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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amalee78 Health anxiety
  • replies: 4

I have suffered from extreme health anxiety since 4 years ago when I had a benign rumour removed from my adrenal gland, the operation went wrong and I almost died. A year later they found a very small tumour on my other adrenal gland and while I have... View more

I have suffered from extreme health anxiety since 4 years ago when I had a benign rumour removed from my adrenal gland, the operation went wrong and I almost died. A year later they found a very small tumour on my other adrenal gland and while I have been told it is stable and just needs to be watched I live in constant fear of cancer and death. I also have to have an endoscopy this year because there is a chance I have Crohn's disease, but again, I live in constant fear of cancer and death. its becoming exhausting and overwhelming. I keep telling myself I've been told I'm ok and I try mindfulness activities a and meditation, but every day is so difficult living with a constant feeling of doom and dread - especially since I have 3 kids and one is only 10 weeks old. I can't shake the feeling I'm going to die and leave them . i guess I'm hoping if I verbalise my fears it will erase them slightly. Does anyone else feel similar or have some tips or suggestions for me?

Yora Panic attacks?
  • replies: 3

Hi. New here. So I think I've been having panic attacks. Sometimes they are full on and fast (over with in a few minutes)and other times they fluctuate between horrible and not too bad over the course of several hours. My chest feels tight,my heart b... View more

Hi. New here. So I think I've been having panic attacks. Sometimes they are full on and fast (over with in a few minutes)and other times they fluctuate between horrible and not too bad over the course of several hours. My chest feels tight,my heart beats that hard I can hear and feel it, I can't breathe, my throat, neck and shoulders tense up, I lose the ability to control my tongue (talking becomes extremely difficult) and I feel like Im dying. Sometimes I think it happens when I'm asleep but even though I wake up I can't move and that makes me panic more. These started in earnest about 4 months ago while I was moving house. I was okay for a while but recent events have set them off again. I've always been high strung, but have gotten worse over the last few years. I went through a very difficult breakup and now I'm raising 2 kids by myself. I'm working 2 jobs and will be starting a third next week. My son was recently diagnosed with autism. He also has global developmental delay. Early last week I just hit the wall. I'm having issues with one of my jobs (the one I really can't afford to lose) Even with 3 jobs it will be a struggle this year. My ex came to visit the kids with fresh track marks the other day (so I've got that to contend with) Then there's the every day stuff that just gets too much. It really shouldn't be hard but it is. Getting the housework done and working kids appointments around work should be basic scheduling but something always goes wrong. I ended up in tears at work. I've never done that before. I just needed help with something and when I realised my only option was to deal with it myself I broke down even though I've been doing it myself for years anyway. It seems like every time I get a moment to myself I spend it crying. The panic attacks are frightening me and I know I need to go to the doctor but I don't know what to say or what I should even say I need. Just the thought of having to schedule a doctors appointment around work and the kids activities and the things that could go wrong at work to stop me getting there is enough to set off a panic attack (isn't it ironic) Any advice on what to tell the doctor or how to juggle everything efficiently would be great. Thanks.

hoya hoya
  • replies: 5

hello im new on here but have suffered GAD and depression for 20 years now aged 70 I want to feel happier. I want to know do others spend hours in bed and suffer nausea . Illness worries me, does any one else suffer this way or am I just being silly.... View more

hello im new on here but have suffered GAD and depression for 20 years now aged 70 I want to feel happier. I want to know do others spend hours in bed and suffer nausea . Illness worries me, does any one else suffer this way or am I just being silly.I also suffer with agraphobia and find it very difficult to leave home even with my husband , who I am afraid does not understand why am am the way I am , he is good to me but allows me to lay in bed when I know I should be up doing things. Just to know if others suffer the same way will; make me feel so much better, thank you for your time.

Zeffy *Insert Title to entice people to read about my anxiety here*
  • replies: 3

Hey guys, First time posting, feels weird doing it actually. I've never really spoken about the topic much, but its gotten to the stage where I needed to put my thoughts 'to paper' per say. I'll get the formalities out of the way, I'm in my mid 20's ... View more

Hey guys, First time posting, feels weird doing it actually. I've never really spoken about the topic much, but its gotten to the stage where I needed to put my thoughts 'to paper' per say. I'll get the formalities out of the way, I'm in my mid 20's and I seem to be experiencing some sort of anxiety. I don't know where to start, I suppose the beginning will suffice. Years ago I remember experiencing bouts of dizziness and general nervousness for no good reason, this was quickly dismissed and all seemed to go back to normal. However over the past year I've noticed a real change which seems to be getting worse. My symptoms include: - Occasionally small panic attacks but not frequent - Often scared of dying/losing what I have,(My cousin recently got diagnosed with terminal cancer which may have been a trigger) - On a similar note to above, I'm often thinking I've got some sort of disease. This started off as a passing thought but is becoming more frequent and concerning. Also the dreaded 'what if' e.g what if I do have cancer and every mere second that passes my body is being overcome by a horde of murderous cells. - Finally the one that disturbs me the most is a sort of detachment from reality. I've always been a bit of a thinker, but my thoughts seem to overwhelm themselves, I don't feel completely 'present' for lack of a better term. I'm rather worried I'm going crazy. With this being said, I can still function day to day and try to maintain a good sense of humor. However I work in a job where Mental Health issues may be a set back, due to the type of work I do. I suppose I don't really want to talk to friends and family as I know they've got their own problems and they often look to me as the rock and I don't want to rob them of that. I also feel quite guilty/ashamed, as I mentioned earlier my cousin doesn't have too long left and here I am worrying about myself. I guess I'm worried because I don't know whats happening, how to fix it or if it will even get better. Argh, such hard hitting questions haha. As I said I think I needed to write this down so it makes more sense to me, but if you have any advice or even your own personal story, it would be awesome to hear!

