Support
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 conversation

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 conversation

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 conversation

Manda_j New job anxiety
  • replies: 7

I hope someone can give me some advise, reassurance or understands what i am.going through....I've just left my job after 20years and have been lucky enough to start a new job....I have been in my new role for 1 mth (actually 3 weeks...I had my 2nd w... View more

I hope someone can give me some advise, reassurance or understands what i am.going through....I've just left my job after 20years and have been lucky enough to start a new job....I have been in my new role for 1 mth (actually 3 weeks...I had my 2nd week off sick!) In the last week I have started to have an overwhelming amount of anxiety...I feel.i'm not picking thing's up fast enough, I'm not good enough...I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression (for years) so I am guessing that the anxiety is being heightened. I am also a perfectionist so I continually struggle thinking i should know how to use new systems etc as it is a big part of my role ..I also think that part of the anxiety I feel is that the HR Leader and HR co-ordinator are both so chaotic and all over the place with their instructions and requests I feel I'm absorbing all this chaos and manicures (they are both are aware they are like this they told me when I first started) I also feel like I'm asking too many questions but I need to as I have had relatively no one to one training (I would say 4 to 5 hrs stretched over the time i have been in the role). I know the longer I am in the role the more I will begin to feel comfortable and less anxious..its hard as I try and reflect when I first started in my previous role of the fear and anxiety i felt but I can't remember it.....please help!! Thank you

Mudpies A Proverbial Can of Worms
  • replies: 6

As much as a cliche as it is to say so, it's hard to know where to start. To help frame this I will start by mentioning I've got Asperger's Syndrome and never really wished it any other way. I like some (not all!) of the quirks this brings. Anyway. I... View more

As much as a cliche as it is to say so, it's hard to know where to start. To help frame this I will start by mentioning I've got Asperger's Syndrome and never really wished it any other way. I like some (not all!) of the quirks this brings. Anyway. I'm a serial procrastinator, perhaps because I hate confrontation and being direct with people. A simple friendly gesture to ask an acquaintance to coffee (get to know them) is an ordeal, I think it through, think some more, fear rejection or that they'll lash out. Even trying to remove myself from friendships that haven't worked out, I fear some sort of retribution. Organising those mundane things - car services, dealing with real estate agents, even managing mundane requests with the supervising staff at work; all of it can be quite stressful and I often find myself being pushed over. "Can I have Friday off?" "No we need you to work Friday, even though you're only a casual, it's easier if you just say yes, it saves me ... blah blah blah" "Alright then". I then spend days upset at myself for not standing my ground and tend to just withdraw out of shame. For a long time I've recognised this is a problem. I try to make out lists of what I should do, recount any particular triumphs in my journal, and write out things that frustrate me. It helps, but it isn't enough. It is dragging me down being such a worry-wart. I'm also afraid to get help for fear of medication - my job involves driving heavy vehicles and I'm worried about an accident if the medication isn't right from the get-go. Back to the autism for a moment. Recently got a new job (something of a dream role of mine), the indications so far is the workplace morale is great, far less toxicity than the last job and so on. The doctor who signed off my medical spent a lot of time chatting to me about my Asperger's, and suggested I reach out to my state's autism support organisation (I was relocating) to seek Executive Function Therapy. The examples used (time management, recognising emotions, communication etc) made me feel like the doctor read me like a book. I was really impressed and felt empowered to do something ... so I emailed one of those autism support organisations. Nothing. Back to square one. I'm new to this part of the world and don't even have a trusted GP I could see - not sure if a telephone consult with my old GP would be worthwhile? I also thought of contacting my employer's EAP provider for some guidance. Not sure what the next step is...

Beaser Im feeling overwhelmed.Loneliness and guilt.Dont want to lose friends.
  • replies: 76

Hi and best wishes. I am starting to feel myself slide again . I have long been involved in my local football club and having been single for so long so it has been like my family and my support network. I have a partner now and she isnt that interes... View more

Hi and best wishes. I am starting to feel myself slide again . I have long been involved in my local football club and having been single for so long so it has been like my family and my support network. I have a partner now and she isnt that interested i dont know how to go about things as far as continuing my involvement. I dont want to lose her over it but i need my friends and my social network. I have had a huge battle with depression and anxiety for my most of my life. I have leant on people for support too much at times and im scared that i may not have that support anymore because they may be tired of it. I have sruggled with work for so long as a result. I just want to be happy again .I feel like im on this horrible treadmill and never get anywhere. I would appreciate any feedback and thoughts from anyone i hope i have described my situation ok as it is hard to do . Thanks for reading and best wishes . Brett.

