Anxiety

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

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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

Beaser Im really scared about starting a new job. Have i made a terrible mistake?
  • replies: 28

Best wishes s to everyone. I m feeling really terrified at the moment . I did an induction at a new workplace yesterday and i found it so intimidating. I felt like crying and walking out. ive spoken before about not being happy and wanting to change ... View more

Best wishes s to everyone. I m feeling really terrified at the moment . I did an induction at a new workplace yesterday and i found it so intimidating. I felt like crying and walking out. ive spoken before about not being happy and wanting to change jobs. IM just so scared about what ive done now . I just want to be happy again ive worked hard all my life im 56 but im starting to feel tired. I m tired from this constant battle of anxiety and depression. Im not sure about where im headed at the moment and im really scared. I was wondering has anyone felt so lost with things at times. Im really scared at the moment. My best wiahes to everyone. Brett

teenytiny Lonely form of Anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hey, i am a newbie, i guess you’d say. haha not used to this forum stuff. i have only recently been struggling substantially with anxiety after a suicide attempt. i am super anxious to go home to live by myself and i really struggle without someone b... View more

Hey, i am a newbie, i guess you’d say. haha not used to this forum stuff. i have only recently been struggling substantially with anxiety after a suicide attempt. i am super anxious to go home to live by myself and i really struggle without someone being there constantly. it’s the fear of being alone with my thoughts. it’s not the fear that i will do anything again because everything got removed that i could harm myself with. any ideas on what is helpful with the anxiety or intrusive thoughts?

Rupes79 Guided Imagery
  • replies: 3

Hi All,I’m currently being treated for anxiety which is causing my all sorts of issues, including physical symptoms. It’s been very debilitating.This week I did some guided imagery with my therapist which unfortunately set me back as I found the sess... View more

Hi All,I’m currently being treated for anxiety which is causing my all sorts of issues, including physical symptoms. It’s been very debilitating.This week I did some guided imagery with my therapist which unfortunately set me back as I found the session too confronting. I had a particularly bad day between sessions which I will admit I handled badly but she wanted to use guided imagery to reimagine that situation and reframe it. I’m not sure what happened but I felt uncomfortable during the session and had a bad anxiety attack that night. The next 3 days were quite bad for me.Has anyone else had personal experience with this or other methods they have felt have been helpful?Thanks

kned Being present/grounding yourself??
  • replies: 7

I'm finding it really hard to be present with my husband and kids. My mind is always thinking about what I need to do (washing, cleaning etc), my job, the mental load that comes with having a young family and all the things I need to keep a track of.... View more

I'm finding it really hard to be present with my husband and kids. My mind is always thinking about what I need to do (washing, cleaning etc), my job, the mental load that comes with having a young family and all the things I need to keep a track of. I feel like it is getting too much for me. Like my husband is a housemate and we are drifting along but on different paths. I spoke to a Psychologist 6 months ago and they were really lovely, but basically just said to me that my life was too busy and I needed to change things. I tried but I just cant find a way to change it! My kids and their needs will always be there, my work is part time but it is basically a full time job squeezed into less days. I try to have time out for myself but it rarely happens due to various reasons. I feel anxious often and like life is rushing by but I'm not really enjoying it/feeling pleasure in the small things. Are there any apps that help with anxiety? or websites with ideas to try?

car10001 Needing and wanting friends
  • replies: 2

hi everyonewas wondering what people do these days to find a girlfriend or boyfriend and is there still a way you can still meet someone from this generation the good old ways like our parents did in the 80s-90s by actually going out and meeting face... View more

hi everyonewas wondering what people do these days to find a girlfriend or boyfriend and is there still a way you can still meet someone from this generation the good old ways like our parents did in the 80s-90s by actually going out and meeting face to face.wondered because found out that the sisters seeing someone and its reminding you how much you want the friend and you know that it wont happen fast and you are doing everything you can and you cant do anymore at moment.am usually working every weekend and while thats not all the reason its certainly not helping things.is there a way and what can be done until your not working weekends or holidays or atleast not every one of them.just feeling like it is never going to happen even though people say it will eventually, donthave hundreds every time to hire a social companion even if its get the confidence.and sometimes you feel like you have no one even though you really do.what are good ways to talk to girls/people and let them know what youre looking for.where would you go in a small town and is there a way to meet someone from this generation way people used to by going out.what is a way to find a girl during coronavirus, what is a safe way while trying to delay or avoid it as thats one thing not helping.plus at property theres not enough privacy and just doing best with what have got at moment.Every time you try do something especially in nearest city there’s always something reducing the time and sometimes you want more time at a event or in the city and she’s nearly always going because of seeing someone though not impossible to go to some things by yourself.Most single people would have friends similar age as well as older friends they could meet there.if you could reply back thatd be great.thanks

Montanna_1997 Horrible anxiety in the morning
  • replies: 8

My anxiety is ruining my work life and social life. I’m constantly having panic attacks in the morning before work. I try my absolute hardest to make things seem less anxious but it’s not working. I had a moment this morning where I got to work but h... View more