notbroken1971 Anxiety and my battle.
  • replies: 1

Well its the same old story, partner goes away and anxiety spikes through the roof. Have tried keeping myself busy and loading up the calendar for a week, its the night times that get me the most when i lay there and try to switch off. So i try to go... View more

Well its the same old story, partner goes away and anxiety spikes through the roof. Have tried keeping myself busy and loading up the calendar for a week, its the night times that get me the most when i lay there and try to switch off. So i try to go working on something until midnight and then sleep straight away and be so tired i cant stay awake. Not sustainable i know. I feel bad because what i am dealing with is nothing compared to what i read here so i feel silly. I am focusing on the end of the week and the good times then...the body urge to 'run'becomes overwhelming. What do others do? Need some advice here.

J23 Anxiety
  • replies: 3

Is there any help you can get that comes to you if you're that bad that leaving the house is not an option

Is there any help you can get that comes to you if you're that bad that leaving the house is not an option

Mystery_Belle Study - My main trigger
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I'm currently sitting on my couch pretty much unable to move from a feeling I can't describe. I know I have to move either to the kitchen table to a cafe to get started on an assignment due tomorrow. But once again the fear is creeping i... View more

Hi everyone, I'm currently sitting on my couch pretty much unable to move from a feeling I can't describe. I know I have to move either to the kitchen table to a cafe to get started on an assignment due tomorrow. But once again the fear is creeping in and I just can't start. I've had 5 weeks to work on it and I am now telling myself yet again it is not worth it, I'm not smart enough, Don't both. I just can't do it. Anyone have any tips or words of wisdom. I'm frozen and don't know what to do. Thanks

To_be_FREE Worst case scenarios
  • replies: 5

HI there, this is my first post but really wanted to ask if anyone else feels this way: I have had anxiety and PTSD for a few years, and have done the whole meds, psych, hypnotherapy etc... but nothing really helps. This last week my son has been hav... View more

HI there, this is my first post but really wanted to ask if anyone else feels this way: I have had anxiety and PTSD for a few years, and have done the whole meds, psych, hypnotherapy etc... but nothing really helps. This last week my son has been having a lot of nosebleeds, and instead of thinking logical things I have convinced myself he has leukemia. Logically though I know the chances are ridiculously small but I have almost lost him a couple of times (he has special needs) and I just cant seem to control my imagination. I imagine all the amazing crazy wrong things that can happen in every scenario. So I have to wait up till 2am sometimes and exhausted because I cant go to sleep without thinking these terrible thoughts. I get so full of dread and just suffocate in bed. I have to get a really strong distraction. Usually loud netflix on my phone. Im just so over feeling such fear of everything. BUT then Im an emergency responder and when I get called out to a job Im fast, efficient and unphased. Its like my brain waits til it is idle before putting me through these scenarios. And quite frankly nothing has worked and my doctor told me this is just something I will have to live with. And I am so sick of it. I just want to sleep and not think Im going to lose my children or die all the time. I feel like Im wasting my life away Any advice would be appreciated: Thank you and all the best to you all

Susiej depersonalisation and "living in my head"
  • replies: 6

Hi All,im a newbie desperate for some help.Been suffering from pretty bad anxiety for about 4months, I went on an antidepressant about 5 weeks ago which has helped with the physical symptoms but unfortunately I also suffer from depersonalisation and ... View more

Hi All,im a newbie desperate for some help.Been suffering from pretty bad anxiety for about 4months, I went on an antidepressant about 5 weeks ago which has helped with the physical symptoms but unfortunately I also suffer from depersonalisation and I'm basically "living in my head" thinking of every thought and if my mind goes quiet it freaks me out, bascially I don't know how to think or feel normal anymore.im so scared I'm going to go crazy and get schitzofrenia or pyschosis.. Will this ever get better

Moonstruck Anxiety over posting here in Anxiety
  • replies: 1

Here I go again. I am anxious about posting this about Anxiety...exactly what this thread was started for. I still am - so I don't seem to have made much progress do I? You can tell when my anxiety is getting high as I seem to post stuff in all the S... View more

Here I go again. I am anxious about posting this about Anxiety...exactly what this thread was started for. I still am - so I don't seem to have made much progress do I? You can tell when my anxiety is getting high as I seem to post stuff in all the Social places, being light-hearted when I am not!I am too anxious to post in Anxiety you see - how's that for craziness? I wonder what you will think of me? I wonder if the post will remain unanswered - I became afraid that it will remain unanswered, then I will feel worse! I get paranoid and over-think what I will write - what if it's not OK. not good enough? What if it sounds crazy, too crazy to answer or even take seriously.The excessive heat here is getting me down..seriously down. It's affecting my morale something dramatic - I just can't bear it any longer. There is no relief. It's not just physical discomfort - it's like being slowly tortured - being in a hot oven prison I can't escape from. things we love are dying..plants, animals, birds...our very life-force and energy. It's like dying of thirst in a desert. It makes me ill. No one understands.I have things and people who are beautiful. They are beautiful enough to make me "happy". You know what I usually feel when I see how lucky I am to have them - my gorgeous grand children, my family, my friends? I feel sad and scared. Scared that something will happen to them. Or they will stop liking me.The children are so innocent - pain awaits them as they grow older. I cannot prevent pain and bad things happening to them these innocent babies.The more beautiful things and people are in my life...the greater the pain of losing them. The possibility is always there. Perhaps best to have nothing we love, nothing we value, then we can't have the pain of losing it!