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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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Stormgrl101 It's Monday morning
  • replies: 30

And I'm not even out of bed yet and am panicking and anxious about the day ahead and don't know where to start or what to do. Why does life feel so pointless. I don't know how much more I can take!!! hope you all are well

And I'm not even out of bed yet and am panicking and anxious about the day ahead and don't know where to start or what to do. Why does life feel so pointless. I don't know how much more I can take!!! hope you all are well

PG Pregnancy anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hello, my name is Paula. I suffer from anxiety i am currently pregnant and not enjoying my thinking process. I am a nervous wreck and have lots of doubts and do not feel happy like ppl say you should.. I am wondering if there is anyone out there who ... View more

Hello, my name is Paula. I suffer from anxiety i am currently pregnant and not enjoying my thinking process. I am a nervous wreck and have lots of doubts and do not feel happy like ppl say you should.. I am wondering if there is anyone out there who has experienced this type of anxious feelings during the first trimester of pregnancy? I could really use some advice and I guess be told that I'm not crazy...that this is normal. Paula

green_s Feel like I'm relapsing!
  • replies: 5

Hi there, I guess I'm just writing here for a little bit of support. I have coped with anxiety for about a year now and struggle a lot with obsessing over worrying thoughts. These last few months though have been so much better and even though I stil... View more

Hi there, I guess I'm just writing here for a little bit of support. I have coped with anxiety for about a year now and struggle a lot with obsessing over worrying thoughts. These last few months though have been so much better and even though I still worry I haven't had that gross foggy and exhausted feeling that comes with it. But yesterday that feeling came back completely out of no where. I can't think of anything that has happened to trigger it and so as you can imagine I'm a bit scared because now the idea of it coming back for good is all I can think about!! I'm absolutely exhausted this morning and feel like I can't even get out of bed! Any suggestions on how to kick this because I know if I keep thinking worrying about it it will probably become a reality... Thanks heaps

Mal50 Racked by guilt for my Anxiety Disorder.
  • replies: 6

Hello, for years I felt my Anxiety Disorder/Panic Attacks gradually getting worse. I've tried to talk to my GP about it in the hope of being referred to someone who might be able to help me, but my GP just looks at me blankly. A few years ago I was t... View more

Hello, for years I felt my Anxiety Disorder/Panic Attacks gradually getting worse. I've tried to talk to my GP about it in the hope of being referred to someone who might be able to help me, but my GP just looks at me blankly. A few years ago I was taking my two sons to a Theme Park for a fun day and then I suddenly began having a severe panic attack and completely lost it. I was screaming uncontrollably and couldn't stop. My sons were terrified and in tears. Since then I've asked them to forgive me, and even though they have I cant forgive myself and have been racked by heavy guilt ever since. What can I do?

Suffocating-thoughts Lost in my own mind
  • replies: 17

I suffer from social anxiety and agoraphobia and I don't feel like anyone understands me and how I feel day to day. I had separation issues with my mother as a young kid where id be pyshically throwing up uncontrollably every time she left me, which ... View more

I suffer from social anxiety and agoraphobia and I don't feel like anyone understands me and how I feel day to day. I had separation issues with my mother as a young kid where id be pyshically throwing up uncontrollably every time she left me, which led to me being very shy and nervous all the time, through school I was bullied alot, either called the fat girl, the shy girl, or vomit girl.. I dropped out of school very early due to bullying and never went back..My sister is a narcasist, she thrives on making others miserable, growing up she would always tease me, bully me and even hit me, call me stupid and tell me I'd never get anywhere in life, then 8years ago I was stalked by a man who knew right down to where I live, he was put in jail and recently released, now I spend day to day worrying if he's back out there and if he's going to find me again. I'm constantly scared of men when they look at me, I'm scared of what people think of me, If they're judging me or if they're going to hurt me.. When an attack starts I lose all control, my anxiety takes over and I start shaking, crying, hyperventilating and vomiting.. I'm seeing a psychologist in a week, but I was just wondering if anyone had experienced anything similar and had any advice on how to overcome these fears? It's at the point where I don't even want to work I'm that scared of meeting new people, new environment, not knowing what to expect

green_s How do you guys deal with the brain fog that comes with anxiety?
  • replies: 2

Hi guys, I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what helps you minimise that foggy brain feeling that comes with anxiety? I feel like other people would have experienced it too? Where you feel all cloudy in the head and not really all ... View more

Hi guys, I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions on what helps you minimise that foggy brain feeling that comes with anxiety? I feel like other people would have experienced it too? Where you feel all cloudy in the head and not really all there? It's one symptom I get that really bothers me and I cope so much better on days that it's not around! Has stuck with me for a few days now and I'm sick of it! Any suggestions would be appreciated Thankyou!!

