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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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Guest_92 Intrusive thoughts at work
  • replies: 3

I have been suffering from Harm OCD thoughts over time and it got worse 2 years ago that I need to undergo medication to control my sickness. Recently at work there's been a new manager appointed and she has been keep checking on when I come to work ... View more

I have been suffering from Harm OCD thoughts over time and it got worse 2 years ago that I need to undergo medication to control my sickness. Recently at work there's been a new manager appointed and she has been keep checking on when I come to work and what I am doing on my desk which triggered those thoughts again, which were violent. Those thoughts made me feel stressed and angry to attend the office and it has affected my daily life that I notified HR about having those thoughts. Then they suspended me pending on independent medical examination and tomorrow I am going to have a meeting to discuss employment circumstances with them and also review the report. I am not feeling too well about it and I am not expecting return to work. I just want to know, if they decided to dismiss me, does it constitute discrimination or something that I can apply to FWA for General Protection based on my mental disability? Furthermore, is there something called 'Medical Retirement' that I can put on to? No matter it is dismissal or medical retirement, what is my minimum entitlement on those? The intrusive thoughts I have at work has not only applied to the work I am doing, but also applies to other's work that when I heard about people starting at ridiculous times, or being under surveillance of what they do in the office (or even out of the office), forcing them to do overtime, or some unfair rules/treatment at the workplace, I have those thoughts exist to harm people at work. I have been undergo treatment for this but till now I still feel struggling to eliminate those thoughts. As the result, am I eligible for Disability Support Pension or welfare payment that will eliminate myself from returning to work ever? I am worried if I run out of money, Centrelink will force me to do some certain work that I don't like to do and I would have been acting on those thoughts which can lead to significant consequences.

Sincere_guy Anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone it's my first time here, just want your input if anxiety can lead to eating problems. I just came out of hospital and told my anxiety caused my eating problem and didn't have an eating disorder so I'm thinking about getting a second opini... View more

Hi everyone it's my first time here, just want your input if anxiety can lead to eating problems. I just came out of hospital and told my anxiety caused my eating problem and didn't have an eating disorder so I'm thinking about getting a second opinion.

kned Grieving loss of job and being out of comfort zone
  • replies: 8

I recently resigned from my job, one I had been in for many many years. I am grieving the loss of my job even though the decision to leave was a good one (a completely different story).My family and best friend all think I made the best decision to l... View more

I recently resigned from my job, one I had been in for many many years. I am grieving the loss of my job even though the decision to leave was a good one (a completely different story).My family and best friend all think I made the best decision to leave. But I still can't help but grieve what I used to have. I had committed so many years to the job and I knew it so well. It seems that I am a creature of comfort. I stay where I am comfortable, so the idea of now finding another job is extremely scary! I am worried that the opportunities in my field are going to be very few and far between. I also think of changing careers or training but I have no idea what I could do. I guess I just feel that now I dont know what to do. I always had a focus. The job was a huge part of my identity. Is this something that will pass? How do I find my purpose again? How do I accept change? I just feel so low and so confused with what to do. I suffer anxiety so this uncertainty and worry is definitely not helping my anxiety!

GADman My anxiety has gone through the roof!
  • replies: 7

This past week has been mentally one of the worst weeks I have had in my life. I'm spending most of the day in bed because my anxiety and depression are at an all time high and I can't put my finger on what set it off apart from the chest infection I... View more

This past week has been mentally one of the worst weeks I have had in my life. I'm spending most of the day in bed because my anxiety and depression are at an all time high and I can't put my finger on what set it off apart from the chest infection I got in the days prior. Physically I am feeling better however I am eating much less than what I used to and am in bed most of the day. I am trying to go for two walks a day just to get out of the house but this cold weather at the moment is even making that difficult.I've lost interest in things I enjoy like television and games and my father has been sick too and am worried that something bad may happen to him. I can't even turn these on at the moment and concentrate for more than 5 minutes because my anxiety and depression are so bad.I'm 35 and live with both my parents and recently told work I can't come in due to the constant anxiety attacks. A few days ago I was getting out of the shower because of a panic attack and passed out and ended in hospital with a cut to my head. I'm worried that I'm going crazy and the best place for me may be a psych ward as I don't want to be a burden for my family and can barely function throughout the day. Sorry for the rambling, if anyone has any suggestions or advice I would like to hear from you.

