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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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emem0 Depersonalization and existential anxiety
  • replies: 4

hi, I’ve been struggling with dpdr, anxiety and as a result of that depression for about 3 months after a bad trip. I honestly see no way out. I’ve gotten checked everything checked physically and go to a phycologist 1-2 times a week now. It’s extrem... View more

hi, I’ve been struggling with dpdr, anxiety and as a result of that depression for about 3 months after a bad trip. I honestly see no way out. I’ve gotten checked everything checked physically and go to a phycologist 1-2 times a week now. It’s extremely hard for me to live life and get out of bed. my attendance at school has dropped from almost 100% to like 30-40%. I used to be a straight A student now I’m failing almost every subject. I used to be the happiest most energetic girl ever, always going out with friends. now I can’t even get out of bed. it’s the most horrible feeling in the world. I’m missing out on the best years of my life. I’m loosing all my friends. sometimes I feel like I’m dead and everything is in my head. my family and my friends feel like fakes, I feel no connection with anyone. when I speak to people it’s like I can’t understand or process anything they are saying. like my brain is shutting down. it feels like this can’t be my real life. this must be a dream or a coma. I think I’m going insane. I get constant panic attacks. everyone is telling me it’s just anxiety, but what if this is all in my head and I’m telling them to tell me that it’s okay? that sounds crazy right? I feel like I’m psychotic or schizophrenic. I get horrible nightmares and sometimes I even hallucinate when I wake up or when I’m about to fall asleep. I’ve told my therapist all about this and I’ve been prescribed an antidepressant. but the thing is I don’t think I’m anxious or depressed I think I’m actually going insane but I can’t explain it properly? and even if this is dpdr/anxiety/depression I don’t think I can ever be me again. i can’t even remember what normal felt like. I terrified and I’m just coming on here to see if anyone has tried medication for dpdr and if it helped at all? because I can’t find anything online. sorry this is a bit long. xx

Blueberriesareyum Anxiety over upcoming surgery
  • replies: 5

Hi, I have the worst anxiety over upcoming surgery on Friday. It’s to remove collapsed bones from my right dominant wrist (proximal row carpectomy). I’m terrified of the recovery, I’ll be in a cast for 6 weeks and a splint for 4 weeks, I’ll also need... View more

Hi, I have the worst anxiety over upcoming surgery on Friday. It’s to remove collapsed bones from my right dominant wrist (proximal row carpectomy). I’m terrified of the recovery, I’ll be in a cast for 6 weeks and a splint for 4 weeks, I’ll also need physio. I’m so anxious, I’ve been awake since 2am. I guess I’m scared of the unknown, I have a phone consult with the surgeon on Wednesday, I told the office I had major anxiety about the surgery so they booked a phone consult in

PickoB Lack of Effective treatments for Anxiety
  • replies: 3

I am in my 50's and suffer from childhood onset anxiety During my life it became so severe I ceased my working life 10 years ago and fell into the grips of depression just to add to the fun. Over my journey I have tried psychological treatments such ... View more

I am in my 50's and suffer from childhood onset anxiety During my life it became so severe I ceased my working life 10 years ago and fell into the grips of depression just to add to the fun. Over my journey I have tried psychological treatments such as CBD, psychoanalysis, mindfulness etc - all of which were of no assistance with my anxiety. I have also exhausted the pharmacological avenue via multiple psychiatrists giving me every med under every relevant medication class and also off-label meds that were designed for diverse illnesses. It is pretty damning that the last class of meds specifically aimed at anxiety came out 60 years or so ago. I am left with having to accept that there is simply no meaningful help out there for treatment resistant severe anxiety. My lot in life is to endure the continual suffering for however many years I have left. It is a blight on medical research that with all the advances made in multiple areas anxiety is the poor cousin with no progress for many decades.

astraluvsrhys depressed girl loosing herself
  • replies: 2

idk what to do anymore i keep over thinking and i cant get it off my mind i need help yet i have no one to talk to

idk what to do anymore i keep over thinking and i cant get it off my mind i need help yet i have no one to talk to

mollyprice1128 Is this Bulling
  • replies: 1

I have a new manager who has the mind of a 12 year old boy I am the youngest and he’s the oldest at my work I have been given the silent treatment for over a month and I’m just feeling depressed and alone and went to my HR lady she didn’t seem to tak... View more

I have a new manager who has the mind of a 12 year old boy I am the youngest and he’s the oldest at my work I have been given the silent treatment for over a month and I’m just feeling depressed and alone and went to my HR lady she didn’t seem to take my side and she said “ you might need to quit to show him he’s lost a good staff member”. I then got ambushed and she turned on me and wasn’t supportiveI had a break down went home for the weekend and then came back to work for a ladies lunch she was there I was so depressed I couldn’t acknowledge her. So she called me a bitch behind my back I did turn around and say really but she already had her back to me and ever since I have been applying for jobs and plotting along I had my review with the owner and he said he highly doubt she would say that and has gone and not believed me. So I’m done but I work in a small town and I can’t afford to quit I need help because I’m broken.

