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

T-P My partner & I split due to his mental health
  • replies: 1

My partner & I just spent the last 9 months together. For a few weeks we were having it pretty rough, I felt like He was pushing me away with no explanation as he has never been good with communication (which we were slowly working on). A few days ag... View more

My partner & I just spent the last 9 months together. For a few weeks we were having it pretty rough, I felt like He was pushing me away with no explanation as he has never been good with communication (which we were slowly working on). A few days ago he decided it was best to break up so he was able to find himself again and mentally be a better person for himself. He didn't want to keep upsetting me as I had made my concerns about how i felt over the last few weeks known without being pushy for answers. He still wants to remain friends for now, not just messaging eachother. But hanging out, having me stay at his house, as well as being inimate with one another. We have spoken everyday since the break up but kept it pretty basic. He has said He does feel strongly about us getting back together, he doesnt want to tell his family about the break up because he feels strongly about it being a temporary thing. but he also doesn't want to make any promises as, he doesn't know where mine or his own headspace will be once he is better within in his mental health. We also both need to make changes we felt weren't helping our relationship at the time. Which im willing to change and respect. So I guess im asking, has anyone been in the same situation with your ex? How did it go? If you did end up back together how did it go?

Anxiousmind82 Cardiac anxiety
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone, Thought I’d reach out and see if anyone has gone through similar situation. I’ve had small heart flutters on and off for years. It’s usually due to anxiety or low iron. Which I’ve been treated for 4 weeks ago with an iron infusion. I tho... View more

Hi everyone, Thought I’d reach out and see if anyone has gone through similar situation. I’ve had small heart flutters on and off for years. It’s usually due to anxiety or low iron. Which I’ve been treated for 4 weeks ago with an iron infusion. I thought the flutters would clear but they still remained. I chalked it down to being extra anxious but when I seen my Dr she said it’s best to get a 7 day holter monitor test done. Needless to say it made me stress out so bad. So when I had the monitor on I could feel my flutters worse and also my heart beat was racing. Towards the end of the 7 days I stopped having flutters in my chest and seemed to feel a bit more relaxed. I anxiously waited for my results which I got today. The dr said they weren’t bad but I had an episode of high heart rate. Highest being 165bpm and lowest was 53bpm. And my heat rate ranged from 70-125. I’m being sent to a cardiologist for a check up to make sure everything is ok and nothing is wrong. So that just made me freak out more. I had no idea my heart rate went that high by sitting in the car. I Know the time is during school drop off and I’m generally quite stressed but yeh. So now all day I can feel my heart racing and I’m constantly checking. It’s been around 90 and highest when checked was 100. I had no afib episodes during the 7 days so the dr said there was no electrical issues so that’s great but I’m so stressed something bad will happen to me due to high heart rate. I can’t make an appt until next week due to long weekend and I’m going away. I did ask if it was urgent as I was going away and she said go away and enjoy your holiday and deal with it when you’re back. I should feel reassured but I’m not. I have young kids so I’m spiralling thinking bad thoughts. I was such a mess and my dr ended up prescribe me something for my anxiety to calm my mind while I’m waiting to see the psychologist and cardiologist. Has anyone dealt with high heart rates? I had a massive flutter before and I just know that is due to anxiety. I’ve had a pain my my leg behind my knee for over a month it comes and goes now I’m freaking of a blood clot. Does this health anxiety ever calm down. I feel so lost. If anyone had any remedies ti help me relaxed that would be great. I’ve been doing deep breathing but yeh not doing much. My husband told me I’ll be fine but anyone that is in this frame of mind that does nothing. I toldhim I wish I was normal and didn’t think anything of it and just waited. Thanks for listening. I’ve posted a few years ago about cardiac anxiety and everyone was so kind it also does help knowing other people are having same issues even if it’s from different causes.

