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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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jenijenjen Social Anxiety
  • replies: 7

My Social Anxiety has become worse since Covid hit. Going into lockdown suited me fine but I lost the momentum I had in forcing myself to leave my house and visit people. Now if an opportunity comes up to be social, I start feeling physically sick an... View more

My Social Anxiety has become worse since Covid hit. Going into lockdown suited me fine but I lost the momentum I had in forcing myself to leave my house and visit people. Now if an opportunity comes up to be social, I start feeling physically sick and usually find an excuse to avoid being there.Does anyone have any coping strategies for these situations?

Beaser Im really scared about starting a new job. Have i made a terrible mistake?
  • replies: 28

Best wishes s to everyone. I m feeling really terrified at the moment . I did an induction at a new workplace yesterday and i found it so intimidating. I felt like crying and walking out. ive spoken before about not being happy and wanting to change ... View more

Best wishes s to everyone. I m feeling really terrified at the moment . I did an induction at a new workplace yesterday and i found it so intimidating. I felt like crying and walking out. ive spoken before about not being happy and wanting to change jobs. IM just so scared about what ive done now . I just want to be happy again ive worked hard all my life im 56 but im starting to feel tired. I m tired from this constant battle of anxiety and depression. Im not sure about where im headed at the moment and im really scared. I was wondering has anyone felt so lost with things at times. Im really scared at the moment. My best wiahes to everyone. Brett

teenytiny Lonely form of Anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hey, i am a newbie, i guess you’d say. haha not used to this forum stuff. i have only recently been struggling substantially with anxiety after a suicide attempt. i am super anxious to go home to live by myself and i really struggle without someone b... View more

Hey, i am a newbie, i guess you’d say. haha not used to this forum stuff. i have only recently been struggling substantially with anxiety after a suicide attempt. i am super anxious to go home to live by myself and i really struggle without someone being there constantly. it’s the fear of being alone with my thoughts. it’s not the fear that i will do anything again because everything got removed that i could harm myself with. any ideas on what is helpful with the anxiety or intrusive thoughts?

Rupes79 Guided Imagery
  • replies: 3

Hi All,I’m currently being treated for anxiety which is causing my all sorts of issues, including physical symptoms. It’s been very debilitating.This week I did some guided imagery with my therapist which unfortunately set me back as I found the sess... View more

Hi All,I’m currently being treated for anxiety which is causing my all sorts of issues, including physical symptoms. It’s been very debilitating.This week I did some guided imagery with my therapist which unfortunately set me back as I found the session too confronting. I had a particularly bad day between sessions which I will admit I handled badly but she wanted to use guided imagery to reimagine that situation and reframe it. I’m not sure what happened but I felt uncomfortable during the session and had a bad anxiety attack that night. The next 3 days were quite bad for me.Has anyone else had personal experience with this or other methods they have felt have been helpful?Thanks

kned Being present/grounding yourself??
  • replies: 7

I'm finding it really hard to be present with my husband and kids. My mind is always thinking about what I need to do (washing, cleaning etc), my job, the mental load that comes with having a young family and all the things I need to keep a track of.... View more

I'm finding it really hard to be present with my husband and kids. My mind is always thinking about what I need to do (washing, cleaning etc), my job, the mental load that comes with having a young family and all the things I need to keep a track of. I feel like it is getting too much for me. Like my husband is a housemate and we are drifting along but on different paths. I spoke to a Psychologist 6 months ago and they were really lovely, but basically just said to me that my life was too busy and I needed to change things. I tried but I just cant find a way to change it! My kids and their needs will always be there, my work is part time but it is basically a full time job squeezed into less days. I try to have time out for myself but it rarely happens due to various reasons. I feel anxious often and like life is rushing by but I'm not really enjoying it/feeling pleasure in the small things. Are there any apps that help with anxiety? or websites with ideas to try?

Sara88 Heart Anxiety
  • replies: 15

Hi,I am looking for support with my heart/cardiac anxiety issues. I am 34 and this started a few years back, i started having sharp chest pains and heart palpitations. It started one night when i was falling asleep and this weird feeling woke me up a... View more

Hi,I am looking for support with my heart/cardiac anxiety issues. I am 34 and this started a few years back, i started having sharp chest pains and heart palpitations. It started one night when i was falling asleep and this weird feeling woke me up and i was terrified and panicked that my heart felt weird, shrugged it off for a while and tried to ignore it and go back to sleep but this kept coming and going for weeks/months.. This led to feelings of numbness and tingling in my arms etc and chest pains and then anxiety wondering if it was my heart. I couldn't work out if it was my anxiety triggering the symptoms or the symptoms triggering my anxiety. i ended up going to hospital. they did bloods/ecg and i had an MRI and a heart monitor for 24hrs and went to a cardiac doctor.They all basically said that it was nothing to do with my heart and everything came back normal. The cardiac doctor laughed and said there is no way it could be my heart at my age and to stop worrying about it (i also have no risk factors at all, no family history, normal weight, no diabetes, no smoking, barely drink) After this reassurance i convinced myself it was just anxiety and gradually it became non existant for a few years. Well this last 6 months i've had it again out of nowhere... it comes and goes.. it started waking me at night when id start to fall asleep this weird feeling.. and id panic it was my heart again. Then the little chest pains would start up and the anxiety would follow and id start googling and everything says heart attack symptoms. So then every little symptom id start to worry again.I have been back to the doctor a month ago who listened to my heart and did an ecg and came back normal again (but these ecgs are always done when im not experiening the pain or palpitations at that time)So i dont know if its the anxiety creeping up again and just creating these symptoms. I try to keep calm and tell myself to stop worrying because if i start worrying the symptoms get worse. Does anyone have similar? I do things to take my mind off it and it does work sometimes but other times it doesn't and i feel something is wrong and im going to die eventually from heart attack or something. Has anyone had these symptoms and it actually be heart related or is it just the anxiety creating the physical symptoms? Any words of advice would be appreciated

