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

justinian_ii Anxiety over a negative experience at work
  • replies: 3

It has been several years since this incident but yet I cannot seem to shake the anxiety and worry that has plagued me since. It all happened a few years ago when I had decided to leave a company I had worked at for over 6 years across two continents... View more

It has been several years since this incident but yet I cannot seem to shake the anxiety and worry that has plagued me since. It all happened a few years ago when I had decided to leave a company I had worked at for over 6 years across two continents. At the time of my resignation I was so elated and happy to leave that toxic environment that in an attempt to be proactive I had made a copy of data to facilitate my handovers (a common practice when I was working for the same company in a different part of the world) and also to retain various sources of personal information that had been stored on the laptop over time due to taxes and etc. This led to a whole complex situation (disciplinary hearings) where I was accused of multiple things, and there were attempts to invalidate my rights to work in Australia. To add to this, they seized my hard drive in question that had my personal data along with the data I had made a copy of to do my hand overs. I had to get lawyers involved and was in the end told to compromise and sign their expectations. In the end, I never actually got to tell my side of the story because they kept changing what they were accusing me off. Since then I have had bad anxiety and sometimes get panic attacks that just stop me from moving forward with my life. I keep conjuring situations in my mind where my previous company is out there just bad mouthing me to everyone and destroying my reputation. Which in my line of work is important because I have to deal with multiple people and build connections.

AnonymousOtter Anxiety and Eye Floaters
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone,Struggling to come to terms with having eye floaters. I’ve had them for about a year now (30yo) and my anxiety hasn’t gotten any better as they progress/change. All doctors say my eyes are healthy and they’re apart of life but it’s all I ... View more

Hi everyone,Struggling to come to terms with having eye floaters. I’ve had them for about a year now (30yo) and my anxiety hasn’t gotten any better as they progress/change. All doctors say my eyes are healthy and they’re apart of life but it’s all I think about every second of the day. I’m becoming lonely and slowly isolating myself from others. I don’t like to go outside in fear I’ll see them. I’ve been back/forth with doctors but as I’m young, there isn’t any treatment. I just want to return to my happy self and not focus on them all day long.

AYU_227 Vertigo caused by health anxiety
  • replies: 3

I am having severe vertigo problems since 2 months. It always feels like I am floating & walking on marshmallows. Every single day it’s the same. I first started having these when I had a severe panic attack. It stopped for few months, but it again c... View more

I am having severe vertigo problems since 2 months. It always feels like I am floating & walking on marshmallows. Every single day it’s the same. I first started having these when I had a severe panic attack. It stopped for few months, but it again came back. I don’t know what to do. Has anyone experienced something like this before? Or does anyone have any solutions on how I can stop this vertigo. It is affecting me very badly. I went to the gp twice but still no hope. I am scared to get a MRI since I don’t know what will be the result & my health anxiety is making it worse.

Alel Afraid of hot weather and summer
  • replies: 2

I panic during hot weather because I experience anxiety symptoms and then my overthinking and panic makes my anxiety even worse. I have a fear of fainting, vomiting and dizziness. So hot weather is the worst. It's also really hard for me to go to sle... View more

I panic during hot weather because I experience anxiety symptoms and then my overthinking and panic makes my anxiety even worse. I have a fear of fainting, vomiting and dizziness. So hot weather is the worst. It's also really hard for me to go to sleep and stay asleep. Are there any tips for anxiety during hot weather or summer? Please.

ThomasJakeLim Post Covid readaption anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi all being an introvert, I struggle mentally to readapt. My productivity was at its best during the covid period but now, I really struggle with crowd and in person distractions at work. Most of the time, I just want people to leave me alone as I j... View more

Hi all being an introvert, I struggle mentally to readapt. My productivity was at its best during the covid period but now, I really struggle with crowd and in person distractions at work. Most of the time, I just want people to leave me alone as I just want to get the job done and go home! Not sure if there are others out there who feels the same?

Guest_1282 Anxious about going back to work- copping a big whack from people there
  • replies: 3

Hey folks Yeah look just anxious about going back to work, all just based on the fact couldn't catch up with someone yesterday. Just cos of medication side effects like really what else does that have to say, to mean its not personal to this person? ... View more

Hey folks Yeah look just anxious about going back to work, all just based on the fact couldn't catch up with someone yesterday. Just cos of medication side effects like really what else does that have to say, to mean its not personal to this person? I dont get it and now it will spiral and become a big thing- where I'm the perpetrator, and they're the victim. As is always the case with me, even when looking to avoid confrontation to the point of avoiding emotions aha. Which to get back on the point of this section of the forums- does cause anxiety

ShennyChavez Guiltrip from my parents
  • replies: 2

I feel utterly Useless about myself when it’s comes to my parents. Back in the day, when I was a child, around teenagers years, struggling to school, making friends, or even do anything because of my father had S*xually abused me and my mother didn’t... View more

