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

StephenLRobinson Twitching in legs and feet
  • replies: 3

Hi Guys, mI really need a calming mind right now! 2 and a half weeks ago I started with twitching in both legs. I have been extremely anxious for months now and this is just another symptom I have got! it’s like vibrating twitching in both feet and r... View more

Hi Guys, mI really need a calming mind right now! 2 and a half weeks ago I started with twitching in both legs. I have been extremely anxious for months now and this is just another symptom I have got! it’s like vibrating twitching in both feet and random twitching in legs that sometimes moves to lips and arms and eyes. I have a really tight leg but the tightness moves around the leg. Has anyone had these symptoms before?

Mel78 Health anxiety
  • replies: 1

I'm a 45 year old woman with health anxiety, it started when i was about 22 years old i had a very traumatic experience with a family member passing away from a horrible disease and i went from never thinking about death to thinking about it constant... View more

I'm a 45 year old woman with health anxiety, it started when i was about 22 years old i had a very traumatic experience with a family member passing away from a horrible disease and i went from never thinking about death to thinking about it constantly. I worried about my children and my husband and how they would cope without me around and would they be ok, i started to get lots of different symptoms and was very scared what was happening, i saw my doctor and specialists and everytging came back normal it was then that i became very sick i couldnt eat or sleep i lost heaps of weight and i couldnt function or get out of bed i felt like i was going crazy and loosing my mind. The doctor diagnosed me with generalised anxiety disorder and somatic delusional disorder and for a few years everything was getting better with the medication i was taking, i relapsed a few times but was able to overcome it each time so instead of it taking me weeks to get over it it became days instead and i was able to get on with my life. But in the last few months it has started creeping up on me again im convinced i have MS because both of my pinky fingers go numb every night while im sleeping and i have night sweats. Im seeing my doctor today to talk about my concerns but i took the day off work because i cant think about anything else its getting a real hold on me and i dont want to feel like this , is there anyone out there who feels the same or can put my mind at ease about my symptoms because i dont want to consumed by this again i just want to enjoy my life.

ds4 Brain tumour worry
  • replies: 4

Hey, I am a 25 year old. just jumping on as I have got the worst anxiety about having a brain tumour, I have been to the doctors as I have been having severe dizziness and balance issues for over a year now. I got all my bloods tested and everything ... View more

Hey, I am a 25 year old. just jumping on as I have got the worst anxiety about having a brain tumour, I have been to the doctors as I have been having severe dizziness and balance issues for over a year now. I got all my bloods tested and everything was really good, she has told me it could be my health anxiety which could be the issue but I have been spending hours on Google and it has told me the worst as I am showing symptoms of a brain tumour I am getting back on medication to see and if not I will need to get a scan which I am really really worried about… has anyone had this experience if so would any one have any tips

Mumma12 Anxiety & Depression
  • replies: 2

Hi allI’ve recently started suffering from Anxiety and Depression and last night I hit rock bottom. I really struggle day by day to get out of bed I have no energy I’m emotionally exhausted.I was hoping if there are people like me who know how to acc... View more

Hi allI’ve recently started suffering from Anxiety and Depression and last night I hit rock bottom. I really struggle day by day to get out of bed I have no energy I’m emotionally exhausted.I was hoping if there are people like me who know how to accept these emotions and push through, I’m on a mental health plan but I feel like it’s failing me. Any advice would be appreciated

jacky78 Work place harassment & Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi all, My first post here first of all this is a great forum and never thought I would use it but here I am. I have worked in a company for more than 2 years, I'm a shy person and socially awkward so I don't interact as much with colleague and new c... View more

Hi all, My first post here first of all this is a great forum and never thought I would use it but here I am. I have worked in a company for more than 2 years, I'm a shy person and socially awkward so I don't interact as much with colleague and new comer. However I perform my task as required and no performance issues ever raised to me. For the past 6 month I felt like suddenly I'm being sidelined at work and my Team leader stop introducing me to new comer and on meeting I was never acknowledged. Is this normal at workplace considering I'm a shy person. I just don't feel its right and I felt like I'm isolated at work and my anxiety is getting worse to a point where I start withdrawing at work. I'm a full time student with quite a bit of pressure and I'm doing full time work. As mentioned I don't have any performance issues and I work in healthcare environment. I don't want to jump to conclusion but I cannot understand why am I being sidelined. Thank you all for reading, thought I just let this out make me feel better You are all a legend here

Soldierx My wellbeing failures
  • replies: 4

Hi I'm Soldierx or thats what I will call myself I dont know what is wrong with me but I have a lot of issues bugging me let me tell you a few:I served for 21 years in the ARA, I have a service medalI have worked at all levels and since leaving defen... View more

