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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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guest75 my biggest problem is catastrophising
  • replies: 6

Had an appointment with my psych yesterday, first time ive seen her in 6 weeks.. Apparently I have General Anxiety Disorder...my depression was brought on by the events that had happened but the GAD is the underlying issue...and my biggest problem is... View more

Had an appointment with my psych yesterday, first time ive seen her in 6 weeks.. Apparently I have General Anxiety Disorder...my depression was brought on by the events that had happened but the GAD is the underlying issue...and my biggest problem is i try to predict the future and have a negative way of thinking and i "Catastrophize" things (ie worst possilble outcome is always what my mind is thinking) She has a point, i have mediation tomorrow with "her" and my anxiety is peaking badly coz i keep thinking of things that might go wrong rather than what might go right...plus i really dont want to see her, havent spoken to her since the start of december and have seen her in passing twice at the 2 court dates...

Perkin How do I deal with my social anxiety
  • replies: 12

Hi all, I've gotten to a point where I'm no longer terrified of meeting new people and want to do stuff like join book clubs And interact but the problem is that the stress of this new social situation makes me shut down so I find it hard to talk. Th... View more

Hi all, I've gotten to a point where I'm no longer terrified of meeting new people and want to do stuff like join book clubs And interact but the problem is that the stress of this new social situation makes me shut down so I find it hard to talk. The one group that I am a part of I've been going to b for 4 years and have definately come out of my shell more but part way through a conversation my brain decides I've had enough socialising and I find it hard to keep interacting. Anyone else have this problem?

Lillybell How do I deal with rapid thoughts?
  • replies: 4

Just wondering if others on here deal with a brain that doesn't stop. No I'm not a genius! I'm talking about thoughts that don't cease. I haven't experienced anything like what has been occurring lately. My internal, stream of consciousness talk is n... View more

Just wondering if others on here deal with a brain that doesn't stop. No I'm not a genius! I'm talking about thoughts that don't cease. I haven't experienced anything like what has been occurring lately. My internal, stream of consciousness talk is non stop. It goes with me everywhere. Just a rapid procession of thoughts about everything. I'm just wanting there to be an ad break! So I can go and get a cuppa! I joke, but experiencing it isn't that funny, especially when you realise that the checkout operator has asked you the same question over and over and has that exasperated look, that says, 'Earth to Mars'! I've been studying, I've been having some heavy online conversations and I'm trying to do all the practical things that need doing. But I think I've gone into system overload. How do I stop the machine gun rapid thoughts that are crowding my head? Anyone experienced something similar?

Jeanette01 Social anxiety disorder
  • replies: 8

I have not been diagnosed but I'm betting this is one of my problems. I am scared to go see someone as I hate sharing my problems but I know it will help. Can anyone who has social anxiety disorder please help me?

I have not been diagnosed but I'm betting this is one of my problems. I am scared to go see someone as I hate sharing my problems but I know it will help. Can anyone who has social anxiety disorder please help me?

Lex Had panic disorder for 15 years
  • replies: 4

I am new to this online forum, I have had Panic Disorder for over 15 years so I thought I could help some other people out who are just going through similar things.

I am new to this online forum, I have had Panic Disorder for over 15 years so I thought I could help some other people out who are just going through similar things.

GramsGirl Health Anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hello everyone,My name is Stephanie and I am a 51 year old female living in South Australia. I have major depression, OCD and health anxiety which is related to the OCD. I am wondering if there are any others out there that have the health anxiety? I... View more

Hello everyone,My name is Stephanie and I am a 51 year old female living in South Australia. I have major depression, OCD and health anxiety which is related to the OCD. I am wondering if there are any others out there that have the health anxiety? I have just started a new medication and the going is pretty slow. I was on another antidepressant for seven years and that worked very well until recently when I started to deteriorate again. I find the health anxiety pretty hard to deal with at times.I have had OCD off and on since childhood but the health anxiety was triggered, I think, by my mother passing away from Cancer when I was a young teen. I am just looking to connect with others who have or have had health anxiety. Any advice on coping techniques would be most appreciated. Thank you

ytown I don't have the correct symptoms, but could it still be anxiety?
  • replies: 2

I don't have the sweaty palms, racing heart, etc, but I think that it's probably because I avoid any and all situations that will cause me any sort of anxiety. I have been a stay-at-home mum for 17 years and love my life, but occasionally I think I s... View more

I don't have the sweaty palms, racing heart, etc, but I think that it's probably because I avoid any and all situations that will cause me any sort of anxiety. I have been a stay-at-home mum for 17 years and love my life, but occasionally I think I should probably get a job outside of the home. The problem is that I just can't. I have even gone so far as to sign up for courses, but I can't make myself get there. I have all of these coping things in place. For example: have to do things in a certain way by a certain time, and when I treat myself to a day out shopping, I start to get panicky if I'm not home by a certain time. Actually it's the same with anything I do outside of the home. Whether it's going for coffee with friends, helping at school, whatever, i have to be home by a certain time (the time varies depending on the day) I don't sleep terribly well. By this I mean that I sleep heavily for about 5 hours but then I start to worry that I should get up...now! I suffer terribly from mouth ulcers whenever I am stressing. I also find myself grinding my teeth constantly day and night I don't feel I can talk to my husband or friends because I feel stupid. I'm a very strong person. I absolutely do not ask for help. Isuppose what I really need is some advice about vitamins or over the counter medication that any one can suggest

