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.

All discussions

okok Hsc Stress
  • replies: 2

I’m feeling overwhelmed and deeply anxious about the upcoming HSC exams. Despite all the time and effort I’ve invested in revising and employing various study techniques, I still feel like I’m struggling to grasp the content fully. The volume of mate... View more

I’m feeling overwhelmed and deeply anxious about the upcoming HSC exams. Despite all the time and effort I’ve invested in revising and employing various study techniques, I still feel like I’m struggling to grasp the content fully. The volume of material I need to cover feels overwhelming, and as the exams draw nearer, the pressure only intensifies. Being the first in my immigrant family to aim for high academic achievements, the expectations placed on me are incredibly high. I’m concerned that if I don’t perform well, it will have a significant impact not only on my future but also on my family’s perception. My younger brother will be taking his exams next year, and I’m worried that my results might influence his confidence and our family’s expectations. Throughout high school, I’ve consistently achieved above-average results, which makes the fact that I didn’t perform as well as I hoped in the trials even more discouraging. Despite months of preparation, my trial results were disappointing, and this has only added to my anxiety.I’m aiming for a 90 ATAR to prove to myself and my family that I’m capable of achieving great things. The pressure to succeed is immense, and it’s challenging not to let it affect my focus and confidence. I’m seeking advice or strategies to manage this stress, better organise my revision, and stay positive as the exams approach

Annas1 Validation and encouragement
  • replies: 2

So, I find myself in a familiar vortex of anxiety, exhaustion, despair and quiet panic - and this is despite years of ''experience" with the triggers for this nasty emotional cocktail. And I can sense the shame and the guilt too - imagining the judge... View more

So, I find myself in a familiar vortex of anxiety, exhaustion, despair and quiet panic - and this is despite years of ''experience" with the triggers for this nasty emotional cocktail. And I can sense the shame and the guilt too - imagining the judgement, impatience and annoyance of my family in particular. In this state I am only semi-functional, and all my efforts turn inwards to self-care rather than engaging with other people or pursuing my projects. It feels a lot like failure. This time around I can see the triggers pretty clearly, I've over-promised and over-extended myself and have ridden my nervous system to overload. This situation will resolve itself in time, with time devoted to self-care and support from friends, family and/or my psych. The extra stressor now is that I will be meeting my adult child's new partner for the first time and I am feeling desperate about not being weird/psycho or in internal distress so that we can all enjoy the occasion. I note the word "desperate"! So, yes, it all links back to a deep need to be acceptable to others. I have been working on my lifelong habits of people-pleasing and perfectionism with my psych for some time now and it seems there is still a long way to go. I value my relationships with others and care deeply for their wellbeing, but this has come at a cost to my own needs and wellbeing. I'm experiencing the discomfort of both self-denial (squash it all down and watch it turn into anxiety) and the consequences of acting for my own wellbeing (fear of rejection and judgement). It's pretty awful and in the thick of it hard to see a way through that doesn't involve a lot of distress and use of medication to cope or the risk of alienating myself from those I love. Welcoming your kind and wise words.

Valerie Anxiety triggered by drug withdrawal
  • replies: 4

I became dependent on anxiety medication used for sleep. Withdrawal has been long and difficult. Most of symptoms are gone except insomnia, anxiety and tinnitus. It's been three months (only used drug 6 weeks sporadically). I'm worried withdrawal is ... View more

I became dependent on anxiety medication used for sleep. Withdrawal has been long and difficult. Most of symptoms are gone except insomnia, anxiety and tinnitus. It's been three months (only used drug 6 weeks sporadically). I'm worried withdrawal is done and lasting symptoms will persist. I think the insomnia feeds into anxiety. I can't take any drugs to help but have counsellor next week. Can anxiety and insomnia be triggered by drug withdrawal? Other thoughts?

Detox My recent psych appointment
  • replies: 1

I've seen a psych for a while. They mentioned I present with pathological doubt. Mostly because I complete a series of checks before leaving the house, I'm paranoid about mould/poison exposure, and when I'm at my worst, I'll go shopping and come back... View more

I've seen a psych for a while. They mentioned I present with pathological doubt. Mostly because I complete a series of checks before leaving the house, I'm paranoid about mould/poison exposure, and when I'm at my worst, I'll go shopping and come back with nothing as every item poses risks to my or my loved ones health. Lately, I've just been feeling down, my energy is down, my resilience to tackle the day is down, my other half is pregnant, and there are moments when I imagine myself not being here. I don't consider this a suicidal thought, but I did mention I have thoughts to self-harm, as a kind of quick fix, an immediate release, as I don't have time to bother with myself. My psych asked me if I've considered antidepressants, I said no, and she said our regularity should increase. I don't know what else to say, I just wanted to write this out.