Hi I'm Soldierx or thats what I will call myself I dont know what is wrong with me but I have a lot of issues bugging me let me tell you a few:I served for 21 years in the ARA, I have a service medalI have worked at all levels and since leaving defence have worked in many other roles in mining and Energy sectors I have worked and lived in remote locations for most of my life and still doI marriage broke up many years ago after 27 years no notice just told that it was over and she wanted to move onI experience pain in many places at times from being a VeteranI was conditioned to think and act in ways that do affect your transition although I think I have done a good job returning to civilian lifeI feel depressed about many things job, life style and locationI don't have savings seem to always spendI do have some investments.I want to retire. I am a few years short of retiring age.I consider every day how I could retire.I hate my job, but I don't want to go into details (all the usual things that make a job bad)I have like a breathing issue since Covid vaccination, but doctors just ignore me and prescribe nasal sprays.I have a X Ray that shows an 8mm Spot in my lung but am told it doesn't have legs at present?I think everything is a scam and trust nobody online.I ignore 02 numbers as they are scams.I did a good job in a senior position and then applied for a transfer and then was made accountable for two years of poor operation and I feel like my job profile and character have been assassinated by old school methods and other managers shifting all their accountability to the next person.I have grandkids one I haven't even met in real life yet due to my work commitments. Although I tried a few times.I got locked down in Queensland during the border closes and was forced to spend all my savings until the Government opened WA again although I have never been compensated by government for anything and was forced to pay 2k for accomodation in Perth???, now no one seems to care about any of it?I'm stuck mentally doing something I hate and can't afford to relocate.Anyway, I'm soldierx and this is my life at present.

Red753285 I'm anxious because my child is suffering at school
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I'm in a tough situation. My child has an intellectual disability and is at his local school. His school hasn't done a good job of meeting his needs (they didn't know how) and my son now displays serious behaviour several times a day. I ... View more

Hi everyone, I'm in a tough situation. My child has an intellectual disability and is at his local school. His school hasn't done a good job of meeting his needs (they didn't know how) and my son now displays serious behaviour several times a day. I can't solve the problem for them, I'm not there. They have acknowledged that this needs to be resolved at school, and that they have a plan in place and they needed time to get it right. But then they have threatened to suspend him if the behaviour keeps happening. I know they are happening so each day I'm just waiting to see if the school will pull the trigger on the suspension. At the end of each day I get a notification of the behaviour he's done. It's torture for me to wait for the text, and to read that he's doing some horrendous things that either doesn't happen at home, or is easily prevented in the home setting. I'm anxious while he's at school, and I'm anxious after school for that message. In between I'm anxious about the next day. In the middle of the night I'm anxious because I was anxious all day. To deal with it, I'm on Agomelatine, and will have consulling sessions starting next week. Unlike my previous GAD episode, this isn't all in my head. The stress is real and beyond my control. Just wondering how I'm meant to deal with it without getting crushed.

Dez5 Anxiety
  • replies: 1

I fractured my wrist 13 weeks ago and find that I’m still trying to recover. Over this time, I have become very anxious. I have lost my appetite, I feel on edge - anxious all the time and my throat feels tight, which makes me more anxious. I have tri... View more

I fractured my wrist 13 weeks ago and find that I’m still trying to recover. Over this time, I have become very anxious. I have lost my appetite, I feel on edge - anxious all the time and my throat feels tight, which makes me more anxious. I have tried everything to help me relax… but failed

Guest_6804 Is there a correlation between anxiety and tinnitus?
  • replies: 1

Hello everyone, 3 months ago I experience my first overwhelming attack of anxiety and im still processing it all. I just wanted to ask the community if anyone also notices tinnitus just before an anxiety attack?. Initially my tinnitus was 24/7 but as... View more

Hello everyone, 3 months ago I experience my first overwhelming attack of anxiety and im still processing it all. I just wanted to ask the community if anyone also notices tinnitus just before an anxiety attack?. Initially my tinnitus was 24/7 but as the first wave of anxiety subsided so did the tinnutus. To date ive had 3 waves of anxiety and have noticed my tinnitus comes with it. Would love to hear all your thoughts. Thankyou for reading.

Janie223 Bought a puppy and anxiety took over
  • replies: 9

Hi All, For about a year now my family and I have been talking about getting a dog and I started doing lots of research. After much thinking and over thinking, last week we went to pick up a puppy from a breeder. I was really excited and so were the ... View more

Hi All, For about a year now my family and I have been talking about getting a dog and I started doing lots of research. After much thinking and over thinking, last week we went to pick up a puppy from a breeder. I was really excited and so were the kids. On day two I started feeling sick about the choice we made and it got progressively worse to the point I became completely overwhelmed and shut down. I couldn’t eat, sleep, think clearly, perform normal daily tasks and cried non stop for days. We decided to return the puppy and the kids were pretty devastated. I am so disappointed with myself because I wanted this puppy for company, to keep me occupied while the kids are at school, to give me a challenge in the training and I was hoping I’d be able to develop more flexibility and loosen up a bit (I take life way too seriously). I think I put to much pressure on this puppy to meet so many of my needs that were really not realistic. Now I’m so regretful that I couldn’t stick it out longer and wait for the overwhelm to pass. I feel like I gave up too quickly. I know anxiety can make life difficult but I wish I could be care free and go with the flow like other people. So many people have dogs!! Why did I have to make such a big deal about it? The value I was hoping to develop and wanted most of all from the experience of being a dog owner, flexibility, was the value I was least able to demonstrate when the situation called for it. I couldn’t overcome the change to my life and became so rigid and frozen.