Immediate support
Immediate support

Anxiety

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with anxiety.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

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

Start a discussion

DPK Breakdown at work...What to do?
  • replies: 6

5 months ago I was promoted to a higher up position covering a maternity leave contract... I have found it incredibly stressful and am struggling to keep on top of the workload. I barely sleep through the night and am constantly on edge. I have decid... View more

5 months ago I was promoted to a higher up position covering a maternity leave contract... I have found it incredibly stressful and am struggling to keep on top of the workload. I barely sleep through the night and am constantly on edge. I have decided I want to return to my nominal role. I had a meeting with my boss where I broke down and requested to go back... he was supportive and said he would make enquiries about whether I could go back to my old role and when. I am in an absolute panic about this decision... how bad it will look... how I've let everyone down I don't know how to handle this.

Bulletin_Board_Archive Fear of being sick :((
  • replies: 34

Originally posted by: Angel on 15 February 2013Hi there, my name is angel, i am female and i am 22. This is been the first time I am writing about my issue and it is very hard to admit. I have a severe phobia. That is of being sick. Not just getting ... View more

Originally posted by: Angel on 15 February 2013Hi there, my name is angel, i am female and i am 22. This is been the first time I am writing about my issue and it is very hard to admit. I have a severe phobia. That is of being sick. Not just getting sick like cold or flu, but nausea and throwing up. I don't know where this phobia came from but it has plagued my life for the past 5 years. I constantly have anxiety after I eat a meal. I convince myself I'm going to throw it up. My mind convinces me that I am and I start getting hardcore nausea. I won't even be sick, but I will think about it so much I ACTUALLY think I'm going to throw up. My chest tightens, I can't breathe, I start shivering and shaking and my heart races. I have to take benzodiazepines to calm down from the thoughts. i avoid social situations as MUCH as I can in case I feel like throwing up. I eat one meal a day and the smallest bit and I convince myself that there's no way I could throw up if my stomachs empty. I feel so ashamed to have this phobia. Nobody knows. No one. Not a single soul. I beat myself up at work after I eat even the smallest thing. I dont eat breakfast in case i am going to throw up on the train ride to work. im constantly taking tablets (to stop nausea) because I have nausea EVERY SINGLE MIN of the day and night. I am so physically and mentally drained. I want the psychotic thoughts about vomiting to stop. I feel like there is a devil in my head that does this to me, even if i go one SECOND and busy myself with something else, it will creep up on me Again. and again and again. This phobia is so severe I am so drained I want to kill myself just to stop the thoughts and fear. From the second I wake up to the second I fall asleep I'm fearing I'm going to vomit. I wake up in the middle of the night from anxiety and i think omg what if i throw up right now? its making me insane actually insane. I'm always so hungry but I torture myself so much about being sick that I don't touch food. :( is there anyone else out there like this? I feel like an alien. How can someone obsess over something so normal to the human being? Please someone help me. Is this a normal phobia?...?... i don't even know where to start for help because I am SO ashamed and embarrassed to have this phobia. Whoever has been so kind to read this please don't think I am a freak, I'm just in desperate need of help I don't know what to do Any thoughts will be appreciated xx

Rhu Anxiety and work
  • replies: 9

Hi all, I started a new full time job this year, and I've been struggling to keep up with the workload and have been underperforming badly. I often feel spaced out and overwhelmed, and my senior colleagues keep having to tell me off for the same matt... View more

Hi all, I started a new full time job this year, and I've been struggling to keep up with the workload and have been underperforming badly. I often feel spaced out and overwhelmed, and my senior colleagues keep having to tell me off for the same matter over and over again. Now my boss has told me if I fail to improve in the next month, I'm going to lose my job. I've been having anxiety issues and low mood for several weeks, which affects my performance at work, and this has contributed to my stress and anxiety levels. I often feel miserable or ready to burst into tears at the slightest mistake, and I'm terrified of losing my job or having a breakdown. Anyone have advise on how to deal with this?

