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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jess334 Hard time lately
  • replies: 7

End of last year my anxiety was getting easier, my medication was working and I had a casual job which suited me perfectly. Then I was fired, three days after I informed my boss of my mental health issues. Because it was December I haven't been able ... View more

End of last year my anxiety was getting easier, my medication was working and I had a casual job which suited me perfectly. Then I was fired, three days after I informed my boss of my mental health issues. Because it was December I haven't been able to find a job, not even temp work. This has led to my worst case scenario - having to leave my apartment. My options were a) move in with my (admittedly loving and supporting) boyfriend or b) move back home (with 3 siblings). I chose A, because I can't imagine moving back into the family home. But I LOVE living on my own, having my own space to disappear to when I am too anxious. I am so freaked out about moving in with someone. Even though my boyfriend knows and understands about my anxiety. He is very supportive and wants me to feel comfortable. He has even planned to turn the spare room into a reading nook for me to disappear to. How do other people with anxiety live with someone else? I have lived with men before and it has never worked out, I was ignored, dismissed or yelled at when I got anxious. I'm so scared that I can't eat, I feel nauseous all the time. My doctor recommended some medication, which sort of works, but its difficult to take it when I'm going to job interviews every day. Need to vent, all my friends and family remind me that the next month will be very difficult (because of my anxiety) but after that I will relax and get used to it. This is true, but it really doesn't help me get through the next month.

Kikiz Anxiety is ruining my relationship
  • replies: 6

I have had quite a long history of depression and mental illness but over the past couple of years I've overcome a lot and not longer have those issues.But I've come to realise that I still have extreme intense anxiety problems mostly when it comes t... View more

I have had quite a long history of depression and mental illness but over the past couple of years I've overcome a lot and not longer have those issues.But I've come to realise that I still have extreme intense anxiety problems mostly when it comes to my relationship. I have always had big father issues and trust issues.But my current boyfriend is coping all of the anger because of the past. I completely freak out when something happens that is out of my comfort zone and try everything I can to stop it happening.It's even small things like him seeing his friends. Deep down I feel like I can trust him but all these thoughts go through my head and there so much stronger than any positive ones.I get extremely jealous about other girls and constantly comparing myself to them. I've gotten so anxious about things and can't control the urge to not check his phone and Facebook and I hate it.When things get out of my control I literally feel sick and it feels like a big ball of anger just building up inside me ? I go into this intense stalking mode that I feel like I just can't control. I send multiple text messages one after enough and constantly have to ask who he's with and what he's doing. I HATE THIS SO MUCH!!He's the most amazing nice guy and I'm so scared that he won't be around much longer cause I don't let him do anything to protect myself and i know it isn't fair. It sucks so much and I just don't know how to stop this please someone help me

Travla Bombshell
  • replies: 1

I am just been diagnosed with depression anxiety and am still coming to terms with it. Over the last few months I have been trying to figure out what's wrong with me having headaches, dizziness, sore back, tiredness etc. I never even considered that ... View more

I am just been diagnosed with depression anxiety and am still coming to terms with it. Over the last few months I have been trying to figure out what's wrong with me having headaches, dizziness, sore back, tiredness etc. I never even considered that it could be my mental health that's needs attention so am slightly shocked but now at least it all makes sense to me. I moved from NZ to Aus 2years ago and although I love it here have struggled to make friends which has never been an issue for me before. Along with a couple of other things to juggle in my life this feeling of 'stress' has built up and got worse over the last few months. I now feel quite anxious sometimes when at work, in meetings or places with big crowds. I am quite hard on myself &dont think I should feel like this since I do have a good life and am only 26. My partner was quite confused when I told him asking me what I'm anxious about exactly... When there isn't one thing that causes it that I know of. I'd like to help him so he also knows how to deal with this & support me as I don't want him to feel at all responsible. I have started on meds (which I know can take a while to take affect) and am going to speak to someone. I am feeling quite nervous about the whole process but hope to make things better before they get worse...

