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.

All discussions

Over it! Heavy Legs - Perimenopause
  • replies: 2

Hi I'm turning 47 in 4 months, I've come off the pill after many years, and I'm experiencing what I think is perimenopause. My period is still fairly regular, but I'm experiencing hot clammy skin alot, weight gain, aching joints and recently heavy le... View more

Hi I'm turning 47 in 4 months, I've come off the pill after many years, and I'm experiencing what I think is perimenopause. My period is still fairly regular, but I'm experiencing hot clammy skin alot, weight gain, aching joints and recently heavy legs. I try to exercise 4 times a week on a spin bike, but my legs don't feel achy from that they just feel different?? is this a symptom anyone else can relate to? Thanks

Tomi1000 Is there any real new medication available , in development or soon to be FDA approved?
  • replies: 4

Hi guys, it's really nice to be here.I'm 32, suffering from depression, anxiety and OCD all my life, tried almost every pill the world has to offer, nothing helped, all of them cause severe damage, especially the one that does help a little - SSRI.I'... View more

Hi guys, it's really nice to be here.I'm 32, suffering from depression, anxiety and OCD all my life, tried almost every pill the world has to offer, nothing helped, all of them cause severe damage, especially the one that does help a little - SSRI.I've been off meds for almost 2 years now, and decided I'm stooping to be a lab rat, waiting for a real game changer in this field to come, my doctor always said that this won't happen and we stuck with the same garbage meds that we have today for another 100 years.But I think he is just radical. I do understand that new solutions are in development all the time. so, I want to ask you, are there any real new meds available or soon to be, that are not in any way connected to the conventional drugs that have been available for decades?I'll be happy to hear, I feel like I'm not happy since I'm off meds and I'm in some kind of apathetic mood and not enjoying anything in life. ony suffers.Thanks.

joannekou anxious and depressed
  • replies: 4

Hi there,I am an international student, am now facing a traumatic event leading to substantial financial loss, and my family seriously blames me. I am losing their money, I felt so guilty, they are very old now and they work very hard to gain all thi... View more

Hi there,I am an international student, am now facing a traumatic event leading to substantial financial loss, and my family seriously blames me. I am losing their money, I felt so guilty, they are very old now and they work very hard to gain all this. I can't afford all the money lost and I need to get them back. I am alone in Perth a brand new place to me, been here for around 2 months. I am very stressed now and helpless, I feared that I can't make it.I felt like the big telecommunication company in Australia letter starting with V, is exploiting international students. They had been taking money from my bank account for the last five years, for a number that I did not use the whole time, they know that I did not use that number for anything, but they insist on not reimbursing all the bills. I am sharing this to make me feel less depressed and all are true.

Seeker2023 Stressed and low allied health masters student
  • replies: 1

Hi,I am unsure of which forum is most appropriate to post. I just wanted to join a conversation with others who are feeling stressed/down/anxious. I am a mature-aged (50+) allied health master's student. Just feel stressed and with that down, and anx... View more

Hi,I am unsure of which forum is most appropriate to post. I just wanted to join a conversation with others who are feeling stressed/down/anxious. I am a mature-aged (50+) allied health master's student. Just feel stressed and with that down, and anxious. I do not have suicidal ideation. Trying to complete placements at the moment is stressful as I live in a small town, and hence have to travel to larger towns. Also, interest rates increased more than my husband and I (and many others ) have expected and I am also not in paid work. My husband is in paid work but not enough to support my study. I know I am stressed as I made an error at work and I became emotional, and I have been struggling to forgive myself, although I was told it was a learning experience. I feel I should have known better given my age and years of experience in supporting roles and being able to support others in achieving their goals and gaining self-confidence. Not so good with myself...I also feel shame in speaking aloud given that I intend to enter the allied health sector. I am great at supporting other students and past colleagues without judgment and irrespective of their role/position. Just not sure how to help myself...

hollyyy__ Health Anxiety
  • replies: 3

arghh I am not sure if anyone else experiences this but I think I have what's referred to as health anxiety, specifically regarding getting generally sick with bugs and colds etc. I have been struggling with this since I was about 12 and I'm 18 now. ... View more

arghh I am not sure if anyone else experiences this but I think I have what's referred to as health anxiety, specifically regarding getting generally sick with bugs and colds etc. I have been struggling with this since I was about 12 and I'm 18 now. It's led to severe OCD where everyday tasks take much longer and if certain routines are broken then I think myself or my family are going to get sick. I want to go to a doctor but I don't think I can really afford it and am not sure what to do. I want to know why I am like this and how I can go back to normal. I told my parents about the issue of my OCD when it first began and they took me to a doctor and psychologist but they think it's gotten better. It hasn't. I feel embarrassed and have tried to open up to my friends about it but I don't think they believe me or just don't really care. I avoid going to certain places where I think I might catch something, and if I do go there I will use copious amounts of hand sanitizer/baby wipes as soon as I leave every store or touch anything. I am constantly worrying about getting sick and it's all I think about. I just want to be able to do regular everyday things without this constant fear but don't want to go to the doctor for reasons stated above. It's gotten to the point that I struggle to go to sleep, get severe stomach pains and irritability, as well as all my other OCD habits getting more severe and affecting every little thing I do.