Lisabubbles At a loss with what to do.
  • replies: 15

Lets see if I can keep this short. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety when I was around 23 (now 34). I was on medication for 9ish years and have been off it for 3.5ish years. Since being with my current partner I am having anxiety attacks wh... View more

Lets see if I can keep this short. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety when I was around 23 (now 34). I was on medication for 9ish years and have been off it for 3.5ish years. Since being with my current partner I am having anxiety attacks which are triggered by numerous things which all seem to centre around trust, fear and possible hurt. I really struggle when he has days off work and and my texting and freaking out puts a lot of strain on our relationship. Whilst I don't want to pass blame, some of my fears have been bought on by his behaviour and whilst i try to let go of it, i'm so fearful of these things happening again. Since early on in our relationship I have vomited most mornings. I never use to know why, however have now put it down to the anxious feeling and stress I feel when I wake up. I'm scared that my day is going to end in conflict and there is nothing I hate more than conflict. I know I need to go back to my Dr's and Im sure i'll end up with a psych referral but in the mean time I would love some tips on how to cope when I have no idea what he is doing on a day off. It seems so silly and paranoid...but I feel like I am conditioned to react with anxiety and I hate it. If I don't watch out I am going to let anxiety ruin my relationship. Please help.

OneEyedKnight99 Feeling disconnected from reality.
  • replies: 4

I know this is a common symptom of anxiety(Its called depersonalization)I feel as if I'm mentally disconnected from reality but physically connected. I know depersonalization is where you feeling COMPLETELY disconnected from reality, but this is the ... View more

I know this is a common symptom of anxiety(Its called depersonalization)I feel as if I'm mentally disconnected from reality but physically connected. I know depersonalization is where you feeling COMPLETELY disconnected from reality, but this is the closest I can describe this feeling. Apart from the anxiety, I might know 2 other potential causes. 1. Thinking too much. I spend a decent amount of time "buried" in mind, thinking about memories, other people, songs, places etc. and when I "leave" my mind I get this feeling, which causes me to panic or get the impression I'm going insane and losing contact with reality. 2. Hormone imbalance. I'm in my teenage years, so I assume there likely to be chemical imbalances in my brain, which could be the reason why I get this feeling. However, during an episode of this "feeling" I also always have this urge to start thing about why we live, nature of life and existence, which causes me to panic because ,again, I feel like I'm going crazy. Anyone else have this?

Heron Owning my anxiety.....
  • replies: 18

Heya I have been surviving my own self pity for a while now. I'm closer to forty than I am thirty, and have been on a roller coaster of self help, counselors and life lessons. It has only been in the last year that I have officially been treated for ... View more

Heya I have been surviving my own self pity for a while now. I'm closer to forty than I am thirty, and have been on a roller coaster of self help, counselors and life lessons. It has only been in the last year that I have officially been treated for anxiety. I'm an angry little camper at the moment and have a life time of explaining to do to the people closest to me. I'm ready to own this part of myself that has frustrated me for so long. Angry, angry, angry at my parents. .... That's another chapter. They are not what I need in my life right now, as their behavior is so dysfunctional it makes me crazy. They are still so determined to play happy families. ... I play along for the sake of my young child. I'm lonely and tired of pretending that "everything is awesome". Where do I start? Slightly overwhelmed!!! Comments welcome

mk8177 feel like the nerves in my brain are twitching or shaking
  • replies: 3

I have been told I have anxiety and was wondering if anyone suffers from a symptom i get and if it is normal. I often feel as though my brain is sort of having a spasm or someone is squeezing it really tight. It is really hard to explain. It kind of ... View more

I have been told I have anxiety and was wondering if anyone suffers from a symptom i get and if it is normal. I often feel as though my brain is sort of having a spasm or someone is squeezing it really tight. It is really hard to explain. It kind of feels like the moment before you pass out but then right before my eyes feel like they are going to roll back into my head i come to again. Its so scary and i dont know how to get a handle on it. Every time i try to explain it to someone i feel really dumb because i cant describe it properly. when it happens it throws me completely off balance and makes my heart race and my body tingle. Im really having trouble getting a handle of it in public and often have to leave wherever i am or have a silent freakout and pretend its not happening. I work in retail so its very hard to have a few moments of me time when it happens and i fear people are starting to notice. I just wish i could make it stop.