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

Scotty_H new here, so bare with me...
  • replies: 4

Hi All, this is my first time to this forum, I have put up with anxiety all my life (just did'nt realize it until recently & far too embarrassed to tell anyone). I'm 54 years old and thought all this stuff happended to other people. To cut a long sto... View more

Hi All, this is my first time to this forum, I have put up with anxiety all my life (just did'nt realize it until recently & far too embarrassed to tell anyone). I'm 54 years old and thought all this stuff happended to other people. To cut a long story short I have been sent home from work due to a bit of (what i guess is an anxiety attack). My Manager has managed anxiety himself (lucky bloke) and made me feel like even worse being sent home! I have far too much to do and will fall even further behind!!! Sure I know that my heart feels like its going to jump out of my chest and I get uncontrollably shakey, but I can still get the job done! I live in a small south coast town of NSW and doubt if there is medical help I could really get. I cant put up with this any longer. I'm no weak willed baby but enough is enough!! Scotty.

Clare_Marie Anxiety flares up
  • replies: 5

Hi Guys, I've been doing a lot of research on anxiety over the past few weeks. I'm experiencing chest pains and have been really emotional. I feel as though I can never face the day when I wake up. It usually starts with feeling very unsettled in the... View more

Hi Guys, I've been doing a lot of research on anxiety over the past few weeks. I'm experiencing chest pains and have been really emotional. I feel as though I can never face the day when I wake up. It usually starts with feeling very unsettled in the morning as soon as I open my eyes. It's like a nervous feeling. Is this something to worry about? Should I get medicated to help it go away? I run a cleaning business with two workers. That's stressful at times but nothing I can't deal with. Over the past few months I'm loosing a lot of money as people aren't paying their invoices which is what started these feelings. My partner doesn't belive in being on anti depressants or anything like that. He says excercise and healthy eating helps. I believe that excercise does help as when I do it I feel a little better but when I feel like this I don't want to go to the gym. Please help I have no idea what to do.. I can't talk to my mum or friends as it will just worry them... Sorry it's long!

DollyTee 3am musings of an anxious mind
  • replies: 1

The darkness inside my head It’s not black like darkest night It’s more like looking through a really dirty window Hey there how many times have you on the outside passed by that dirty window? Why did you not take the time to try and see inside? What... View more

The darkness inside my head It’s not black like darkest night It’s more like looking through a really dirty window Hey there how many times have you on the outside passed by that dirty window? Why did you not take the time to try and see inside? What a wasted journey life would be if you haven’t shared some of the darkness with people like me. The light creeps through the spaces the dirt doesn’t cover Although I am often in the darkness I still see. So many times they pass on by Mindlessly moving through their shiny days Come on I dare you Come in and see what life looks like from the inside with me Am I stupid? Am I bad? Neither really - just sometimes a little mad I always used to feel sad The way people are marginalised because of who they are perceived to be But no more sadness for me The finger pointers, the judges, those who think they are superior to me What a waste of your time Because you missed the beauty you would have seen Had you taken the time to look through that dirty window Too late now I won’t let you see I’m coming into the light And no longer do the finger pointers, the judges and others like them matter to me I am Queen of my own mind The ruler of my life and how I want it to be My mind is a roaring Harley on the open road The pretenders don’t see For those that truly matter thanks for still riding with me.

Living_in_a_world_of_anxi Post Operation Panic Attack
  • replies: 1

Hi there, I have been managing my Anxiety and Depression fine lately with the support of my family, boyfriend, doctors and psychologist, however, I went into surgery three days ago under anesthetic (which I have been under before and have come out fi... View more

Hi there, I have been managing my Anxiety and Depression fine lately with the support of my family, boyfriend, doctors and psychologist, however, I went into surgery three days ago under anesthetic (which I have been under before and have come out fine), but this time when becoming conscious again, I am not sure whether it was because I was in 10/10 pain or what, but I had the biggest Asthma attack I have ever had, which then turned into a severe Anxiety attack.The nurses gave me some kind of liquid in my breathing mask to try and calm my Asthma down, but because my Anxiety was getting really bad, it didn't really help. The nurses were trying to get my attention and telling me to look at them and try to calm my breathing down, which was hard for me because generally when I'm at home and have an Anxiety attack, breathing exercise do not generally work for me and I just have to let it play out.I have never felt so scared in my life and all I could do was cry because I had no control over my breathing. After the nurses had given me pain relief and two injections , I heard them talking to a Dr and telling him that it took them 45 minutes to calm me down. Generally when something like what happened to me in hospital happens outside (in the real world), I try and keep it to myself and try and deal with it by myself.When I say i keep it to myself, I mean that if I am having an Anxiety attack or Asthma attack, I try and breath really deeply on the inside and not on the outside so that no one knows it is happening. I don't even bother to tell my mum that it is happening...I think i am embarrassed and don't want to bring attention to myself and make a big deal about it... it is silly I know. And I guess the only reason why I let it happen in hospital was because I was still half out of it and didn't have control over keeping it all on the inside. But it really did scare me and makes me realise that I need to try and figure out a way to calm myself down when this does happen in my daily life, rather than keeping it to myself.Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks,B.