car10001 Needing and wanting friends
  • replies: 2

hi everyonewas wondering what people do these days to find a girlfriend or boyfriend and is there still a way you can still meet someone from this generation the good old ways like our parents did in the 80s-90s by actually going out and meeting face... View more

hi everyonewas wondering what people do these days to find a girlfriend or boyfriend and is there still a way you can still meet someone from this generation the good old ways like our parents did in the 80s-90s by actually going out and meeting face to face.wondered because found out that the sisters seeing someone and its reminding you how much you want the friend and you know that it wont happen fast and you are doing everything you can and you cant do anymore at moment.am usually working every weekend and while thats not all the reason its certainly not helping things.is there a way and what can be done until your not working weekends or holidays or atleast not every one of them.just feeling like it is never going to happen even though people say it will eventually, donthave hundreds every time to hire a social companion even if its get the confidence.and sometimes you feel like you have no one even though you really do.what are good ways to talk to girls/people and let them know what youre looking for.where would you go in a small town and is there a way to meet someone from this generation way people used to by going out.what is a way to find a girl during coronavirus, what is a safe way while trying to delay or avoid it as thats one thing not helping.plus at property theres not enough privacy and just doing best with what have got at moment.Every time you try do something especially in nearest city there’s always something reducing the time and sometimes you want more time at a event or in the city and she’s nearly always going because of seeing someone though not impossible to go to some things by yourself.Most single people would have friends similar age as well as older friends they could meet there.if you could reply back thatd be great.thanks

Montanna_1997 Horrible anxiety in the morning
  • replies: 8

My anxiety is ruining my work life and social life. I’m constantly having panic attacks in the morning before work. I try my absolute hardest to make things seem less anxious but it’s not working. I had a moment this morning where I got to work but h... View more

My anxiety is ruining my work life and social life. I’m constantly having panic attacks in the morning before work. I try my absolute hardest to make things seem less anxious but it’s not working. I had a moment this morning where I got to work but had a break down and was sent home. Now I’m left feeling lazy and silly. I want to get my life back because of course I cannot keep avoiding going to work because I NEED money to pay things. I have had a job since I was 14 and always been completely fine with going... I would have my bad days but be able to handle them. Has anyone been through this before or experienced this feeling? If so, how did you cope with it?

naralle Struggling with my Anxiety
  • replies: 3

I'm 43 years old and I've been struggling with my Anxiety for a while now, but just recently we got an email from the real estate letting us know of an inspection coming early next month. I can't stop stressing over it and my anxiety is medium to hig... View more

I'm 43 years old and I've been struggling with my Anxiety for a while now, but just recently we got an email from the real estate letting us know of an inspection coming early next month. I can't stop stressing over it and my anxiety is medium to high. Our property manager well she has high standards and everything has to be spick and span. Hence my Anxiety is medium to high. I'm even struggling to shut off to sleep on the moment because of this. What do I do?

Kathy V Meditation or therapy ?
  • replies: 3

Hi there I came to Australia in 2015 because of my Australian partner. I am experiencing depression anxiety and severe anxiety since I was 11. Tried some medication but had lots of issues. I love my partner He is a good man but I am not giving him a ... View more

Hi there I came to Australia in 2015 because of my Australian partner. I am experiencing depression anxiety and severe anxiety since I was 11. Tried some medication but had lots of issues. I love my partner He is a good man but I am not giving him a good life, He sees me always angry depressed, suicidal, miserable. I found hard living in regional Australia as I was used to a busy city life in Europe. I noticed I am getting worse, I experience deep depression in winter, I can't finish anything I start like courses because I can't keep any focus on what I am doing. All my thoughts are going to situation in the past or worries, I worry about my family and past all day long, I can't find peace. Also I am feeling like I am wasting my life and my partner's time, he is a good person and doesn't deserve my swing moods and depression.He is 67 and still working hard and running his small business, I wish he could have a much better partner than me ..I am living in a sense of permanent guilt as a family member passed away without any assistance from Me and my family. I was in Australia and we left this family member alone dealing with her physical and mental illness.Not sure how to turn my life into something nice anymore .... I love Australia but my worries and my thoughts are going to my country and I am not able to enjoy life .