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

seanwild Pyrrole Disorder
  • replies: 4

HI I have GAD and have been taking SSRI and SNRI regularly over the last 20 years, every time I feel like I am on track my anxiety level can get to a point where I feel overwhelmed and can get symptoms of not being anlbe to think clearly impacting my... View more

HI I have GAD and have been taking SSRI and SNRI regularly over the last 20 years, every time I feel like I am on track my anxiety level can get to a point where I feel overwhelmed and can get symptoms of not being anlbe to think clearly impacting my ability to work and eventually withdrawing from work, social connection and even family and friends. This happens to me on different strength levels of medication. If have a learnt CBT techniques, deep breathing and relaxtion to stillness meditation and walk regularly as my bag of tricks. My wife suggested I consult a Natrapath, undergo some tests and tame supplemts to compliment the medication. THe Natrapath would like me tested for Pyrrole disorder. Has anyone had success in taking supplements whilst taking SNRI or SSRI - Sean

Shadows-mum new experiences
  • replies: 3

hi, I have recently been diagnosed with anxiety, and am slowly going through a few different feelings and sensations with the first weel of taking my medication. I am struggling with feelings of disbelief and am beating myself up thinking, this isn't... View more

hi, I have recently been diagnosed with anxiety, and am slowly going through a few different feelings and sensations with the first weel of taking my medication. I am struggling with feelings of disbelief and am beating myself up thinking, this isn't me! I have always been " stong" so am having a hard time of it, so is this a normal reaction? I know it takes a while for the meds to kick in, but these " side effects" are worrying me. I am told that they will pass, so I need to be patient with myself, but it's not easy. I would value any thoughts, thanks

teaBee Thought I was better
  • replies: 2

I thought I was getting better. Yesterday and today I was feeling really good and happy. No anxious thoughts and I felt like a normal person again. But something set me off. My boyfriend pointed out that I over plan things and I plan to do things but... View more

I thought I was getting better. Yesterday and today I was feeling really good and happy. No anxious thoughts and I felt like a normal person again. But something set me off. My boyfriend pointed out that I over plan things and I plan to do things but never do. It made me upset. 1 because I know he is right and 2 because I don’t know how to stop. I plan every second of every day. Every conversation. Every detail. What I wear, how I look, what I do, who I’m with. I don’t know why but I think things that are too different or spontaneous scare me. See but I can’t figure out if this is a bad thing. I manage everything so nothing gets out of control. I have to carefully budget because we don’t have much money. And plan meals and shopping. I get stuff done. It does feel like too much sometimes. Occasionally I will plan a short sentence in my head 100 times before saying it. You know getting this all out and reading it makes it seem really stupid. What am I so scared of? Not being perfect? Getting judged or laughed at? I have a problem with needing to know everything and feel in control of everything. But I know it’s not really possible. So why am I trying?

Purple-Rose Work Placement Stresses
  • replies: 2

Hi All,I am not the one to ask for help, but I am struggling with some workplace stress. I am studying a certificate 3 in Health Service Assistance and I know that I have to do about 120-180 hours during the placement which I am able to do. I haven't... View more

Hi All,I am not the one to ask for help, but I am struggling with some workplace stress. I am studying a certificate 3 in Health Service Assistance and I know that I have to do about 120-180 hours during the placement which I am able to do. I haven't even started the placement, thinking about it really stress me out.The only problem I have and its a big problem, I don't know how I will be able to get to the placement, I don't have a car license and they will be not way to get the license in time as I have to start from the beginning with sitting the "L" learners test. I don't have that many friends and I have trouble in asking them for help when I need it. If i don't do the placement I will not pass the course.Any advice or help would be great, thank you all for your time.

Cate26 Constant anxiety, fear of failure and fear of rejection
  • replies: 6

I am 32 years old, have full time employment, somewhere to live and some friends and family.A few years ago I lost my job. The manager stated I had attitude problems, was disrespectful and more. It was a shitshow. Even today I fear any feedback from ... View more

I am 32 years old, have full time employment, somewhere to live and some friends and family.A few years ago I lost my job. The manager stated I had attitude problems, was disrespectful and more. It was a shitshow. Even today I fear any feedback from my work despite the fact I am at a new company for over a year. It’s to the point I cry during every supervision. I mean I bawl. I have a supervision session again this week and am terrified. My team leader is lovely however I have trouble expressing myself and become overwhelmed easily. my brain never stops running with negativity and self hatred and the occasional thoughts of self harm. It’s not like I want to die or hurt myself, I just want my thoughts to stop. I feel like I can’t say anything out loud because people have it worse however I am struggling putting things out there in writing will helpI hope that

peejaybee1 Performance managed
  • replies: 6

My son is being performance managed at work. The company knows of his crippling anxiety/ panic attacks but the new HR officer wants full details of his condition from his psychiatrist and said she didn’t have anything on record. (It was sent by his p... View more

My son is being performance managed at work. The company knows of his crippling anxiety/ panic attacks but the new HR officer wants full details of his condition from his psychiatrist and said she didn’t have anything on record. (It was sent by his psych to his manager last year) Is this allowed? He has asked to wfh to care for my partner who has just been diagnosed with a severe illness which startwd the downhill spiral. They replied with a PM plan (and said no to the carers leave at the bottom of the email) but he was welcome to take annual leave. He is now on sick leave as this has kicked off a major episode. are they allowed to do any of this? Where can we go for help?