MissBenthos Food addiction
  • replies: 5

Hi all, I recently listened to a Hack episode on triple j about food addiction. It really resonated with me. It seems addiction is associated with drugs, alcohol and gambling and no one talks about the possibilities of being addicted to other things ... View more

Hi all, I recently listened to a Hack episode on triple j about food addiction. It really resonated with me. It seems addiction is associated with drugs, alcohol and gambling and no one talks about the possibilities of being addicted to other things so it never occurred to me that I could have a food addiction. I knew I had a problem with food but I never seemed to meet the criteria for an eating disorder. I remember explaining food concerns to my psych and thinking back on it she was asking questions to see if I might have an eating disorder but not an addiction. And another time she asked about my coping strategies, one of them I explained was food, she told me this was good. Was it really? I have been fairly well lately and not relying so much on food these days but still overeat on bad days.

happyannie Anxiety overload
  • replies: 2

I have agoraphobia really bad the thought of leaving the house makes me feel sick, I get all shaky, tight chest and a extreme feeling of dread. Today I have to leave the house because I have an appointment with the sleep doctor, because I have sleep ... View more

I have agoraphobia really bad the thought of leaving the house makes me feel sick, I get all shaky, tight chest and a extreme feeling of dread. Today I have to leave the house because I have an appointment with the sleep doctor, because I have sleep apnea. Its also making me anxious because I havent been to this place before, the unknown makes me feel ill. Even writing this post Im shaking. I was wondering if anyone has some tips for helping me get through this feeling. Thanx Annie

McCraggen Health anxiety
  • replies: 5

After a bout of illness recently it has triggered my health anxiety quite badly, has anyone got any ideas how to wrangle these feelings and thoughts back under control? Im 33 and male, have had a slew of tests done and all come back normal (apart fro... View more

After a bout of illness recently it has triggered my health anxiety quite badly, has anyone got any ideas how to wrangle these feelings and thoughts back under control? Im 33 and male, have had a slew of tests done and all come back normal (apart from ross river) Cheers!

Elizabeth CP Advice wanted to deal with stressful situations to reduce anxiety & its negative effects
  • replies: 21

I thought I was doing much better but while on a recent holiday I had a couple of stressful experiences which led to anxiety & my response seemed to make the situation worse. I tried discussing this with my psych yesterday but we didn't come up with ... View more

I thought I was doing much better but while on a recent holiday I had a couple of stressful experiences which led to anxiety & my response seemed to make the situation worse. I tried discussing this with my psych yesterday but we didn't come up with anything I felt would help. He tried to reassure me that my response was normal given my previous history including PTSD. We arrived at the airport after almost 24 hrs of travelling without sleep. Our luggage was lost. I had to report the loss which took ages & was stressful. By the time I arrived at the ship (we were going on a cruise) I felt really unwell sick, bloated, headache & all the symptoms of acute gastro. These physical symptoms left as soon as the luggage arrived 24 hrs later so was definitely caused by anxiety rather than a physical illness. The next day I walked into town to try to buy essentials including sunscreen & hat. I did think I should buy one spare set of clothes to tide me over but when I got to the shops I couldn't face looking for clothes to purchase. I eventually found sunscreen but gave up on everything else I needed. I returned to the ship feeling a complete failure. Any normal person would have been able to walk into the shops & buy what they needed. I seem to get overwhelmed when I feel things are out of control and seem to struggle in busy crowded places. Hot summer weather were there is a risk of getting sunburnt is a PTSD trigger for me hence sunscreen & sunhat were essentials! The other situation I faced was at another port were we were delayed getting into port so the planned excursion was cancelled. As I expected to spend the time on the excursion I hadn't worried about researching the port & had no cash on me. On arrival at the port we were inundated by people offering different tours but all required cash & a decision needed to be made immediately so no chance to get to bank & take money out. I couldn't cope with the crowds & felt overwhelmed & unable to think clearly enough to make logical plans. In the end I took off & walked out of town feeling like a failure because my behaviour was sabotaging any chance of making the best of the situation. It was like I was saying my plans have been ruined so I'll make sure I have a terrible time & spoil it for my husband as well!!! The angry, overwhelmed feelings dominated me. I can't change what happened on those days but I need to find ways to manage my anxiety better in the future when faced with other stressful situations.

