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

Jenren Extreme Social Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi Everyone,I am struggling with extreme social anxiety and lack of motivation (almost agoraphobic). I have just started a new job and everyone seems so confident and sure of themselves and I am finding it difficult to interact. I question everything... View more

Hi Everyone,I am struggling with extreme social anxiety and lack of motivation (almost agoraphobic). I have just started a new job and everyone seems so confident and sure of themselves and I am finding it difficult to interact. I question everything I say or do and am really unsure of myself. It has gotten to a point where I just want to hide away from the world. I suffer with severe back pain which I have seen a specialist about, however there is not a lot that can be done other than physio. This doesn't help when trying to do exercise or activities that I know will assist me with the anxiety I am experiencing. Looking for any strategies to overcome this and assist with getting my confidence back.

David35 aversion to sudden noises
  • replies: 6

I've developed an aversion to sudden noises lately. My gut feeling is that it is some emotional memory associated with glass smashing and arguments that I've had with mum over the years. Every time I hear glass knocking on granite or glass or crocker... View more

I've developed an aversion to sudden noises lately. My gut feeling is that it is some emotional memory associated with glass smashing and arguments that I've had with mum over the years. Every time I hear glass knocking on granite or glass or crockery, I cringe. It usually sets of a panic attack. As embarrassing as it is to admit, has anyone else had this problem? If so, how have they dealt with it?

Anth701 Stupid Feelings?/Anxiety?
  • replies: 3

This is going to sound ridiculous and I feel a little selfish given some of the stories, reasons and backgrounds on here. I've just turned 40 and have been having what I think is constant anxiety for a while now but it has really cranked itself up la... View more

This is going to sound ridiculous and I feel a little selfish given some of the stories, reasons and backgrounds on here. I've just turned 40 and have been having what I think is constant anxiety for a while now but it has really cranked itself up lately. I have a constant fear of getting cancer and that I'm going to die before I will see my kids grow up. I feel physically ill with a pit in my stomach my mind is constantly calculating the negatives and I rarely go an hour of sleep before waking up mind racing. I lost my Dad to cancer 9 years ago and I came down with a illness 2 years later which I had about 6 or 7 Ct scans over the course of a few months. I got really sick and was convinced I was dying before they discovered what it was and pretty much got rid of a bad internal infection. I am now convinced, at least somewhere in my conciousness that the radiation from these scans is going to give me cancer. Negative thoughts, sleeplessness and depression have increased. I feel ridiculous given what people with actual current ilnesses are going through but I can't throw it. I've even written letters to my kids. I've been to 1 psychologist but his suggestion to take a teddy bear everywhere I go and hug it when I get these feelings to placate my inner child doesn't really work for me. I don't know what I'm asking I guess i was hoping just writing it out would help.

Flapmon I feel like I’m burning.
  • replies: 7

I also feel like I’m going crazy. I’ve been having panic attacks prior to the even that set this all off and now I’m just in a constant panic, my skin is burning - there’s a lump in my throat, it’s hard to breathe. I’m getting headspins and I just do... View more

I also feel like I’m going crazy. I’ve been having panic attacks prior to the even that set this all off and now I’m just in a constant panic, my skin is burning - there’s a lump in my throat, it’s hard to breathe. I’m getting headspins and I just don’t feel right. All I want to do is sleep but I don’t have the ability to do that when I’m a single mum. I ended up ringing the ambulance lastnight, sat at the hospital for hours, my whole body on fire with hot flushes and if I looked down I felt like I was going to pass out. The doctor put it down to an anxiety disorder, gave me some phenurgen and sent me home. I’m on medication, only just on it though and am waiting for it to kick in but was told it’d get worse before it gets better. 1-2 weeks... I don’t know how to calm myself down, I can’t.. and even if I am there’s still something there like a headspins or waves of anxiety. had me thinking lastnight that maybe there was something they missed, even though the health check came back as I’m absolutely fine. I dont know what im doing anymore.