I feel utterly Useless about myself when it’s comes to my parents. Back in the day, when I was a child, around teenagers years, struggling to school, making friends, or even do anything because of my father had S*xually abused me and my mother didn’t understand nothing, didn’t protect me and said to me to be quiet about it ( which I didn’t , I went to tell my friends and ended up with the Child protection services). after a long journey of fosters homes and more homes, trying my best to be a normal person. Went to tafe went to Oasis Army course < struggling> Had variety of jobs < struggling > But I did learned many things about life and humans d In one of those teenagers years and until now in my 20s , I had enough courage to connect back with my families again. I thought everything would’ve been okay, they will understand me, the pain I’ve been through. However, I came to the understanding that my younger sister had also been unsafe with my father. I was shocked and burst out cyring. I requested my older brother to protect my sister and he went to my mother regarding this. My mother however was not supportive and instead blamed me for being a black sheep and breaking up the family. She’s apologised to me what has had happened in the past. she said if I still want to call her “mother” then I can’t be talking about these things with my sister again or else she will disappear along with my sister. And never let me see them again. Other thing my mother said to me, I have to forgive my father, and if she wants to see him, it’s not my business, and she’s promised me to protect my sister. Plus also stop being depleted and depressed about the past. she also mention, that she feels like I want her to die because I’m taking her husband away. I AM THE ONE that DESTROYED the family. everything was my fault. Now I have no idea what to do, I’m trying my best to cope and learning with my depression for years, I feel guilty about talking protection with my sister. in the end, I’m the black sheep of the family that made everyone stressed out because I cannot get past my past and wanting to protect my sister in my way is wrong for my mother. I think I should stop talking to my family in general. But I’m being honest, I don’t know what to do.

Axete Anxiety linked to Epilepsy.
  • replies: 3

I'm 29 years old and have recently been diagnosed with epilepsy. My first lot of seizures were nocturnal and only happened during my sleep. I had restricted driving instructions to only drive during certain day time hours and to keep well rested. I w... View more

I'm 29 years old and have recently been diagnosed with epilepsy. My first lot of seizures were nocturnal and only happened during my sleep. I had restricted driving instructions to only drive during certain day time hours and to keep well rested. I was.seizure free for 6 months before having my first day seizure last week with only my 1yo niece and 7yo daughter with me. Lucky I was at home, but I can't forget how scared my daughter was or becoming conscience and having paramedics standing over me. She should never of had to deal with that, to call 000 and care for her crying 1yo cousin. I'm so scared of putting her through that again. I also fear having a seizure at the shops, or on the train. I'm too scared to go anywhere alone with the kids. And on top of that, I've lost my license so feel a loss of independence and I can no longer take my kids to their gymnastics or swimming classes. I feel like I'm letting them down. My 7yo says she understands, but it hurts her and there isn't anything I can do. The sports centres aren't accessible by public transport. My husband is a big help....when he's Home. He works away for a few weeks at a time. He is looking for a local job, but until then he has to work. I'm hoping someone here can give some advice on helping me deal with my fear of having seizures. Thankyou.

ShelterIt Falling apart; abusive neighbour
  • replies: 33

Hi, I live in a small coastal town, lived here for 12 years. 2 years ago a couple moved in next door, both real-estate agents. I'll only mention the man, as I've never talked to his wife. A bit of context here is that I suffer from LPTSD and trauma f... View more

Hi, I live in a small coastal town, lived here for 12 years. 2 years ago a couple moved in next door, both real-estate agents. I'll only mention the man, as I've never talked to his wife. A bit of context here is that I suffer from LPTSD and trauma from having been bullied and abused as a child over many years, and I've got 25 years of therapy trying to have a normal life. I'm still today struggling with social anxiety and I'm painfully conflict shy. I wouldn't dare to try to fix a wrong order at Maccas. After two years of mostly verbal abuse (trees, bushes, our chickens, anything he doesn't like) it culminated last Wednesday with him assaulting me in my driveway (tree dispute where he doesn't like councils' decision). Reported it to the police, of course, but i'm concerned not much will come of that unless he attacks again. I now live in constant fear of waiting for when he'll attack next. The incident last week has left me completely destroyed. My neighbour has always been aggressive and abusive, to everyone in my household and people visiting, to council and others. And now I'm shaking like a leaf, afraid to be in the house, to be outside the house, to come and go, I can't sleep without hefty pills, and I'm on two different anxiety meds just to stay upright. It's been over a week, and I feel I'm losing it. So my question is; what to do next? I've done all the obvious things, police, council, lawAccessNSW, seeing psychologist, GP, but no one can do anything. We've talked about selling, but a) that's hard on the kids, and b) unfair to those we sell it to. Abusive neighbours are perfectly allowed to be abusive, it seems. And I'm running out of strength, this anxiety and the very thought of having to live with this is just so overwhelming. Has anyone had to deal with something like this?

Richju Anxiety after job interview
  • replies: 11

Although I gained my counselling qualifications last year, I haven't had much work in private practice and would like to work for an organisation before my skills dwindle. On Friday I had an online interview, where the questions come up on the screen... View more

Although I gained my counselling qualifications last year, I haven't had much work in private practice and would like to work for an organisation before my skills dwindle. On Friday I had an online interview, where the questions come up on the screen and you are recorded as you answer them. I found it stressful and feel I shared too much of my life experience.You see, I'm seventy-two years old and I know it sounds ridiculous to be starting a new career at my age but I'm fit snd healthy and I have had enormous life experience. Unfortunately, I don't have the confidence to match it and I have trouble with negative thoughts although I meditate regularly and try to practise mindfilness. At times, I despair of ever finding my niche yet my strong determination keeps me going, even though I often fail.I'm not sure if anyone else has this problem but when I defuse my thoughts, I feel empty just like I did when I first gave up smoking. I try to keep busy and exercise regularly but find I'm always staving off depression.