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

Kengy Awful awful anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi I wrote on this site a few days ago about my panic attacks and anxiety. Last night and today have been awful, so much so that I've run away from my home, and my family. I just cannot cope anymore. I want this to just stop. I get breathing issues, ... View more

Hi I wrote on this site a few days ago about my panic attacks and anxiety. Last night and today have been awful, so much so that I've run away from my home, and my family. I just cannot cope anymore. I want this to just stop. I get breathing issues, burning arms, nausea, and spinning thoughts. I also feel restless. How can I ever go back to work like this? Does it ever end?

Chloekat84 I cant keep going through this!
  • replies: 8

Ive had anxiety and depression for a long time now but has only recently been bad within the last 6 monthes. U have probably seen me post on here b4. Ive just got to a point where I cant deal with it anymore especially when I have to look after my da... View more

Ive had anxiety and depression for a long time now but has only recently been bad within the last 6 monthes. U have probably seen me post on here b4. Ive just got to a point where I cant deal with it anymore especially when I have to look after my daughter and sometimes my son. Lately ive been wakin up every morning with bad anxiety and it wakes me up early like 5.30-6am and I can control my legs moving or movement of some kind. Nothing seems to work ive tried distraction and everything. I also get nausea as well. Im usually ok by the afternoon most of the time but sometimes im not. Ive been to doctors and im on new medication but been on it nearly 3 weeks now so I shouldn't be feeling like this. Ive seen doctors and they cant do anything although I haven't lately. When I was around family when I stayed in Ardrossan with my folks for 5 days last week I was fine. Nor morning anxiety although I still couldn't eat in the mornings. I don't know what to do anymore. I cant seem to function on my own anymore. I cant stop crying at times. I just want this to stop. Im on the brink! :'( :'(

Mindful_bubbles Freaking out about a holiday
  • replies: 2

Any advice welcome on how to handle anxiety outside your normal comfort zones!! I'm going on a cruise and have a sever peanut allergy. I'm driving myself crazy about "may contain traces" and cross contamination at the buffet. I'm going mental over " ... View more

Any advice welcome on how to handle anxiety outside your normal comfort zones!! I'm going on a cruise and have a sever peanut allergy. I'm driving myself crazy about "may contain traces" and cross contamination at the buffet. I'm going mental over " might get sea sick" . I really want this to be a fun holiday, but I'm getting really nervous with only 4 weeks to go - Thanks Fellow Beyond Bluers.

Azza29 Hey guys just after a little advise
  • replies: 1

Im not sure now to word this or if it is even actually anxiety but for the last 6 months mainly only when im away at work (i work 5 weeks on 5 weeks off on a ship) i have this feeling in my chest, like my heart is going faster or like the feeling you... View more

Im not sure now to word this or if it is even actually anxiety but for the last 6 months mainly only when im away at work (i work 5 weeks on 5 weeks off on a ship) i have this feeling in my chest, like my heart is going faster or like the feeling you would get right before a crash or something like that. I havent been getting it at home just when im here. I have a feeling it has something to do with girls though. Ive had a couple of bad relationships and ive just started a new one and maybe thats making me worried while im away subconsciously? Or maybe its my body telling me i have something wrong and should go get checked out. Im not sure what it is or how to stop it. It kind of hits me for a second then goes for a few seconds then hits me again etc. But not all the time. Just when im not busy thinking of work and other things. If it is the start of anxiety i just thought i should try get on top of it early. Thanks for reading

Kengy Terrible panic attack/anxiety
  • replies: 3

I've been suffering from anxiety and panic attacks the last three days. I'm nauseous, my arms are burning, and my heart is racing. How do you cope? I feel like I'm going mad. It just doesn't seem to stop. Please help me.

I've been suffering from anxiety and panic attacks the last three days. I'm nauseous, my arms are burning, and my heart is racing. How do you cope? I feel like I'm going mad. It just doesn't seem to stop. Please help me.

Ambibella Hangover anxiety
  • replies: 2

HI there im a mum of 3 and married very happily. I have a lot of things going on like most mums, run 2 businesses, always helping my family with their problems and my husbands family and look after my kids one of which is only 6 months old a two year... View more

HI there im a mum of 3 and married very happily. I have a lot of things going on like most mums, run 2 businesses, always helping my family with their problems and my husbands family and look after my kids one of which is only 6 months old a two year old and a 7 year old. I love them all to death but I suffer from extreme anxiety. I have really bad health anxiety worrying constantly that I'm going to have cancer or something terrible or that the kids are sick. I have social anxiety as well and always think people are thinking badly of me. I never do anything for myself and then when I do get a second out with my friends I tend to drink to much and all the pent up stress comes burbling out and then I have major guilt that I've said or done the wrong thing. I just go over and over the night in my head I feel like a terrible mother and wife and just basically punish myself for ever. I just don't no how to deal with it.

