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Mental health conditions

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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.

Guest_05885315 Surrendering Pet + guilt and shame
  • replies: 2

After an incredibly stressful 24 hours, I had to make the awful decision to surrender my little dog Grub. She is unwell, but will continue to receive Vetirinary care with the rescue agency. It was going to add up to thousands, and I financially have ... View more

After an incredibly stressful 24 hours, I had to make the awful decision to surrender my little dog Grub. She is unwell, but will continue to receive Vetirinary care with the rescue agency. It was going to add up to thousands, and I financially have let this dog down. Also, when the grubs acute illness started, my mental health plummeted and a lot of unresolved internal issues arose - and I realised I cannot care for her. I had been spending the last few weeks realising, Grub deserves stability consistency and peace that I cannot provide her. Since I first got her, I've struggled to help her find peace even with moving to new environments, training with behavioural trainers, medication for her anxieties and stress, and endless love. I am such a failure for this. I don't even know if she will get better but she is in the care of someone who is more resilient than me and can manage it. She is such a good dog. I know in my heart that there is a better home for her and people that can better help her get well. I let her down, I let her get sick and then I couldn't manage. I just wanted to post to try seek some comfort from this community, because I'm feeling awful. I'm scared of getting negative comments because of what I have let the situation becomes, but I'm so alone right now.

Lost_Soul_2112 On the verge…
  • replies: 1

Past year till this day… I have been dealing a lot with my family & work stuff. I thought I had it all under control which I doubt now  I searched & searched & searched endlessly for what’s anxiety or depression like  No, I’m not sure if I have o... View more

Past year till this day… I have been dealing a lot with my family & work stuff. I thought I had it all under control which I doubt now 😔😔 I searched & searched & searched endlessly for what’s anxiety or depression like 😖😖 No, I’m not sure if I have one or the other! No, I have not consult the GP as I’m not sure what to say 😞😞 I’m not sure if I’m just plain sick from not looking after myself well or it’s really the stress! 😔😔Does Vitamin B Complex really help with managing stress?? I started taking it almost a month now but I still feel the same like before taking it - gut punching, hands shaking, diarrhoea in the morning & headache, sleepy, easily annoyed during midday & worst - hard to fall asleep at night 😖😖Anyone feel the same…??? Or, is it just the way it is when you get older??? 😞😞

Jessten How to understand anxiety is affecting you
  • replies: 4

I am a 41 yr old female who has health anxiety on top of chronic pain and asd. At the moment i have alot of things going on at once. I am struggling with work plus have health issues currently. Alhough i dont recognise it ppl are starting to ask me i... View more

I am a 41 yr old female who has health anxiety on top of chronic pain and asd. At the moment i have alot of things going on at once. I am struggling with work plus have health issues currently. Alhough i dont recognise it ppl are starting to ask me if im ok as my anxiety is showing in ways i dont realkise. How doni recognise when my anxiety is taking control before i hit breaking point whch i feel is not far off despitee not lnowing what is goihg on

Depression

Depression affects people in Australia every day. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with depression.

bfic12 Lonely
  • replies: 2

Hi, I'm Billy, 43 years old, are there any women who would like to have a chat?

Hi, I'm Billy, 43 years old, are there any women who would like to have a chat?

Guest_44228154 My life is failing and falling apart
  • replies: 2

I am going through a lot and by wife is always yelling next to me because I am a failure. Since I was a kid, my mom called me failure and I do not want to ask from my wife and we argued top of our lungs. Later I overthink and realized that I am a fai... View more

I am going through a lot and by wife is always yelling next to me because I am a failure. Since I was a kid, my mom called me failure and I do not want to ask from my wife and we argued top of our lungs. Later I overthink and realized that I am a failure I am always as failure. End of the day I feel like that way. Recently, I have completed and exam and failed but wife kept telling me how many times have you failed that exam and yet you cannot pass. I felt insecure and yelled at her . I lover her so much. but when she talks like that I felt like I am insecure. I have ego to understand that I am a failure . I am a looser . everything is not going my way. what should I do? I feel to harm myself but no confidence for that

EmbarrassedEmu Morbidly obese and need help
  • replies: 2

I’m 162 cm and my starting weight was 104.7 kg. I started my weight loss journey on 1 jan 2026 but to be honest I’ve only been seriously doing it for the past 1.5 weeks. My BMI has me sitting at the top end of morbidly obese and it makes me so embarr... View more

