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

Fathiyma Used freak out when do things
  • replies: 2

I used have anxiety issues I was never offered proper medication but honestly it never helped, it eventually went away with only help from myself, the Mental health place I was receiving help in the community I was offered counselling but I started t... View more

I used have anxiety issues I was never offered proper medication but honestly it never helped, it eventually went away with only help from myself, the Mental health place I was receiving help in the community I was offered counselling but I started too late I already helped my self because I used wave my hands it went away because I had children so I had no choice to do things, I actually developed waving my hands after staying so long in the hospital when I came back home it was weird you would think I wouldn't forgot how to do easy every day things like cooking basic things, I remember I was too scared take hot food out of the oven, doing dishes was hard, just boiling needles in water was difficult it was like I was young again and learning basic things again. I know it's difficult how can we know how get better from Mental Illiness my best advice make it up as you go,try different things to cope, just doing something like even going to the beach do more for yourself, you can google free activities to do in city you live in.I treat my self that's the way go about it.Go hard, dream hard.Good luck

Katyonthehamsterwheel So emotional - I cry at the drop of a hat
  • replies: 18

I don't even know if it's anxiety related or not. I didn't used to cry when anxious, and I've had anxiety for over a decade, but now when I'm anxious I cry. But even sometimes when I'm not. Today I cried twice when people were talking to me. I've bee... View more

I don't even know if it's anxiety related or not. I didn't used to cry when anxious, and I've had anxiety for over a decade, but now when I'm anxious I cry. But even sometimes when I'm not. Today I cried twice when people were talking to me. I've been stressed a bit lately, but I thought I was feeling fine today, so it was unexpected. Anyone else have any experience of this that they want to share. Sharing can help normalise our experiences, but also if you have any techniques to stop it, or ways to handle it, that would be cool to hear too. Thanks

alexis123 unsure of what to do in life?
  • replies: 4

Due to my anxiety I struggle with everyday normal jobs/work, I don’t know what job to do from home that I’m interested in or that i can do, any suggestions for jobs working from home ( my dream was to be an author but for the meantime i need a realis... View more

Due to my anxiety I struggle with everyday normal jobs/work, I don’t know what job to do from home that I’m interested in or that i can do, any suggestions for jobs working from home ( my dream was to be an author but for the meantime i need a realistic goal/job) and also don’t want a job as I don’t want to let down my coworkers and job as my anxiety can be unpredictable,and i also don’t drive, any advice and help would be appreciated! Thankyou

GingerMegs IM Leaving the abuse
  • replies: 1

Hi it's GingerMegs I wanted to say thank you for all your support I have finally built the courage to leave the my partners house, I'm going my own place and be doing co parenting because things are still bad she did hit me once and made my mouth ble... View more

Hi it's GingerMegs I wanted to say thank you for all your support I have finally built the courage to leave the my partners house, I'm going my own place and be doing co parenting because things are still bad she did hit me once and made my mouth bleed I should have took a photo but I didn't I was in flight or fight mode, my health has declined so it was a wake up call for me to get out of there, my mental health declined aswell which what really woke me up I'm fight for my rights and my son's future, she is not treating me properly and like being listen to that basic level anyone I will tell more soon

Benb Anxiety and eye problems
  • replies: 13

Hi All I hope I can get some help please ??? I had been very very stress and super high anxiety for the last 4 weeks, which I am working through but my eyes have been playing up. I have been see eye floaters, finding it hard to focus in a bright room... View more

Hi All I hope I can get some help please ??? I had been very very stress and super high anxiety for the last 4 weeks, which I am working through but my eyes have been playing up. I have been see eye floaters, finding it hard to focus in a bright room at night, bright lights (shopping centre, work, in front of the Tv) are hurting my eyes and I my Finding hard to focus on sometimes but if I drive a car day or night it goes away instantly ??? Or if my stress and anxiety are low I can see as normal, ( it is like a cloud has lifted) ??? I have seen my GP and had all the check and test for the last month and all good. I had a eye test and I do need reading glasses which I should get next week. Just see if anyone else has had this ???

Mild1 Mild Anxiety ?
  • replies: 3

Hi All. I have been suffering with what I would call mild anxiety on and off since I lost my elderly mum late last year. At the same time my sister who suffers from mayor depression was admitted to a mental unit again. I feel like I have shouldered a... View more

Hi All. I have been suffering with what I would call mild anxiety on and off since I lost my elderly mum late last year. At the same time my sister who suffers from mayor depression was admitted to a mental unit again. I feel like I have shouldered all the problems on my own and now I get worried/anxious at the littlest things and can’t seem to settle myself back down into my “normal” life again. I work casually and also look after my grandkids, 1 aged 2 1/2 years the other 4months old once a week. I have now started to get anxious doing this because the younger one cries continuously. I don’t want to tell anybody close to me how I’m feeling for fear they think I might be “crazy” like my sister. I suppose I’m posting in hope that someone has or is feeling a bit like me and how you cope.

worriedandlost New relationship
  • replies: 5

Hi i sufferered from anxiety when my 23 year marriage ended , its taken me 6 years to find someone that i want to spend the rest of my life with . Trouble is she had a previous hard marriage and wants to take it slow which is fine she has always been... View more

Hi i sufferered from anxiety when my 23 year marriage ended , its taken me 6 years to find someone that i want to spend the rest of my life with . Trouble is she had a previous hard marriage and wants to take it slow which is fine she has always been open honest and upfront about her feelings and we are in a good place but i find myself being overwhelmed with anxiety and wondering if she will just leave (even though she has never said anything to give me that impression) i find myself waiting on her next text or call and get anxious when she doesnt , i spend a great portion of my day constantly thinking about her and its now affecting my work and friends i dont know what to do or how to get back to being relaxed me that i was would love some help as i dont want to lose this amazing lady

Annalee Anxiety
  • replies: 3

It is so hard to live with anxiety some days I can barely breathe and get panic attacks then I feel stupid for overthinking things. I try so hard but it doesn’t take much for anxiety to take hold

It is so hard to live with anxiety some days I can barely breathe and get panic attacks then I feel stupid for overthinking things. I try so hard but it doesn’t take much for anxiety to take hold

Damien21 Anxiety/ Panic attacks
  • replies: 3

Hey everyone this is my first ever post, I had my first ever panic attack around 6 months ago and I had a few more after that but they went away eventually and I was Allgood but just recently within the last week I’ve been having panic attacks that d... View more

Hey everyone this is my first ever post, I had my first ever panic attack around 6 months ago and I had a few more after that but they went away eventually and I was Allgood but just recently within the last week I’ve been having panic attacks that don’t go away, I constantly feel like I’m having an attack, I’m constantly worrying and I don’t feel good at all, I get super shaky and I start trembling and my heart races and I can’t seem to calm myself, I’m not really one to write something like this I just really need to reach out to people, I feel very alone like no one understands me, Thankyou everyone

mrs-brown Hot Tips & Tricks
  • replies: 4

Hey all,I suffer from anxiety (as I’m sure most of you do) so I was hoping you could leave a comment with how you calm yourself when your anxiety peaks? My biggest symptoms are shortness of breath, heart palpitations, irrational thoughts and hot flus... View more

Hey all,I suffer from anxiety (as I’m sure most of you do) so I was hoping you could leave a comment with how you calm yourself when your anxiety peaks? My biggest symptoms are shortness of breath, heart palpitations, irrational thoughts and hot flushes. I don’t really have any self taught skills to help me when my anxiety peaks, so I just thought I’d jump on here and see how you all try manage your anxiety