Support
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 conversation

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
Categories
Start a conversation

Pinned discussions

BeyondBlue Hi! Check out this post if you're not sure how to start
  • replies: 0

Hi there and welcome to the Anxiety section of the Forums First of all, thank you so much for joining us here. We think it’s amazing that you’ve taken this step to getting support and learning from this Community. You are very welcome here and we are... View more

Hi there and welcome to the Anxiety section of the Forums First of all, thank you so much for joining us here. We think it’s amazing that you’ve taken this step to getting support and learning from this Community. You are very welcome here and we are really interested in what you might want to add to these conversations. We get it, having anxiety makes it hard to share in a public place. Remember, this is anonymous and the Beyond Blue team are here to help if you need it This section is for people who are experiencing anxiety in some form in their lives. This might be in social settings, at work, or just in the day to day. You don’t need a diagnosis to post here. If it feels like the right spot for your post, go right ahead! We know that feeling anxious can make it hard to reach out so we want you to know that getting this far is amazing and a great start. A few tips for getting the most out of this section: Get involved when you can! Posting and replying is the heartbeat of this community and you DO have something worthwhile to share (when you’re ready ) Every experience is different. There is no competition here. We know how challenging anxiety can be and how it comes in all shapes and sizes. What you are experiencing will be respected and supported here. Trust yourself! You are the expert in your experience. This community works because people like you share what has worked for you. Thank you for getting involved and taking a look. We can’t wait to hear from you! Beyond Blue

All discussions

Start a conversation

Molly_84 Health Anxiety + OCD
  • replies: 7

I have suffered from health anxiety and OCD for over 7 years. I am going through a particularly rough time and can't seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am seeing a phycologist and together we have decided it's best if I try antidepress... View more

I have suffered from health anxiety and OCD for over 7 years. I am going through a particularly rough time and can't seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am seeing a phycologist and together we have decided it's best if I try antidepressants. My GP appointment is a week away and I read that it can take weeks or months to start seeing results. In the meantime I am exercising, meditating and doing everything I can to calm my nerves but nothing helps. Could someone please tell me that things are going to get better?

B4 Medication for severe health anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi , just wanting to reach out and ask a couple of questions . I have severe health anxiety which I have had for a long time but is now so much worse . I have been on antidepressants for 15 years same one . Has any body been on medication for this an... View more

Hi , just wanting to reach out and ask a couple of questions . I have severe health anxiety which I have had for a long time but is now so much worse . I have been on antidepressants for 15 years same one . Has any body been on medication for this and felt not working anymore ? can your body get us to it and need a change ? just interested if anyone else has felt or been thru this and changed meds . did it help ? thank u

Elephant86 The power of perspective and looking at the positive side of life
  • replies: 1

We as a community need to keep positive and try to focus on the things that keep us focused on the things that bring us love and joy in our lives. You know I can choose to be negative I have 3 disability condition but I choose to keep walking and rea... View more

We as a community need to keep positive and try to focus on the things that keep us focused on the things that bring us love and joy in our lives. You know I can choose to be negative I have 3 disability condition but I choose to keep walking and realise if I focus on the things I can control and not what I can't then I can keep a powerful positive perspective on life. If you focus on the things that make you happy and bring you back to health. I understand it is a struggle with your disabilities but I think the most important thing is a positive mind set. The thing is if you focus outside yourself and get focused in your community and possibly look to doing volenteering and think about who can I help in my community. I use to work as a volenteer in a soup kitchen making coffee and meals for the poor and underprivaleged and importantly I thought about others and what others where going through. It is not right to be selfish and not think about others in your community? I learnt when I was serving meals in the soup kitchens I understood by just talking to people asking them how there day was and just having a conversation and looking outside myself and caring for someone else. I think talking to someone and cooking them a meal and asking them how there day went it is important. I believe in life you need to be a giver to the community and say what do people in my community need and say how can I help others . It starts with loving and supporting your parents and doing your your chiors everyday to this day I still pack the dishwasher and put my clothing on the line. It is important in life to be a simpilton be humble, loving and kind to all and never stand in judgment of and be critical of people you don't know. The simple act of making food and serving others is something you must live by. There are many ways you can serve the community you just have to find out what are you good at and what is my passion what makes me happy and follow what you passionate about.My passion to cooking for the family and spending time at home. You might even be a great artist it is important to do what makes you happy and what bring you peace. Everybody has there own passion and there own skill which they hone on and get better at. Look to what you love to do. It could be building or making things by braking them apart and putting them back together. Everyone has there passion and there special skill you just have to find it?