I’m 162 cm and my starting weight was 104.7 kg. I started my weight loss journey on 1 jan 2026 but to be honest I’ve only been seriously doing it for the past 1.5 weeks. My BMI has me sitting at the top end of morbidly obese and it makes me so embarrassed and sad to know this. I’ve tried doing some research online about how to do this weight loss journey. I’ve significantly increased my protein intake, reduced carbs and fats. I’m also trying to do a calorie deficit but don’t know how to work out what I should be aiming for when it comes to calories a day. This morning I weighed myself and scales showed 102.2 - so I’ve lost 2.5 kilos in a 1.5 weeks. I’ve read you should stick to 0.5-1 kg a week. This is going to sound stupid but I’m concerned I’m losing it too quickly and will end up with a lot of loss skin at the end (I know I will have loose skin and it scares me so trying to limit it). I’ve been morbidly obese for over 10 years and I just decided I wanted to be around for my kid for a long time to come. I’m 52 years old. I want to eventually get to 70kg but my first aim is 95kg (figure if I set small goals they will be more motivation on my end). My questions are: 1. ⁠is losing 2 kg a week too much?2. ⁠how to I calculate a correct calorie goal?3. ⁠I have significantly increased my protein intake (by a lot), how do I know if I’m getting enough to help with weight loss?4. ⁠I have a knee issue whereby I cannot bend or straighten the knee much so it limits my exercise options. I try walking but can’t do a lot because the calf hurts a lot because of the way I walk. What other options can I do to help with weight loss? I’m embarrassed at myself and the weigh I look in the mirror. I avoid relationships, and I’ve come here online because I am too embarrassed and scared to speak to my GP. I’m scared that if I do lose a significant amount of weight that people will notice and I don’t want them to notice (I don’t like attention). Please help this chick out

PTSD and trauma

A space for discussing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), domestic abuse, sexual abuse and other trauma. Please note some content may be distressing.

Mudcakes Healthy vs not Healthy thoughts or ideas
  • replies: 1

Basically I feel sometimes the urge to look up people from my past or places to see how they are going. Like I know its bad but its like a curiosity thing too. I guess Im feeling lonely and since I did a load of like 10 weeks worth of in hospital men... View more

Basically I feel sometimes the urge to look up people from my past or places to see how they are going. Like I know its bad but its like a curiosity thing too. I guess Im feeling lonely and since I did a load of like 10 weeks worth of in hospital mental health treatment, I wanna reconnect with people who maybe I misjudged or thought less of but was through the lens's of my anxiety. Issue is I also get ones of people from my past that looking at will distress me. Like damn, I get over thoughts and feelings about this one person and then I randomly just wanna see her damn smile, but she’s hurt me and the way her life has turned out is not what I expected. It’s not what I guess anyone expects wanting to reconnect after therapy to finally have that needed conversation with the girl you confessed your feelings to but never spoke over the phone to find out at 17 she’s expecting a kid. Or to hopefully reconnect with someone else who was special to me years ago to find out he’s basically an incel in the making. But yeah sorry topic changed, point is, is it bad or healthy to think or look people up from my past if its to see if my anxiety messed my view up at the time?

Picture Coping with trauma
  • replies: 2

Hello Following a trauma last year I went through a mental health crisis, and I am now feeling more stable and calm but not yet normal. The things I think that have helped are seeing a psychologist to talk openly to (she was very empathetic and had s... View more

Hello Following a trauma last year I went through a mental health crisis, and I am now feeling more stable and calm but not yet normal. The things I think that have helped are seeing a psychologist to talk openly to (she was very empathetic and had some useful suggestions); the crisis lines; getting medication to help with sleep; support from family/friends and this forum. I will carry the trauma I have been through for my life but I now feel it is not overwhelming me in the same way. I still feel a lot of sadness and regret, flashbacks, rumination, social anxiety and a feeling of being a bit separate from myself. I am able to function a bit better with family and others though. So far I have just been speaking with a psychologist but will look at some other therapies as well. I may also try yoga. I will also try and do more exercise. Just thought I would post to show what has helped me in case it helps others. For me it is a slow process but I do feel it is moving in the right direction. I hope others experiencing trauma are also coping.

