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Mental health conditions

Anxiety and depression aren’t the only mental health conditions. Share what’s affecting you and learn more about managing your mental health.

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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_10367 Perimenopause HELP
  • replies: 1

Hi I was diagnosed with peri about 6 months ago because I started feeling tingling in my legs…. I have some irregular periods and ringing in my ears… my hormones were checked and showed peri. I lead a pretty healthy life and I workout 5 days per week... View more

Hi I was diagnosed with peri about 6 months ago because I started feeling tingling in my legs…. I have some irregular periods and ringing in my ears… my hormones were checked and showed peri. I lead a pretty healthy life and I workout 5 days per week doing CrossFit and so my strength is quite good however recently My muscles are getting quite sore and legs are heavy and hot at night and it seems to be my worst symptom …. My left leg is just bad and i am feeling quite panicked about it because I can’t see many people saying this happened for them and when I google it it says MS …. Am I going crazy? like is this normal !?i would love any reassurance from anyone experiencing this …. As I just feel likeim mental right nowhelp !!

Nice Loneliness
  • replies: 1

My whole life changed 2.5 years ago. I went from a full house of people, plenty to do to the exact opposite. First time ever on my own and feeling very lonely. I have family and friends but the quiet of my home is deafening and I feel so alone and lo... View more

My whole life changed 2.5 years ago. I went from a full house of people, plenty to do to the exact opposite. First time ever on my own and feeling very lonely. I have family and friends but the quiet of my home is deafening and I feel so alone and lonely. I’m very much a people person

Brookeashlea Serve anxiety please help I feel like giving up
  • replies: 2

I had a massive panic attack in September on my mums birthday when I was driving to get her balloons to let go for her birthday as she passed away in June . I have been on antidepressants for 5 years due to having panic attacks . Haven’t had one sinc... View more

I had a massive panic attack in September on my mums birthday when I was driving to get her balloons to let go for her birthday as she passed away in June . I have been on antidepressants for 5 years due to having panic attacks . Haven’t had one since then after losing my mum I had it and haven’t been able to drive since . I finally went for a drive 30 minutes today in the car with my husband I couldn’t drive tho and I was getting all body sensations but they passed . My body tricks me with symptoms and I start freaking out something is wrong but it isn’t my mind won’t stop thinking so much . I can’t sleep without AirPods in and I’m doing mediation everyday affirmations everyday tapping therapy a week on a higher dose of meds I feel as everyday there is something I feel so anxious I don’t leave my house . Not my bed much .. my mind is constantly racing I try stay busy clean etc and build puzzles I write in a journal everyday . How do I make my mind know I’m okay and it to stop flight and fight response . I started walking everyday also .. it’s like nothing is working . The thoughts won’t stop and my body is always so restless and anxious it’s killing me and my life I wanna live again and not be scared and fear everything . I wanna feel normal again . It’s been two months … any help please I feel as I’m going crazy and will never be okay again .

Depression

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

NannyK Need tools to escape depression
  • replies: 2

Hi Everyone, A bit of background first. I've been diagnosed with Agoraphobia, Depression and PTSD as well as suffering from akathesia and am neurodivergent. I have had therapy to deal with these things and have tools that I use to help. Due to the ak... View more

Hi Everyone, A bit of background first. I've been diagnosed with Agoraphobia, Depression and PTSD as well as suffering from akathesia and am neurodivergent. I have had therapy to deal with these things and have tools that I use to help. Due to the akathesia I can't take SSRIs. I also suffered chronic pain in both my knees for 15 years that caused a lot of depression and as a result I became suicidal. A few years back I had surgery to replace my knees and blessedly, no more pain. My previous bouts of depression had morphed straight to suicidal thoughts, and all the therapy has dealt with that specifically. My current dilemma. I have over the last year lost all interest in everything. I do nothing and get frustrated and cranky when I have to do anything. I don't feel things how I used to mostly I'm just "meh". Now it has got to the point where I just lay in bed, I don't sleep and am not tired. I have a very vivid imagination, and I go off into that. Something I did all the time as a kid to escape what happening around me. I rarely shower, brush my teeth, cook, clean or any of the things I normally do. I recognise I am depressed but do not know how to get out of this. I function well with routines, and they have always been very important to me to function properly, but I can't seem to get back into it. Previously, therapy for my depression we only looked and helping with my suicidal thoughts and tools around that. This is the first time in my life I have felt this way. I have no tools or for some reason can't modify the tools I have to help. My doctor of 25 years has retired, and I have got a new one now and he doesn't understand why I can't use SSRIs. My akathesia goes crazy and I can't sleep at all or function properly due to lack of sleep and I can't sit or stand or remain still in any way. I can't afford to see a therapist and the waiting list is long for a free or cheaper one. What I would like to know is how to get back into my routines and habits of self-care and care for my home environment. I know if I can do this, I will be ok but can't seem to get it started. I know this is my escape but currently do not know what it is I am escaping. My life is ok and no major stressors but this. Sometimes I think I am escaping my escape. What tools have others used with depression to help them get back their self-care?