Grrrr Is this anxiety?
  • replies: 1

I recently went to the dentist, which by the way I'm terrified of so had worked myself up over it, I took 2 days off work, the evening of the derist visit, I had a weird ache in my left arm that went from my forearm into my shoulder & up the side of ... View more

I recently went to the dentist, which by the way I'm terrified of so had worked myself up over it, I took 2 days off work, the evening of the derist visit, I had a weird ache in my left arm that went from my forearm into my shoulder & up the side of my neck, it got sharper into the night & I ended up getting checked at a hospital, I had a high heart rate when I arrived & a bit high BP, they did some tests nothing really showed up, sent me home around 3am, I didn't sleep that night at all due to the pain, I woke the next morning & vomited 3 times, I went for a check up at a Drs clinic & still vomited a lot whole I was there. She gave me some anti inflammatory tablets and nausea medication, sent me home. She rang me about an hour later & said she would feel better if I went to the hospital & be monitored for a while, the hospital was that busy I spent over 4 hrs sitting in the waiting room, ecg was ok, only showed a longer than normal heart beat on either the in or out beat, & something showed up on my left lung, either remnants of Covid which I had 3 weeks ago or a small infection just sitting there, they weren't overly worried about it. I had an ultrasound of my arm, heart and lungs all were ok except that small thing on the lung, which they said shouldn't be causing me issues like this....I am also about to leave a job I've been in for 6 months due to me not liking the management & returning to my old job which I love, so I have about 9 shifts left of the old job, which I feel ok to handle, but definitely looking forward to leaving! It's been 5 days since the dentist & getting the other symptoms & I've got no energy at all, still nauseous, not eating much at all due to not feeling hungry, tired but sleeping good, feeling alright mentally....Could this be anxiety??I just wonder because my sister had anxiety not that long ago & some similar symptoms, although I don't think she had vomiting, she was going through a really rough time with some issues, but with me I'm just unsure if it would be anxiety or maybe it's something else..... I've had deep depression 2 times in my life but doesn't feel anything like that & it's been about 13 years since I've had that......

hazelly Drug Induced Daily Anxiety/Panic Attacks
  • replies: 1

Hi , I’m not usually one to do anything like this. ( My BF put me into these forums which are super helpful and make me feel like I’m not alone ) I am 21 and very rarely do drugs and on the VERY odd occasion I do them. I was super sceptical this one ... View more

Hi , I’m not usually one to do anything like this. ( My BF put me into these forums which are super helpful and make me feel like I’m not alone ) I am 21 and very rarely do drugs and on the VERY odd occasion I do them. I was super sceptical this one particular time in May .. something felt off and I stupidly decided to do it anyway and had a really traumatic experience that set off major anxieties during the high. A week passes and I have an episode of light headedness , whole left arm numb and in pain and cramping in my body, body shakes, palpitations and like a huge uncomfortable tingling sensation. It basically replicated the huge anxieties I was having during the high. I took myself to the ER only to find out I was completely fine. These episodes from that date have been happening daily. I’ve seen my GP who did heart and blood checks and everything was completely normal. I have never had any sort of history with anxiety or anything. I constantly feel disassociated and it’s so uncontrollable. It’s been months and it hasn’t settled. I’m super frustrated and constantly getting upset over it because it has taken over my life as it happens daily and it’s something I’m constantly thinking about. I’m just wondering where to go from here because my doctor refused to give me medication and I just need some sort of help because I’m feeling super helpless. I have been completely sober to this day and the thought of it completely traumatises me. Has anyone experienced something similar ? thanks so much

James-nick2022 Im done with life
  • replies: 6

Hey everyone, recently i'm struggling with self-harm and i was struggling alot to cope i still am i was told that i wouldnt make it to 12 im 14 but im just done with life pls help

Hey everyone, recently i'm struggling with self-harm and i was struggling alot to cope i still am i was told that i wouldnt make it to 12 im 14 but im just done with life pls help

Rupes79 Anxiety and alcohol
  • replies: 4

Hi Everyone, I’ve been struggling mental health issues for about 18 months now. Anxiety has been a real problem for me in the last few months and I’ve fallen into a trap of drinking alcohol most nights as a way to deal with it. I’ve been given some t... View more

Hi Everyone, I’ve been struggling mental health issues for about 18 months now. Anxiety has been a real problem for me in the last few months and I’ve fallen into a trap of drinking alcohol most nights as a way to deal with it. I’ve been given some techniques to try and help it and sometimes they have an effect but most often it’s over powering and I turn to alcohol. I’m generally a social drinker and prior to this bout rarely drunk at home but I can’t recall the last alcohol free day I had. Has anyone else been in a similar situation and how did you deal with it? I haven’t seen my GP for a little while but not really sure what he’s going to be able to do about it anyway? Thanks

