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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Jazly OCD? - Not sure
  • replies: 3

Hi .. I'm new here and I don't really know where to begin as I'm finding it hard to define what I'm feeling. My daughter had a baby a few months ago and I love the baby so much, I can't wait to see her and play with her and I often look at her photos... View more

Hi .. I'm new here and I don't really know where to begin as I'm finding it hard to define what I'm feeling. My daughter had a baby a few months ago and I love the baby so much, I can't wait to see her and play with her and I often look at her photos and they bring a smile to my face. The strange part is I keep feeling like nothing else can matter now. It's very hard to explain as I don't understand it myself. I feel like friends can't be important or interests or anything that I might like to do. It's like my mind is just going over and over things, analysing every relationship and I feel like the baby has to be the only thing that matters and now I'm just nothing and worthless. It's consuming. When people say that their kids are their life I get a sinking feeling because it feels like it's confirming the way I'm feeling. I don't want to feel like this as I can't have a life. I love the baby very much, she's just a delight. So why is this ridiculous thought pattern taking over. I probably haven't explained it very well as a lot of what I'm feeling really can't be explained - it's beyond me, it makes no sense, its illogical, I can see that - so why does it affect me so much? It's all very confusing.

WT__Whyme Why :'(
  • replies: 4

I'm new here.. I've only had anxiety & chronic depression for 8 months & is driving me up the wall. I have NO control on it, it comes & goes when ever it wants. It's emotionally & physically draining, that flight fight response leaves me in tears, ge... View more

I'm new here.. I've only had anxiety & chronic depression for 8 months & is driving me up the wall. I have NO control on it, it comes & goes when ever it wants. It's emotionally & physically draining, that flight fight response leaves me in tears, gets worse at night & starting to get worse during the day. I don't take medication as l can't handle it & l ain't gunna be doing the trial n error for it either cos l don't do roller coaster rides either!!

Ruota My anxiety and symptoms.
  • replies: 7

My anxiety is very weird. Mainly because I'm still trying to believe that I have anxiety. The doctor or should I say doctors have diagnosed me with anxiety. I have really bad symptoms. Such as trouble breathing, irregular heart beat, blurred vision, ... View more

My anxiety is very weird. Mainly because I'm still trying to believe that I have anxiety. The doctor or should I say doctors have diagnosed me with anxiety. I have really bad symptoms. Such as trouble breathing, irregular heart beat, blurred vision, always tired and my main symptom is ALWAYS being dizzy and lightheaded. Feeling like I'm spinning and about to faint. I keep telling myself I'm dizzy because of something else. Like I have something wrong with my brain or cancer or something. It's such a horrible thought. I've been referred to a specialist. Even though my doctor said it's anxiety. I feel like I have no reason to have anxiety. I mean I'm not depressed. To be honest, these symptoms are what make me depressed. I just want them gone. I see a psychologist but it isn't really working. Is there anyone else who sufferers or has suffered the same symptom as me? Dizzy, sense of spinning, feeling like you're going to faint. Please tell me if it's really anxiety.

El10 Just want to feel normal again
  • replies: 5

Hi I'm elyse and I'm 27, I had my first panic attack 10 months ago, I was just sitting on the couch watching tv then all of a sudden I went very dizzy got up to get a drink of water then all of a sudden I couldn't breath and my heart was going so fas... View more

Hi I'm elyse and I'm 27, I had my first panic attack 10 months ago, I was just sitting on the couch watching tv then all of a sudden I went very dizzy got up to get a drink of water then all of a sudden I couldn't breath and my heart was going so fast, I honestly thought I was going to die, my mum and partner took me up the emergency, and they told me a was having a panic attack, I was so confused and was like WHAT??? I went to the doctor and had tests done and they told me a have anxiety, so with that I was on google a lot...I went to Thailand in October last year ( got engaged ) and all my symptoms seems to go away. Ive been on medication since January.I thought I was getting better but the last month I've been a mess, keep getting this heavy head feeling, like a tight band is around my head, can't concentrate, and just tired all the time, It's so frustrating. I'm not depressed but this head thing is making my feel depressed.. Just get very emotional about it. My partner doesn't understand which makes it very hard.. Just want it to go away. I've had a mental health plan done for me but just need to make that phone call to make an appointment!!!! Any feedback would be great, just to hear im not alone!

EmmaP Feeling a bit desperate and down...
  • replies: 2

Hi Everyone, I was hoping some of you may have some wise words out there for me. I have posted a couple of times now, but to fill you in, I have diagnosed anxiety- specifically separation anxiety and general anxiety, and depression resulting from the... View more