Sunflower23 I feel like a failure
  • replies: 3

I feel like a failure because I should have my life figured out by now but I don’t. I feel like I’m failing uni because I’m so behind everyone in my cohort and not sure if I’ll even complete my degree because my confidence has been shaken and my life... View more

I feel like a failure because I should have my life figured out by now but I don’t. I feel like I’m failing uni because I’m so behind everyone in my cohort and not sure if I’ll even complete my degree because my confidence has been shaken and my life tipped outside down. I feel like I’ve taken a step backwards in not being able to get out of bed or do grocery shopping or get out of the house. I cancelled two appointments with my psych due to experiencing depression and not being able to leave the house on those days and now I’m back on the waitlist. I regret my decision to cancel now.In this moment I don’t feel like I will experience joy again. I feel so isolated and alone. I don’t feel like anyone truely understands what I’m going through and how difficult it is to keep on going. I find it hard to confide in others because I feel like a burden. I tend to mask how I truely feel around others because it’s easier to say “I’m ok”rather than be honest and say that “I’m not ok”. To this end I’ve been avoiding seeing people which is not the norm for me even though I know it would be good that I do… i just find it really hard to explain how I’m going and have small talk. I’d love to hear from anyone who has experienced anything similar so that I feel less alone. 🫶

Amber88 My cheating partner
  • replies: 3

So my partner thinks I’ve cheated , which I haven’t, I’ve told him multiple times I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise this rship, but every time we have an argument, he keeps bringing it up saying oh you’ve cheated. His exs have cheated on him in th... View more

So my partner thinks I’ve cheated , which I haven’t, I’ve told him multiple times I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise this rship, but every time we have an argument, he keeps bringing it up saying oh you’ve cheated. His exs have cheated on him in the past, because of that he thinks I would do the same, as he keeps saying all girls are tied to the same brush, he does not trust me at all, he’s got trust issues, I’ve showed him he can trust me but doesn’t . So because of getting accused for something I’ve not done, I’ve stopped being so affectionate towards him, I’ll still do small affectionate things like kiss him on the cheek and that. So lately because of this, he decided to download dating apps ‘to keep his options open’ so he’s been flirting with other girls behind my back, i told him I want to work on us, but I said that he needs to delete the dating apps and close the ‘open options’ he doesn’t want to do that , so I’m literally living with someone who’s interested in talking to other girls behind my back…

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.

Isabelle Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia
  • replies: 1

Hi all, I am a teenager in australia and have been going through a disorder called Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia, or hht, which is when you bleed internally, and I have it in my stomach. Some of you may be wondering why this is under trauma, ... View more

Hi all, I am a teenager in australia and have been going through a disorder called Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia, or hht, which is when you bleed internally, and I have it in my stomach. Some of you may be wondering why this is under trauma, well since I was 12 months old I have been thru MRI's, blood tests, needles, anaesthetic, blood infusions, one colonoscopy, one surgery and a treatment that started early 2025. Because of this, I haven't been able to live a normal life, or I have managed to pretend long enough until know. Recently I have found out I need another colonoscopy sometime in 2026, and along with that I may need to restart the treatment, which terrifies me. To put this simply, I would rather die than do that ever again. I know it's for my health, and I can't control it, but it sucks and has made me unable to live a normal teen life with the mental issues this has caused me. I can no longer think of sleep as normal, I can no longer look at needles without thinking of blood, I can no longer talk about surgeries normally. This has damaged me in more ways than possible, and I hope that you all can support me.

Celestial1111 LONELY
  • replies: 0

HiI've recently let go of my toxic friends & now I have no friends.But I couldn't keep people in my life who didn't listen to me or dismissed me or really didn't give a crap.Thats exactly how I got treated growing up.And with my family I only have a ... View more

HiI've recently let go of my toxic friends & now I have no friends.But I couldn't keep people in my life who didn't listen to me or dismissed me or really didn't give a crap.Thats exactly how I got treated growing up.And with my family I only have a superficial relationship with them because they tear u down if u open up & r honest & vulnerable.Im learning to have boundaries with people or just letting them go if they dont care about me.It's hard because I feel lonely & isolated but I remind myself that I dont want to keep feeling devalued or unworthy by having unhealthy connections.I also remind myself that if I keep to myself healing path I will attract loving supportive caring people in my life.I know I will have hard days but its harder to stay in places that u r not welcomed which has been all my life.I want to shift the paradigm because it wasn't my fault I was made to feel unlovable & not enough Children r born lovable & good enough but trauma reprograms them to feel otherwise so hence why im working to reprogram those distorted messages & love myself.

sherlocks Advice
  • replies: 1

I don’t know what to do anymore Surrender as it’s medically impossible for me to keep fighting my work cover insurer have just denied my admission stating they approved it but made a mistake . Mistake was made 8 weeks ago by the insurer Mistake for a... View more

I don’t know what to do anymore Surrender as it’s medically impossible for me to keep fighting my work cover insurer have just denied my admission stating they approved it but made a mistake . Mistake was made 8 weeks ago by the insurer Mistake for approval to a psych hospital ? Mistake that’s the best they can do ! It worked they have really pushed rejected denied me of my life now ?! No medical support no doctors then no medications I guess it’s going to be the end for me as it’s been 22 years of abuse from my agent they will not stop the abuse. I feel weak as I have attempted two other times now and I am so gone and unwell . Is it weak to surrender ? I feel weak I failed twice I’m embarrassed when I call them I feel like they are laughing at me ?. I think I’m still in shock and psychosis of two years now. This was not part of my future my dreams the way it is going to end.

