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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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flowers_ Anxiety and loneliness overseas
  • replies: 3

Lately I have been feeling so anxious its completely overwhelming. I can't sleep properly, I wake up with pounding anxiety all the time. And I notice that I'm grinding my teeth without realising. I feel so anxious sometimes I can't control it, and I ... View more

Lately I have been feeling so anxious its completely overwhelming. I can't sleep properly, I wake up with pounding anxiety all the time. And I notice that I'm grinding my teeth without realising. I feel so anxious sometimes I can't control it, and I sometimes cry all day because I feel so anxious. I'm in my mid-20s studying overseas and travelling. I just feel so alone, and like a failure because I'm such a crying mess. I try to reach out to my friends and family, but I still feel homesick and alone. I feel like everyone thinks I should be so happy because I'm young and travelling, and sometimes I am happy, but a lot of the time I just feel sad, scared and lonely. I get so worried I that will be paralysed with anxiety and something will go wrong, or something bad will happen, and I won't be able to look after myself. It will be a couple of months until I move back home and can get counselling, I don't know if anyone has advice on how to cope with the anxiety until then, or if anyone can relate to feeling this way?

Lilith_was_here I just have this really bad feeling
  • replies: 5

Hi y'all,I'm just going to get straight to the point. Today, I went to the stores and bought a pair of new headphones. They're pretty simple headphones, do the job. And later after I got back, I started using them then I just get a really bad feeling... View more

Hi y'all,I'm just going to get straight to the point. Today, I went to the stores and bought a pair of new headphones. They're pretty simple headphones, do the job. And later after I got back, I started using them then I just get a really bad feeling, like my house is going to catch on fire or something. I know it's unrealistic but I can't shake the feeling. I get this feeling a lot and I'm not sure what to do. Any thoughts?

Dabb Dabb
  • replies: 1

Hi I have been experiencing anxiety and depression for many years and thought I finally had things under control but lately the anxiety is getting worse and unable to get past it, I feel alone even though I am not, my heart races all the time I can't... View more

Hi I have been experiencing anxiety and depression for many years and thought I finally had things under control but lately the anxiety is getting worse and unable to get past it, I feel alone even though I am not, my heart races all the time I can't concentrate I don't want to go out or talk to people, I don't want to have it take over my life again, not sure what to do

GypsyAvalon MAKE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH A PRIORITY
  • replies: 0

Making your mental health a priority, tips:drink waterbe kind to yourself.eat less sugar.journal about your feelings,Go outside and get some sunshine.establish a bedtime routine.put down your phone.meditate on the truth.make a gratitude list.talk to ... View more

Making your mental health a priority, tips:drink waterbe kind to yourself.eat less sugar.journal about your feelings,Go outside and get some sunshine.establish a bedtime routine.put down your phone.meditate on the truth.make a gratitude list.talk to a therapist.breathe deeply.go for a walk.I hope you find that some of these tips work for you

Mail Anxiety
  • replies: 1

 Dealing with anxiety and life struggle 

 Dealing with anxiety and life struggle 

MelissaG50 Being held back by Fear of Failure.
  • replies: 2

I am a 52 year old woman with 3 teenage children. I have always wanted to be a good example for them when I could. I haven't worked since 2001 after 3 nervous breakdowns over 10 years. After all my children were born I attempted to do a bachelor in p... View more

I am a 52 year old woman with 3 teenage children. I have always wanted to be a good example for them when I could. I haven't worked since 2001 after 3 nervous breakdowns over 10 years. After all my children were born I attempted to do a bachelor in primary school teaching startingand finished in 2011, but we had an emergency foster placement with special needs and I couldn't continue. I attempted again to reskill and in 2017 started Nail Tech Cert III. 3 weeks into the course I lost my mum. Truly devastating, my best friend and confidant. I completed and received my Certificate, but I have been truly crushed, my grief overwhelmed me and made me, can only think of the word terrified. I have convinced myself that I am not good enough and that I have to do the training again, in essence I need a qualified nail technician teacher to pass me all over again. But I can't afford to pay for it all over again. I don't know where to go or what to do. Please help someone, somewhere and somehow. Melissa

GypsyAvalon WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE?
  • replies: 3

My greatest challenge is having the fear of not being able to cope with the day and getting so sick again, that I need to go back into a clinic. I suffered traumatic experiences whilst I was at the clinics and have to really work hard on being in the... View more

My greatest challenge is having the fear of not being able to cope with the day and getting so sick again, that I need to go back into a clinic. I suffered traumatic experiences whilst I was at the clinics and have to really work hard on being in the here and now and acknowledging how far I have actually come on my recovery journey.What are your greatest challenges? Blessed Be

GypsyAvalon WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE IN 5 YEARS FROM NOW?
  • replies: 2

Working on plans can be a great therapy tool to promote hope and having a path you wish to walk. My plan is working towards stable mental health and having a better quality of life than I have now. This does include me taking everything one day at a ... View more

Working on plans can be a great therapy tool to promote hope and having a path you wish to walk. My plan is working towards stable mental health and having a better quality of life than I have now. This does include me taking everything one day at a time for the moment, but I am hopeful that when that time comes, I am feeling better about myself and quality of life. What do you think about planning for the foreseeable future? Blessed Be

Matilda99 Feeling out of place
  • replies: 3

Hi,For background I suffer with really bad social anxiety and have never had friends or a social life. Recently i have been getting help and currently I’ve taken a dive in the deep end and started working at a ski resort which is about 16 hours away ... View more

Hi,For background I suffer with really bad social anxiety and have never had friends or a social life. Recently i have been getting help and currently I’ve taken a dive in the deep end and started working at a ski resort which is about 16 hours away from my home town. I am in a shared accommodation so I am wayyy out of my comfort zone. I have arrived and it’s day 2 and I absolutely hate it I feel like crying. I want to go home basically. I don’t feel like I fit in and keep thinking this isn’t me why did I do this. I can’t make friends which makes it harder and everyone else seems to have made at least one friend. Help.