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

maplesyrup1 Scared of Camp
  • replies: 1

I'm supposed to go to a camp really soon and I'm not able to attend I'm scared that the reason that I can't attend is invalid and a bad reason because it's about my mental healthA family member recently passed away and it's made my depression worse a... View more

I'm supposed to go to a camp really soon and I'm not able to attend I'm scared that the reason that I can't attend is invalid and a bad reason because it's about my mental healthA family member recently passed away and it's made my depression worse and I'm not sure if I can cope being away from home while having to do hard activitiesI'd also have to bunk with people I've never met before and I don't really have friends going to the camp as wellThe ticket for my flight has already been paid and I was initially excited to go but things have taken a turn for me and I really can't goI feel guilty that they paid $500+ for a ticket that is going to waste but I emailed them saying I can't go and that my parents would like to know if a payment is needed (The ticket is non refundable)I just feel like I'm letting everyone down and that I'm only making things harder for everyone and that the reason I can't go isn't good enough

GoldCoast Living a full life with Depression
  • replies: 1

Well, this is a bit out of my comfort zone, but here we go. I have had depression from a young age. I'm now in my early 20s and it is seemingly becoming a piece of baggage that I will carry for life. I feel the switch flick and depression kick into g... View more

Well, this is a bit out of my comfort zone, but here we go. I have had depression from a young age. I'm now in my early 20s and it is seemingly becoming a piece of baggage that I will carry for life. I feel the switch flick and depression kick into gear from inside to out. Sometimes it quickly passes over, other times I want nothing more than to simple dissolve. My dad passed away a few years ago and I haven't had much of a relationship with my mum for 5+ years. I often find myself craving a north star to tell me what to do, or at least bounce ideas off and receive a bit of unconditional love from. I guess this is the starting point of where my depression receives much of its fuel. I find that my resilience as a person can be as fragile as a glass tissue at the best of times, so I can be pretty touch and go as a friend and partner. Yes, there are the days where my bed is my haven and there's no where I rather be than in that false sense of warmth and safety. But, to why I'm here. At the end of last year (Dec, 2022) I finished my undergraduate degree at age 22. I have two companies that I've moulded ready for take off, with them both showing good prospects through minimal income. But, I find watching them start to fly makes my depression flare up. Committing to the future makes me sad I guess; I never thought that I would still be here. How do you accept that Depression is going to be a part of your long-term? And, what do you find best works when depression and anxiety start to exacerbate one another?

D-A D.A.
  • replies: 3

Hi, my name is Darryl. My wife experiences anxious thoughts ie. all or nothing thinking, negative final outcomes from singular event or difference of opinion etc. I find myself becoming frustrated and sometimes angry when resolving issues because my ... View more

Hi, my name is Darryl. My wife experiences anxious thoughts ie. all or nothing thinking, negative final outcomes from singular event or difference of opinion etc. I find myself becoming frustrated and sometimes angry when resolving issues because my wife needs to dissect the current issue which often leads to revisiting previous issues claiming those were never fully dealt with. I believe the previous issues were dealt with, an argument ensues and the current issue gets lost in fallout. Perhaps its me that is suffering anxiety. After 30yrs of marriage I am struggling to find the strength to resolve issues the way my wife needs to. Our current issue, being an indiscretion of mine, has triggered her anxious thoughts. I am extremely sorry for what I did and I have taken full responsibility for that. However, we cant move on from this without revisiting the past, which now includes issues I was unaware of. I need help finding a way to manage issues in a way that satisfies the needs of my wife without me becoming frustrated and angry.

Optima Advice needed
  • replies: 1

Hi my name is Mark and I'm new to this, I have been suffering from anxiety for many years now. The last 6 or so years it has turned into health anxiety, I'm constantly googling symptoms and I'm worrying constantly.. I've been to many doctors and they... View more

Hi my name is Mark and I'm new to this, I have been suffering from anxiety for many years now. The last 6 or so years it has turned into health anxiety, I'm constantly googling symptoms and I'm worrying constantly.. I've been to many doctors and they all say I'm OK.. about 4 months ago I asked my doctor for a mental health plan and he did that, they have counselling at the GP so I didn't get the referral paperwork but I haven't heard from them. My meds have been switched but it's been a few months and the worry continues, I feel like I'm spiralling out of control, I barely leave the house, I dont have any friends and I dont want to burden my family with this any more. Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Freya1973 Too scared to sleep.
  • replies: 4

This all started when my GP found my BP a bit elevated. I went on Thursday to a different GP cause mine is on holidays but coming back on Tuesday before he leaves again. I want to do a mental health plan, I honestly don't want him to check my BP but ... View more

