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

Guest_4069 Anxiety symptoms… feeling cold
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone does anyone else get cold hands and feet and teeth chattering when anxious? I’ve noticed that when I’m feeling anxious my whole body shakes as if I am cold. I have to drink something warm.

Hi everyone does anyone else get cold hands and feet and teeth chattering when anxious? I’ve noticed that when I’m feeling anxious my whole body shakes as if I am cold. I have to drink something warm.

juno7 Diagnosed and depressed
  • replies: 1

Hello all!I don’t really know where to start on this journey but after reaching a point where I’m feeling a little blah I thought this might be a good start.I was diagnosed type 1 diabetes ( no prior warning) in feb and have also gone through and con... View more

Hello all!I don’t really know where to start on this journey but after reaching a point where I’m feeling a little blah I thought this might be a good start.I was diagnosed type 1 diabetes ( no prior warning) in feb and have also gone through and continue to go through a nasty divorce I am feeling completely overwhelmed and anxiety seems to be rearing it’s ugly head. Iwould love to find out how others cope with the daily mood swings and

KFPDW Need to Vent/try to be nice but get made fun of :(
  • replies: 4

I was Christmas shopping the other day and I passed by a meet Santa setup and a couple of boys were having a chat with Santa and asked to come in but they had to pay. They joked about that it always come back to money and I made a comment in passing ... View more

I was Christmas shopping the other day and I passed by a meet Santa setup and a couple of boys were having a chat with Santa and asked to come in but they had to pay. They joked about that it always come back to money and I made a comment in passing just to be friendly. The two boys then not so much have a go but felt like they wanted to be smart and tried to wind me up. I was only trying to be friendly and it sucks when people like those two guys felt the need to make fun of or wind me up for kicks. There have been plenty of times when I'm just going about my day, trying to be nice and some people like to make fun of it or wind me up because I look like a easy target. And it bugs me when I can never think of a solid comeback.

KFPDW Wanting to be heard
  • replies: 3

I don't why, but it feels like I'm always the one getting cut off when I'm trying to say something. I get that other people have stuff to say that's important but I want to feel like what I have to say has value too. No grudges against anyone of cour... View more

I don't why, but it feels like I'm always the one getting cut off when I'm trying to say something. I get that other people have stuff to say that's important but I want to feel like what I have to say has value too. No grudges against anyone of course but it gets to me that it feels like it's always me that gets interrupted. What do I do?

njanehel1 Anxiety won’t go away
  • replies: 3

Feelings of anxiety with a tight chest, butterflies in my stomach and Diarrhea - what can you recommend to ease this - had it for about 7 days straight feels like it’s not going to ever go

Feelings of anxiety with a tight chest, butterflies in my stomach and Diarrhea - what can you recommend to ease this - had it for about 7 days straight feels like it’s not going to ever go

tayorange Spontaneous Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Recently something bad happened and it was really my fault. It’s been a few days and I’ve gotten somewhat better but from time to time a wave of sadness would just wash over me. I am going on holiday soon and I’m afraid i wouldn’t be able to support ... View more

Recently something bad happened and it was really my fault. It’s been a few days and I’ve gotten somewhat better but from time to time a wave of sadness would just wash over me. I am going on holiday soon and I’m afraid i wouldn’t be able to support myself. Is there anything i could do to deal with these random feelings?

anewhope Life is an utter mess - anxiety / extreme washing / low self esteem
  • replies: 1

Hey all,To say I feel like i've stuffed up my life is an understatement. I suffer from EXTREME anxiety (home bound), and after some debt that ranked up in the last few years from an over excited ADHD brain (diagnosed a few months ago) i've been left ... View more

