Immediate support
Immediate 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 discussion

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
Jump to
Start a discussion

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. Remeber, this is anonymous and the Beyond Blue team are here to help if you need it This section is for people who are experiencing anixiety 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 you 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 worthile 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 discussion

RemRikka Just need some advice
  • replies: 5

Hello, this is my first time using something like this so forgive me if I've done something wrong.I need some advice on my problems socialising with others. I just recently finished highschool as of 2024 and I will be attending university this year. ... View more

Hello, this is my first time using something like this so forgive me if I've done something wrong.I need some advice on my problems socialising with others. I just recently finished highschool as of 2024 and I will be attending university this year. Whenever I find myself in social situations it's as if I physically won't allow myself to speak. I struggle to form sentences or create conversation, unless its something that I know I have to ask about. For example, questions on an assignment or asking where a particular item I need is. Most of the time however, im sat quietly in the corner on my phone or distracting myself with other things and avoiding any and all social interactions. Even when I do manage to spurt out simple sentences they usually come out all mumbly or quiet and are full of stutters or 'um'. I also struggle to maintain eye contact for more than two or three seconds at best as my eyes begin watering, in some cases, my fingers can begin to shake or quiver too. This problem also occurs around family members too, especially my parents. The only cases where im not subjected to this problem is with a small group of friends whom I've known since primary school or very early highschool. I have had this problem for a long time now but figured I needed to do something before I started uni, if I had to estimate, I started this 'silent' phase mid way through highschool. Im not exactly sure what to do about this problem or who to speak to about this and would love to hear some advice from more experienced people on what I should be doing to start resolving this issue. Thanks

Sammy New relationship anxiety
  • replies: 4

Dear AllJust need a connection to feel the support.thanks for taking the time to read.After many years of marriage with an untreated bipolar and alcohol misuse partner , now I was living alone without much drama in my life. Kids grown up and felt alo... View more

Dear AllJust need a connection to feel the support.thanks for taking the time to read.After many years of marriage with an untreated bipolar and alcohol misuse partner , now I was living alone without much drama in my life. Kids grown up and felt alone.Was looking for a partner who can be supportive and companion.now I am going to start a new chapter.we have been talking on phone for 5 months and now decided to stay at each other’s houses for a month and see. I like him after dating apps for 6 years with no luck.no my alarm bells are ringing all the time and I am annoying him. I think I am not used to drama with a man for 10 years so brain is in state of freaking out mode. I like his calm mind , kind , good connection, attracted to him, we can talk for hours without getting bored. He is financially ok and emotionally ok. We both are looking towards a togetherness and lifelong relationship.I want it to work as I have seen the pool soo longI worry about small things and big things like his snoring making me sleepless, 8 years age gap between us so looking after his health but he is fine now, I am fun loving and he is not much but happy to try, stingy , he had grown up with narcissistic mum , he is not a giver to others but cared for his dying wife and buried her, no friends or family for him, 57 years old and I am 49 years. He can’t help but talk about his late wife which I don’t mind but triggered me yesterday. We had a good chat. Overall ok but I don’t why I am nervous about getting into something. I know I can get a bit sharp if stressed . I totally want to as I didn’t enjoy living alone as I like to talk a lot. Otherwise I have friends family and full life. I think I worry about stirring my peace with a man who can be adding to minor annoyances and some times too stingy and taking more which might put me off etc. I understand 2 people living together has its plus and minus. There is lot of positives but I am put off by his tight fist but I am myself guilty of that so trying to be generous. Prayers, walks and journal is what I am doing. Maybe therapy is way forward. Feeling of it’s all coming soon and the past traumatic experience 10 years back is clouding me. Thanks for listening guys. Sorry to be a moaner but I felt soo good last time when I shared my thoughts and to read such lovely messages which was such a boost

user10234 My story
  • replies: 1

Hi all, For context I lost my dad when I was a child, which was ten tears ago. It was really hard but I pushed through and then two years ago at the prime of my life I needed life saving surgery. I thought I was coping well but I found out about two ... View more