Guest_71804972 Worried about plurality
  • replies: 4

I'm concerned I might fall under the term of someone who is plural, I've done a lot of research on the subject of DID and OSDD and worry my symptoms could be lining up, but I'm unsure as I've dealt with things like delusions and hallucinations in the... View more

I'm concerned I might fall under the term of someone who is plural, I've done a lot of research on the subject of DID and OSDD and worry my symptoms could be lining up, but I'm unsure as I've dealt with things like delusions and hallucinations in the past, and my brain could be convincing me of something that isn't real. I don't have money to spend so I'm not very sure how to go about figuring it out with a professional either

Suicidal thoughts and self-harm

This space discusses suicide and self-harm. Consider limiting the time you spend here. To use the section safely, read the pinned discussion.

Guest_88574582 I need help and guidance
  • replies: 1

Hi, I've been going through a lot of things for the past decade, and things got worse during high school. I am out of high school now but things are still so overwhelming. My parents are unsupportive and they don't believe that my depression is real,... View more

Hi, I've been going through a lot of things for the past decade, and things got worse during high school. I am out of high school now but things are still so overwhelming. My parents are unsupportive and they don't believe that my depression is real, or that my self-harm and anxiety is real either. I've been trying to help myself for years but recently I've just gotten so exhausted. Because I migrated twice, I have no deep long term connections. My partner was the only one who showed up when things got really bad, but they have no idea what they're doing either and they rely on me to tell them what to do. I guess I just need advice. I've been trying to learn how to regulate myself, learning the next steps, and not burdening other people. Now I'm just tired.

Guest_6457 i have no friends since 2011
  • replies: 2

read title everyone hates me and i havecptsd from people abusing me and i cant do this anymore im a kind person im not racist or misogynist

read title everyone hates me and i havecptsd from people abusing me and i cant do this anymore im a kind person im not racist or misogynist

pearlgirl how to find motivation to live again
  • replies: 2

hi everyone, i’m writing here because i am too ashamed to keep speaking to my friends about the same issues that they think i’ve ‘healed’ from. i’m a 15 year old girl, and objectively my life is not that bad. from the outside i get good grades, i’m t... View more

hi everyone, i’m writing here because i am too ashamed to keep speaking to my friends about the same issues that they think i’ve ‘healed’ from. i’m a 15 year old girl, and objectively my life is not that bad. from the outside i get good grades, i’m told i’m pretty, i even get hit on, i have lots of supportive friends and a supportive family. however i have been dealing with depression and suicidal thoughts my entire life and recently they have only been getting worse. i’m not going to write my entire life’s story but generally i am ashamed of my past (depression and self neglect) and it feels like these depressive episodes are plaguing my entire life. last year was a mix between suicide attempts and self harm and a fun, memory filled year. i was getting told on a daily basis that i am beautiful, i would get asked for my socials, i would experience people envying me, i even got awards and certificates for my grades. however i would come home just to hurt myself and wish i was dead. i will never forget the time i came home from a school day full of laughter and fun, taking funny pictures with my friend and only 2 hours later i was in urgent care with my self harm fully exposed and wounds that are permanent. it just never feels enough. i am not ugly but i am not stunning enough, i am not poor but i am not wealthy enough, i am not dumb but i am not smart enough, etc. i don’t feel enough, and i often feel like i have nothing going for me at all. there’s a girl at my school 2 years older than me who i am terribly envious of and people say we look identical all the time but i don’t see it at all and feel incredibly inferior to her. she is skinnier and prettier and i feel like a knock off of her. i have been feeling so ugly recently especially now that i am not at school and not surrounded by compliments or gazes like before anf that has led me to reconsider suicide like always. people have called me beautiful, rich, smart, funny, social, kind, talented, etc. so why can’t i feel any of it???? i feel trapped in a perception i can’t change. it is so exhausting feeling ugly and stupid and being invalidated when i open up about it just because people have a different perception of me. i just want to be and feel beautiful. i understand i may come across as shallow or ungrateful but i genuinely cannot see myself as anything but hideous and i find no point in continuing to live if i have to live with this body and this face. i don’t want to settle for less. i just want to have all or nothing. i want to be the girl people see me as. it feels like everyone is deluded and seeing me with rose tinted glasses and one day they will realize i am actually hideous and poor. living has become simply unbearable and i see no way out. i’m writing here in an attempt to find a different solution because right now i feel like i could only opt for death