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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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Chloekat84 Anxiety and restless leg syndrome
  • replies: 7

Hello I suffer from bad anxiety as well as getting bad restless legs at the same time. I know they are related but don't know how to control it. it gets soo bad sometimes that I need to use medication but that often doesn't work. im constantly shakin... View more

Hello I suffer from bad anxiety as well as getting bad restless legs at the same time. I know they are related but don't know how to control it. it gets soo bad sometimes that I need to use medication but that often doesn't work. im constantly shaking my legs and cant stop it till night time and im soo worn out physically and mentally. any suggestions on how to manage this. I already take magnesium supplements at night. can someone please help me

Mindful_bubbles Anxiety over Allergies
  • replies: 1

Can't shake anxiety over a peanut allergy I have. Had a close call today when I brought some makeup that had peanut oil in it. Didn't use the makeup, but now just feel rubbish. I hate two things. Anxiety. And living with a peanut allergy

Can't shake anxiety over a peanut allergy I have. Had a close call today when I brought some makeup that had peanut oil in it. Didn't use the makeup, but now just feel rubbish. I hate two things. Anxiety. And living with a peanut allergy

mr_marvel iv never reached out before
  • replies: 3

i wouldnt know where to start, it seems to be one big ball conecting all things to something, every time i try to start it just dosent sound right, things seem out of place, i always thought i had no right to complain, that it was my job to suck it u... View more

i wouldnt know where to start, it seems to be one big ball conecting all things to something, every time i try to start it just dosent sound right, things seem out of place, i always thought i had no right to complain, that it was my job to suck it up, because so many people are worse off than me, that i have to tough it out so that i can be strong for others, but im so tiered of being strong, it would be so nice to have someone be strong for me, to pick me up when im feeling low, but im the one picking others up, and i listen to there problems without hesitation, it all sounds so trivial, some things they seem to complain about are so small, iv got a morgage to pay, rates and bills, food to put on a table and in bellys, and im so sick of hearing that there head hurts from drinking, or they have no energy because of such and such, iv got no energy because im tiered from staying up late worring about money, or worring if the bills will get paid on time, or if im even being too much of a bore for my family or not, on top of work stuff, i feel like at work im the only one working, that all the time and effort that i put in counts for nothing, i give all that i have and it seems to go to nought as soon as i turn my back, its so hard when you give 100%, but it feels like everyone else gives only 50%, iv considered looking for other work, but its full time work i have now, and iv got the house to pay off before i look at doing anything, some times i wish i didnt have the burden of this house, i never had a chance to muck around like all my friends, i had the responsibility of the house, i couldnt go out and forget about it, the bills come in, and the money goes out, it would be so nice though for anyone at all just to call up and say, im on my way over, wanna hang out, in the 5 yrs iv had the house, iv never had anyone come over to hang out, but i never really had too many friends, i was allways the odd one out, sat on my own at school, didnt want to cause friction with the cool kids, now im 30, and i dont have much to show for my life, and i feel lost, i dont even know where im going with this, its a rant, a winge, what ever you want to call it, like i said i dont know where to start, or how to pull things away from the ball of things that this has become, if this makes any sence is beyond me, its just the voice in my head screaming things to my fingers at this stage.

Bobo123 I smoke when I'm stressed out
  • replies: 1

Hi all, I smoke when i'm stressed out. I overthink things. I'm scared of life. Maybe nothing can cure me, but i'd like to hear from anyone feeling the same.

Hi all, I smoke when i'm stressed out. I overthink things. I'm scared of life. Maybe nothing can cure me, but i'd like to hear from anyone feeling the same.

Mr_Potatohead Dreams
  • replies: 1

Been taking medication for anxiety and having totally weird but not distressing dreams since. My psychiatrist won't take a phone call ( I am away at present) as she is only interested in the money at an appointment. Anyone else having the dreams thin... View more

Been taking medication for anxiety and having totally weird but not distressing dreams since. My psychiatrist won't take a phone call ( I am away at present) as she is only interested in the money at an appointment. Anyone else having the dreams thing?