_Gigi_ I feel like a failure
  • replies: 3

Hi all. I've been feeling pretty lonely lately so I thought I would turn here for some advice. I'm worried almost all the time to the point of physical illness. Even leaving the house can be enough to set me on edge. Social situations make me especia... View more

Hi all. I've been feeling pretty lonely lately so I thought I would turn here for some advice. I'm worried almost all the time to the point of physical illness. Even leaving the house can be enough to set me on edge. Social situations make me especially nervous, and I tend to replay them in my head for days afterwards. The constant fear means it takes me longer than my peers to hit certain milestones, and it makes me afraid that everyone is judging me for it. There have also been a few issues at home, and my family has praised me for being so calm and collected through it, when in reality I'm far from it. There's just a lot of pressure to live up to their expectations and not add more to their plate. There's no one to talk to about it and it makes me feel like an imposter. I lie every single day and no one really knows me. I feel like a failure. And I worry about the day everyone else realises I am one as well.

MayaUyen Past issues cause Fear and Trust problems in current relationship
  • replies: 3

I am 53yo female, divorced and been in a long distant relationship for 14 months. My boyfriend is 12yr older than me.I have grown to love him and know he loves me too. We planned to have a future and build a family together with his 13yo daughter.His... View more

I am 53yo female, divorced and been in a long distant relationship for 14 months. My boyfriend is 12yr older than me.I have grown to love him and know he loves me too. We planned to have a future and build a family together with his 13yo daughter.His daughter accepted me and loves me, I love her too, I don’t have any kid of my own and been living in Aust by myself, no relative. At times I feel alone, my BF and his kid mean so much to me.Due to special circumstances, we still live apart and we have been working together to make our reunion happen as soon as possible then settling in Australia.At the early stage of this relationship, my BF noticed I got fear and trust issues, and said once being together these issues will be cleared.I introspected myself and realized my fear and trust issues came from many betrayals and disappointments from past relationships.I can tell he trusts me fully and rarely questions me about who I meet or be friend with. I normally tell him upfront about the people I am interacting with. My problem is, I often doubt, worry, feel jealous and mistrust while I am not around him in the time being. I often feel anxious when he absent for 3 or 4 days without calling or texting me.My friend says I require his time and attention more than he gives and suggests me to adjust my needs rather than requesting him to give me more time because it is likely that is how he is naturally.At first, he showed understanding, however few days ago we argued and he was very upset, he said “THIS IS THE THING HE DOES NOT WANT IN HIS LIFE, HE DOES NOT WANT TO BE WITH A WOMAN WHO DOES NOT TRUST HER MAN”. To me, his action was a wakeup call.I realize my fear and trust issues have caused severe impacts to our relationship and made him feel pressured, being controlled and uncomfortable. Worse than that I would potentially cause a break-up and lose this relationship.I gave him time to calm down then offered an apology on the yesterday, I also told him I realized the negative impacts of my issues on our relationship and will seek professional help. He responded to me which is a good sign.We have been through thick and thin between life and death together and still stand strong by each other until this day. This relationship is worth fighting for.I now seek counselling support from Next Step to help improving my fear and trust issues.Beside seeking professional help, please I also need advice and suggestions/ideas on this forum or from someone has similar issues about how to improve this. Thank you.

K_Ley how can things feel so wrong
  • replies: 1

I am a teacher, and a student today told another teacher that I slapped her across the face. I didn't, I wouldn't ever do something like that. I am so scared that she may have told either other teachers or other students. Either way this could destro... View more

I am a teacher, and a student today told another teacher that I slapped her across the face. I didn't, I wouldn't ever do something like that. I am so scared that she may have told either other teachers or other students. Either way this could destroy my career if anyone believes her. I really don't need this added to everything else. I am feeling so frustrated and alone right now. I am just tired of feeling like everything is a major thing regardless of how big it is. I just want it all to go away and be happy again

I1C2D3T4A5 My head hurts
  • replies: 1

Hi, I’ve been feeling really alone lately and get tea anxious and stressed about little things constantly and my head hurt from always being anxious and stressed. I get episodes where I can’t do anything and my head just throbs. Every time I’ve asked... View more

Hi, I’ve been feeling really alone lately and get tea anxious and stressed about little things constantly and my head hurt from always being anxious and stressed. I get episodes where I can’t do anything and my head just throbs. Every time I’ve asked someone for help they just say oh me too! Or you’ll get over it. I just don’t know how to cope or what to do and I feel really lost and alone and I don’t have anyone to help me. If anyone has any strategies or advice I would really appreciate it

Anxiety_is_who_I_am Health Anxiety about Teeth
  • replies: 15

Hi, I've always had anxiety but in the last 2 years have also developed health anxiety and am constantly worried I have something wrong. Today though has been exceptionally horrible with concern that my teeth will fall out. Now i do need some filling... View more

Hi, I've always had anxiety but in the last 2 years have also developed health anxiety and am constantly worried I have something wrong. Today though has been exceptionally horrible with concern that my teeth will fall out. Now i do need some fillings and some redness in my gums due to illness during pregnancy but if i try to wobble my teeth with my finger, I can't see any movement in my teeth. However, anytime I move my mouth it feels like the tooth is about to fall out. I think the sensation when I move my mouth is more anxiety than an actual movement of a loose tooth. I've been trying really hard all day to stop focusing on it but I can't. I have a dentist appointment next week but until then how does anyone recommend moving past this worry? I don't even want to eat or drink due to this worry.