Tobik Panic Attacks due to Work Related Travel & being away from partner.
  • replies: 4

Hi all, Earlier this February I have been given the opportunity to work oversees for 2-3 months as part of a work exchange program at my workplace. I keep hearing how fast this time will go by, but when I break it down to the many lonely, cold days i... View more

Hi all, Earlier this February I have been given the opportunity to work oversees for 2-3 months as part of a work exchange program at my workplace. I keep hearing how fast this time will go by, but when I break it down to the many lonely, cold days in a foreign country by myself away from my partner, I hardly think the time will fly. Having been in a very happy and loving relationship for over 4 years now, I was reluctant to take this opportunity. Both my partner and I are very dependant on one another emotionally and don't cope well after a week of separation (even days). Having shown that reluctance at once, management were willing to go for the 2 months offer and I basically left the meeting feeling like I had no choice in the matter. I have to add, I am quite an introvert attempting to behave like an extrovert and playing the leadership role because that's where my career is naturally leading me. In addition I work in a company of very aspiring individuals many of whom would jump at the opportunity, but many of whom wouldn't. When the time to book flights finally came, a few days later I told my manager that I have been feeling really distressed about the matter and would like to cancel the trip. I didn't tell my manager that I have been experiencing really bad panic attacks consisting of shortness of breath, racing heart and nights full of tears and insomnia. As a result another coworker went in my place this time and I am now expected to go at the end of the year in place of her, having been told to think about, that I might regret not going and that I should be thinking of this as an 'award'. Well in fact this feels more like punishment than an award. Either way, following further discussions with my partner we made a decision for me to go there for the sake of a career only I am not really sure where I want my career to be in 5-10 years... At this point, cancelling this trip again is embarrassing, yet ever since the news was given to me in Feb, I have not stopped getting panic attacks. It's been two months and there's 5 more to go. I feel like a weak-minded, insecure person unable to make myself heard and too embarrassed to cancel the trip yet again. I can't tell if I've got actual anxiety issues, separation issues or whatever else is causing me to feel this way. I have tried to stay positive and tell myself that it's ridiculous to feel this way. Any advice would be appreciated.

Jeck87 Anxiety! How to get back on the bandwagon again?
  • replies: 8

Hi all Anxiety is fairly new to me (I've had my new friend for approx 17 months) I've managed to get it under control for the past eight months, the months before, I was concentrating on gettinf better. A few stressful events over the last 5 months a... View more

Hi all Anxiety is fairly new to me (I've had my new friend for approx 17 months) I've managed to get it under control for the past eight months, the months before, I was concentrating on gettinf better. A few stressful events over the last 5 months and now on holidays has seen my anxiety spike again! I feel like all the positive and rewarding effort I put in over the last 17 months, I've lost faith in.... that they will not work anymore (eg. Positive thinking, taking natural products and just a general positive mindset) I'm finding it quite difficult to pull myself back out of the cycle again. Any suggestions out there?

Louisiana11 Anxiety and work issues
  • replies: 3

Hello all, this is my first post here! I am a full time uni student who recently requestsed more part time hours added to my work contract. As my anxiety and depression have been under control for quite some time and I thought I could handle it with ... View more

Hello all, this is my first post here! I am a full time uni student who recently requestsed more part time hours added to my work contract. As my anxiety and depression have been under control for quite some time and I thought I could handle it with the extra hours came more demands than I expected and now I'm back in the pit. I can sleep, my anxiety has fully taken hold again. to me uni is my number 1 priority, so I know I need to ask for a reduction in my working hours. now I'm stuck in this awful head space, I'm terrified of asking for a reduction in my shifts incase they don't take it well, but I can't keep living like this as it's effecting everything in my life if anyone could help me out, that would just be amazing thanks