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
Categories
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. 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 discussion

Kpb16 OCD Question
  • replies: 8

Hi,Hope all is well. Can I ask if OCD goes away completely? I developed it due to COVID and every time I feel like I’ve managed to get rid of one form of ocd, it comes up in a different area.Thanks.

Hi,Hope all is well. Can I ask if OCD goes away completely? I developed it due to COVID and every time I feel like I’ve managed to get rid of one form of ocd, it comes up in a different area.Thanks.

Pete2500 Anxiety symptoms
  • replies: 5

I recently had some financial problems and within a few days I was, crying frequently at the smallest thing, having difficulty concentrating, feeling like my insides were shaking, feeling like vomiting and on some occasions stuttering and constant he... View more

I recently had some financial problems and within a few days I was, crying frequently at the smallest thing, having difficulty concentrating, feeling like my insides were shaking, feeling like vomiting and on some occasions stuttering and constant headache. Often after the sad feeling passes I will feel exhausted. I have a wife and two young kids and I feel like I have let them down as I don’t know how to handle the situation. In addition I feel like I am being a burden on my wife as simple tasks feel impossible. I have tried breathing exercises and going for walks. I seem to be stuck on a loop. Are these common things that happen with anxiety?I have tried breathing exercises and going for walks.I don’t want to feel like this and I want to be back to normal.Appreciate any advice.thank you

Macca96 Work Anxiety
  • replies: 29

Hi all. I will keep this short and to the point. Recently I started a new job which is quite demanding and it has made me very anxious about deadlines and I worrie I’m not going to perform well. My tummy feels like it’s twisted and I feel very nervou... View more

Hi all. I will keep this short and to the point. Recently I started a new job which is quite demanding and it has made me very anxious about deadlines and I worrie I’m not going to perform well. My tummy feels like it’s twisted and I feel very nervous about my work. This started 2 days ago and I haven’t been able to sleep. I can’t stop thinking about work!! Other symptoms include sweaty hands and loss of appetite. Is this GAD? Or am I just being silly? I have a doctors appointment tomorrow.

Hannan1- Can’t take anymore
  • replies: 3

I’m 52 and been in perimenopause for 18mths. I’ve been tapered off antidepressant’s over the last 2 weeks (don’t want to go down that road again) I can’t cope with the constant palpitations, my legs feel weak and I’m scared I’m going to die from a he... View more

I’m 52 and been in perimenopause for 18mths. I’ve been tapered off antidepressant’s over the last 2 weeks (don’t want to go down that road again) I can’t cope with the constant palpitations, my legs feel weak and I’m scared I’m going to die from a heart attack. My heart holter monitor and ECG was normal.Being told to cope with it is easier said than done. I feel like I’m letting my family down. I can’t die yet as l have a son with disabilities.🥲🥲🥲🥲 I feel broken with fear.

stevecau Guided techniques with the BB Counsellors or Clinicians vs SMS materials
  • replies: 1

Hi, I've been making used of the beyond blue support number for a few weeks now with thanks to a referral from the Open Minds organisation. I find that the majority of clinicians are very supportive and helpful but there are a few rough diamonds. I h... View more

Hi, I've been making used of the beyond blue support number for a few weeks now with thanks to a referral from the Open Minds organisation. I find that the majority of clinicians are very supportive and helpful but there are a few rough diamonds. I have schizoaffective disorder and for the first time after using this service after just a few sessions I was overcoming my catastrophisation anxiety attacks after clinician guided Breathing, PMR, Grounding techniques. I find if I try to do any of these by myself or through the SMS materials it is not the same experience. I find it extremely difficult to multitask and there is too much material to sift through and I suffer further. I've requested a call recording with one of the better clinicians and I'm hoping I can replay it to help me further. Does anyone else feel the same way? Diaphragmatic breathing with one hand on chest the other on belly and breathing just concentrating on the lift of the hands is down right the basics I can deal with but anything more and I'm overhwhelmed without the counsellor. As a voiceover artist, the tone, pace, accent, noise and music in much of the SMS material does not sit with me well.

