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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Feelinganxious The day after an anxiety attack - help?
  • replies: 1

Hi Everyone, Really hoping someone can help me please! Just a quick bit of background. I am 24. I have had anxiety since 15 and was incredibly depressed/suicidal/self harming from about 18-21. The depression is minimal although the anxiety is definit... View more

Hi Everyone, Really hoping someone can help me please! Just a quick bit of background. I am 24. I have had anxiety since 15 and was incredibly depressed/suicidal/self harming from about 18-21. The depression is minimal although the anxiety is definitely in full force (daily!). I also have an alcohol problem, not to large scales but when I want to have 6,7,8 or 9 beers on a weeknight (once a week) nothing can stop me! I have an amazing boyfriend, an absolute angel who knows the ins and outs of my brain and who supports me and helps me through every anxious moment. The situation: last night I was with my boyfriend, he basically told me not to have any more beers and of course that sent me off. Initially I was strong willed, rude and horrible, telling him I wanted to go home and that he needs to stop controlling me. After the desire for another beer subsided. I crumbled and had a full anxiety attack. He consoled me for an hour and a half and we went to sleep. This morning, I'm not sure how to feel. I sent him this message, as it was the only way I could verbalise my feelings and I was hoping someone could answer it, PLEASE!!!! "I'm just not sure how I'm meant to react today, the day after. Do I sit here and feel down and upset about how I spoke to you last night and how I would have made you feel? Or, do I try and be happy and positive and separate myself from the anxiety and realise that I had an episode last night but it shouldn't consume me today. But then I would feel guilty for being happy when I know I would have made you sad!" PLEASE HELP ME!!!! I'm so tired of this cycle happening every 2-3 weeks

Livvy2511 Can someone please help me, I have no idea what is going on.
  • replies: 5

Hi to whoever is reading this. I hope you reply. So I have recently gotten into a fight with my mom, (I am under 15), and I have been living with my dad for about a week with no form of communication to my mother, (my parents are separated). Today I ... View more

Hi to whoever is reading this. I hope you reply. So I have recently gotten into a fight with my mom, (I am under 15), and I have been living with my dad for about a week with no form of communication to my mother, (my parents are separated). Today I called her and started yelling and screaming and I was out of control. I was so angry and upset and confused, all of these emotions were running through me. I still feel this way. I was shaking and crying while my mum was yelling at me. I felt so horrible inside like I had a million butterflies in my stomach and I still feel it now. At the moment I am shaking and my feeling are like numb. If that makes any sense. I have no idea what is going on. I started to research what is going on and this can up. So I thought I could write this so someone could tell me what to do. I'm not sure if I have anxiety or depression or whether I am just freakin crazy. This is all very new to me. I have been feeling down over the past couple of months and I have thought/done self harm. I know it's not right. On the phone, my mum said there is something wrong with me and that I should go see the school councelor. I felt so horrible after she said that. My befriend, is dealing with depression and get mom has it too. The thing is, I try and everyone tries to help her, and she's practically fine, but no-one knows about me and how I feel. I just wish everyone knew but I don't want to sound like a fake attention seeker. I don't know what to do. Can someone please help me or tell me what to do?? Thanks ❤

gel i feel there is no cure
  • replies: 4

genetically born with social anxiety. only 20 yrs old. extrovert stuck in introvert body. physically can't handle social situations so I avoid them because it messes me up more. If i don't sociallise and stay home, I hate myself for not socialising, ... View more

genetically born with social anxiety. only 20 yrs old. extrovert stuck in introvert body. physically can't handle social situations so I avoid them because it messes me up more. If i don't sociallise and stay home, I hate myself for not socialising, but if I was to socialise I hate myself for socialising because I couldnt be who I wanted to be and physically couldnt cope, talk and in so much distress and everything gets worse and the cycle repeats. Constant Anxiety whether at home or not. Anxiety symptoms if I go out: puffy eyes, grey whites of eyes, sore eyes, watery eyes, faint, gonna pass out, extreme dizzy, feel physically ill, dry mouth, physically cant talk sometimes, literally CAN NOT sociallise when I long to and wish to and want to but physical symptoms come and i literally physically can not no matter how much I need/want to. So I cant see a psychologist because I literally can not communicate my problems plus its genetic so I have nothing to talk about to find the issue and socialising like that would make it worse no matter how many times I went. For the last 2 years Ive been going to the doctor for it. Recently developed depression from going to doctors because nothing was working and I'll never be better because there is NO cure. tried SSRI, MAOI, antipsychotics, benzo's, and nothing works at all. WHAT CAN I DO?? IM WASTING AWAY WORTHLESS WITH NO LIFE, HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO DO THIS FOR? HOW COME NO ONE ELSE HAS TO GO THROUGH THIS TO LIVE JUST 1 DAY.