Amali Worrying about what everyone else thinks
  • replies: 3

I have recently started dating my ex boyfriend and things are going well between us, obviously it will take some time to build trust and get back what we had but I find I start doubting myself when i'm around my friends who witnessed how upset and de... View more

I have recently started dating my ex boyfriend and things are going well between us, obviously it will take some time to build trust and get back what we had but I find I start doubting myself when i'm around my friends who witnessed how upset and depressed I was due to how my ex treated me when we broke up. I off loaded a lot to my friends about what happened in my relationship and now I somewhat regret telling them all the bad stuff because now I feel like they will always hold that against my boyfriend and never be happy for me because they think he will hurt me again. He has really turned his life around and is very sorry for what he did. I know I over think everything! and I have to do what's best for me. I am much happier with my partner back in my life, I just wish everything could go back to how they were. I see a future with my boyfriend, and I'd like to think that people will be happy for me, not thinking "I can't believe she went back to that douche bag" Thinking about what happened in the past does make me anxious but I also want to move on with my life. I know I don't need to prove to everyone that I'm making the right decision but I just wish there was a way for them to see that he does make me happy. I feel like my friends are waiting for him to "stuff up" again and know I don't even bring him up in conversation because I know their thoughts on him. If anyone has any advice on this it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks TD

Sam_ I think I might actually have anxiety..
  • replies: 4

About 2 years ago I had to see a psychiatrist as part of a job interview and I was told that I have anxiety. I didn't really know what it was at the time but now I'm starting to think that I really do have anxiety. From year 2 in primary school to ye... View more

About 2 years ago I had to see a psychiatrist as part of a job interview and I was told that I have anxiety. I didn't really know what it was at the time but now I'm starting to think that I really do have anxiety. From year 2 in primary school to year 10 in high school, I was bullied most days and it was mainly only verbal insults and things like that but when I was in year 8 it started to get physical and the school didn't do anything even though teachers had seen some form of bullying towards me (they wouldn't say what had been seen). This strongly impacted on my confidence and self-esteem and I'm still affected by it today. During these years of bullying I had a few panic attacks which would happen only at night, either before I went to sleep or I would wake up having the attack. I don’t recall having a panic attack for a few years now. I get very nervous when doing things that I haven't done before i.e. yesterday I was pulled over by police, breath tested and he gave me some extra P plates because mine had broken off. During this my hands were shaking, my heart was racing and I was talking really fast even though I knew I had done nothing wrong. Which leads to my next problem. This year I have had two "mental" breakdowns, one at the end of January which lasted an hour or two and the other last night which wasn't as bad I don't think. I don't know what caused the first one but last night I figured it was because I've been on a massive high and the police thing shook me up a bit and I came crashing down. During these breakdowns I would tell myself that I'm not going anywhere in life, I can't achieve anything and that I'm useless and of course I begin to believe myself. I've only really spoken to one of my very good friends about it and that was last night. She has convinced me to see a psychiatrist about it but because I can't really afford it, so writing this is really my first step. Does anyone else have these problems? How do you cope with them? I think I also show some signs of depression as well? Any feedback would be great. I am intending on seeing a psychiatrist when I can afford to.

Happy_Girl1 I just can't get it together, & it's getting worse.
  • replies: 1

I hate anxiety. I really do. I feel like a shell of a person and no matter where I turn, it comes back to bite me. I'm FINALLY about to start therapy.. & I really hope it helps! ive had ODC since I was 8.. I thought it went away but I've recently rea... View more

I hate anxiety. I really do. I feel like a shell of a person and no matter where I turn, it comes back to bite me. I'm FINALLY about to start therapy.. & I really hope it helps! ive had ODC since I was 8.. I thought it went away but I've recently realised I've just replaced the compulsions with others. i was first diagnosed with depression at 18.. And it's never gone away for long. now I'm 27, married with children, and have realised I have server social anxiety too.. That I don't remember having as a child, but now I can only talk to people one-one-one (family included) when I talk to a group of people (2 or more) I lose my train of thought, get anxious & distracted. Just last night my husband had a friend over & the kids were playing in the lounge room & I just couldn't handle it, I removed myself to scrub the tiles in the bathroom 'because it really needed doing'. I've given myself a 4 hour lunch break today (I'm a small business owner) because I just had to get out of there. I'm starting to wonder if I will ever have a normal life! I have a wonderful husband, & beautiful kids, a great paying job, a beautiful house, I have NOTJING to feel so depressed and anxious about! At night I lie in bed and think about all the horrible things life has thrown me & I wonder if I will every be happy & truely appreciate my life! My eldest is 4 this year & keeps asking to invite her preschool friends over to play, which I would LOVE, I love kids. But that would mean I'd have to introduce myself to their parents, call them and possibly have them over to and I just can't bring myself to do it. I don't want my condition effecting my kids like this. I just want to be a better person. Well. There is my introduction. I'm hoping to talk to other people & maybe get some moral support from others who know what it's like to live with anxiety.