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

Traveller73 Anxiety awaiting Medical tests
  • replies: 2

Hi. I recently turned 50 and have undergone several routine medical tests and my anxiety awaiting results is through the roof. I had a mammogram for first time. My neighbour whom had breast cancer said to me ages ago she could not feel any lumps, so ... View more

Hi. I recently turned 50 and have undergone several routine medical tests and my anxiety awaiting results is through the roof. I had a mammogram for first time. My neighbour whom had breast cancer said to me ages ago she could not feel any lumps, so this is freaking me out a bit. I feel like they are going to ring me with bad news even though I have no reason. Im terrified of my phone and any calls. I have had restless nights sleeping last week, bad dreams. I panic about it about 20 times a day. I relax and then all of a sudden bang "they could ring". Silly me had booked in for 2 more health tests too, so everything is all at once. I go for a walk and exercise, but its when Im resting the thoughts come back. I have spoken to my Dr and they just said distract. I have used CBT, this helps "thanks brain", but then the thoughts always come back.I think am doing right thing getting tested, but I have three weeks to wait for the results and am a nervous wreck (though functioning) Can anyone reassure me doing right thing despite the enormous anxiety? I spoke to mammogram people and they said its pretty normal to be anxious and just get on with it

E92 Chronic Sadness...
  • replies: 3

Lately sadness and anxiety has been seeping out of me. The slightest conversations regarding family and a loss in some kind of way (real life or fictional) seem to trigger me. A friend opened up to me recently about something personal and it triggere... View more

Lately sadness and anxiety has been seeping out of me. The slightest conversations regarding family and a loss in some kind of way (real life or fictional) seem to trigger me. A friend opened up to me recently about something personal and it triggered my unresolved childhood trauma and had my throat and chest tighten up and tears flooded out and sream down my face uncontrollably. Which made me feel so guilty, guilty that I couldn't hold myself together and just be there for my friend and feeling like an absolute narcissist and made the situation about me.Today just my thoughts seem to have me in tears. Thoughts of worthlessness, feeling like people think I'm stupid when I try to articulate what I'm thinking, feeling like I'm not good enough and that maybe it would be better if I just vanished. It physically hurts. I don't feel like I have anyone to talk to. I'm lonely and feel hopeless.

GypsyAvalon ELEMENTS OF LIFE
  • replies: 0

How do you bring each of these elements into your life? take noticegivekeep learningbe activeconnectBlessed Be

How do you bring each of these elements into your life? take noticegivekeep learningbe activeconnectBlessed Be

GypsyAvalon THOUGHTFUL TUESDAY
  • replies: 0

every journey is differentone thing at a timecelebrate small winshonour your feelingsmake someone smileI hope these thoughts help

every journey is differentone thing at a timecelebrate small winshonour your feelingsmake someone smileI hope these thoughts help

flowers_ Anxiety and loneliness overseas
  • replies: 3

Lately I have been feeling so anxious its completely overwhelming. I can't sleep properly, I wake up with pounding anxiety all the time. And I notice that I'm grinding my teeth without realising. I feel so anxious sometimes I can't control it, and I ... View more

Lately I have been feeling so anxious its completely overwhelming. I can't sleep properly, I wake up with pounding anxiety all the time. And I notice that I'm grinding my teeth without realising. I feel so anxious sometimes I can't control it, and I sometimes cry all day because I feel so anxious. I'm in my mid-20s studying overseas and travelling. I just feel so alone, and like a failure because I'm such a crying mess. I try to reach out to my friends and family, but I still feel homesick and alone. I feel like everyone thinks I should be so happy because I'm young and travelling, and sometimes I am happy, but a lot of the time I just feel sad, scared and lonely. I get so worried I that will be paralysed with anxiety and something will go wrong, or something bad will happen, and I won't be able to look after myself. It will be a couple of months until I move back home and can get counselling, I don't know if anyone has advice on how to cope with the anxiety until then, or if anyone can relate to feeling this way?

Lilith_was_here I just have this really bad feeling
  • replies: 5

Hi y'all,I'm just going to get straight to the point. Today, I went to the stores and bought a pair of new headphones. They're pretty simple headphones, do the job. And later after I got back, I started using them then I just get a really bad feeling... View more

Hi y'all,I'm just going to get straight to the point. Today, I went to the stores and bought a pair of new headphones. They're pretty simple headphones, do the job. And later after I got back, I started using them then I just get a really bad feeling, like my house is going to catch on fire or something. I know it's unrealistic but I can't shake the feeling. I get this feeling a lot and I'm not sure what to do. Any thoughts?

Dabb Dabb
  • replies: 1

Hi I have been experiencing anxiety and depression for many years and thought I finally had things under control but lately the anxiety is getting worse and unable to get past it, I feel alone even though I am not, my heart races all the time I can't... View more

Hi I have been experiencing anxiety and depression for many years and thought I finally had things under control but lately the anxiety is getting worse and unable to get past it, I feel alone even though I am not, my heart races all the time I can't concentrate I don't want to go out or talk to people, I don't want to have it take over my life again, not sure what to do

GypsyAvalon MAKE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH A PRIORITY
  • replies: 0

Making your mental health a priority, tips:drink waterbe kind to yourself.eat less sugar.journal about your feelings,Go outside and get some sunshine.establish a bedtime routine.put down your phone.meditate on the truth.make a gratitude list.talk to ... View more

Making your mental health a priority, tips:drink waterbe kind to yourself.eat less sugar.journal about your feelings,Go outside and get some sunshine.establish a bedtime routine.put down your phone.meditate on the truth.make a gratitude list.talk to a therapist.breathe deeply.go for a walk.I hope you find that some of these tips work for you

Mail Anxiety
  • replies: 1

 Dealing with anxiety and life struggle 

 Dealing with anxiety and life struggle