Mr_Potatohead Anxiety tip
  • replies: 1

One thing I learned recently to say to yourself is " thoughts aren't real "

One thing I learned recently to say to yourself is " thoughts aren't real "

Sofala I hate it, I hate it, I hate it!!
  • replies: 1

I plain and simply HATE IT!! I hate that it has such control over me, I hate feeling like my nerves are shot ALL THE TIME, feeling so alone, so isolated, desperate for help and strength, desperate to feel 'normal' to do normal things to be happy and ... View more

I plain and simply HATE IT!! I hate that it has such control over me, I hate feeling like my nerves are shot ALL THE TIME, feeling so alone, so isolated, desperate for help and strength, desperate to feel 'normal' to do normal things to be happy and free from it. Why is it my sister is capable of jumping on a plane last minute and have a weekend alone, go to shows alone, go out for a cuppa alone and enjoy it? Why does the idea of just going to the supermarket send me into a panic? I just want to enjoy life, feel safe in my own skin, have faith in my mind and body, is that really too much to ask?

Em_thatisme anxiety won't let go and it keeps itself alive
  • replies: 3

So I was wondering if anyone else is like this. I have anxiety (a few of you have that ). I do things that perpetuate the anxiety. I keep: 1. looking at us gossip sites and the hours pass by 2. researching new things I should be doing for my family's... View more

So I was wondering if anyone else is like this. I have anxiety (a few of you have that ). I do things that perpetuate the anxiety. I keep: 1. looking at us gossip sites and the hours pass by 2. researching new things I should be doing for my family's well being when I have about four books that I should be reading that I know will help me deal with my anxiety and help me raise our son with Asperger's. So I have real things to learn and put into action. 3. getting distracted with crap that really does not matter. I think about my mother-in-law and her patterns of behavior. I think of my sister-in-laws and how we don't get on. 4. I think about how my sister-in-law has borderline personality disorder and I try to understand it better and therefore keep thinking about something negative. Anyway all the things that make me feel negative in some way and take me out of where I am are also the things that I crave. They are juicy for my brain. Now that wouldn't be much of a problem on its own but I can't bring myself to do any of the things I KNOW would help my days be better. I don't exercise, I don't meditate and I eat junk food. I should probably also mention that 2015 has been a hard year but even before that I was never particularly regular in looking after myself. So anyone else similar?

BasilThree Mornings are the worst
  • replies: 7

Wake up feeling ok, holding onto a nice dream, feel like a bit of a snuggle in my bed. But within minutes, those unhealthy thoughts come in, firstly it's quiet general (oh work, another day of unstimulating work, where I'm by myself for hours of end)... View more

Wake up feeling ok, holding onto a nice dream, feel like a bit of a snuggle in my bed. But within minutes, those unhealthy thoughts come in, firstly it's quiet general (oh work, another day of unstimulating work, where I'm by myself for hours of end), which I kind of shake off. Then they pop back to more specific, relationship problems, feeling alone, self pity, the future which all turns into 'how I am going to get through the next day, week, year?' How do I get support for this, when I am so independent and bristle when I get any advice from anyone, including people I love?

RHINO5 Anixety and panic / sport
  • replies: 4

Hi my name is Adam and I am a 26 year old male. My question to everyone on the forum is: ‘Have you ever had exercise induced panic attacks and have you got any advice in the area’. My background I have struggled with different levels of anxiety throu... View more

Hi my name is Adam and I am a 26 year old male. My question to everyone on the forum is: ‘Have you ever had exercise induced panic attacks and have you got any advice in the area’. My background I have struggled with different levels of anxiety throughout my life time, but in particular in 2010 after a knee reconstruction and during the last 3 months. I have been told that I have generalised anxiety/panic disorder. I am currently on a mental health plan which includes regular visits to the head doctor (psychologists) and medication. Exercise is my release and is something I really enjoy, but at the moment I fear doing it… It is highly frustrating and scary at times. Who on earth can play a sport and check their pulse 10-20 times during and after exercise. It’s like fighting against my body and I cannot stop it. I usually get through the exercise, albeit only pushing at about 60-80% effort. And any time I try to push a little harder, I find having bad panic attacks as soon as I finish. For instance I could go for a 5km jog for 30-35minutes and then after spend 2 hours on the lounge working through panic and fear of dying because of an increased heart rate and the more the heart rate rises the more I panic, which starts this vicious cycle, that has become crippling and has stopped me from doing so much not just sport but work, study etc. Although I experience anxiety, panic and hyperventilation in other parts of life, I haven’t really found any good research or advice on exercise induced panic. If anyone has any similar experiences or any advice toward it, I would happily take it on board. (Clutching straws) Thanks