Hi all, For context I lost my dad when I was a child, which was ten tears ago. It was really hard but I pushed through and then two years ago at the prime of my life I needed life saving surgery. I thought I was coping well but I found out about two other health problems that will need some kind of surgical intervention, still I never worried. Then about a month ago I had a panic attack when I was trying to sleep, it was so strong I threw up and had body shakes. Since this episode I have had many more panic attacks and most days I am worried, worried about the future and just life itself. I want to know is panic after trauma normal? Is it treatable? I am so scared I am forever broken?

Merkles Feel like I'm losing my mind
  • replies: 11

Hey guys, First post here, I am a 26 year old Male who suffers from anxiety. I've always been an overthinker and a constant worrier, however lately I feel like I am getting worse, however I am not sure if that's the case, or if it's just the anxiety ... View more

Hey guys, First post here, I am a 26 year old Male who suffers from anxiety. I've always been an overthinker and a constant worrier, however lately I feel like I am getting worse, however I am not sure if that's the case, or if it's just the anxiety making me think it. For maybe the past 2 years or so I've been suffering with bad brain fog, I feel like my thoughts aren't clear and that my memory isn't as good as it used to be. This brain fog is scaring me as I think this is the beginning of me losing my mind and not being myself anymore. The best way to describe it is that I feel like I am zoned out 24/7, and that I always feel tired even though I get plenty of sleep each night. Not sure if it's my imagination or not, but I feel much more zoned out when I am surrounded by bright lights? A part of me is thinking that maybe there is something wrong with my brain physically, another part of me thinks it's all anxiety and that I need to find a way to cope with it. I am very anxious to visit my doctor again as I see him all the time for various different things (Health anxiety) He probably thinks I'm a lunatic.. Could this be depression? as I don't feel like I have anything to be overly depressed about, I don't feel sad, I don't really feel anything, I feel like I just float through life, I feel like I'm going crazy The only thing that seems to take the edge off is alcohol and benzos, however I don't want to end up dependent on those. Not really sure what I am looking for by posting here, I guess I just wanted to vent and see if anyone else suffers the same, or has hopefully found a way to deal with similar issues. I just want to get back to my old self who enjoyed each day and could think clearly, each day feels like it gets harder and harder. Thanks for reading.

Guest_55604052 Failing Exam and loneliness
  • replies: 2

failed an easy exam for professional career, when the pass rate was highest its been and feeling overwhelmed doing course again, not sure if this is right path for me. The exam may get harder and you just dont know. I bought a ps5 and signed up to pl... View more

failed an easy exam for professional career, when the pass rate was highest its been and feeling overwhelmed doing course again, not sure if this is right path for me. The exam may get harder and you just dont know. I bought a ps5 and signed up to play tennis because thought i was done with exams. Also, feeling like life is just a routine doing same thing and then going bed and then next day.Im also feeling lonely, no one wish me happy new year, and when i dont say anything no one reaches out, only my mate when he wants me to play call of duty but he is usually with his girlfriend he doesnt really say anything to me. This girl wants to hang out etc, then she said thanks for the advice and now she didnt even wish me happy new year, she has done this consistently when i reach out to her she says sorry i feel bad not saying anything and then again she has done it.

SushiRose09 Feeling like a failure and hopeless everyday due to not finding a job post grad
  • replies: 6

Hi Beyond Blue forum! I am writing this as I have recently finished up my bachelors degree in nursing and have not landed a job as a FT registered nurse. This has been weighing heavily on my mind and emotions as I constantly compare my self to others... View more

Hi Beyond Blue forum! I am writing this as I have recently finished up my bachelors degree in nursing and have not landed a job as a FT registered nurse. This has been weighing heavily on my mind and emotions as I constantly compare my self to others in my cohort who have successfully landed a graduate position where as I have not. Everyday I break into tears have a feeling of doom when thinking about my future as I hate the uncertainty about it all. I had my whole future centered on gaining a graduate position after finishing uni - for context I was waitlisted and could be contacted up until next August, but the waiting game is hard and as the days go by I give up hope on receiving a position. I was wondering if anyone had any good coping mechanisms as I feel like I should be proud of myself but I dont, I feel like I wasted years of my life on a degree to not even land a job. My mind is just stuck in a negative cycle of telling myself that I did not do good enough in life.

