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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Greyhorse Scared :-((((
  • replies: 3

Stuff I am new to here and just want to get off my chest what has been happening to me for the past few months as its scaring the hell out of me!!! I got a new job and this is where everything started.... I would and still get hot and cold flushes, d... View more

Stuff I am new to here and just want to get off my chest what has been happening to me for the past few months as its scaring the hell out of me!!! I got a new job and this is where everything started.... I would and still get hot and cold flushes, dizzy spells, nausea.......I was that bad a few weeks ago I thought I was going to die!! It was my birthday and I was driving home, got stuck in traffic and then it hit like a ton of bricks.....I went all hot that I had to strip my jumper off and open the window, it was a cold day too! By the time I got home I was shaking, white and freezing cold! I felt warm but I was like ice inside....my doona, my winter dressing gown and windcheater didn't warm me up at all!!! I have been for blood tests to see if I was going through early menopause but I am not!!....... Dr says its anxiety as he can't find anything wrong with me!!! So what is wrong with me?? Or am I really ok and it's just stress??? I feel like I am going mad or there is something really wrong with me in my head !!!! I am scared and just over it!!

Ym Situational Anxiety - Feeling inferior to significant other
  • replies: 1

I've 'managed' anxiety for the past few years but every once in awhile it rears its ugly head again. My anxiety is situational based. i have just returned from a fun trip to the U.S where I got married. Upon return, my husband started picking on thin... View more

I've 'managed' anxiety for the past few years but every once in awhile it rears its ugly head again. My anxiety is situational based. i have just returned from a fun trip to the U.S where I got married. Upon return, my husband started picking on things he thought were my weaknesses and then started getting dismissive. I'm trying really hard to think logically and identify how much of it is my anxiety exaggerating it. It's been two weeks of me putting on a positive, brave face but I can't see an end. There's no improvement. I'm so sorry that I may be venting instead of being constructive. I just want to flip out and scream that I think it's unfair that I'm suffering and everyone else is OK. I feel desperate. I'm trying to tackle issues as they arise so my anxiety doesn't spike, but I feel I'm getting blocked by my husband. He think anxiety is an 'excuse' or a 'cop out' for my lack of drive/success. Does anyone else deal with people that don't accept anxiety? Or aren't the compassionate type in general? I feel like alarm bells are going off that I've made a mistake with him. Is it anxiety or is it really an issue? I won't stand up for myself because I'm scared of being alone. How do you drag yourself through it?

Katmorri Worrying
  • replies: 1

Keep getting anxious about the future, everything is so amazing but I am ruining it cos I am worrying with the constant feeling its all going to come crashing down at some point I can't just be happy

Keep getting anxious about the future, everything is so amazing but I am ruining it cos I am worrying with the constant feeling its all going to come crashing down at some point I can't just be happy

DonnaHigh1980 Horrible thoughts setting off panic attacks
  • replies: 11

Hi all. So I have never felt or had this before. After a bit of stress at work, all of a sudden horrible thoughts come into my head that I might hurt my kids. I love my kids to bits- I could never ever ever hurt them!! Why on earth would I think this... View more

Hi all. So I have never felt or had this before. After a bit of stress at work, all of a sudden horrible thoughts come into my head that I might hurt my kids. I love my kids to bits- I could never ever ever hurt them!! Why on earth would I think this? What's happening to me? Why is my brain even capable of thinking this? It is the most worst thing I could ever think - so of course each time it pops up I freak out and have a full panic attack. I am so scared what's happening to me right now. I just want them to stop and feel normal again. Please help me. I am so scared.

jodes76 new to anxiety
  • replies: 2

I have had depression for years, but over the last few months I have also had anxiety. it has come out of nowhere. I am currently on meds for both, but still feel down and anxious

I have had depression for years, but over the last few months I have also had anxiety. it has come out of nowhere. I am currently on meds for both, but still feel down and anxious

akitan I just don't know...
  • replies: 1

Hello, I am new to this thread and new to the thought that I may actually be suffering Anxiety, I'm not sure... I don't want to think I am because then I feel so selfish. My life is fine, I have a job with 40 hours a week, I have a boyfriend a house ... View more

Hello, I am new to this thread and new to the thought that I may actually be suffering Anxiety, I'm not sure... I don't want to think I am because then I feel so selfish. My life is fine, I have a job with 40 hours a week, I have a boyfriend a house together... but can't shake it this unsecure feeling, like everything needs to be improved. A few years ago I went to my doctor with heart problems, well what I thought was heart problems. When ever I played netball and I ever got upset or angry at my performance in a game I would start yawning constantly, which would then grow into short of breath, my heart would race, my chest would tighten and I would become dizzy. I went to my doctor, test after test all situated around me maybe having an undiagnosable heart problem. I got annoyed and never went back. I have now quit netball, but sometimes suffer this same feeling out of nowhere. A couple years later, I then started a job which required me to work everyday for a whole month. As I did, a headache swept over me and everyday since I have had a constant headache everyday, my jaw is stiff, my neck is always sore (especially a small lump on my neck, which has been checked out and said it's "normal") and my shoulders are always tense. Especially behind my eyes and jaw (which is when I got glasses) After more tests, the doctor said.. "It's stress you have to quit your job". Which I find absurd because then ILL HAVE MORE STRESS, so once again, I gave up on the doctor. I worry about money, all the time. I only ever keep a job for a year because I strive to find a job with better pay, better security, something "normal". I am constantly looking for more security and stability and it's frustrating. I want to be more, do more, earn more and I just feel like I'm never good enough. My boyfriend says I'm being silly because I always feel guilty I can't put more money, time and effort into our life together. but I just feel he is dissapointed. I have this same problem with my family. My dad recently lost his job and they were really struggling and I felt helpless! I just want to help everyone! I want to be able to support my boyfriend, support my parents, support my siblings, then I'll be happy. I have good days though, not everyday I feel like this. I do everyday have a headache but I feel good most days. usually these days come after I apply for a few jobs, do the dishes, save some money or just do something that makes me feel secure. I am not sure if I am just being over-reactive.. hormonal? I have thought about Yoga, Pilates... but I just don't have the time - or is that just an excuse? I just don't know. Can anyone help?