Tina_92 Looking for Re-Assurance - Extreme Anxiety From Medical tests
  • replies: 1

I have done a bariatric surgery recently (6 months ago) ... and I was so anxious something is going wrong ... I got tested a lot, everytime I go to ED they do me at least a couple of Chest X-raysLastly my bariatric GP has recommended that I do Liver ... View more

I have done a bariatric surgery recently (6 months ago) ... and I was so anxious something is going wrong ... I got tested a lot, everytime I go to ED they do me at least a couple of Chest X-raysLastly my bariatric GP has recommended that I do Liver and Abdomen 4 Phase CT Scans with contrast ... which is HEAPSSSS of radiation ... I did it and once done I felt heaps of regret, since then and I am looking to what I have done to myself .. especially that last year before my surgery I also had a CT Scan in ED When I went to my regular GP who was away for so long, she put my anxiety to another level, she told me how I have put myself at a higher risk by going through all these tests, she counted for me the times I have been to ED with chest X rays (about 10 times) and the two CTs mentioning that the last one is HEAPS of radiation ...I now cannot sleep ... thinking what have I done to myself ... I am only wishing I SAID "NO" or discussed this with the bariatric GP who referred me, or at least let the sonographer knew of my past tests that have done ... I am so upset and regretting ... she made me feel even worse by her talk .. was crying the whole visit in the clinic She asked me to stay away from radiation at least the next 10 years unless its EMERGENCY

Ruby_Duxfield My mum might have cancer
  • replies: 3

I have been feeling very overwhelmed and anxious at the moment finding out my mum could possibly have breast cancer, or even melanoma (the most serious type of skin cancer). I feel isolated and alone and I have no one to talk to. I just want someone ... View more

I have been feeling very overwhelmed and anxious at the moment finding out my mum could possibly have breast cancer, or even melanoma (the most serious type of skin cancer). I feel isolated and alone and I have no one to talk to. I just want someone to understand, I’d never wish this pain on another soul but I just wish there was someone who could relate

Ladyrose Apologies just looking for understanding
  • replies: 19

I am sorry for taking up peoples time with my problems, but I feel very alone at the moment. I am having major anxiety issues changing jobs. I am completely petrified, and the new position is a long distance from home and I am not sure I have made th... View more

I am sorry for taking up peoples time with my problems, but I feel very alone at the moment. I am having major anxiety issues changing jobs. I am completely petrified, and the new position is a long distance from home and I am not sure I have made the right decision. I have cried a river of tears, sweated, chest pains and a feeling of complete helplessness and feeling like a failure. I have booked a psychologist in a weeks time to try and deal with my issues. This is not living. Friends and family dont understand which makes it so much worse. I feel lost and alone as I cant talk to anyone about how I feel. People think by saying you will be ok that the anxiety just disappears. Thank you for listening as I know other people are going through much worse.

Kpb16 OCD Question
  • replies: 8

Hi,Hope all is well. Can I ask if OCD goes away completely? I developed it due to COVID and every time I feel like I’ve managed to get rid of one form of ocd, it comes up in a different area.Thanks.

Hi,Hope all is well. Can I ask if OCD goes away completely? I developed it due to COVID and every time I feel like I’ve managed to get rid of one form of ocd, it comes up in a different area.Thanks.

Pete2500 Anxiety symptoms
  • replies: 5

I recently had some financial problems and within a few days I was, crying frequently at the smallest thing, having difficulty concentrating, feeling like my insides were shaking, feeling like vomiting and on some occasions stuttering and constant he... View more

I recently had some financial problems and within a few days I was, crying frequently at the smallest thing, having difficulty concentrating, feeling like my insides were shaking, feeling like vomiting and on some occasions stuttering and constant headache. Often after the sad feeling passes I will feel exhausted. I have a wife and two young kids and I feel like I have let them down as I don’t know how to handle the situation. In addition I feel like I am being a burden on my wife as simple tasks feel impossible. I have tried breathing exercises and going for walks. I seem to be stuck on a loop. Are these common things that happen with anxiety?I have tried breathing exercises and going for walks.I don’t want to feel like this and I want to be back to normal.Appreciate any advice.thank you

Macca96 Work Anxiety
  • replies: 29

Hi all. I will keep this short and to the point. Recently I started a new job which is quite demanding and it has made me very anxious about deadlines and I worrie I’m not going to perform well. My tummy feels like it’s twisted and I feel very nervou... View more

Hi all. I will keep this short and to the point. Recently I started a new job which is quite demanding and it has made me very anxious about deadlines and I worrie I’m not going to perform well. My tummy feels like it’s twisted and I feel very nervous about my work. This started 2 days ago and I haven’t been able to sleep. I can’t stop thinking about work!! Other symptoms include sweaty hands and loss of appetite. Is this GAD? Or am I just being silly? I have a doctors appointment tomorrow.