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. 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

Awhina24 Parent with eco-anxiety - help!
  • replies: 3

For the last few months I've been finding myself becoming increasingly anxious about climate change. I have suffered from anxiety and depression in the past which I'm sure just adds to my heightened emotions. It's at the point where I have nightmares... View more

For the last few months I've been finding myself becoming increasingly anxious about climate change. I have suffered from anxiety and depression in the past which I'm sure just adds to my heightened emotions. It's at the point where I have nightmares most nights, wake up shaky and feel incredibly anxious all day, sometimes to the point where I cannot eat. I have a 3 year old and keep asking myself why I was so foolish to bring a child into this world. My son wasn't planned but at the time I didn't want to have a termination. For context I'm a Kiwi and live in AU with my husband (also from NZ). We live in a smaller town outside of Melbourne. We haven't been directly affected by extreme weather but in my son's short life we've had bush fires, flooding and more flooding all nearby... as far as I'm aware things will only get worse from here. I'm so scared about what my family will have to face in the future, I feel like life is going to get very hard and very quickly (like in just a few years). I'm terrified that humanity is doomed and my son will have a future in some kind of kill or be killed world, that's if he has a future at all. I'm desperate to move back to NZ to be closer to my family but my husband doesn't want to. He doesn't see climate change as some imminent threat and is mainly focused on his job (pretty much the only reason we live here). I'm currently in therapy but I've only just started with a new therapist and we've mainly talked about my homesickness. I've started doing things like consuming less, trying to buy local and plastic free products, growing some vegetables and biking to the train station but I can't help thinking it's not enough and none of it matters. We can't vote in Australia so I can't do much politically. I'd love to get solar, a rainwater tank and an electric car but my husband seems hesitant to spend any money. Every news article makes it sound like it's too late and humanity is doomed to die out in anywhere from 5-100 years. I'm so scared and I'm struggling to function. I realize that climate anxiety is a privileged thing which makes me feel guilty for feeling this way (as in those directly effected don't get the luxury of worry about what may happen) Is there any hope? Do any other parents feel this way and how do you cope? How can I protect and prepare my son for life in a burning and flooding world?

Amelin_21 Weather Anxiety - How to remain calm and not panic
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone,It's been a while since I last posted. It's been good. I've had my anxiety under control and have changed jobs to reduce my stress to help. But the weather lately with strong winds has heightened my nerves and has brought the anxiety and ... View more

Hi everyone,It's been a while since I last posted. It's been good. I've had my anxiety under control and have changed jobs to reduce my stress to help. But the weather lately with strong winds has heightened my nerves and has brought the anxiety and panic feelings back. Last night it felt like I woke up feeling like I was about to have a panic attack and I can only attribute it to the strong winds and I worry about the house blowing apart. I have tried to remain calm when the wind is severe and tell myself it's ok but at the moment it feels like subconsciously my body is still reacting even though my mind is telling it something else. I was hoping to get some tips on how to manage these feelings and heavy chest during these windy, wild spring days. I can go for a drive to escape it at home but then overtime it's likely that will lead to having anxiety from being home (that happened with covid) and I can't have that happen again. Usually I would keep myself busy to help reduce the feelings but the whole house creeks and shakes in strong wind so it's not so easy to drown it out with sound or visually. Any tips would be great.

lanagomezz I don’t know whats wrong with me
  • replies: 1

I dont know how to express how i feel. I feel like i have so much wrong with me but as soon as i tell someone its like i was lying to myself. Ive seen a psychologist for around 8 months and honestly it hasnt helped and ive been lying to him. Around 4... View more