macadamianut Guarded
  • replies: 3

Hi, I thought I'd post something I've been dealing with as others might be able to provide some outsider perspective. I've been dealing with anxiety on and off for years (currently under control), and think it leans towards social anxiety. I'm quite ... View more

Hi, I thought I'd post something I've been dealing with as others might be able to provide some outsider perspective. I've been dealing with anxiety on and off for years (currently under control), and think it leans towards social anxiety. I'm quite outwardly confident and bubbly with others, working in customer/client facing roles over the years, but am truly more of an "introvert" in disguise and recharge my batteries alone. While I like being social and am friendly etc, I often dread social situations and feel extremely awkward as I'm very hyperaware and overanalytical. I am a people pleaser, and while I don't overly "care" what people think, I find myself always trying to make people like me - albeit not in an overbearing way. As a result I dread certain social situations as I find them tiring and sometimes just can't be bothered. In certain settings like the gym or work lunch room I don't want to speak to anyone and while I try to be polite, I just want to be left alone. This makes me depressed as I compare myself to others like my sister who are super chatty and have friendships wherever they go. I started a Meetup group a few years ago which was super successful but eventually dwindled, as I found it took way too much emotional effort to maintain due to the (unexpected) popularity. I've tried volunteering but didn't meet anyone w/ similar age/interests/etc. I love my own company and never feel lonely. I like seeing friends from time to time but more so in a "scheduled" context and not just having people "drop in". I've had friends move out of the city and come and go, and am finding myself feeling quite isolated. While I don't mind it, I'm feeling like it's ruining my quality of life. I eventually want to marry my partner and while I have a few friends here and there from different social circles that I can have close, honest convos with, I don't have a big group of besties I've known for years and have no idea who I'd even pick as bridesmaids as I don't have those kind of relationships. I'm so guarded and thus can't quite seem to make friends as easily as others, even though I get along well with most people. I had a complete meltdown a couple of months ago about 8wks into a new job and had to take 2 days of sick leave, and a doc gave me a mental health plan to see a psych. It's still expensive though and having just moved in with my boyfriend I've had so many other expenses. Just thought someone might be able to relate or provide some advice.

Diamondback The Anxiety is building up
  • replies: 2

Not sure if others have experienced this but las week I had started to feel half normal again but this week I feel like the anxiety is growing more and more every day and the more I try to calm my self the more I feel scared that I'm going to have an... View more

Not sure if others have experienced this but las week I had started to feel half normal again but this week I feel like the anxiety is growing more and more every day and the more I try to calm my self the more I feel scared that I'm going to have another anxiety attack I feel like I am building myself up to it getting ready again for the flight or fight I'm really paranoid it will happen at work or when I have my son I am seeing the councillor tomorrow which I'm hoping will help. I think the worst thing is I just feel like I want it to go away again and as I've learnt before the worst thing to do is fight it.....

Alex_Aardvark Acknowledging my anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hey there. I've suffered from anxiety my whole life, but I'm only now realising this to the full extent. I've had anxiety in many situations, some are under control now (sexual, social) and some are not (work, chronic pain, sleep). I'm 24, male. I al... View more

Hey there. I've suffered from anxiety my whole life, but I'm only now realising this to the full extent. I've had anxiety in many situations, some are under control now (sexual, social) and some are not (work, chronic pain, sleep). I'm 24, male. I always had ambitions, but now I'm realising that if I'd just kept doing what I was doing, I wouldn't survive having a lot of responsibility at work (and/or having kids). Right now I'm learning to accept that and putting my own mental health ahead of my career goals. I've started getting treatment. Looking for other people like me to talk to.