Guest_10005 hey
  • replies: 1

my name is Chelsea this is my first post i suffer from anxiety and have trouble with everyday things to the people with anxiety Rember you are not alone you with anyway have someone

my name is Chelsea this is my first post i suffer from anxiety and have trouble with everyday things to the people with anxiety Rember you are not alone you with anyway have someone

lacy anxiaty
  • replies: 1

hi im lacy im 13 and i got dignosed whith servir anxiaty wen i was 6 and i have adhd and seperation axiaty i used to self harm but not much now i have 20 friends most r boys i hate school at the moment becaus of buillys beeing mean im in y8 they say ... View more

hi im lacy im 13 and i got dignosed whith servir anxiaty wen i was 6 and i have adhd and seperation axiaty i used to self harm but not much now i have 20 friends most r boys i hate school at the moment becaus of buillys beeing mean im in y8 they say im fat ugly and my hair is bad the call me mean words to like the c word or h word im saddddd

Anxiety Life long anxiety
  • replies: 9

I have been a ‘worrier’ since a little girl and have suffered from anxiety for most of my life. Throw in OCD with obtrusive thoughts and you have got one highly strung lady.like everything in my life I have thrown everything at these conditions, medi... View more

I have been a ‘worrier’ since a little girl and have suffered from anxiety for most of my life. Throw in OCD with obtrusive thoughts and you have got one highly strung lady.like everything in my life I have thrown everything at these conditions, medication, meditation, books, literature, psychology sessions, exercise, nutrition and more. The frustrating thing is I am still struggling.To paint a picture I have a nice life I have a large extended family that is very close. Like most families we have our issues, health issues and personal, and different members are often frustrated with each other, this never lasts long and they move on. But I don’t, this close family is a big part of my identity and takes up a lot of the day to day activities in my life. I stress about the little cracks (no one else does) to the point I can’t sleep and I can’t function. I have a highly stressful job and I forever studying at University. I wake up at 3am and the worry starts immediately.i guess I feel at a loss, all this effort and I am still in the same place I always am.Any tips would be appreciated

Guest_43746501 Panic about work
  • replies: 2

During with anxiety, roughly 3 weeks ago I had my first ever panic attack filled with crying and tremors. I’ve been off work since then and the GP gave me medication which I took for two days and then stopped cause of the horrible side effects. I’m s... View more

During with anxiety, roughly 3 weeks ago I had my first ever panic attack filled with crying and tremors. I’ve been off work since then and the GP gave me medication which I took for two days and then stopped cause of the horrible side effects. I’m seeing a psychologist which keeps me calm but thinking about going back to work fills me with dread and constant panic. I don’t know what to do.

Scared Seeking same
  • replies: 6

I have discussed my depression on here but I never talked about Anxiety yet and wanted to know if my anxiety is same as others I have no benchmark in rating it. Last attack lasted 3 weeks . I wake up with dread before I even open my eyes. This fear i... View more

I have discussed my depression on here but I never talked about Anxiety yet and wanted to know if my anxiety is same as others I have no benchmark in rating it. Last attack lasted 3 weeks . I wake up with dread before I even open my eyes. This fear inside would last all day and was constantly making me weak in knees. Every minute everyday was relentless . It got to the point I was waiting for something to break but it never did. All day saying to myself this isnt possible to take anymore. They upped my meds, but it didnt help. When it was over I crashed into a cycle of depression. Is this normal and I have a new found respect for other sufferers. My anxiety never was this bad before

Guest_99 OCD patterns - personal hygiene
  • replies: 5

I have been diagnosed with OCD which largely centres around compulsions to do with personal hygiene. For example, I can't shower in less than an hour and a half because of my need to clean myself so thoroughly and in a certain pattern, I can't brush ... View more

I have been diagnosed with OCD which largely centres around compulsions to do with personal hygiene. For example, I can't shower in less than an hour and a half because of my need to clean myself so thoroughly and in a certain pattern, I can't brush my teeth in less than 45 minutes, it takes about 20 minutes to wash my hands (which I feel the need to do very frequently) and even routine tasks like going to the toilet takes forever! I am on medication to assist and have seen a psychologist but didn't find it helpful at all. I am a professional that works long hours and having this condition means I have to get up ridiculously early and makes my days unbearably long. It also means that on weekends I have no interest in, and no energy to do, anything fun. I could somewhat cope with this when I was younger, but the older I get, the bigger the toll it is taking on my body and mind and I'm struggling to cope now. I know my need to carry out these tasks is ridiculous and illogical, and as much as I tell myself to stop, I just can't seem to. I guess I just really want to know whether I'm alone in having these particular traits or whether there are other people out there like me. If there are, I'd love to know about anything you have tried that has helped you either cope with or break these compulsions?