t sleep, can’t eat, cannot get up from bed, loose interest in any activities, don’t want to see my friends. Going to work in the morning after 2h sleep is a real torture. i don’t know why this is happening to me? Why I feel so great for almost a month and then I back in hell. Would my life always be like that?