PM81WA ADHD and exercise
  • replies: 2

I have recently been diagnosed with ADHD at 41 and am 2 months into a 14 month waitlist to see a psychiatrist to be medicated. I have recently joined a gym and PT to try and combat my gradual weight gain and hopefully help reduce and balance ADHD sym... View more

I have recently been diagnosed with ADHD at 41 and am 2 months into a 14 month waitlist to see a psychiatrist to be medicated. I have recently joined a gym and PT to try and combat my gradual weight gain and hopefully help reduce and balance ADHD symptoms with exercise induced dopamine. However, today I had a huge meltdown over being frustrated about not enjoying it and had to leave the gym early because I just felt like shit. It was a borderline panic attack. I dislike it so much, it is so boring and unstimulating but also anxiety inducing over not knowing what to do, and it feels like the PT doesn't get how bored and anxious I am. I also have a very unhealthy set of negative core beliefs that I am combatting constantly regarding my body image and worthiness and loveability that the gym seems to trigger. Anyone else out there with ADHD find they don't get any dopamine or endorphins from exercise, or is my brain just broken and this is yet another thing I just have to put up with?

Jess456 Health Anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi this is my first post on here. Over the last few months, health anxiety has completely taken over my life. It started with a fear of MS due to slight numbness and tingling in my face and left foot. I spiralled out of control, googled my symptoms c... View more

Hi this is my first post on here. Over the last few months, health anxiety has completely taken over my life. It started with a fear of MS due to slight numbness and tingling in my face and left foot. I spiralled out of control, googled my symptoms constantly to the point where I convinced myself I definitely had MS and was mourning the life I had before. This went on for a few weeks and I could barely eat or sleep, my mind was completely consumed with this fear.I saw a doctor twice and a neurologist, both said they are almost certain I don’t have MS, and my symptoms can all be explained by anxiety. They said I could get an MRI to put my mind at ease, however I couldn’t afford it. This did bring some relief but I was still concerned. fast forward to now, I have had weird symptoms that seem to change every day… one day I have a few muscle twitches, the next I have globus (lump in the throat), and today my right hand seems to have developed a tremor when I drink from a glass/bottle. These symptoms have all made me spiral into thinking I have MND. It’s all that I can think about and I can’t focus on my studies. I’m thinking of going back to the neurologist, however it is expensive and I don’t want to let my health anxiety take all of my money. When googling, this tremor is almost always a sign of a neurological condition (although my grandad does have a benign essential tremor which can be passed down). I seem to fear any progressive and chronic condition and I’m not sure how to stop. I can’t carry on living such a miserable life but I don’t know how to stop feeling like this. I’m aware anxiety is probably the culprit for many of my symptoms… but I’m really struggling to find a logical explanation for the tremor that has started today. if anyone has any advice I’d really appreciate it.

Molly_M Self-sabotaging my own dream
  • replies: 1

I should be really excited at the moment.In February this year, I left my job (14 years in that job, 35 uninterrupted years in the workforce) to follow my dream. I've always wanted to be a full-time writer. I have a number of novels I've been trying ... View more

I should be really excited at the moment.In February this year, I left my job (14 years in that job, 35 uninterrupted years in the workforce) to follow my dream. I've always wanted to be a full-time writer. I have a number of novels I've been trying to write for the last 20 years but it's always been 'when I have time'. So I saved up enough money to live on for two years and decided to make the time. I'm not expecting immediate results, I know I still need to put in the hard work and might not get anywhere.My brain is sabotaging my dream. It's three months from the day I left work and I've now put myself on a path to running my own copywriting business. That wasn't in my plans. I've signed up for a small business course that starts in a couple of weeks and goes for 12 months (through Centrelink). I feel like I'm on autopilot and when I stop and think about it, I can hear this little voice in my head screaming "This is not why we left work!". I don't know if it's fear of failure, or if my brain is so hard-wired to have a 9-5 to go to that I can't function without a job of some kind, or that I need to see money coming in to feel secure. All ego aside, I know if I go ahead with this business it will be successful (I have a marketing background), but it will consume all my time, I'll end up resenting it, and I'll be no closer to writing full-time than I was when employed.Why am I letting my head lead me in a direction I know won't be fulfilling?

HarryL Can anyone relate to this?
  • replies: 1

So, i've been having to deal with what seems to be some sort of anxiety disorder (not officially diagnosed). My experience is that a feeling of dread looms over me throughout the day, with it passing and coming back depending on various unpredictable... View more

So, i've been having to deal with what seems to be some sort of anxiety disorder (not officially diagnosed). My experience is that a feeling of dread looms over me throughout the day, with it passing and coming back depending on various unpredictable reasons. I have had this feeling pretty much every other day for a few weeks now. I know what may have started it as I had a really physically draining panic attack which necessitated an ambulance; I thought I had heart problems but turns out i'm fine, just a little unfit. Going back to my experience, i'm not sure what initiates the anxious and dreadful feelings each day. It seems random. But, as soon I have feeling a symptom, whether it be slight nausea or heart palpitations, I am reminded of that feeling and it returns inevitably and without end in sight. More over, I am not unfamiliar with the feeling of dread, having had a few bad trips with the ole mary jane some years ago, which i'm sure started this whole mental health decline. So in the end, i'm posting this to see if anyone can resonate with what I'm experiencing and to maybe bring consolation to those who can resonate.