kimstar First time with anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hello everyone unsure if anyone can relate just been to docs tonight who thinks I have anxiety. Has anyone suffered from IBS from their anxiety? I have a lot going on in my life I’m studying working full aswell and I have 5 children of my own! I feel... View more

Hello everyone unsure if anyone can relate just been to docs tonight who thinks I have anxiety. Has anyone suffered from IBS from their anxiety? I have a lot going on in my life I’m studying working full aswell and I have 5 children of my own! I feel like maybe I have too much on my plate but at the same time it’s nice to be working toward something is there anyone out there feeling the same as me ? Im so exhausted all the time and I have next to no patience feeling lost and like I’m not good enough for anyone I have a loving husband very supportive so that no issue! I just don’t know what to do !

KP2300 Investment Scam / Identity Theft
  • replies: 3

Hi,hoping I can connect with anyone who’s been in a similar circumstance. I have recently been the victim of a cyber crime involving a fraudulent investment scheme. I discovered relatively quickly and have put measures in place to prevent further los... View more

Hi,hoping I can connect with anyone who’s been in a similar circumstance. I have recently been the victim of a cyber crime involving a fraudulent investment scheme. I discovered relatively quickly and have put measures in place to prevent further loss. I did however, get as far as providing a significant amount of personal information and I’m now terrified about what will be done with it. I cannot stop thinking about worst case scenarios like cybercriminals having my address and knowing that I have children. Will they try to abduct my kids? I cannot sleeps from this fear. I am constantly sick to my stomach I never thought this would happen to me.

Patches63 Journal?
  • replies: 18

I’m currently waiting to see someone for help with my mood swings and images in my head. In small group and online I’m naturally a talker. Finding am wanting to talk about how I’m feeling in hope of getting it out of my system or easing the pain. Hav... View more

I’m currently waiting to see someone for help with my mood swings and images in my head. In small group and online I’m naturally a talker. Finding am wanting to talk about how I’m feeling in hope of getting it out of my system or easing the pain. Have never done before but am wondering if writing or typing in some type of journal my fears, anxiety, emotions might help.has anyone done similar? If so, did it help?

Angie_2023 Diagnosed and treated ADHD vilification in workplace
  • replies: 3

Hi Guys,I would like to share some of my experiences living with the diagnosed and treated ADHD.I hold vivid memories of the moments or rejection, and division between me and co-workers, ones they became aware that I am on ADHD medication or, (medica... View more