Hi Everyone, I was hoping some of you may have some wise words out there for me. I have posted a couple of times now, but to fill you in, I have diagnosed anxiety- specifically separation anxiety and general anxiety, and depression resulting from the anxiety. I am seeing my GP who has put me on a SNRI anti-depressant and I have been on this one for approximately a month now. I am also seeing a psychiatrist who I very much like and I have seen her twice now, and seeing her unfortunately at monthly intervals due to work (they won't let me go once a fortnight). She has given me relaxation and mindfulness techniques to do, and I try my best to eat a balanced diet and have started doing yoga at home three times a week. I found the relaxation techniques were working well for the mild anxiety. However for the past three days I have been feeling very much down, hopeless, sad, constantly anxious, unable to concentrate, exhausted, achy, and have been suffering panic attacks several times a day. My mum and I aren't very close but she has been admitted to hospital for a month due to an unexplained illness where she has lost weight to an anorexic level. She has to be tube fed for a month through a tube in her nose. Also, my girlfriend of 5 months has recently gone through a lot of stress with her housing situation which in turn has put a lot of stress on me and a huge change of our long term plans to move to Melbourne (we have had to move it forward 6 months which is scary). I am also struggling with obsessive thoughts once more and everything is seeming to make me anxious. Work is dull and my tasks seem impossible and I cannot concentrate at all! I am guilt tripping myself about feeling this way and cannot stop. I am beating myself up about me feeling down, that I shouldn't feel this way, that I'm a burden on my loved ones, that I am a hypochondriac, that I should be able to flick a switch and feel better, even though I know none of that is true deep down. I am also having obsessive thoughts about my money situation and being broke, but at the same time I desperately want to spend it to feel better (never ending cycle!!!). All I have wanted to do is buy a pet fish, even though I don't have the spare money for a set up, and my house mate is funny about the extra electricity to run the filter/heater. But I'm obsessing about it! Does anyone have any tips about how they deal with the depressive feelings, guilt and obsessive thoughts?? I'm really struggling.

Mia14 scared feeling wakes me every night
  • replies: 2

Hey my first time 52 mum of 3 beautiful kids and a new nanny diagnosed 2years ago with anxiety I find myself unable to function and I'm so tired of being scared I had such a love of life now I can't even bring myself to go to work I've been hiding ho... View more

Hey my first time 52 mum of 3 beautiful kids and a new nanny diagnosed 2years ago with anxiety I find myself unable to function and I'm so tired of being scared I had such a love of life now I can't even bring myself to go to work I've been hiding how I've been for months but can't do it anymore I'm well educated have a good job (that I can't go to ) I'm scared and just want me back I'm medicated just changed again and I'm currently taking sleep tabs for a week just get some relief from the scared feeling that wakes me every night will I ever be free of this

lilykitten Anxiety and self esteem
  • replies: 4

I seem to have panic attacks anytime I treat myself. I may be at the airport about to have a holiday, in a restaurant and a delicious meal has just been served or on a night out and I am the guest of honour....... suddenly I get very dizzy, nauseous ... View more

I seem to have panic attacks anytime I treat myself. I may be at the airport about to have a holiday, in a restaurant and a delicious meal has just been served or on a night out and I am the guest of honour....... suddenly I get very dizzy, nauseous and desperate to go to the loo. I always cope well in stressful situations so why do I get panic attacks when I should be enjoying myself. Do you think it has something to do with low self esteem?

nessy120 Please Help
  • replies: 4

So I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety at the age of 14, I am now 31. I currently went to see a neurologist who suggested that I was on way to much medicine and that I should come off all of it. And so I did. I came off all of it within a 2 w... View more

So I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety at the age of 14, I am now 31. I currently went to see a neurologist who suggested that I was on way to much medicine and that I should come off all of it. And so I did. I came off all of it within a 2 week period, and as I was tapering off I felt fine. UNTIL NOW..... i can't even leave my house,my anxiety id=s o bad. I am not sad or depressed just very anxious, and do not know how to handle it. Yesterday the dr added medication back to the equation but told me it takes 2-4 weeks to work. I have been out of work now for two weeks and feel like I am going crazy. I am not having any crazy thoughts its just a constant feeling of nervousness and anxiousness to the point were I am in the bathroom ever ten minutes. Someone please help me.

Girty Anxious, sad and overwhelmed by the thought of completing everyday tasks
  • replies: 5

Hi there, I'm just wondering if anybody can help/relate. I have always suffered mild anxiety but I've mostly always managed it (I've had a few panic attacks over the years) I am a teacher and am currently on holidays which I should be so excited abou... View more

Hi there, I'm just wondering if anybody can help/relate. I have always suffered mild anxiety but I've mostly always managed it (I've had a few panic attacks over the years) I am a teacher and am currently on holidays which I should be so excited about but I just feel hopeless and so anxious and sad and I just don't entirely know why. I spent most of the day crying and I just couldn't get the motivation to get up and do everyday household things I was meant to like the dishes... I caught up with a friend in the afternoon but spent all morning feeling so anxious about the stupidest things like what to wear and how much time I had and guilty at the fact that I had done none of the above households things that needed to be done etc etc... I thought of so many ways that I could to get out of it but it got too late to cancel and I sucked up the tears and went (don't know how) I enjoyed myself and was out for a few hours but I feel like I was just putting on a 'happy act' and as soon as I got in the car the bawled my eyes out to the point I nearly had a panic attack.... All of which has brought me here as I feel like this time round a good night's sleep isn't going to fix todays sad feelings... if that makes sense. I have a hard time talking to loved ones about it because I don't want to burden or worry them. My fiance has clinical depression which I worry about all the time even though he manages it and lives a happy and healthy life... My little brother also has severe anxiety/depression....I guess I just worry all the time... It's really taking its toll on me at the moment Everyday things such as cooking dinner or even just thinking what to cook, going to the supermarket, or sweeping the floors feel completely overwhelming and these things never seemed this bad......I feel like the clock is against me and there just isn't enough time in the day. I feel anxious that I'm wasting my holidays and they'll be over before I've had enough time to relax and enjoy them. I feel anxious about going back to work even though I have 2 weeks off and I love my job and my students...I just feel so selfish for complaining when I know I've got it so good... Thanks for reading