Lindy77 Newbie with anxiety/panic with no trigger
  • replies: 11

Hi all my name is Lyndall and I’ve suffered anxiety and panic disorder for years. I am medicated for it, but recently I seem to be having attacks with no trigger. I could be perfectly fine then all of a sudden I’m filled with anxiety and panic. I’m a... View more

Hi all my name is Lyndall and I’ve suffered anxiety and panic disorder for years. I am medicated for it, but recently I seem to be having attacks with no trigger. I could be perfectly fine then all of a sudden I’m filled with anxiety and panic. I’m always feeling like I’m going to have a heart attack. I’ve had numerous ECG’S and I’ve had a stress test in the past and they have come back with no problems. I’m scared cause this is debilitating. I do have a fantastic Dr but I feel like I just annoy her with all my anxiety issues. I just don’t know where to turn.

amanda68 Alone and lost after marriage breakdown
  • replies: 19

Hi, I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety for over 22 years. My husband was my help with this when I couldn’t do something like drive far or go to the shops. Now after 21 years, my marriage is over. I have the full time care of my 10 year old gr... View more

Hi, I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety for over 22 years. My husband was my help with this when I couldn’t do something like drive far or go to the shops. Now after 21 years, my marriage is over. I have the full time care of my 10 year old grandson. I only speak with my daughter and have no friends or other family. I feel so lost and sad, I have no one to talk to not even my neighbours. I put on a brave face for my grandson who has lost his Poppy after being abandoned by his parents, 3 years ago. My sadness is consuming me and I again am starting to have panic attacks. I’ve booked to see my gp on Monday, but I need to talk to someone. I do see my psychiatrist regularly by he doesn’t seem to do much for me. I feel lost and scared for the future. Thanks for listening.

GreenEgg Telling my boss about my mental health
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone I’ve been wondering about whether I should discuss anxiety and depression with my boss. I’m wondering if you have any experiences or advice. They are incredibly supportive but part of that is they are constantly looking for development op... View more

Hi everyone I’ve been wondering about whether I should discuss anxiety and depression with my boss. I’m wondering if you have any experiences or advice. They are incredibly supportive but part of that is they are constantly looking for development opportunities for me, particularly in terms of leadership experience as the next linear career step would be a manager.The problem is that I can find this very triggering for my anxiety, and I’m really struggling. I know certain things are part of being a leader but I feel like I’m drowning and I can’t make a decision. I spend all day and night looking back over things and second guessing myself, not eating or sleeping properly. Running over hypothetical scenarios in my head. Playing them through and imagining something terrible, deciding I need to look into something more, ending up at a new scenario, etc. At the same time, I worry that if I tell my boss they won’t volunteer me for this stuff. That I won’t ever get the experience or grow or learn. That I can’t handle it and they’ll know that. But then I worry that I’m even thinking about telling them is a cop out, to avoid more responsibility. I feel like some of my quirks which they know will take on a different light.I’m just feeling really conflicted and stressed and not confident in myself right now. G

Russian_Red_Foxx I'm a furry and I want to come out to my parents, but I'm afraid of how they will react. What do I do?
  • replies: 7

For those who don't know, furries are people who personify themselves as an anthropomorphised animal, usually in the form of art, roleplay or sometimes dressing up as them. People tend to have a burning hatred for us, since they only choose to see th... View more

For those who don't know, furries are people who personify themselves as an anthropomorphised animal, usually in the form of art, roleplay or sometimes dressing up as them. People tend to have a burning hatred for us, since they only choose to see those who act out of line, going as far as to commit hate crimes and acts of terrorism (such as the chlorine gas attack at Furfest 2014). This is why I'm afraid to come out to my parents, since I don't know how they react, whether they would be understanding, disapproving or simply treat me like I'm not human. The furry community is one of my only sources of happiness and I'm afraid that they might cut me off if I tell them. However I don't want to stay in the closet because it's a big part of my personality, and I'm sick of having to hide it. Especially since there are so many events that I would love to attend, but I can't without my parents' approval. Do you guys have any advice on what I should do or how I should tell them? I know this may seem a bit different compared to everything else posted on this forum but this has been weighing me down for the last week or so.