Anxiety

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with anxiety.

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

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

Romy Anxiety and eating
  • replies: 1

Hi all, I have anxiety which has been managed for years with medication. For the most part it is very well controlled, I haven’t had a big flare up for awhile until now. I had been talking to a guy I met online for a few months, we went on 2 dates, I... View more

Hi all, I have anxiety which has been managed for years with medication. For the most part it is very well controlled, I haven’t had a big flare up for awhile until now. I had been talking to a guy I met online for a few months, we went on 2 dates, I had a great time. He is really sweet and I was open with my nerves/anxiety and he was completely supportive. He however said from the start he just wanted casual and was not ready for a serious relationship right now. This suddenly sent thoughts running through my head and I freaked out as I just don’t think I can do the casual thing. I ended things because I don’t think I can see someone if there’s no chance we will ever be together. It ended amicably and openly, we said we might reconnect in the future and try again when we are both ready. Well now i am absolutely riddled with anxiety. I’ve realised how terrified I am of having my heartbroken like my first relationship. My thoughts run non stop, I cry every day and I’m struggling to eat. I feel stupid for ending things, I feel I should have just gone with the flow but I don’t know how to do that. I have an appointment with my psychologist on Monday which I’m looking forward to as we have much to discuss. Can anyone else relate to dating anxiety and does anyone have success stories? There’s nothing I want more than to get married and have children one day.

Merle Get out of your own head
  • replies: 4

Hi I would just like to know how people get the worry thoughts off their mind. How do you stop thinking about things when everyone keeps telling you not to worry?? How do you think positive when everything feels so negative.

Hi I would just like to know how people get the worry thoughts off their mind. How do you stop thinking about things when everyone keeps telling you not to worry?? How do you think positive when everything feels so negative.

Sophie2001 Extremely overwhelmed with uni
  • replies: 2

It’s nearly the end of uni and i’ve been having panic attacks nearly everyday. I dream about all the uni i haven’t done and when i try and do it I just break down as it is too hard. I’ve been trying to find tutors but I can’t. I work 6 full days a we... View more

It’s nearly the end of uni and i’ve been having panic attacks nearly everyday. I dream about all the uni i haven’t done and when i try and do it I just break down as it is too hard. I’ve been trying to find tutors but I can’t. I work 6 full days a week also so I have no time and everyone is pressuring me to keep it all together but all I want to do is leave! It’s too much and I just want to hide

tikalouise Health anxiety
  • replies: 1

Health anxiety - is killing me before my health is. over the last 4 years I’ve been on a downward spiral of anxiety concerning my health. every scratch, tickle, cough, sneeze, bowl cramp is something. And it worsened rapidly after catching covid for ... View more

Health anxiety - is killing me before my health is. over the last 4 years I’ve been on a downward spiral of anxiety concerning my health. every scratch, tickle, cough, sneeze, bowl cramp is something. And it worsened rapidly after catching covid for the first time! I’m so frightened I only got one dose of the Covid vax because in my head it made me soo sick, maybe it did, I wouldn’t know? Cause my anxiety is so bad I can figure out what is real and what isn’t. I live in a constant struggle tallying up which friend is worth seeing cause if I get sick from them will i regret having seen them at all. I always regret it, I don’t want to but I just can’t help it. I’ve had a headache for a day and a bit now, convinced myself I’m gonna be bed bound for the next four days, I probably won’t but just the thought of it i don’t understand why!! but just cripples me. My favourite line to say in my head is “what if no one can save you” or “what if today was your last good day” I’m so tired I just want to rest, I want my mind to rest. Im done waking up every morning and the first thing I do is swallow to check if I have a sore throat. Im tired of this.

Rosm_ Over thinking
  • replies: 14

I have been struggling with over thinking for a long time.im an event or something happens during the day at work I can't switch off and think about it for far to long.then I worry that I'm leaning on people to much and worry the will get sick of me ... View more

I have been struggling with over thinking for a long time.im an event or something happens during the day at work I can't switch off and think about it for far to long.then I worry that I'm leaning on people to much and worry the will get sick of me any advice

Orangeicy Narcissist??
  • replies: 8

I had the mind blowing experience encountering a narc in a group of friends. Well so I think.Long story short, a group of 4 friends..new person joined our group because we had initially spoken about how sucky it is being on your own and we didn't wan... View more