Hi Guys,I would like to share some of my experiences living with the diagnosed and treated ADHD.I hold vivid memories of the moments or rejection, and division between me and co-workers, ones they became aware that I am on ADHD medication or, (medication which they call substance). From this moment onwards I am not longer, quiet, a bit withdrawn middle-aged woman, with no special features apart from looking a bit arty and with her head in the cloud. To their perception I am a drug addict, an outcast with unknown past, surrounded by heavy tapestry of distrusts and bigotries, capable of cruel things.In all my employment engagements the pivotal moment of staff awareness of my condition or suspicion of medication is always followed by the exclusion, and rejection from the public service workforce.The interval time between the discovery and exclusion, carry the heavy burden of bullying, intimidations, accusations, and vilifications. Inability to break the cycle of rejection is even more amplified with each effort of joining workforce, in the snowball effect of picking more allegations, and disparagements.Not only the public service is rejecting me, but with the latest contract for the non-profit organisation, I am discovering that the disparaging reputation snowball is taking shape of the criminal characteristic, with the new employer treating me not only like I am person using substance/on medication but somehow criminal.There is absolutely no reason for that and presenting all WWVP card, police check, baseline security clearance has no effect on achieving better employment outcome. I am progressively becoming hopeless, with each rejection from workforce to the point that the push to exclude ADHD people on medication like me, could have the consequences of relegating me to the edge of society, with no rights to live and survive.I am acutely aware how devastating is to watch this spectacle of existence failure by my 15 years daughter, who is smart and beautiful. It is breaking my hart, that the prejudices are forming the forces unable to overcome with the skills, abilities, and personal qualities I am offering.None of that has any value once the employer is faced with revelation of ADHD disability and possibility of using medication.I am running out of strength to do the regular marathon of complaining to Fair Work Commission, Human Right Commission claiming disability discrimination in workplace.I do not believe that could be another person like me, who is not enduring the same vilification treatment in public service when diagnosed and treated for ADHD.

CatherineF Anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi this is my first time posting I’ve had a long journey with depression on and off but major depression this year not really responding to medication My biggest and scariest issue is my thoughts I can’t turn them off no matter how hard I try it’s aw... View more

Hi this is my first time posting I’ve had a long journey with depression on and off but major depression this year not really responding to medication My biggest and scariest issue is my thoughts I can’t turn them off no matter how hard I try it’s awful They are all about my past and are totally random stories no relevance I’m trying really hard to distract myself from them but nothings helping and my only down time is when I’m asleep I was wondering has anyone had this how did you deal with it could you move forward from this challenging time

Fionn Lack of resilience dealing with life challenges
  • replies: 1

HI, Currently struggling through yet another period in life where I feel the challenges of study, work, family and life in general are beyond my capabilities to manage. I keep hating myself for having any ambition or dreams in the first place. I shou... View more

HI, Currently struggling through yet another period in life where I feel the challenges of study, work, family and life in general are beyond my capabilities to manage. I keep hating myself for having any ambition or dreams in the first place. I should know by now goals I set for myself are going to fail, but I keep putting myself in this situation.In good times I feel like the world is my oyster and there is nothing that can stop me. I just want to quit what I cant manage. Maybe I can be more relaxed and start enjoying hobbies and life again. Unfortunately I feel chained to what I have already started and don't feel I have the grit to push through. My partner believes I have ADD/ADHD which affects my ability to focus on completing tasks, leading to anxiety and depression. She believes in me as someone that can achieve anything they put their mind to.My past failures paint a different picture. I'm tired of this cycle. I cant break it. I just keep letting everyone including myself down.I cant run away from challenges because of the financial and other impacts to those around me. I feel like a fraud. Can life just be reset?

lisa1987 Pregancy
  • replies: 3

I have a severe fear of almost everything and I wanted to have a baby for a long time but I can't get over the fear of carrying a baby and the whole process it terrifies me Has anyone here wanted a baby and was so afraid but went for it just looking ... View more

I have a severe fear of almost everything and I wanted to have a baby for a long time but I can't get over the fear of carrying a baby and the whole process it terrifies me Has anyone here wanted a baby and was so afraid but went for it just looking for some advice not medication or anything please just how you coped with anxiety before during and after pregnancy?

As an organisation that supports people from across Australia, Beyond Blue acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present.

First Nations Peoples are advised that this website may include reference to and images of deceased persons.

Beyond Blue is committed to safe inclusive spaces, policies and services for people of LGBTIQ+ communities and their families.

Helpful information

Stay in touch

Sign up below for regular emails from Beyond Blue, filled with information, advice and support for you or your loved ones.

Stay in touch

Talk it through with us, we'll point you in the right direction.

Call 1300 224 636

24 hours / 7 days a week

Chat Online

24 hours / 7 days a week

Email us

Get a reply in 24 hours

Copyright © 2026 Beyond Blue Ltd

All rights reserved

Contact us Terms of use Privacy policy Site map