msleesah Life isnt supposed to be this hard is it?
  • replies: 1

For me, daily life can be really hard. Simple things like running a household, cooking for my man, getting to work on time, getting to work at all some times, getting a good nights rest, making time to exercise if I have the energy for it, all this i... View more

For me, daily life can be really hard. Simple things like running a household, cooking for my man, getting to work on time, getting to work at all some times, getting a good nights rest, making time to exercise if I have the energy for it, all this is sometimes just too overwhelming for me.The pit in in stomach, the tightness in my throat, irritibility, nausea, tingles down my arm, pain in my chest, constant thoughts- life isnt supposed to be like this is it? I've been doing some soul searching the last few years- trying to unravel why I feel this way, what caused it, when it began and can I fix it??? Im a 28 year old woman. Ive been through alot in my short time already. From growing up in an abusive household, to having eating disorders in my teens, OCD in my teens, which I managed to talk myself out of, being used and abused by boys and then feeling more down for gaining a reputation, being it hurts me to type this-but technically raped more than once, then having a shit relationship from 19-25yrs old where allowed myself to be emotionally and mentally abused to the point I didnt recognise myself anymore, and am still healing alot of these wounds..... Did i forget to mention drug use from 19years, even until now sporatically-but i dont enjoy it. I dont want to stress over simple things anymore that dont matter. I dont want to have a panic attack and have no idea why, i dont want my heart to ache and have no idea why-yet think about it so much that I cant stop worrying about it and then it aches more...... I dont want to sleep separately to my partner, because im such a light sleeper he wakes me up rolling over..... I want to be free or myself.... Can anyone recognise themself in my story?

tara Not sure at all
  • replies: 3

Hi all, this is my first time into such a forum. I've suffered anxiety and depression for most of my life. It seems to come and go and changes the way it hits me each time. It's got me to a point where I don't know what's going on anymore. Right now ... View more

Hi all, this is my first time into such a forum. I've suffered anxiety and depression for most of my life. It seems to come and go and changes the way it hits me each time. It's got me to a point where I don't know what's going on anymore. Right now I feel I couldn't get any lower. I feel very much alone in my despair. I feel so frightened of myself and my thoughts and can't deal with anything right now. I'm taking medication and it doesn't seem to be helping at all. I can't stand this place I'm in, I stay home because I don't want to see anyone. Although I do walk everyday, sometimes 4 times a day just to keep negative thoughts at bay, though today I can't even do that! I am going back to my GP to see what can be done. I can't even pinpoint reasons for this, it's like those close to me want to know a cause and I am at a loss, instead I feel like I am pushing everyone away or just don't say anything because it's easier to lie but then the uncontrollable sadness makes lying impossible. I'm lost and don't know who I am anymore... how can anyone understand if I don't??

kaniva sleeplessness
  • replies: 4

Another sleeplessness night worrying about all the things I have done wrong and all the things I have to remember to do. I am new to BB and am not sure what to expect. I exist day to day hiding my anxiety from my family. I don’t have to hide it from ... View more

Another sleeplessness night worrying about all the things I have done wrong and all the things I have to remember to do. I am new to BB and am not sure what to expect. I exist day to day hiding my anxiety from my family. I don’t have to hide it from my friends because I don’t have any. I volunteer at a day respite centre 2 days a week and am trying to find a job in this industry. I manage to hide by doing the absolute necessary things and that’s all. I am lost and don’t know how to get out of the labyrinth of my mind.

Steph Anxiety/depression stemming from parenting...or lack of
  • replies: 1

The other day I had a lightbulb moment and thought I would write in my journal about my life, starting from when I was a baby. I thought of doing this because I wanted to see where my anxiety and depression stemmed from....all I can say is wow....I d... View more

The other day I had a lightbulb moment and thought I would write in my journal about my life, starting from when I was a baby. I thought of doing this because I wanted to see where my anxiety and depression stemmed from....all I can say is wow....I didn't realise how angry I was until I started writing!!! I haven't finished writing yet, I only got up to 6th grade. I realised I hold a lot of anger and resentment towards all of my parents (inc. step parents) for their lack of parenting, rejection, selfishness and instability. I know you get to a point where you need to take responsibility for yourself, but what I want to know is how you move on from the anger and resentment. In no way can I talk to my parents about it, they are not people you can just sit down and have a civilised conversation with. I believe my parents failed me and my siblings in so many ways. My mother and step-father turned us against our father, allowed very very 'untrustworthy' adults into our lives, kicked us out on our own when we were young, when they met new 'partners' they would just up and leave, told especially me that I was going to fail in life and that I wasn't very bright....the list goes on and on and on. Is there anyone out there who experienced this? What did you do to move on from it (if you have)? I would appreciate any input, because I dont want to bring children into the world if I am just going to repeat what my parents did. I feel so jealous when I see people who have amazing parents who do anything for them....I have never ever had that. While it has made me a stronger person for it and independant, it has also caused a great deal of anxiety and depression. I will get back to writing my memoirs in the hopes at least I can address the issues...but any advice would be welcome Thanks for reading!