MisterM Avoidant Personality Disorder
  • replies: 0

I stumbled across an article on this last night and I think I may have it. Anyone here diagnosed?

I stumbled across an article on this last night and I think I may have it. Anyone here diagnosed?

ci How do I support my husband while he's supporting me?
  • replies: 12

The guilt of being a burden on my husband is eating me up. I've had a rough couple of weeks with my ocd and lost it for a while last night couldn't stop the tears. I just feel like my poor husband is lost he just sits with his head down and says noth... View more

The guilt of being a burden on my husband is eating me up. I've had a rough couple of weeks with my ocd and lost it for a while last night couldn't stop the tears. I just feel like my poor husband is lost he just sits with his head down and says nothing. He is an amazing man and so much of me just wants to leave so that he can get on with his life and enjoy it! He married a strong independent women who was fun to be around and had an awesome dinner waiting for him on the table when he got home. My choice I loved to cook for him. Now he has a blubbering mess who struggles to leave the house and couldn't even bring herself to cook a meal last night. What do you all do to help your partners or people who care for you?

Bluey_moon Anxiety or ?
  • replies: 7

Hi Guys, Just wanted some feedback on anxiety symptoms. I'll try to be brief cause I tend to waffle on! - sometimes I find it hard to concentrate on conversations when I'm anxious. -can you obbsess over a symptom that much, that you convince yourself... View more

Hi Guys, Just wanted some feedback on anxiety symptoms. I'll try to be brief cause I tend to waffle on! - sometimes I find it hard to concentrate on conversations when I'm anxious. -can you obbsess over a symptom that much, that you convince yourself you have it? (Eg: last night I obbsessed over weather I had scizophrenia so much, listened for sounds, got no sleep, then in the morning laying with my son in the early hours, thought I heard someone (male) speak to me, when I fully woke up all I could hears was my son snoring in the same tone, dream? Anxiety is what the BB line said. - feeling a bit like anti social. -so bloody tired- when I walked past a girl at work yesterday I said bye and in my head I'm like , you awful person, but I don't even dislike her (at one stage I wasnt a fan)! Am I crazy?

Hodges I feel alone
  • replies: 4

Having panic attack. Feel so alone. Im frightened because this is 3rd panic attack in last 2 months. I dont want to be this person. Am scared that i wont be able to stop these attacks. Have made appt with phychologist Tuesday. Am i going to be able t... View more

Having panic attack. Feel so alone. Im frightened because this is 3rd panic attack in last 2 months. I dont want to be this person. Am scared that i wont be able to stop these attacks. Have made appt with phychologist Tuesday. Am i going to be able to stop having these attacks ?

Bluey_moon iWork in progress
  • replies: 7

Hi guys, just wanted you to all know to never give up! Today I am a little anxious and my silly thoughts are hanging around waiting for my attention, but you know what, they aren't getting it! Ive come to far to go backwards now! Skye

Hi guys, just wanted you to all know to never give up! Today I am a little anxious and my silly thoughts are hanging around waiting for my attention, but you know what, they aren't getting it! Ive come to far to go backwards now! Skye

Chicken_Wings Morning anxiety
  • replies: 2

My anxiety seems to be so much worse in the mornings. ive read up a bit about it and there are physiological reasons for it, like the release or cortisol etc, but it's not helped by my never ending thoughts. im generally woken by anxiety between 4:30... View more

My anxiety seems to be so much worse in the mornings. ive read up a bit about it and there are physiological reasons for it, like the release or cortisol etc, but it's not helped by my never ending thoughts. im generally woken by anxiety between 4:30 and 5:30am. I get the heavy weight on my chest, twitching and lots and lots of thinking. I've tried breathing, I've tired moving into another room, I've tried distraction. So far all that really works is waiting. im so tired, I have feel my eyelids heavy, I want so much to catch up on sleep.but I just can't nod off. i know morning anxiety is common so just wondering if anyone else has any ideas (other than sleeping pills).