Jon_Smith Compare Anxiety Attack Symptoms!
  • replies: 9

Hi, I'm like to know of what I experience is "normal" for someone wiht anxiety and depression. Do other people have a similar experience, do I have it easy/hard compared to others, and what can I learn from how other people handle these attacks? So h... View more

Hi, I'm like to know of what I experience is "normal" for someone wiht anxiety and depression. Do other people have a similar experience, do I have it easy/hard compared to others, and what can I learn from how other people handle these attacks? So here's what happens to me and I'd love some comments on other people's experiences. I get a 5-10 second warning because it feels like my blood pressure plummets, my head spins and I feel faint. Then I get the gripping, terrifying fear in my chest and wave(s) of nausea in my stomach. There is a super strong sense of deja vu and it usually relates to my messed up childhood. It may last for anywhere from 10 - 60 seconds. When it finishes I really struggle to refocus, and often forget pieces of what's been going on the last few hours.

Lou1971 Anxiety ruining my life
  • replies: 4

7 weeks ago I came off opioids I had been on for 3 years and my depression and anxiety went out of control. I suffered both before coming off meds but not this debilitating. The physical symptoms r the worse fast heart rate, nausea , churning in stom... View more

7 weeks ago I came off opioids I had been on for 3 years and my depression and anxiety went out of control. I suffered both before coming off meds but not this debilitating. The physical symptoms r the worse fast heart rate, nausea , churning in stomach, feeling like there is something more wrong with me, chest pains, extreme fatigue , tingling under skin, shaking inside and out. I have just been put on some other medication it will b 3 weeks this Thursday but am not feeling anything yet. I have an awful sense of doom and gloom and find no joy in anything, I just want the days to b over so I can sleep and not feel these sensations but morning is worst it's all there again ready to give me another day of hell. I think everyday is my last as I feel like I'm dying inside. I never knew anxiety could b this bad. I get scared of doing too much as I think my body won't cope and I'll die. Any feedback would b appreciated.

Tim992 Anxiety physical symptoms
  • replies: 6

Hi there i wanted to check if there was anyone experiencing physical symtomps to myself. I have been told by my gp that all symtopms i felt in the last 6 months are the result of anxiety, and i dont want to go back just to hear the same thing and fee... View more

Hi there i wanted to check if there was anyone experiencing physical symtomps to myself. I have been told by my gp that all symtopms i felt in the last 6 months are the result of anxiety, and i dont want to go back just to hear the same thing and feel like i wasted their time. i experience these almost jolts, or what feel like flicks, in the back of my neck. It makes more of a thud or crunch npose rather than a click and occurs when im still at random times, it doesnt correlate to movement. Ive also noticed something similair to globus sensation, but rather than clicking when i swallow, its more that if i leave it there for a while there will be a loud click as if the pressure has crescendoed. i have been checking anxiety forums for anyone describing these symtopms and have not found anyone describing something like this. i really just want some reassurance that it is a result of anxiety so i know ive just got to deal with it myself. Thanks

Stormgrl101 WORRY/ANXIETY/PANIC
  • replies: 4

So I have gotten myself in a bit of a state. I have intense feelings that something BAAAD has happened. All because of the fact I sent my father a message asking what days he is working this week and he has 'seen' it but not replied. Usually he is pr... View more

So I have gotten myself in a bit of a state. I have intense feelings that something BAAAD has happened. All because of the fact I sent my father a message asking what days he is working this week and he has 'seen' it but not replied. Usually he is pretty quick to respond or sometimes he forgets to push send but I am adamant something has happened to one of my family members which is why he is choosing not to respond to me yet. I saw on a Police News post yesterday about a car crash happening and I am scared it may have been my brother. Of course there are many other people living in this city but I am so worried that it is him. I can't ask anyone in case its just nothing and I am overreacting for no reason. I have been sobbing and now don't know what to do. Does anyone else assume the worst thing has happened and how do you deal with it?? Is there anything to help this like should I mention to my psychiatrist or psychologist when I see them next?