BlxrryFace No motivation. Overwhelmed. Stressed.
  • replies: 2

I’ve been overwhelmed ever since I was a kid and now as a teenager in high school it really hits hard. I have no motivation for anything anymore, I just feel so lazy and I feel that I have no energy for anything. It’s hard to focus in classes and I’m... View more

I’ve been overwhelmed ever since I was a kid and now as a teenager in high school it really hits hard. I have no motivation for anything anymore, I just feel so lazy and I feel that I have no energy for anything. It’s hard to focus in classes and I’m easily distracted now. I can’t seem to focus on one thing, and whenever things get too difficult I give up and shy away. I’m constantly stressed all the time and dreading for the worst everyday. I used to be responsible but everything gets too much and I can’t handle things anymore. I start to panic and or break down and I hate it. Anxiety attacks or whatever you call it. I really really can’t with myself. Some days I’ll be fine, but then nights like this, I feel like empty, upset, sad. I hate this feeling and it does hurt. Am I weak? I don’t have any self-motivation and waste my time on the things I shouldn’t but it can’t be helped. I’ve reached out to my counsellor at school but it was not help for me, I took their advice but nothing changes. I want to get better I really do, I want to accept myself, be confident in myself, love myself but I can’t. I can’t do that and its tiring, I’m tired of trying. I fall back into old habits and can’t get out of them. Then i’m stuck in this constant loop of feeling like this. I get real moody and aggressive whenever I feel like this and again with intrusive thoughts, I get those all the time. My anxiety is too much and I just want to cry and run away. What do I do? What can I do? To stop having anxiety? To stop overthinking? To stop criticising myself? To stop breaking myself down whenever I get better? To stop pitying myself? To just get better. Thank you all and Kudos..

SBS Feeling trapped inside my mind
  • replies: 3

My mind is my enemy.Living inside my head, I watch life pass me by.Trapped within the chaos of my mind, I am not free.Racing thoughts and urgent emotions, I cannot slow down. The thoughts are strong and emotions are stronger, they overpower me.They p... View more

My mind is my enemy.Living inside my head, I watch life pass me by.Trapped within the chaos of my mind, I am not free.Racing thoughts and urgent emotions, I cannot slow down. The thoughts are strong and emotions are stronger, they overpower me.They push their way, isolating me.A solitary confinement of my own chaos; cannot form connections, I am lonely.The occupied void is closing in on me, I cannot breathe.It am suffocating, I cannot see. I know I am different, my thoughts are not me.I'm stuck in a loop, I just can't break free.

Hopelesslee Barking dog, arrogant neighbours
  • replies: 5

I’m currently living in a house which is totally surrounded by colour bond fencing due to housing sub division and as a result, noise is amplified to an unimaginable degree.The neighbours have a German Shepherd dog. Over the past year I have done eve... View more

I’m currently living in a house which is totally surrounded by colour bond fencing due to housing sub division and as a result, noise is amplified to an unimaginable degree.The neighbours have a German Shepherd dog. Over the past year I have done everything the council recommended but to no avail, in fact the last encounter was the appointed dog catcher speaking extremely rudely and blowing me off. He closed the case without giving me the opportunity to explain that I have had extremely ill health over the past 14 months. I’m at a point where I feel suicide is the only way to make anyone take notice of my desperation. In the last month, I did make an attempt but once again.. nothing was or has been done. The Police, Animal Welfare and RSPCA don’t want to know. I am not in a financial situation to move and have no family or friends. I’ve cried more than many oceans of tears and feel there is no solution. I’ve had so much advice but at the end of the day, I’m the one living with the noise. I guess dying is what it will take to make maybe one person realise what it’s like to live in hell on earth.

As an organisation that supports people from across Australia, Beyond Blue acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present.

First Nations Peoples are advised that this website may include reference to and images of deceased persons.

Beyond Blue is committed to safe inclusive spaces, policies and services for people of LGBTIQ+ communities and their families.

Helpful information

Stay in touch

Sign up below for regular emails from Beyond Blue, filled with information, advice and support for you or your loved ones.

Stay in touch

Talk it through with us, we'll point you in the right direction.

Call 1300 224 636

24 hours / 7 days a week

Chat Online

24 hours / 7 days a week

Email us

Get a reply in 24 hours

Copyright � 2026 Beyond Blue Ltd

All rights reserved

Contact us Terms of use Privacy policy Site map