This all started when my GP found my BP a bit elevated. I went on Thursday to a different GP cause mine is on holidays but coming back on Tuesday before he leaves again. I want to do a mental health plan, I honestly don't want him to check my BP but he will and I'll probably have another panic attack.I bought a BP monitor cause GP told me to monitor it, but I have been over doing it. I have stopped now cause everytime I checked it the 2nd and 3rd reading of BP would drop a lot and one of the counsellors explained it drops cause I panic. Now I afraid to sleep, just in case in my sleep it drops, plus so wound up I can't close my eyes and when I do a flood panic comes over me.I am single and I feel lonely, even though I live with my parents, but both are up in years. My Mother also suffers from depression, but I need her help and comfort. But she has a also effected by the way I am and so it my father.So no sleep for the last 24 and I feel so tired, please help me! Will I ever fall asleep again?I worry something bad is going to happen to me from the lack of no sleep. Also what comes to mind is, waking up anxious, that scares me a lot. Please help, please

Freya1973 Palpations and too anxious to sleep
  • replies: 2

Hi I am new, first post. I am 49 yr female I worry and obsess overthink about everything.I recently went with my father to get a check up and I was anxious for him. He is fine, where's GP found my BP elevated, but he said, he isn't overly concerned .... View more

Hi I am new, first post. I am 49 yr female I worry and obsess overthink about everything.I recently went with my father to get a check up and I was anxious for him. He is fine, where's GP found my BP elevated, but he said, he isn't overly concerned . Told me to buy a BP machine and that I should keep a eye on it, so far good. Problem is because I am so anxious now, only sleep about 2 hours. I am tired I want to sleep more, but panic floods me and my palpations get worse, so I stay awake. Today been awake since 1am.Is anyone else going throw this?. Thank you Freya

MDee Health Anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi all. Been struggling with health anxiety for over a year now. Everything was heart related and was obsessed with “ is it a heart attack “ then it got out of hand when I went into my 1st AFIB episode, followed by 2nd and 3rd, done all the tests and... View more

Hi all. Been struggling with health anxiety for over a year now. Everything was heart related and was obsessed with “ is it a heart attack “ then it got out of hand when I went into my 1st AFIB episode, followed by 2nd and 3rd, done all the tests and the heart checks out without any issues. 3 months later, this headache struck for about 2 weeks and I was petrified of going to GP, I feared the worst. Headache went away and my gut went into this mode where I couldn’t stomach anything and the “Globus “ appeared and the whole thing hung around for about 2 months off and on. I ended up getting Endoscopy done and they found nothing. Headaches, dizziness, nausea feeling of complete disaster about to happen still appears every so often. Meds made things worst if anything , I have learned to breathe and remind my self of the good times and the feeling is temporary. Stay strong

NoFoulPlay Anxiety since teen years
  • replies: 3

Not sure how it started, I'm now into my 50s, not sleeping well, mostly 2 hours straight then wakes up and can't sleep anymore. It has something to do with my life, being a divorce dad, my pressures at work and how I feel like an impostor in my chose... View more

Not sure how it started, I'm now into my 50s, not sleeping well, mostly 2 hours straight then wakes up and can't sleep anymore. It has something to do with my life, being a divorce dad, my pressures at work and how I feel like an impostor in my chosen career. I haven't slept for 2 days now, not taking any drugs. But tonight I'm having some alcohol just to keep me relax and sleep for maybe a few hours. I look like a zombie from not sleeping, but I still do my job the best I could, to pay the bills.

clintoff How does letter writing and listing the positives and negatives help someone with anxiety?
  • replies: 4

Hi, It was suggested to me to write a letter and a list of the positives and the negatives to my ex who suffers from anxiety and broke the relationship off because of it. Just wondering how doing this will help her to get back on her feet please?

Hi, It was suggested to me to write a letter and a list of the positives and the negatives to my ex who suffers from anxiety and broke the relationship off because of it. Just wondering how doing this will help her to get back on her feet please?

KFPDW Feeling blue
  • replies: 1

@~ So what's been happening is this:I tried to set up a new year's get-together with my friends but gradually, all the people I tried to invite had to drop out because they had stuff on with their families or their partners. And I feel like I'm a lit... View more

@~ So what's been happening is this:I tried to set up a new year's get-together with my friends but gradually, all the people I tried to invite had to drop out because they had stuff on with their families or their partners. And I feel like I'm a little bit out of the mix. I try hard to make connections with people and form friendships and I try hard on my end. It's hard when it feels when all my efforts turn up short. And I was hoping to help my mum out with Christmas but I got stuck doing the lawns even though I had already done them last week. I was hoping to help out more with the festive preparation. So I feel a bit out of sorts.