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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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Lind779 Insomnia and pregnancy
  • replies: 9

So I'm into my 3rd trimester and anxiety and insomnia has kicked in. I get to sleep eventually only to be woken 45 mins later with heart pulpitations? Is this normal and what did others do to help? I have 11 weeks to go so the thought of having this ... View more

So I'm into my 3rd trimester and anxiety and insomnia has kicked in. I get to sleep eventually only to be woken 45 mins later with heart pulpitations? Is this normal and what did others do to help? I have 11 weeks to go so the thought of having this for that long scares me! Im only getting 2 hrs a night!

Guardian_Angel Living in a constant state of anxiety.
  • replies: 3

I don't have the Characters to completely explain how things come to be this way, but I care for 2 foster boys and I used to care for their big sister. For years we started to have to get counseling for her. but child protection wouldn't let us know ... View more

I don't have the Characters to completely explain how things come to be this way, but I care for 2 foster boys and I used to care for their big sister. For years we started to have to get counseling for her. but child protection wouldn't let us know what was happening in the sessions. She was drinking/taking drugs/having sex and we told child protection about it and they did nothing. After she got to a point where we managed to stop her do inappropriate things (she was age 12). She asked to be removed out of our house and put somewhere else (which they did on the day she was court skipping school so we wouldn't get a chance to tell her of. She has now shut us out completly as if we didn't exist. We had her and her brothers with us from her age 3, there has now been a total breakdown of any control in her life and she is almost 16. Apart from killing someone, I don't know one thing she hasn't been involved in, she has lost every placment she gets by walking out. Now I have been told by child protection, that if I have any contact at all. I will be up on investigation because it will "upset her". She has broken both my and my wife's hearts! But she still gets contact visits with her brothers, so we can't leave the situation behind and move on with our lives. The very thought of possibly bumping into her causes chest pains and I have trouble breathing. I have to hid it for the boy's sake and child protection can't know either or they could just walk in and take the boys from us. I've had counseling and even a couple of sessions with a psychologist. They basically say "get used to it". But I can't stop caring about someone that feels like my daughter being in so bad a situation and not even being allowed to talk to her without the risk of investigation. I just don't know what to do to cope and it's causing all sorts of trouble in my life! Every time I leave the house I watch for her, so we don't go anywhere near her. The conflict is tearing me apart and I don't know how to handle it!

shoulders Strugging with not quiting my new job
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I'll keep it brief, Was let go at my pervious job just before Christmas last year, my wife and I had our first baby in July and being on Centerlink just doesn't cut it... which some of you might know to be true!! I managed to be offer a ... View more

Hi everyone, I'll keep it brief, Was let go at my pervious job just before Christmas last year, my wife and I had our first baby in July and being on Centerlink just doesn't cut it... which some of you might know to be true!! I managed to be offer a new job in Brisbane for and construction company with excellent pay... my problem is.... i'm not sure If want it now...?! I spoke to the boss of the company for the first time via phone as I had some question regarding my employment contact, which he said I can contact him if I had questions, and the tone of his voice... etc.. made me feel dumb for asking!! that's when I started having second thoughts. There is also the issue of having to drive to work every... day... stuck in the traffic as public transport will take much longer then car. Moving not an option as my wife does want to move, want to be close to her mum. I know it a job, and I know it more pay then Centrelink, I'm just sick of felling this way.... my depression / ADD is really playing with my head... i'm just trying not to do something stupid like quite my job before I even started...!! please help if you have an advice... thank you

yungxrapunxl Anxiety and nausea/phobia of vomiting
  • replies: 2

Does anyone else have nausea as the mains symptom of their panic attacks? Because I do and I also have a phobia of vomiting so it turns into a vicious cycle shere I can't calm down. I'm hardly coping and really need strategies to work with this becau... View more

Does anyone else have nausea as the mains symptom of their panic attacks? Because I do and I also have a phobia of vomiting so it turns into a vicious cycle shere I can't calm down. I'm hardly coping and really need strategies to work with this because I can't eat or sleep and feel like I'm losing my mind.