Guest_68394701 Insomnia
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I seemed to have developed insomnia over the last few months. After reading a few posts I cannot identify a trigger other than my brain overthinking absolutely everything. I am 100% a catastrophiser and constantly worry about getting enough s... View more

Hi all, I seemed to have developed insomnia over the last few months. After reading a few posts I cannot identify a trigger other than my brain overthinking absolutely everything. I am 100% a catastrophiser and constantly worry about getting enough sleep along with every other element of my life. Tonight for example my son is at his first sleepover. I have no stopped thinking about him and would have preferred him to stay honest but I also know I can't let my worries interfere with his enjoyment. I have spoken with my gp who has advised me to find a psychologist to work out the trigger which I have but there are no appointments available for a number of weeks. I have also tried every over the counter medication available to no avail. I'm getting desperate as it is affecting my family as well now and I am currently googling fatal insomnia which is not helping.

mchops Struggling to cope in a high pressure work environment
  • replies: 13

Hi guys, Has anyone here worked in a high stress environment, particularly in an office environment? I kindly ask of your advice on my experience at my new job which has been giving me stress and anxiety. Some key issues: I was not provided any hando... View more

Hi guys, Has anyone here worked in a high stress environment, particularly in an office environment? I kindly ask of your advice on my experience at my new job which has been giving me stress and anxiety. Some key issues: I was not provided any handover notes from my predecessor and am still figuring out the job, but I face multiple projects and feel like I’m sinking and constantly stressed from the pressure and high expectations right off the bat.My director is a huge micromanager and nothing is ever good enough even tho I try my best. Numerous nit picking every day, including how I organise my desk. I do accept that my work isn’t up to scratch yet as I’m still learning about what he likes. But review rounds/approvals for my work happen in 50 pieces rather than organised sessions, which I’ve spoken up about. He is very strict. Incredibly difficult to please him. This is experienced by different departments too, including getting criticised multiple times a day for things not in our control.Context: this is a small 20 person company. I only have myself and an assistant from Phillipines who isn’t that skilled and constantly have to spell out tasks to her and check for mistakes. I have had tl resort to use freelancers in my next project to produce high quality work. This company has a 1 year turn over and I’m starting to see why. Also we are always being watched through security cameras. Got in trouble today for venting to my coworker because I was so stressed out.Health impacts: I’ve been here a month and I’ve been getting IBS during weeks of peak stress, losing sleep from stress, and am angry or anxious most days. I’m under so much pressure from high expectations and lack of available resources (starting from scratch) but not given time to deal with these start up issues. I’ve never worked at a place that has an issue with everything. Feels like 10 new problems every day. My next steps: I plan to give this place a chance until end of 2024 (so end of my probation) but I cannot continue after this if things don’t change bc I feel my mental health deteriorating. Everything feels like my fault and expectations are that of a multi million dollar company so how can I ever reach that. I’m only human and basically a one man band.Thank you for reading this, sorry for long message.

Cherie1472 Anxiety after illness
  • replies: 3

Hi, I've been having anxiety symptoms. I had a brain tumour removed 9 weeks ago, now my life feels upside down and I feel empty. Worried about what will happen job wise, money wise and if I'll be able to keep my house. Thanks for reading.

Hi, I've been having anxiety symptoms. I had a brain tumour removed 9 weeks ago, now my life feels upside down and I feel empty. Worried about what will happen job wise, money wise and if I'll be able to keep my house. Thanks for reading.