lonely trying to cope
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone im new to this whole process, I have just been diagnosed with anxiety after having a stay in hospital to have my appendix removed. It was 4 days of crap, and then my nana fell and hurt her leg and has had currently 4 surgeries to fix, she... View more

Hi everyone im new to this whole process, I have just been diagnosed with anxiety after having a stay in hospital to have my appendix removed. It was 4 days of crap, and then my nana fell and hurt her leg and has had currently 4 surgeries to fix, she is 95 and in the mean time I went to the ed having trouble breathing and chest pains to be told it could be a blood clot, i recently had a friend loose her husband to a blood clot , so all very worrying, so after another 3 days in hospital multiple tests and scans turns out no blood clot, but same day I was sent home I starting feeling awful, teary, sweaty, nausea, struggling to breath and like there was always something in my throat, so back to any doctor I could find on a sunday and he said anxiety stress and prescribed a short term medication to help me relax, but of course i now have anxiety over taken this addictive medication. So have seen my doctor who has suggested taking it for a few nights and get a good sleep and see how I feel from there and only take them if I feel I really need to. So I have gone from being very happy and outgoing, to struggling to get out of bed everyday and even the simpliest things can be to difficult somedays. And of course now feeling worse as christmas is right around the corner and I have 2 kids and a husband that dont understand. And of course still havent taken any medication yet

Dexter2748 Anxiety and Depression
  • replies: 5

Hello,I have spent the last couple months suffering from both anxiety and depression, something I've had for years but now at it's worst. I take a range of medications however I still find it impossible to relax. Some friends and family know about my... View more

Hello,I have spent the last couple months suffering from both anxiety and depression, something I've had for years but now at it's worst. I take a range of medications however I still find it impossible to relax. Some friends and family know about my current health issues but I don't think they fully grasp what I'm experiencing. To be fair I'm pretty good at hiding my emotions at times as I don't want to be that sad guy in the corner, I want to be the one to motivate others and make them laugh Tomorrow will be my first appointment with my psychologist. I'm both excited and nervous about it as it's been about 6 years since undergoing any from of therapy, I know I really need it.I think about death a lot, each day even when not experiencing a panic attack I wish that I was no longer here. I've had these thoughts for years now but I don't think I could hurt my family like that and plus I'm only 23 so everyone tells me it's going to get better. It's most like I know I wouldn't hurt myself, just wish I could disappear somehow. I cry almost daily, doesn't matter where I am or who I'm with, I'm always scared and can never sleep even after taking a sleeping tablet.Any advice would be appreciated, I just don't want to feel so alone anymore.

MargW Newly Diagnosed with PTSD
  • replies: 1

I am new . I ended up in hospital emergency because I was feeling a extreme fear feeling and didn't know what was happening, I was visited by the mental health team and with the link to a psychiatrist I was diagnosed with PTSD. I was in hospital for ... View more

I am new . I ended up in hospital emergency because I was feeling a extreme fear feeling and didn't know what was happening, I was visited by the mental health team and with the link to a psychiatrist I was diagnosed with PTSD. I was in hospital for 6 days while they adjusted some meds to help with night terrors and day time extreme fear feeling. I was loosing my confidence over the last 5mths and didn't know why. I had 2 brain tumours removed 6mths ago and haven't had a good time at recovery ,things just kept being thrown at me. The team at the hospital feel that this is my reason for feeling the way I do. I am on meds until I can have a vid conference with a psychiatrist next week. The meds seemed to be helping in hospital but not now I am home. My triggers are many and not sure what is what. The scared feeling is at times overwhelming and I don't know how to help myself get through them. I sleep better but I don't like waking up as that terror feeling is there and I deep breath ,go for walk and try to continue daily life through it but at times I find it hard and it takes over . Has anyone got some advice or tried methods that has worked for them to help calm down. I have been told I will be doing 'talk therapy' and am on antidepressant and a med to help calm me I find it is crippling me and my whole days now are consumed. I am trying not to let it by distracting myself.I havnt left my home since I have come out of hospital.

