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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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Janie223 Bought a puppy and anxiety took over
  • replies: 9

Hi All, For about a year now my family and I have been talking about getting a dog and I started doing lots of research. After much thinking and over thinking, last week we went to pick up a puppy from a breeder. I was really excited and so were the ... View more

Hi All, For about a year now my family and I have been talking about getting a dog and I started doing lots of research. After much thinking and over thinking, last week we went to pick up a puppy from a breeder. I was really excited and so were the kids. On day two I started feeling sick about the choice we made and it got progressively worse to the point I became completely overwhelmed and shut down. I couldn’t eat, sleep, think clearly, perform normal daily tasks and cried non stop for days. We decided to return the puppy and the kids were pretty devastated. I am so disappointed with myself because I wanted this puppy for company, to keep me occupied while the kids are at school, to give me a challenge in the training and I was hoping I’d be able to develop more flexibility and loosen up a bit (I take life way too seriously). I think I put to much pressure on this puppy to meet so many of my needs that were really not realistic. Now I’m so regretful that I couldn’t stick it out longer and wait for the overwhelm to pass. I feel like I gave up too quickly. I know anxiety can make life difficult but I wish I could be care free and go with the flow like other people. So many people have dogs!! Why did I have to make such a big deal about it? The value I was hoping to develop and wanted most of all from the experience of being a dog owner, flexibility, was the value I was least able to demonstrate when the situation called for it. I couldn’t overcome the change to my life and became so rigid and frozen.

Anxietyridden Just quit my job due to anxiety
  • replies: 17

Hello. I have just quit a job after 2 days as my anxiety took over. I can't stop myself from thinking you can't do it, you are doing it wrong and people don't like me. My husband is ok with me not having a job but it makes me anxious as I don't want ... View more

Hello. I have just quit a job after 2 days as my anxiety took over. I can't stop myself from thinking you can't do it, you are doing it wrong and people don't like me. My husband is ok with me not having a job but it makes me anxious as I don't want to put more pressure on him. I want to work but just can't handle it emotionally at the moment. I feel like a letdown and useless. I am going to see a counsellor to try and get help but I suppose I just wanted to see what other people think. Did I do the right thing quitting?

Apricit123 Medication
  • replies: 8

Does anyone else get anxiety around taking medication? I have massive fear atm it really sucks. Having a hard time taking my nighttime medication

Does anyone else get anxiety around taking medication? I have massive fear atm it really sucks. Having a hard time taking my nighttime medication

blues23 Returned to work
  • replies: 50

I’ve been on work cover for around 10/11 months due to work place injury, bullying, assault and numerous other things happend I’ve been sent to a new location ( temporarily) while I adjust to returning to work , today was first day back It was hard I... View more

I’ve been on work cover for around 10/11 months due to work place injury, bullying, assault and numerous other things happend I’ve been sent to a new location ( temporarily) while I adjust to returning to work , today was first day back It was hard I was lumped in a role I’ve never done ( receptionist) Recived no training just answer phones take notes which is way stressing when I don’t know clients procedures or even the telephone systems or who to ask for help no one was available despite me asking numerous times for help . I can’t say how I felt after leaving work all of 3 hours work left me sweating profusely and literally panicked state of mind then to top it off I got a snarky email from my nasty return to work co ordinator due to apparently me missing something in a timesheet I submitted and that was my fault given I’ve never had to do timesheets and again no one was around to assist me to complete these tasks . My dad says I should quit and after today I feel I should I I’mvery overwhelmed by today’s awful work day and told my new boss that too . I dread going into work tomorrow , how do others deal with returning to work after long absence and mental health problems I have anxiety and depression Re what happened at my original work site yes I am requesting a new return to work co ordinator

Janie223 Social Anxiety really makes relationships hard
  • replies: 9

Hi, I’ve been diagnosed with social anxiety and depression in the last couple of years but have struggled ever since I can remember. I have never really managed to hold on to friendships and at the moment, can’t actually even name someone who is my f... View more

Hi, I’ve been diagnosed with social anxiety and depression in the last couple of years but have struggled ever since I can remember. I have never really managed to hold on to friendships and at the moment, can’t actually even name someone who is my friend. I’m really lonely and ashamed about how alone I am. I’m realising how scared I am to reach out to people because I assume they will reject me. I’ve just stopped trying. But this just continues the cycle of loneliness. I don’t know how to break out of it. This has been an issue I’ve dealt with my entire life and I don’t see it getting better. I’m now in my mid thirties. I’m so tired of constantly worrying about what people think about me. I’m exhausted. I’m sorry there isn’t much positivity here - it isn’t going well.