My anxiety is ruining my work life and social life. I’m constantly having panic attacks in the morning before work. I try my absolute hardest to make things seem less anxious but it’s not working. I had a moment this morning where I got to work but had a break down and was sent home. Now I’m left feeling lazy and silly. I want to get my life back because of course I cannot keep avoiding going to work because I NEED money to pay things. I have had a job since I was 14 and always been completely fine with going... I would have my bad days but be able to handle them. Has anyone been through this before or experienced this feeling? If so, how did you cope with it?

naralle Struggling with my Anxiety
  • replies: 3

I'm 43 years old and I've been struggling with my Anxiety for a while now, but just recently we got an email from the real estate letting us know of an inspection coming early next month. I can't stop stressing over it and my anxiety is medium to hig... View more

I'm 43 years old and I've been struggling with my Anxiety for a while now, but just recently we got an email from the real estate letting us know of an inspection coming early next month. I can't stop stressing over it and my anxiety is medium to high. Our property manager well she has high standards and everything has to be spick and span. Hence my Anxiety is medium to high. I'm even struggling to shut off to sleep on the moment because of this. What do I do?

Kathy V Meditation or therapy ?
  • replies: 3

Hi there I came to Australia in 2015 because of my Australian partner. I am experiencing depression anxiety and severe anxiety since I was 11. Tried some medication but had lots of issues. I love my partner He is a good man but I am not giving him a ... View more

Hi there I came to Australia in 2015 because of my Australian partner. I am experiencing depression anxiety and severe anxiety since I was 11. Tried some medication but had lots of issues. I love my partner He is a good man but I am not giving him a good life, He sees me always angry depressed, suicidal, miserable. I found hard living in regional Australia as I was used to a busy city life in Europe. I noticed I am getting worse, I experience deep depression in winter, I can't finish anything I start like courses because I can't keep any focus on what I am doing. All my thoughts are going to situation in the past or worries, I worry about my family and past all day long, I can't find peace. Also I am feeling like I am wasting my life and my partner's time, he is a good person and doesn't deserve my swing moods and depression.He is 67 and still working hard and running his small business, I wish he could have a much better partner than me ..I am living in a sense of permanent guilt as a family member passed away without any assistance from Me and my family. I was in Australia and we left this family member alone dealing with her physical and mental illness.Not sure how to turn my life into something nice anymore .... I love Australia but my worries and my thoughts are going to my country and I am not able to enjoy life .

Edie07 I'm not sure what I'm feeling
  • replies: 4

So, mental health disorders are always something my family has struggled to be open about. Reading through everything I realise now that the heaviness, sadness, stress and anxiousness might be symptoms of anxiety. I'm a perfectionist, I push myself i... View more

So, mental health disorders are always something my family has struggled to be open about. Reading through everything I realise now that the heaviness, sadness, stress and anxiousness might be symptoms of anxiety. I'm a perfectionist, I push myself in music and sport and school and work and I know how to look after my body, but I don't know any coping strategies for my mind. My parents are incredibly unresponsive when I talk about how the sadness I've been feeling seems overwhelming and continuous, "everyone feels this way but you'll be fine tomorrow", "can we talk about this later when you're not upset". I've been feeling awful for weeks and nobody realises because I try so hard to not feel these emotions. I don't feel loved, I don't like my friends, I feel so, so alone. And things that used to excite me like parties and guys I don't have the energy or the want to keep up with. I guess my question is how do I keep from spiralling, and how can I introduce coping strategies to get past what I'm feeling. Asking anyone in a similar position or who's been through this and is okay. I don't want to be sad and I feel guilty and ashamed for feeling overwhelmed, I don't know where all the pressure is coming from and I don't know how to carry it.

Fryifler What Am I Feeling?
  • replies: 5

Let me preface this by saying I am in a happy, healthy marriage of 3 years and also have 2 children who are as happy as can be.Last year in November I developed an issue with intrusive thoughts, I'd attempt to avoid thinking them but they'd keep on c... View more

Let me preface this by saying I am in a happy, healthy marriage of 3 years and also have 2 children who are as happy as can be.Last year in November I developed an issue with intrusive thoughts, I'd attempt to avoid thinking them but they'd keep on coming. They were sexual in nature however, I made sure to tell my wife about them and once we had both understood the situation it simmered down. Everything was fine until at work this new girl started, I felt something one day that almost felt like a crush (didn't realise how common it was for even married people to develop them) and unfortunately even with that emotion I kept hanging out with her. I understand now that is emotional cheating and I regret my decision every day.When I told my wife that I was still walking with, talking to and hanging out with this girl she was rightly very hurt and upset. However, since that day I have noticed my emotions haven't been right. Constant anxiety about being guilty, anxiety attacks are a near daily occurrence, overthinking everything, more intrusive thoughts and such. One thing that has happened as of recent is feeling similar feelings to that of a crush on random people. It happens to people of all age, size, sex and ethnicity. I am very concerned as I know I don't have feelings for these people as some I have never met in my life and some I have known for years. What could be causing this and what would this even be? I keep feeling guilty for feeling these things even though they mean nothing. Please help me as I am so very lost with what I am even feeling. Thank you so much.