Lars Sick of feeling this way
  • replies: 4

After 25 years of dealing with depression and anxiety , I'm at the point where I'm worn out. I feel passable for a while but the worry is always there and it creeps up like the insidious beast it is; next comes the inevitable breakdown followed by tr... View more

After 25 years of dealing with depression and anxiety , I'm at the point where I'm worn out. I feel passable for a while but the worry is always there and it creeps up like the insidious beast it is; next comes the inevitable breakdown followed by treatment and then the cycle begins again. I'm not a danger to myself or anyone else but am just tired and resigned. Does anyone have any advice on how to be more positive? I just need a few tips or ideas, things that can break me out of this funk so I can be the father and husband my family deserve.

MareeB2007 Need to get better for my kids...
  • replies: 4

Hi all. I am new to the BB website and really need your help advice and support. I have had terrible anxiety for the past 12 months. I am having at least weekly panic attacks and I am just so tired of this. I have has mild anxiety attacks over the ye... View more

Hi all. I am new to the BB website and really need your help advice and support. I have had terrible anxiety for the past 12 months. I am having at least weekly panic attacks and I am just so tired of this. I have has mild anxiety attacks over the years but these have been related to a stressful life event and have resolved on their own. This time it is not going away and is getting worse. Feel like I am going crazy and it is really starting to affect my family. My two little girls said they are tied of me being sick all the time. Nearly broke my heart. I have really bad physical symptoms including; feeling dizzy unsteady lightheaded diarrhoea shaking foggy-head tired nausea and more. The drunk/dizzy feeling is the worst! Does anybody else get that? At moment I am still functioning and manage to put my "game face" on most days and just get on with life and work as best i can. But i feel like i am getting to the end of my tether and just want to curl in to a ball. But i have to get better for my kids. My young teen confessed to me that she thinks she may have anxiety. I was completely floored. How can I help her when I am so caught up in my own illness. Have i caused her to be anxious. Probably. Kids model their parents behaviour - but i thought i was keeping my illness hidden from her. Now i am failing as a mum too. Hubby is trying to be supportive but he doesn't really know how to help. So far i have tried relaxation apps and breathing techniques which do helpa little in the short term...but i am on a general steady decline. My situation is also a little difficult because i feel like i can't get professional help. I am a doctor so i feel like i should be able to help myself. I am to embarrassed to see another doctor for help. I know that is irrational but it's how i feel. Such a failure that i cant heal myself this time. Anyway thanks for reading this long winded post. Hope to get some help and some understanding from this online community. Hope wherever you are you are doing okay and getting better or coping as best you can. Any advice welcome and I am here if anybody needs to share their story. It may help. xo

gloria10 Social Anxiety Tips
  • replies: 1

Hi all, I was hoping for some help with social anxiety issues. My psychiatrist has been encouraging me to get out and try more activities and I have been doing well, however, I'm hitting a bit of a block with one thing I want to try. I enjoy singing ... View more

Hi all, I was hoping for some help with social anxiety issues. My psychiatrist has been encouraging me to get out and try more activities and I have been doing well, however, I'm hitting a bit of a block with one thing I want to try. I enjoy singing and tried one choir, but found it too overwhelming with the amount of activities they attend; with my schedule coming up I knew it wouldn't fit. There is another group that I have said I will go to next Tuesday, but doubt has hit me hard. It's like, I'm not sure if it's right or if I'll like it so I think it's better not going at all. I think I always worry about having to make a commitment as I find it hard to break a commitment down the track. Does anyone else struggle with this? If so, how have you overcome it? I appreciate any advice. My social anxiety has been holding me back for a while now. Sorry if it doesn't make sense, I can give more detail if needed.

PD_Perhaps Panic Disorder...does anybody else have a different sequence of events when they have a panic attack?
  • replies: 5

I have always questioned the modality or symptoms associated with the onset of a panic attack. It doesn't follow the common variety described in all the text books. I get a rise in anxiety, then a "zap" on the forehead that creeps across my scalp, th... View more

I have always questioned the modality or symptoms associated with the onset of a panic attack. It doesn't follow the common variety described in all the text books. I get a rise in anxiety, then a "zap" on the forehead that creeps across my scalp, then I goo into panic mode, but without the hyperventilation or racing heart and all the other descriptions. I do get a racing heart after some time and get pretty shaken up...but it feels more like a seizure first. I have had an EEG many years ago but it come up negative. I know it's not that precise anyway. Does anyone else experience their panic attacks like this?