Elephant86 A beautiful a powerful decision of powerful positivity
  • replies: 0

I went to the doctor to have my bloods done for my Type 2 Diabetes? I found out I put on weight due to my condition and I realize you can't contorl your condition but you can control the steps you take to control it. I have totally changed my diet to... View more

I went to the doctor to have my bloods done for my Type 2 Diabetes? I found out I put on weight due to my condition and I realize you can't contorl your condition but you can control the steps you take to control it. I have totally changed my diet to having less meat and more salads and fish not giving red meat all together and having less of it. Your condition doesn't have to be a death sentence you have the power with yourself and the changes you choose to make that determines your destiny in life it is your chioce which derection you choose? I always focus on what I can control not what I can'tfor example my favourite artists are mariah carey and I love to dance to her beautiful music in the morning it gets me in a positive frame of mind. I love to dance and be positive and forward thinking. What can I do to make me positive and happy ? When I sat in front of the doctor and we all have to at some point I got bad news about my weight but decided to look at the positive I am alive I have my family that loves and cares for me and most importantly I have my cat and my dog to cuddle me every day. We are all surrounded by love? We are surrounde by angels wheather it be our brothers and sisters our mums and dad our doctors or our nurses they are everywhere. You can always find guidance and care from everyone in your community because everybody in your community is here to help and protect you from the darkness. You must light a candle and have hope and realise you will come out of the darkness and into the light When I spoke to my doctor about my condition I could have been scared but I decided to have hope that will get through this time of my life that is a challenge but I will rise like a pheniox out of the ashes. I never give up that is my true superpower I have resilance and the ability to have the strength to walk against my true challengers I face I beleive that you can do the exact same. It is in you to fight to walk to stand. I am powerful beyond measure and I will succeed You will have times of fear in your life and beleive I have had those times to but my resilance is my super power my determination to wanting to acheive something in my life. I know to work through your condition is a great challenge and I understand the how scary it is it is like you have a boogy monster in the closet and he doesn't go away. You can tell to leave me alone and have some hope in your heart and soul. The most important thing is to keep laughing and dancing and smileing.

Sal2645 Anxiety
  • replies: 3

This is my first time on a platform like this but I thought that I need to see if it can help. I think I’ve struggled with anxiety my whole life but have never known how to deal with it. I have a deep rooted fear of rejection and that I’m boring and ... View more

This is my first time on a platform like this but I thought that I need to see if it can help. I think I’ve struggled with anxiety my whole life but have never known how to deal with it. I have a deep rooted fear of rejection and that I’m boring and in turn no one likes me. This has really hindered my friendships as my insecurities have pushed them away and I really struggle to hold conversations with even the closest people to me.I’ve done well at pretending there is no problem recently but I’ve just graduated high school which means I’m no longer forced to leave the house and talk to others so loneliness is consuming at the moment. It not that I don’t have friends it’s just that I struggle to answer when they call and I feel really guilty for some reason after every conversation even if it was normal. My fear that they don’t like me is just so consuming. I want to experience like normal people my age but I’m just unable. I don’t want to make this anyone else’s problem so I need to figure it out but I’m so lost cause I’ve been like this my whole life I’m just getting worse and worse at hiding it. I just don’t know what to do so maybe venting could help a bit idk.

Iyad Doughy muscles
  • replies: 2

Hi does anyone after anxiety like for 3 months suffer from all his muscles turn soft ? I remember i took 5-htp pills for a month only and dont know whats going on ist from pills or something else ? I do have also like internal vibrating or muscles Fa... View more

Hi does anyone after anxiety like for 3 months suffer from all his muscles turn soft ? I remember i took 5-htp pills for a month only and dont know whats going on ist from pills or something else ? I do have also like internal vibrating or muscles Fasciculations that never stop when resting beside thining hair and keep falling and dry hair and skin and eyes .. just depressed

81oct anxiety
  • replies: 6

Am 87 years old, female. Over the years have suffered anxiety & received good help from an extra hour with particularly kind GPs. At present these Drs have more worries to deal with so am looking for other help.I appear confident to friends but under... View more

Am 87 years old, female. Over the years have suffered anxiety & received good help from an extra hour with particularly kind GPs. At present these Drs have more worries to deal with so am looking for other help.I appear confident to friends but underneath moving into groups of people can be worrying. Having a few medical problems lately has brought this on again, I want to get going, but am finding it very hard.