I dont know how to express how i feel. I feel like i have so much wrong with me but as soon as i tell someone its like i was lying to myself. Ive seen a psychologist for around 8 months and honestly it hasnt helped and ive been lying to him. Around 4 months ago i started feeling better about myself and actually enjoying life. But now i just feel nothing again. Out the blue. Like i feel nothing but theres like seperate part of me that is like “why are you acting like this” but i cant help it. I hate acting the way i do, i look miserable constantly and i just feel alone all the time. I have friends but im like their last option of a friend to all of them which doesnt help. I cant go to my parents because not even a trained professional seems to help me let alone my parents. I dont know if im just hormonal but it just doesnt feel hormonal. I dont know if its pms. Or im just tired. For a while i thought i had bpd but i dont. I think its just depression but at the same time im so motivated to do all my work and i love having fun with ppl. Everyone would describe me as quiet but when i was happy im the loudest person in the room. I feel like i lost that person a while ago though and if i go back it wouldnt be the same with everything thats happened. I could just be stereotyping depression but like whenever i talk about how i feel to my psychologist im like a different person who has no problems even when i wanna act like i do. I just constantly feel stupid for getting mood swings to the point i just push everyone away and i cant help it but i want to but its like something stops me from helping it. I just need one person to understand me bc i dont even know who i am anymore.

Nelle__09 I really need to quit my job due to my severe anxiety but people around me aren’t supportive of it
  • replies: 2

I am 20 and I’ve been struggling with anxiety for as long as I can remember and it seems to stem around being around people in social situations. For context, around a year ago I quit my job after I was struggling immensely with my mental health and ... View more

I am 20 and I’ve been struggling with anxiety for as long as I can remember and it seems to stem around being around people in social situations. For context, around a year ago I quit my job after I was struggling immensely with my mental health and anxiety after a suicide attempt. It took me roughly 8 months to find a job, which was back in the hospitality industry, and after a short while of working there my mental health started to take a dive again. This time I was aware and I could see the signs, so I took steps to ensure I wasn’t going to end up suicidal again. I found a new job and things seemed to be looking up but after recently starting this job I’ve been having severe panic attacks before/during and after work, throwing up at work and being sent home, making myself physically sick with nerves, not sleeping properly and I’m always constantly on the verge of tears because I’m always reminding myself of work. It’s physically and mentally exhausting and I really want to quit but if I do I have absolutely no income what so ever. I am still living at home but my family is not supportive of me quitting, last year when I quit I was in slump and it took at toll on my family too who had to financially support me through all of it. I’m now currently drowning in bills and I know I need to work to be able to pay them but my anxiety is so bad that I can’t even push myself to be at work and I feel like burden to everyone, I honestly don’t know what to do at this point…..

Nigel  Alastair Aspergers.
  • replies: 2

HII am a man of senior years whohas suffered with aspergers syndrome for most of my life.It has had a big impact on my emotional and mental health with serious ongoing health issues.I am fortunate in other ways but still feel life has been a daily ch... View more

HII am a man of senior years whohas suffered with aspergers syndrome for most of my life.It has had a big impact on my emotional and mental health with serious ongoing health issues.I am fortunate in other ways but still feel life has been a daily challenge. People see me as someone positive and always in control that is far from the real me.

inferiore03 Whats wrong with me
  • replies: 1

I always used to be scared of growing up alone and terrified of rejection but for a while things were good I managed to have a few relationships and hook ups even be some what confident but since I ended my last relationship I have completely forgott... View more

I always used to be scared of growing up alone and terrified of rejection but for a while things were good I managed to have a few relationships and hook ups even be some what confident but since I ended my last relationship I have completely forgotten how to talk to anyone and ive gone so long with out any form of human contact that even though i crave it, it also makes me uncomfortable. I guess part of me wishes i never did hook up or have a relationship because now I know what im missing out on Ive come to the conclusion that I will be alone forever and not because im not good enough for someone but just because I'll never be able to put my self out there to meet anyone and even give it the chance of happening. I just feel like as a 22 year old I should be having the best time of my life not scared to even look at someone or leave my room.

mandie121332 I am always upset
  • replies: 3

I need to talk to someone about this thing that I am going through 

I need to talk to someone about this thing that I am going through 

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