User1993 Anxiety. Anger.
  • replies: 2

Hey guys, im 20 years old and have just moved out of home about 2 months ago. i have noticed my anxiety over the past 6-8 months and have constantly told myself its just in my head but this morning at 6am after not sleeping for 24 hours (i havnt had ... View more

Hey guys, im 20 years old and have just moved out of home about 2 months ago. i have noticed my anxiety over the past 6-8 months and have constantly told myself its just in my head but this morning at 6am after not sleeping for 24 hours (i havnt had a good sleep in over a month if not longer) i suddenly felt this over whelming feeling of being stressed and worried at the same time and i was sweating and going numb and dizzy. i have anger issues and sometimes get the same feeling apart from the numbness and dizziness and im wondering if anxiety can affect my anger issues. i come from a good/ caring family with a history of ADHD and Anxiety and OCD with the ADHD coming from my dads side and OCD and Anxiety from my mother. im also in a very commited relationship with the best girl i have ever met but she is struggling very hard with Depression with episodes of wanting to kill herself which i have spend hours helping her through and have prevented it atleast 7 times in 6 months at about 8 hours each time. i have no trigger or anything, one minute im happy as larry then the next i feel nothing. i cant talk to friends or family about it because it makes me feel weak and everyone around me sees me as a foundation and i cant put this burden onto anyone else expecially my girlfriend. any replies would me extremely helpful.

Daisychain New Year thank goodness
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I haven't posted since about July last year when I was in the midst of a deep depression/anxiety. I am so glad to say that after lots of drug changes, seeing a wonderful psychologist and discovering meditation that I can finally feel the fog ... View more

Hi all, I haven't posted since about July last year when I was in the midst of a deep depression/anxiety. I am so glad to say that after lots of drug changes, seeing a wonderful psychologist and discovering meditation that I can finally feel the fog has lifted, although the anxiety in the pit of my stomach still rears its ugly head from time to time. Now the next battle is to get off the alcohol which during all that and the last few years has become a problem of a bottle of wine every night. At least one battle is nearly over and now to face the next, but with a lot more positive attitude. I didn't believe it when others said that there was a light at the end of the tunnel but it happened, and I am thankful for that every day. Best wishes.

Sirius Anxiety and Depression Book
  • replies: 0

Hello, I have just finished reading the book "Coming back to me" by Marcus Trescothick (retired English cricketer). It has a very good description of an anxiety attack as he experienced it. When I was reading the relevant passage I could relate to it... View more

Hello, I have just finished reading the book "Coming back to me" by Marcus Trescothick (retired English cricketer). It has a very good description of an anxiety attack as he experienced it. When I was reading the relevant passage I could relate to it as if he was telling me what I have experienced. Just thought I'd mention it in case anyone would like to read the book and possibly get as much out of it as I have. Thanks and I wish you all well.

doit New to forum
  • replies: 2

Hey all Only just signed up don't know why I waited so long. Been struggling with anxiety for 10 years, hard to tell if its getting better or worse, the more it engulfs areas of my life it never used to, the better I get at handling it, so yea a bit ... View more

Hey all Only just signed up don't know why I waited so long. Been struggling with anxiety for 10 years, hard to tell if its getting better or worse, the more it engulfs areas of my life it never used to, the better I get at handling it, so yea a bit hard to tell if I'm making progress overall. About 2 years ago I got into mindfulness, and of all things I've tried it was the only thing that seemed to conquer it completely, and to anyone who hasn't tried it I highly, highly recommend it. I hadn't felt so relaxed since I was probably 12 years old. My problem is sticking to the tools, ie mindfulness. I will do the exercises and feel great but then after a while get lazy and slowly drift back in anxiety, or I will remodel my lifestyle to be more busy, but slowly get lazy and drift back to where I started. Often something bad will happen and it will rattle my resolve, testing my faith in tried and tested tools. Then I slip back in, beating myself up along the way. Anyway that's the basic outline of my story. Will leave it at that. Had a bad run the last week or so, same old story, get back on mindfulness, have a s--t day, lose momentum, start again.