Countrymusicgirl Anxiety and retail?
  • replies: 3

So its been official that I've been diagnosed with generalised anxiety. All my work mates know what's going on, not going to lie about that. My new boss knows I told him what's going on and the warning signs and he is willing to change things around ... View more

So its been official that I've been diagnosed with generalised anxiety. All my work mates know what's going on, not going to lie about that. My new boss knows I told him what's going on and the warning signs and he is willing to change things around for me. But that month of anxiety has turned into generalised anxiety. Its effecting me at work right now, I can't talk to customers without feeling anxious. Being in retail there is commission so I feel anxious not making it. And I give up. The numbers aren't even that high to get. My question is how can I work in retail with anxiety. Is there a possible way of any techniques that will manage my anxiety while talking to customers?

QueenOfSpades Information please
  • replies: 3

I have suffered anxiety for many years now. Last year I experienced a severe mental breakdown and have been recovering from the person it turned me into. I am doing a lot better but there are random days when everything hits again. I was borderline a... View more

I have suffered anxiety for many years now. Last year I experienced a severe mental breakdown and have been recovering from the person it turned me into. I am doing a lot better but there are random days when everything hits again. I was borderline agoraphobic and had a lot of time off work. I discussed every detail with my employer and we cooperated to assist us both in the best way. However, now when I wake up to the terrible feelings of overwhelming panic attacks and complete sadness, I just message them on the company phone to inform them I won't be in that day. I don't want to talk to my partner or family on these days let alone work colleagues or bosses. I physically can't bring myself to communicate in the moment. Different people answer the phone at work each week and I am uncomfortable discussing it with everyone. The confidentiality is seriously lacking with many people there and I don't trust them enough to tell them what they think they're entitled to hear. Legally I know they are not. So I just message in the hope to not deal with that or the hostility some people get with those that do call in sick, as if anything worse needs to be added to a day like those ones. Is there anything I can do to get through to them? Legally or morally? i see it as, at least I am letting them know in some form that I won't be in. I know it's extremely unprofessional and it does look bad, but surely considering the circumstances (that the boss knows every detail) that maybe they would understand a bit. Any advice is appreciated, thankyou everyone.

Lisa2 New to group & I have social anxiety :)
  • replies: 5

Hello everyone, My name is Lisa, I am 24 years old and have recently come to Perth on a working holiday visa. I have been experiencing symptoms of social anxiety since I was in my teens. It became so intrusive in my life I felt completely overwhelmed... View more

Hello everyone, My name is Lisa, I am 24 years old and have recently come to Perth on a working holiday visa. I have been experiencing symptoms of social anxiety since I was in my teens. It became so intrusive in my life I felt completely overwhelmed, exhausted and felt an inability to function normally on a day-to-day basis. I went and got CBT and counselling. It helped me help myself reduce the symptoms and of my anxiety and handle it better. My anxiety is like waves, sometimes it is sky high and sometimes low and manageable. It has not completely gone but now in my life I feel more equipped in addressing my anxiety and help myself keep pushing forward in life. I also have a brother with severe OCD and I can see the effects it is having on his quality of life and causing distress for those who love him. I have joined this group to share my experience with anxiety with others, feel connected to like-minded people and perhaps help others in their journey. Looking forward to connecting with you guys Lisa

Stu-E Whatever this affliction is called i got it....
  • replies: 1

Hi Everyone, Whatever this affliction is called i got it.... I'm suffering severe social anxiety with a fair dash of depression presently, which is weird because i'm usually very adaptable, calm & chatty. I'm currently hiding this issue like a Pro, b... View more