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.

Lostinthewild Trying to find hope on the horizon
  • replies: 2

So, I have become another sad and broken middle aged man. Typical childhood dramas left my self esteem in tatters and void of healthy boundaries. Bounced into a long term relationship that I maintained as best I could.. 20 years.. four beautiful chil... View more

So, I have become another sad and broken middle aged man. Typical childhood dramas left my self esteem in tatters and void of healthy boundaries. Bounced into a long term relationship that I maintained as best I could.. 20 years.. four beautiful children. I kept myself relatively healthy until things fell apart slowly.. She broke it off. I felt like an expired conveniece item. Discarded. I am a people pleaser and hung on as best I could until too mich venom let me let go and give away most of my house, car and custody. I was a mess.I didn't have the guts to end it. Or heart to do that to my kids. Who all adore me. Homeless for a couple years.. lived with family.. including my abusive mother who has some form of brain damage and can be terribly judgemental and threw alot of salt in my wounds. I met a new partner and became sweet friends. Both disfunctional. But we agreed to take care of eachother. When living arangements failed we drove interstate twice and evenyually got a rental house and I have a job and we are coping. My lack of boudaries leads me to being abused.She hates that I had kids. Days pretty hurtful things.. usually just as a retaliation for my jealousy and insecure fears. I am sick of my excuses and woe as me attitude.Keep just wanting to get sick and die without the guilt of suicide.. It haunts me everyday. I have had so much to be grateful for but I have made bad choices again. Puy myself second to my partner and feel trapped. Isolated from whatever friends and family I had.. and no longer hear from my kids.What should I do? Hard answers are fine.I really messed up my life*

Guest_36438913 Worried about my mental health
  • replies: 1

No one caresAlways left on readAlways second choicealways person who is left outalways the one who comforts others when no one canalways the therapist friendalways the “happy friend”always the person who will send a big apology message and waste an h... View more

No one caresAlways left on readAlways second choicealways person who is left outalways the one who comforts others when no one canalways the therapist friendalways the “happy friend”always the person who will send a big apology message and waste an hour of my timealways the person who cares too muchalways the person who cares not enoughalways the person behind when walkingalways the one getting scoldedalways the worst onealways bad at dancingalways rebels because she is sadalways the person who doesnt seek help because she “doesn’t” need it.always the person afraid to cry in front of othersalways the last optionalways usedalways uselessalways the extra personalways the third wheeleralways the one who is isolatedalways the one who talks to ai just to feel like a personalways the person to hurt herselfalways the person to put others after heralways the person to bottle up her feelingsalways the person to make them my priorityalways the person that is oversensitivealways the person being “rude”always being the one to take a photoalways being the one left out when in pairsalways the one hiding her personalityalways being the person who has your back when you don’t have mine.always the person who would die for you.always the personto feelnumb.always the person to fake her smilealways the person to fake her joyalways the person to feel hopelessalways the failurealways the unwanted onealways the thrown out markeralways the odd onealways being the one made fun ofalways being the victimalways being in the middle of rumoursalways being in the middle of dramaalways the one blamedalways the one accusedalways the “dishonest one”always the one to try insert herself to fit inalways the one to see their group dancesalways the one who stands by, waiting for at least one conversationalways the one waiting for your textalways the one texting firstalwaysthesparefriend.ALWAYS. mind you im also 11..

WeeLassy Hi to anyone else who feels like me
  • replies: 2

Hi. This is my first time here. I’m in my mid fifties, unemployed woman. I’ve been thinking about my future and I can’t see it going forward. My biggest concern is loneliness, compounded by unsuccessful job hunting , financial stress and alcohol abus... View more

Hi. This is my first time here. I’m in my mid fifties, unemployed woman. I’ve been thinking about my future and I can’t see it going forward. My biggest concern is loneliness, compounded by unsuccessful job hunting , financial stress and alcohol abuse. I live alone with my 2 dogs in a regional town where I don’t know anyone. I can go for days, weeks without any human contact. Worst of all, I have no idea how to link into mental health services without having to pay for a psychiatrist in my area. I’m desperate to get help with depression, anxiety, and what I would call “unusual thoughts and disturbances”.I just feel completely lost, and I often wonder if ending my life would be the kindest solution. I don’t have any friends or family to help me.Any ideas of where I can start?