Hey all,To say I feel like i've stuffed up my life is an understatement. I suffer from EXTREME anxiety (home bound), and after some debt that ranked up in the last few years from an over excited ADHD brain (diagnosed a few months ago) i've been left feeling very empty. I had something like 22 cars in the space of 10 years and hyper fixate on a variety of interests which sway my thoughts /decisions considerably out of the cognitive and more reactive sense. My anxiety has also started effecting me inside the house, even going to the toilet I wear gloves to go number 2's and use hand soap in baby wipes. I then wipe the back and front of my legs and feet with antiseptic wipes and even change my clothes (including socks and undies). I believe I still have great hygiene.My partner of 13 years has struggled with intimecy and this has been wearing me down, eventually I started believing it was me even though she said it isn't. Physically its non existant and I feel more like a room mate. She is my carer in a sense that she helps with my anxiety and calms me down, but this intimecy reduction started 2 years in. I love her so much and there is so much quality of living being with her that I absolutely adore her company but that makes the lack of intimacy even harder. Instigating any intimacy has become a feeling of running in a store full of glassware and the "rejection" hits so hard everytime. Its worn down my self esteem so much over the years and I feel like i'm always the "wrong place" in everyones world.I'm struggling to find my place in this world, unable to have people over due to contamination ocd (anyone that comes in needs to have a shower and new washed clothes) and I feel my only worth is providing money by working to pay the mortgage. I can't remember the last time I felt pyhsically attractive or alluring to my partners eyes. As part of this above i've felt more and more uncomfortable about my own body, and even if something was to be initiated I don't think I could manage feeling like i'm always dirty even though I always wash (I wasn't always like this). I was just wondering if anyone had any advice? In speaking with my pyhscologist she recommended to go to relationship councelling but I feel my partner would be embarassed.

Flora1002 Anticipatory Anxiety - Terrified of Something Happening
  • replies: 4

'Hi, I'm new on here. Not completely sure how this works but I'm struggling with anxiety. I'm turning 17 in a month, and I think I have sth called 'anticipatory anxiety' - that's what an online counsellor told me on HeadSpace.I'm on edge almost every... View more

'Hi, I'm new on here. Not completely sure how this works but I'm struggling with anxiety. I'm turning 17 in a month, and I think I have sth called 'anticipatory anxiety' - that's what an online counsellor told me on HeadSpace.I'm on edge almost every day and scared constantly. I'm worried that something bad might happen to me, and that thought keeps crossing my mind many times through the day. Like, when I'm out in the car with my parents, I keep having that thought and keep checking the road to 'prevent' a possible car crash, or I'm terrified of sleeping, because I'm worried something might happen to me during the night. It's an irrational fear, but I can't get rid of it, and I think it came about a few weeks ago when I realised something could happen to me at any time. I even keep doing irrational things to try and 'prevent' anything bad from happening. Like I say or don't say certain things, or put my bag or other objects in certain places or in certain positions, or don't sleep with certain blankets because they're a certain colour etc. I'm generally a calm and rational person, so this is very odd behaviour coming from me. And I know it's odd and irrational, I know the whole thing's irrational, but I just can't get rid of the anxiety. I can generally be a worrier, but it's something I can handle usually, but this is getting out of hand - it's disrupting my sleep, my eating, my general activities and my relationships and I'm just not sure what to do. I've tried anxiety apps and grounding exercises but nothing seems to help. I want to tell my parents, but I'm embarrassed and I don't want them to worry. I feel like I'm alone and no one would understand my problem, bc I haven't seen or heard of anything like it. I'm also worried about whether there's a solution or not. I'm desperate for help, but I just can't make myself tell my parents and they're pretty much the only place I could get support besides here. Anyway, I'd really appreciate any advice or support or tips or anything at all. Thank you . Cassia

MwilliamD SPECT
  • replies: 2

I am very interested in getting an SPECT scan and sending it to Amen clinic for evaluation. The trouble is the imaging centre wants a local referral. Anyone else do this?If so, how did you proceed?.I assume it will be expensive and I will have to pay... View more

I am very interested in getting an SPECT scan and sending it to Amen clinic for evaluation. The trouble is the imaging centre wants a local referral. Anyone else do this?If so, how did you proceed?.I assume it will be expensive and I will have to pay out of pocket and I am. OK with that.Any help would be appreciated

Pink grapefruit No friends - lonely
  • replies: 10

I am in late 40s and have not been able to make close friends since I moved from another country to Australia. It’s been almost ten years. I always feel I am not good enough and cannot have a confidence to start conversation with strangers. I feel wo... View more

I am in late 40s and have not been able to make close friends since I moved from another country to Australia. It’s been almost ten years. I always feel I am not good enough and cannot have a confidence to start conversation with strangers. I feel worried that I am going to be alone for the rest of my life.. could anyone, especially who are and were in the same situation, please share the tips to overcome this? I have my family but I would like to have friends to chat with or meet with.