Hi Everyone, Whatever this affliction is called i got it.... I'm suffering severe social anxiety with a fair dash of depression presently, which is weird because i'm usually very adaptable, calm & chatty. I'm currently hiding this issue like a Pro, but in theory it's all completely coming apart at a rate of knots, nobody besides my parents are aware of this or really have a clue. I'm able to hold down my office job without any real suspicion from others on how i'm feeling, i'm starting to miss days on a regular basis now however, which is a concern. What is odd is that i'm likely the most talkative, upbeat & jovial character in a large office environment & i'm told I have become a such a great morale guy which is nice. Socially i'm in good shape here. On the flip side my life outside of work is a living nightmare. I'm the polar opposite...i'm completely withdrawn, lonely, stuck in my own crazy opinions & thoughts, completely anti-social, frightened & just completely conceded. I'm seeing a psychologist by the way, early days though. I have all but lost the majority of my friends, due to the fact I just wish to be alone in my own thoughts frequently. I keep making excuses not to be places, it's like i'm completely checked out mentally. I'm pretty sure this is some kind of social anxiety but I run every conversation through my head. I analyse my social interactions to a complete fault, i'm so critical of myself for just no reason at all. I'm never satisfied with myself no matter what & the anxiety that hits me from all directions and I have no defence for it. I'm literally in fear of this & have grown rather protective of myself. I have bravely just returned to the dating scene recently (no idea why I thought this would work) & the anxiety/pressure hit's me like a tonne of bricks. I'm no longer equipped to deal with it, although I wish to meet someone... I'm really just lonely & looking to improve my situation, maybe make a friend or two, but I literally feel ILL from each experience. Yeah, granted it's a total sh*t-show out there these days, but this feeling of anxiety/depression is ​really something else. I just crumble to the pressure & just leaves me in a poor mental health. Anyone share any sentiments on this condition? Really wishing to improve my situation, but unable to handle/deal with the necessary steps to do so. Cheers Stu

Eric_Cartman Looking for ways of dealing with anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hello, I am new to this website and forum. I am looking for information for improving my standard of living. I've had depression and anxiety since my late teens and i am now in my late twenties. I have tried multiple ways of dealing with anxiety from... View more

Hello, I am new to this website and forum. I am looking for information for improving my standard of living. I've had depression and anxiety since my late teens and i am now in my late twenties. I have tried multiple ways of dealing with anxiety from medication to counselling and it hasn't resolved my very severe social anxiety. I literally cannot leave my home without being overwhelmed. Probably left the house during the day 3 times in the last 6 months. I am quite overweight which obviously doesn't help, plus the fact that I don't have a car or license so when I do leave, I am forced to use public transport and interact with more people. I even feel extremely anxious walking down the street when cars drive past as if the people in them are staring at me and judging me. I realize these thoughts are completely irrational which only makes it worse as i try to snap myself out of it, and probably even talk to myself and look like i have schizophrenia or something similar. Not that I am judging people who have those illnesses, it's more that I feel that people are judging me constantly. Very critical of myself and my failings too. Problem is that I am obese, not many marketable skills so work is hard to find, which just makes me feel worse and the jobs that are available to me are mostly customer service jobs and I don't have the confidence or drive to work in that type of industry. Currently have very little money which doesn't help and I am essentially a leech on society, which is not a position I am comfortable with. I can't even go down to centrelink or job agencies as I freak out in my head about the whole experience and it just makes me feel even worse about the current situation. I have been working on my lifestyle choices for the past 3 months. I have given up alcohol, soft drinks, junk food and i exercise daily. I have lost 13 kilos which has definitely improved some aspects of how i judge myself but the lack of transport and employment is a killer. Plus i don't really feel confident in myself yet to even enter public during the day. I walk late at night when nobody is around so i don't have to deal with social interaction. Even saying hello is difficult for me. Basically just looking for advice on ways to improve confidence i guess and its hard as a guy to ask for help as i don't see it as masculine. Also if there is any advice for making some money online that would be greatly appreciated. Pretty cooked i know haha.

Bearess72 Anxiety sufferer
  • replies: 9

I have been suffering with anxiety for many years, I have tried councillors, medications and it feels like nothing is working for me. My partner is very supportive he also works shift work and sometimes is away for 24 hrs which make me feel very anxi... View more

I have been suffering with anxiety for many years, I have tried councillors, medications and it feels like nothing is working for me. My partner is very supportive he also works shift work and sometimes is away for 24 hrs which make me feel very anxious especially when there is very bad weather around whilst I'm alone I become quite on edge and scared something bad will happened to me. When I feel this way I will try go out so I can be around people and feel secure. My councillor believes that due to my bad experience from an earth tremor the shock from that has made me feel the way I do. My days just feel a struggle and it seems to just cripple me to the extent of where I can't function and be the great person I would like to be. When I talk about this it sounds very crazy but it's the truth on how I feel and I believe being honest is the best way for others to be able to suggest or give advice to me so I can move forward and not struggle every day like I have been for a long time now.