Return_to_happiness Newbie to the group suffering long term anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, i have been stalking these forums for a long time and have finally built up the confidence to post. I have been a long time anxiety sufferer with some really good bouts in between a few really bad ones. I am 36 and a mum of 2 with a very... View more

Hi everyone, i have been stalking these forums for a long time and have finally built up the confidence to post. I have been a long time anxiety sufferer with some really good bouts in between a few really bad ones. I am 36 and a mum of 2 with a very supportive husband. I work part time in a job I love and have a reasonable stable life. For the past six months, I have really been suffering, and struggle to understand why. I have been seeing a psychiatrist for five years and am on a mixture of meds. Generalised anxiety and depression but things just don't feel right. I am not respnonding great to medications. I just feel like I'm running in circles. I've had heaps of blood test which were all great and now we are beginning to look a hormones as I have always has issues at 'that time of the month'. In the past 6 months I have lost over 10 kg, and I was not overweight. I feel like we (myself, GP and psychiatrist) are missing something but then is that just the anxiety talking? I'm frightened. I can't continue on this way. My anxiety makes me angry, and that's why I will keep fighting. I know there I see light at the end, but I just can't see it. Putting these feelings in writing is huge for me but I know that you are all out there to offer support. Thanks for reading

STR Jumping to quick into my career
  • replies: 1

I think I'm starting to regret my career choice, and I don't know if I'm just in need of a break or if my job is not right for me. I think I jumped too quickly and that I was just 'ticking the boxes' because I ended up in a law degree. How do I know ... View more

I think I'm starting to regret my career choice, and I don't know if I'm just in need of a break or if my job is not right for me. I think I jumped too quickly and that I was just 'ticking the boxes' because I ended up in a law degree. How do I know if I'm in the right place? I'm employed as a paralegal in a boutique law firm in Sydney. I've been employed at this firm for approximately 2 years. I was admitted as a solicitor in NSW last year but because I felt I wasn't ready to practice, I have not obtained my practicing certificate. I was employed almost immediately after graduation, but I had never had any prior experience during my time studying so even to this day I feel like everything is very new. A law degree wasn't even my first choice when finishing high school. The uni course I ended up in, I didn't even remember selecting - and rightly so it was apparently my 7th choice at the time. I wanted to get into graphic design. I enjoyed learning about the law but even to this day I struggled to see how I would fit into the profession. I don't have the 'common sense' that lawyers do. Approximately 8 months ago one of the solicitors, who I had the most contact with and heavily relied on for guidance resigned without proper communication and I feel like I am still adjusting to this change. I feel like I don't know what I'm doing half the time but I'm expected that I should know. Because the change was so sudden, a lot of the roles got switched around. A lot of the administrative things that the previous solicitor did was given to me and I had to learn everything on my own. I felt like there wasn't anyone to seek help from. I'm now struggling to understand what's expected of me and I loathe going to work. Things I thought were done correctly are not and (I suppose rightly so because I should have just asked for help) I'm getting called up on it. My heads a mess right now. It has been since probably April and it's affecting my sleep and my appetite. My brain won't 'shutdown' and then it keeps replaying everything I've done and need to do like a record. I feel like I'm being ungrateful because unlike so many other law graduates I was lucky enough to get employed straight away. I also thought I was enjoying what I was done doing. But now I can't seem to stop thinking about anything work related, I'm stressing out, my head is a mess and I'm making mistakes that I don't realise until later. How do I know what I should be doing?

austin0095 Anxiety - Can't leave my house
  • replies: 6

I've been diagnosed with an underlying anxiety disorder and severe depression, meds help a lot but in the past couple of weeks they've not worked so great and I'm currently upping my dose by about half. Today I had a day off work and I've wanted to g... View more

I've been diagnosed with an underlying anxiety disorder and severe depression, meds help a lot but in the past couple of weeks they've not worked so great and I'm currently upping my dose by about half. Today I had a day off work and I've wanted to go into the city particularly Newtown to buy more clothes to wear etc. and I'm still here, at home, at 12:00pm because I'm too uncomfortable and stressed to leave my house. I put this down to not having anything to wear, as I've been looking through my clothes for the past hour, i feel so dumb writing this out. This doesn't happen everyday and I just get so stressed out and feel very very self conscious, staring in the mirror, looking at the time, giving up then thinking "I've gotta find SOMETHING" but ultimately i can't and i end up laying back in bed feeling so ridiculous that i can't pull myself together and throw something on. I keep thinking of how i look, how people will see me, if i'll look exactly how i want to, i am a complete perfectionist but usually i can get over this but today i couldn't and i feel like crying, i deep down hate how i look and thats fine but i really wish i didn't care so much, i'm just so down on myself and i can't bare leaving the house not feeling i look a tiny bit good. I don't know how to break the cycle.