I had the mind blowing experience encountering a narc in a group of friends. Well so I think.Long story short, a group of 4 friends..new person joined our group because we had initially spoken about how sucky it is being on your own and we didn't want to exclude people. Anyway, over the past 6 months this person has completely turned on me. It started slowly, but over these few months I can see the poison. She started not greeting me when she was alone and saw me. Only saying goodbye to everyone else. In a group of people would never look at me or talk to me, but be so "nice" to everyone else.Then she started inviting other group members out to events and stuff. Never me. She has my (now) former friends acting like little puppies around her. Overheard her saying "she needs to be taught a lesson" (meaning me).Thing is I don't know what I've done. Asked several of them and I am being ignored by everyone. I generally try to be respectful of others. Take an interest in other people. Listen when someone opens up and needs to vent.But this woman has me questioning everything I do! Sent my anxiety sky-rocketing because I couldn't figure out what I had done. I am starting to put it all behind me. But I keep coming back to the question of her behaviour. Was she gaslighting me...or just a nasty person?Input please as I'm trying to understand it all so I can move forward. Thank you!

Rainbowpolly 1st Vaccination Anxiety
  • replies: 14

I'm getting my 1st Covid Vaccination today and its causing major anxiety, I'm actually not as worried about myself but I'm seriously having anxiety about my 17 year old daughter, I left the decision up to her if she wanted to take it as she is 6 mont... View more

I'm getting my 1st Covid Vaccination today and its causing major anxiety, I'm actually not as worried about myself but I'm seriously having anxiety about my 17 year old daughter, I left the decision up to her if she wanted to take it as she is 6 months off 18 and figured it should be a decision she makes, and now I wish she had decided not to have it, recently the Dr put me on medication to help with the anxiety but these feelings Im having about my daughter are so overwhelming I can't stop worrying about her having it....please can someone offer something its 2 hours away and I'm so worried I will have a full blown panic attack in the Drs in front of my daughter which will cause her to then worry about having the vaccine and I will be back on the ride again going in a vicious circle, sorry if this makes no sense I'm all jumbled in my head at the moment.

Beaser Floods distraught about my brother..
  • replies: 4

I was distraught to see my brother in the Herald Sun during the Victorian floods. He is so fragile health wise anyway and to see him like this just broke my heart. I know hes safe know . He is in a very complicated home situation and is deaf . I beli... View more

I was distraught to see my brother in the Herald Sun during the Victorian floods. He is so fragile health wise anyway and to see him like this just broke my heart. I know hes safe know . He is in a very complicated home situation and is deaf . I believe he is being kept at home by his partner for financial reasons and not his best interests . All this on top of my own life battles is taking its toll on me. Im sorry to say but its just so tough at the moment. Brett.

Lindy77 I’m so over it.
  • replies: 5

Hi allim back here again typing about the same thing… I can’t kick the feeling that something is wrong with my heart. I’ve seen 2 different doctors that have said it’s just my panic/anxiety. I’ve had ECG’S and the blood test they do with the ECG and ... View more

Hi allim back here again typing about the same thing… I can’t kick the feeling that something is wrong with my heart. I’ve seen 2 different doctors that have said it’s just my panic/anxiety. I’ve had ECG’S and the blood test they do with the ECG and it got to a point last month that I went to the hospital cause I was sick of feeling like this and again blood test and ECG that was normal. I’m constantly feeling like my heart is going to stop or it’s not beating properly I’m feeling it now and I’m just lying in bed. I swear I’ve got arterial fibrillation I’ve got all the symptoms but wouldn’t that have shown up in one of the many ECG’S I’ve had. I’m sick of feeling like this it’s debilitating and I’m scared.

Andthen8 Constantly living in fear
  • replies: 3

I left my husband 4 years ago today. I left in the middle of the night with 6 kids. 4 kids didn’t even have shoes on and none of us clothes to change into. I didn’t know what to do or where to go but I can tell you I had never been more scared for my... View more

I left my husband 4 years ago today. I left in the middle of the night with 6 kids. 4 kids didn’t even have shoes on and none of us clothes to change into. I didn’t know what to do or where to go but I can tell you I had never been more scared for my life or for my kids life. I barley had any money but I managed to rent a one bedroom cabin in a town far away from home, nobody knew where we were. I managed to get a job and a small house closer to my work, and i started again from scratch, I slowly bought furniture and everything we needed to live with no help from anyone. I’m proud of the fact that I done this on my own. I’m struggling but I have my kids food on the table and a roof over our heads.I have always had the fear that my ex would find us but lately that fear is deeper and I’m terrified. I don’t know what to do and how to get help, I know he is looking for us but what can I do if he finds us