Nervybella Anyone have experience with phobia of driving?
  • replies: 14

Hi im a 20 (nearly 21) year old who doesn't have a driving license. When I turned 16 and got my Ls I wasn't in a very good head space, but I didn't know it then. i though it was normal how I reacted/was at the time but looking back now I see that's a... View more

Hi im a 20 (nearly 21) year old who doesn't have a driving license. When I turned 16 and got my Ls I wasn't in a very good head space, but I didn't know it then. i though it was normal how I reacted/was at the time but looking back now I see that's around the time my mental health declined majorly for the first time. I am absolutely terrified of driving, I only got about an hour of my learners before I started having panic attacks. Even to this day I will have a panic attack if someone mentions me driving/I think about driving etc my friends be family don't understand how I can be so afraid...I'm wondering if it's strong enough to be a phobia??? coming up to my 21st a lot of people are telling me to go for my license. But I just can't. It makes my physically ill to even think about it. i have managed to live my life so far without a car and believe that I will continue to survive without one. i would like to hear if anyone else has a similar story and if anyone older than me has lived their life without a car/license?? thanks Bella

RedRose123 Should I feel guilty or is it my anxiety talking?
  • replies: 4

Hi this might sound silly but I feel really anxious and I just need a unbiased opinion on something... my mums washing machine has broken and long story short it will be a few weeks/months before we can get her a new one. I feel very anxious and guil... View more

Hi this might sound silly but I feel really anxious and I just need a unbiased opinion on something... my mums washing machine has broken and long story short it will be a few weeks/months before we can get her a new one. I feel very anxious and guilty right now because she came over to use mine today, which was ok. But she mentioned coming over every Saturday to wash and I said as nicely as I could that since she is at my sisters house several times a week (to see my nephew/her grandson) couldn't she put a load on once/twice a week there (one load a week covers her washing easy) and my sister doesn't mind (I ended up asking my sister because my mum seems to be under the impression that she wouldn't be ok with that, because she has to wash the babies things etc). But she doesn't mind. And I also said it will save her driving back and forth here every week. She is on limited income and she'd just be wasting petrol coming here when she already goes to my sisters. My mum got upset at this. If I was her only option I would have let her use mine even though I struggle greatly with anxiety (GAD and SA) and depression and really need time at home where I can just be by myself and try to get some things done. I feel bad because I think she took it as I don't want you here and it's not what I meant. She has bipolar and is not easy to be around at all but it isn't what I meant. If her only option was to come here I would have just agreed, but going to my sisters makes more sense then coming here. I feel guilty because even though I would have let her come here, I am really glad I'm not the only option; because with my anxiety disorders I need time to myself, she stresses me out a lot, she doesn't respect my needs etc. I feel like I can't function now after she was here due to what happened. I can't have her here every week when it's not a necessity. I'll never get a thing done. I'm already so stressed all the time. But I feel like I'm being selfish. But then I'm like but it makes more sense for her to do it at my sisters. Sorry I'm rambling a bit. I just feel terrible. thoughts?

tw2324 Social anxiety
  • replies: 5

I am 27 years old and I feel like I have no friends. I have always been very shy but I feel that ever since I finished school so long ago I have struggled to make lasting friendships. It is getting worse as I get older. I get nervous and tongue tied ... View more

I am 27 years old and I feel like I have no friends. I have always been very shy but I feel that ever since I finished school so long ago I have struggled to make lasting friendships. It is getting worse as I get older. I get nervous and tongue tied whenever I speak to people now because I feel as if they will just think I am a weird loser (which I have been called before) with nothing interesting to say. I have no social life at all, I go to work and I go home. I never have interesting things to say on a conversation because I don't do anything. I don't like to leave the house because I get anxious that people will look at me and think I am ugly or that I will do something embarrassing that someone will see. I have never had a long term boyfriend because I have such low self esteem and honestly I find it very difficult to talk to boys. The last time I went on a date was when I was about 20. I feel so immature compared to other girls my age that I know own who have lots of friends and long term relationships. I've lived out of home twice now only to come back because I feel like myself around my family and they actually like me. I have started a new job a week ago where I am living in a remote area working at a fancy hotel. A friend of mine got me this job after I wanted a change. Already i feel like my housemates think I am weird because I am quiet, that I won't succeed here and that I should just go back to my old job and my family. All I want is to be "normal". But I have recently accepted the fact that I will probably be going through the rest of my life by myself. I'm sorry this post is probably incoherent and all over the place. I find it hard to express myself. I am just scared that I am retreating into myself and that I am not making any effort to try and change things because it's easier not too. I like being alone but I get lonely sometimes. I wish I could talk to people who have similar issues to me and who get me and accept me. I just want to make friends that I can be myself around and not have to fake it all the time.