KK7791 Physical symptoms of Anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hey guys,Im a 33(f) year old, mum of 2, wife and full time uni student studying a double degree (for context). Ive struggled with depression and unstable mental health most of my life. However anxiety reared its ugly head 2 years ago when I had my yo... View more

Hey guys,Im a 33(f) year old, mum of 2, wife and full time uni student studying a double degree (for context). Ive struggled with depression and unstable mental health most of my life. However anxiety reared its ugly head 2 years ago when I had my youngest child. For the most part Ive been able to just “get on with it”. However over the past few months Ive been dealing with debilitating physical symptoms. Ive been taken to hospital, had multiple GP appointments, blood tests, holter monitors ect… and everything comes back as healthy. Medical professionals keep telling me Im just anxious/ experiencing panic attacks but offer no further info or help. I get heart palpitations, chest pain/ tightness, dizziness, brain fog, irritable, fatigued, hot, cold, numbness, the list goes on. Some times these episodes can go on for hours and even days. Im so lost, i really don’t know what to do. I dont have anyone in my life that I can talk to or would understand, i guess thats why I’m here. Spending $200 odd dollars on a therapist is just not an option atm. Has anyone else been in a state of “panic” for weeks? What did you do??

obelisk84 What do you do when you feel lonely at night?
  • replies: 1

I live alone. Moved back to my home city but don't really know anyone here or at least childhood friends but I don't reach out to them because I have become more socially anxious these last few years. Every night and every weekend feels so hard to li... View more

I live alone. Moved back to my home city but don't really know anyone here or at least childhood friends but I don't reach out to them because I have become more socially anxious these last few years. Every night and every weekend feels so hard to live through because it's just me, in an apartment, nobody to talk to, nowhere to go, too afraid to be seen in public alone because I have nothing exciting to share with people. I'm not one to put myself out there because I just feel people don't have time for me or wouldn't want my company any more than a few minutes. I just need something to help live with loneliness but I have no idea what and thought maybe someone here has some ideas that would help me. Thanks.

Jade747 Feeling like i have no friends
  • replies: 8

Hi im jade im 17 and still in highschool and struggling really badly with friends. As of this year i have tried to switch friend groups since i felt my group was toxic and had always left me out - this was perfect timing as half of the group moved sc... View more

Hi im jade im 17 and still in highschool and struggling really badly with friends. As of this year i have tried to switch friend groups since i felt my group was toxic and had always left me out - this was perfect timing as half of the group moved schools and it wouldn’t be as awkward if i left. After this i sat with a group of girls for a few months but they never really included me in anything- then i moved to another group who where nice but i felt they didn’t necessarily like me- now me and another girl from that friend group have joined another group of girls at lunch. i really enjoy there company and we get along- but as of recent the group which i thought was going to include me more ( as i told them my situation of *having no Friends*) has hung out multiple times without me, i feel extremely broken and angry, often questioning myself what have i done wrong as i haven’t had a group of friends that i feel actually want to spend time with me! Im also confused as my year group has voted me sweetest person two years in a row, so what have i done to people to make them not want to hang out with me ??Im wondering if its becuase im still friends with my original group but not as close as i was before and my new group thinks im still consistently talking and hanging out with them. please give me advice as im really struggling and regularly crying about my situation - i feel extremely lonely as i see all the other people i know having fun as a teenager As i reflect on my whole time in school i realise i’ve never really had a best friend or a good friend group all i want is to be called someones best friend and be in a friend group that loves me and makes me feel happy as i only have one more year left if Highschool before we most likely go our separate ways. thank you for taking the time to read my message, i really appreciate it p.s. if you are in the same boat, you know where to find a friend

Number 86 Pushing through it
  • replies: 1

I have health anxiety and ocd and have been on medication for 1 year and 4 months and haven't had any issues and was doing really well. Over the past 3 months, I have been struggling again after a few doctor visits over my tongue as it was still dry ... View more

I have health anxiety and ocd and have been on medication for 1 year and 4 months and haven't had any issues and was doing really well. Over the past 3 months, I have been struggling again after a few doctor visits over my tongue as it was still dry after coming off medication. Long story short it turns out I have silent acid reflux. My tongue is a lot better but hadn't been 100% and my anxiety had spiralled out of control googling every possible cause and doing a lot of blood tests and second opinions from other doctors. I found some relief after seeing a counsellor and doing some CBT training. However, I am currently not sleeping and it's tiring. I heard that a lot of people had anxiety and sleep problems with proton pump inhibitors so I have started tapering off to see if there is any difference. Trying to ride this out but looking for some motivation to stop worrying and hopefully get some sleep. I took a 5mg dose of an antidepressant yesterday as I thought it may help me start to sleep again but I was wrong and anxiety was worse so I haven't continued.