Academy Dizziness,anxiety and fear
  • replies: 9

I am 77 years old and I have suffered from health anxiety for. Number of years,but it seems to be getting worse to the point I am afraid to leave my home at times. I woke up with a sore neck,yesterday,so did some neck exercises. I then spent a few ho... View more

I am 77 years old and I have suffered from health anxiety for. Number of years,but it seems to be getting worse to the point I am afraid to leave my home at times. I woke up with a sore neck,yesterday,so did some neck exercises. I then spent a few hours going through old photos to put in a memory book (head bent over). I then went to the hairdresser and when I was standing,bent over the basin,I felt unsteady. This turned into a massive anxiety attack,and I had to get my daughter and a friend to drive me home as I was too scared to drive. I lay down,when I got home and my daughter stayed the night. I feel so silly that a small dizzy attack is so debilitating . Does anyone else get this and how do you deal with it. Thank you.

JulieS101 Sibling Issues
  • replies: 2

Hi all, My little sister has pretty bad mental health issues. She has a fear of leaving the house and will only leave for school. My parents have her seeing a Psychiatrist and she has started medication however she still won't leave the house. This h... View more

Hi all, My little sister has pretty bad mental health issues. She has a fear of leaving the house and will only leave for school. My parents have her seeing a Psychiatrist and she has started medication however she still won't leave the house. This has been impacting me as I worry about her and the stress this is causing my family. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced something similar.

JulieS101 Anxiety/re-living childhood Trauma
  • replies: 6

Hey all, I am in my early 20s and I briefly went off anti-depressants I had been on since age 15. This has put me in a very bad state and I have started to go back on them (literally) today. I am not sure if this is why I am feeling this way but I se... View more

Hey all, I am in my early 20s and I briefly went off anti-depressants I had been on since age 15. This has put me in a very bad state and I have started to go back on them (literally) today. I am not sure if this is why I am feeling this way but I seem to be reliving a traumatic 6 months of my life. When I was 14 my dad decided he couldn't live with my family anymore and left abruptly. This left my mother devastated and was extremely stressful for an already anxious child like me. Through the 6 months, my parents communicated and I saw my dad however both of my parents were struggling and this took a toll on me as I am the eldest child and I saw it as my responsibility to care for their mental wellbeing. Both parents though generally supportive did have their moments that were genuinely upsetting for me to experience/witness. Eventually, they worked it out and got back together and since I have always worried that they would separate again however I went on medication and was able to handle this fear. Throughout my later adolescence, I almost blocked out a lot of the memories or if they came to me I would distract myself, now as I am turning 20 this year the memories are rapidly coming back to me and I am even remembering things that I had forgotten. I am feeling far more anxious and stressed than ever (since the separation) and I am consistently worried the same thing will happen again. I am writing this today as today my dad was snappy and sarcastic with my mum which has led me to feel extremely anxious all day and through the day memories of those 6 months have been flooding my brain. My parents have been fighting a little more than usual lately which does not help and I spiral whenever they fight. I am just curious if anyone has any advice on how to cope with this/knows what I am experiencing (I know it's anxiety in one way or another but I have never experienced such vivid and consistent flashbacks). I can't move out as I am a student and wouldn't be able to afford it and for the most part, I like my parent's company. However, this is taking a significant toll on my mental health. If anyone has any advice or could share their own experiences I would really appreciate it

Dk_alexander Health Anxiety
  • replies: 5

Hi Everyone, I am suffering horribly from Health Anxiety, ie Hypochondriac. I am 31 and successful in my career, but i cant even work right now my anxiety is so bad. i have a pattern of discovering a disease, then believing i have it and not just bel... View more

Hi Everyone, I am suffering horribly from Health Anxiety, ie Hypochondriac. I am 31 and successful in my career, but i cant even work right now my anxiety is so bad. i have a pattern of discovering a disease, then believing i have it and not just believing but actually feeling the symptoms for real. It is horrible and often seemingly endless. I am seeing a therapist undergoing CBT - i tried some medicine, but it caused intense insomina and i couldnt handle it anymore so i stopped it. I feel enourmous guilt over putting my family through my episodes. I have an amazing wife and young daughter with another child on the way. i have endless medical appointments, at some stages one every day of the week. I have also spent lots of money on these invesitgations and feel guilty of the waste. I am a logical and mature person, i know i suffer from Health Anxiety but cannot seem to stop it. I love my life and am so grateful for everything i have but i cannot believe how bad my health anxiety is and how it is dominating me. I am struggling to work at all, and that is putting my career at risk. I am concerned about been able to take care of my family and support them properly with this condition. On top of all that, i constantly fear the illnesses i believe i have. I am quite confident the origins of my illness came from a serious accident i have about 7 years ago, as well as aid work i did for many years with very sick and terminal children. I often feel guilty that so many poor people out there have real diagnoses they are trying to deal with while i am here suffering over ones that dont exist. I am wondering if anyone else out there suffers Health Anxiety and any strategies they have undertaken to help manage it. for anyone suffering any kind of anxiety out there, i wish the best for you and hope that you can find workable strategies. It is a horrible sickness and so hard to explain, even to yourself.

Academy How to read replies in anxiety discussion?
  • replies: 3

I posted in anxiety discussions and it says there is an unread reply. How do I read it?sandra

I posted in anxiety discussions and it says there is an unread reply. How do I read it?sandra