Natland2023 Mrs martin
  • replies: 7

I have chronic pain ( fibromyalgia) I have been suffering terrible anxiety for around the last month and with that anxiety it flares up my chronic pain to a level that is extremely hard to deal with, I am lucky to get 2-3 hours sleep a night.

I have chronic pain ( fibromyalgia) I have been suffering terrible anxiety for around the last month and with that anxiety it flares up my chronic pain to a level that is extremely hard to deal with, I am lucky to get 2-3 hours sleep a night.

Guest_76012041 Anxiety is Ruining my life
  • replies: 3

This is just the latest incident of me letting my anxiety control me. Right now I should be overseas with my wife but instead I'm at home feeling like a piece of shit. I let my anxiety stop me from going on a plane thus breaking my wife's heart in th... View more

This is just the latest incident of me letting my anxiety control me. Right now I should be overseas with my wife but instead I'm at home feeling like a piece of shit. I let my anxiety stop me from going on a plane thus breaking my wife's heart in the process. I've let my anxiety control me for so long that it's at the point where my relationship is dying and I can't see anything but darkness and negativity. I constantly let my anxiety control my life and my decisions. I've made my world so small in the process. I don't feel like I'm living, I feel like I'm just existing with no identity or purpose. I don't know why I'm posting this, I guess it's a cry for help.

Teacher9 New puppy and anxiety
  • replies: 2

My husband and I now have a 6 and 2 year old. I love dogs yet everytime we discuss getting one and bring it home my anxiety spirals. Feeling faint, can't eat, hot sweats. My mind goes into over drive. Our last dog passed away 4 years ago and even whe... View more

My husband and I now have a 6 and 2 year old. I love dogs yet everytime we discuss getting one and bring it home my anxiety spirals. Feeling faint, can't eat, hot sweats. My mind goes into over drive. Our last dog passed away 4 years ago and even when we first got him I spiralled and put him up for sale but I must've managed to get on-top of my anxiety.We have bought 3 dogs and I've had to rehome them all to cater to my mental health. Unfortunately my husband and kids suffer from the enjoyment of a pet.I am on Sertraline for generalised anxiety and it's not bad unless there's a crisis or something big happening in my life. But it hits hard at times like this. After our last dog passed, I think nearly 12 months later we got another dog. I was physically sick with anxiety and he was rehomed after a week. Instantly I felt good. Next time my 2nd daughter was just crawling and we tried again but once again anxiety hit and I knew I couldnt cope with a dog and a baby, so rehomed. Hubby said never ever again. Fast forward and now my 6 year old begs for a dog , her sister is bigger and we picked him up yesterday. I get home and bam anxiety hits and I feel faint and hot. Overwhelming anxiety. It's not so much the dogs themselves it's me thinking too much. It's so irrational, I love dogs. Just a vent. In my mind I feel better when I say he's not locked in, if it gets too bad I can rehome him but there's a pattern happening and I hate the feeling.

CMF Dear Anxiety
  • replies: 40

At times I tell my anxiety to stop, go away, leave me alone. I thought it might be good to put it into a post. Feel free to write your own letter. Dear anxiety,I've has enough of you & you need to leave. I am a strong, confident, positive person & yo... View more

At times I tell my anxiety to stop, go away, leave me alone. I thought it might be good to put it into a post. Feel free to write your own letter. Dear anxiety,I've has enough of you & you need to leave. I am a strong, confident, positive person & you come in & try to take it away. You always pounce when I'm a little vulnerable & you just keep pick, pick, picking at me until my thoughts go round in circles. Well, you won't win. I know your game & I'm not playing.Go back into your little hole, you won't get the better of me Cmf