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
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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

Avery_lam I’ve have had anxiety for 21 years now.
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I’ve had my first anxiety attack when I was about 22. And now after 20 years, it’s so bad I don’t know what to do. I’ve tried seeing Psycologist over the years and also 2 psychiatrist. At the end of the day, I think I’ve tried a few different ways bu... View more

I’ve had my first anxiety attack when I was about 22. And now after 20 years, it’s so bad I don’t know what to do. I’ve tried seeing Psycologist over the years and also 2 psychiatrist. At the end of the day, I think I’ve tried a few different ways but anxiety keeps coming back and each time, stronger, harder and heavier. I basically have light attacks and once in a while, very heavy attacks. I avoid so many things and find safety nets all over the place just to prevent panic attacks. I’m now to the point that I can’t really travel further than up there road, and really afraid to be alone at home. I’ve come onto this website and this forum hoping that I can find a way out. Not only but seeking help, maybe my experience can help others prevent anxiety from getting to my level. I still have hope. I’m still a fighter, but it’s one tough battle. I hope someone out there may experience similar. May have over come this long battle or maybe I can also in return help and share my year though this disorder.

Birdy05 Experiences with GP
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Hi! I am just curious as to others experiences with their GP discussing anxiety and OCD and treatment? I have just seen a GP for the first time regarding my mental health - I have never discussed this with any GP at all - and the outcome of a 15min c... View more

Hi! I am just curious as to others experiences with their GP discussing anxiety and OCD and treatment? I have just seen a GP for the first time regarding my mental health - I have never discussed this with any GP at all - and the outcome of a 15min conversation was medication. I’m definitely not anti medication however I feel that in my case it was a bit of a rushed decision by the GP and there were no conversations about trying lifestyles changes or anything first - only that I should see a psychologist once we move in a month which I am 100% open to! I guess my question is should I be going back and expressing my hesitancy and seeing if we can start off differently or should I trust her judgement with it? I feel like it’s such a big decision to start medication based off a 15min conversation with a GP I am not familiar with! Others thoughts and experiences?

hiiamsam Advice?
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I get anxious talking to people especially about my mental health issues and the thought of speaking to a GP to get a referral for a psych terrifies me. I have been recommended to get regular support from one person. I was wondering if there are any ... View more

I get anxious talking to people especially about my mental health issues and the thought of speaking to a GP to get a referral for a psych terrifies me. I have been recommended to get regular support from one person. I was wondering if there are any other options that are not independent psychologists.

brobej15 Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety and Depression
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Hi all, I am in need of help. I can't seem to find where I can express this. I've had anxiety and depression before - through a few cycles in life. This year alone, I started a new job (moved up into a leadership role) at a new school (I'm a teacher)... View more

Hi all, I am in need of help. I can't seem to find where I can express this. I've had anxiety and depression before - through a few cycles in life. This year alone, I started a new job (moved up into a leadership role) at a new school (I'm a teacher), got married, and currently trying to find a house to buy because we have to move out of the one we have now. On top of all the administration of life (being healthy, managing life). The older I get the higher the highs and the lower the lows. I just hope this makes sense. I started reading up on adjustment disorders and anxiety - I have been told I have adjustment issues by a psychologist. What have people done to manage adjustment issues? I just don't want to go into depression completely again.

44Max44 Anxiety stopping me from being able to celebrate my best mate's birthday
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So it's my mate's birthday party today but I've found that all I've been doing for like a week leading up to it is trying to find any reasonable excuse not to go to it without making me look bad. He's my best mate and I mean all the best by him but I... View more

So it's my mate's birthday party today but I've found that all I've been doing for like a week leading up to it is trying to find any reasonable excuse not to go to it without making me look bad. He's my best mate and I mean all the best by him but I am very bad in social situations and there are 30+ people going to the party that I don't know whatsoever and if I'm being honest I don't really want to get to know them because I already struggle to keep the few friends I currently have. The only way I find these parties bearable is if I drink heaps and get wasted but I'm not a big drinker either, I'll probably get drunk once a year if that. I love small gatherings where it's just a small group of friends I know with maybe 2 or 3 people I don't know but having 30+ people I don't know at the party is super overwhelming for me and I just find myself not enjoying myself at all until I'm blackout drunk and don't remember anything the next day, which in itself gives me anxiety because I don't have any idea what I did when I was blackout drunk. I don't know. I want to celebrate my mate's birthday and make him happy but I just don't find his way of celebrating fun. He's a very extroverted person and I'm very introverted. We're like straight up polar opposites when it comes to how we socialize. It's weird too because he's told me that he thinks he's very awkward in social situations too but I don't see it. He's actually the type of guy I aspire to be when it comes to social interactions. I guess that just goes to show that you never really know what's going on with somebody just from their outward appearance. I want to be a good friend to him but I also don't want to have to be blackout drunk to do so. I just feel so guilty if I don't show up and I can't think of any excuse that would be good enough and not just look like I'm trying to ghost him. I've already been growing distant to him throughout this year and I feel like me not showing up to his birthday would be the last nail in the coffin. I almost just want to send him a link to this post to show him how I really feel because it's hard for me to have heart to hearts with people but I also feel like that could backfire on me. Anxiety sucks, man. It's controlling my life, dictating the stuff I do, effecting my relationships and work, it isn't fun.

Petal22 From someone who suffered OCD and recovered
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I’m experienced in knowing what Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is and how it feels to have this condition I suffered with this condition and now I’m recovered thanks to the correct treatment from health professionals. I want to share my experiences in... View more

I’m experienced in knowing what Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is and how it feels to have this condition I suffered with this condition and now I’m recovered thanks to the correct treatment from health professionals. I want to share my experiences in how it feels to have OCD and to let you know there is HOPE that you can recover aswell if you are experiencing it.. I was diagnosed with OCD by a psychiatrist…….. for me when I had OCD my intrusive thoughts seemed irrational but “ felt” very real…… As an example of OCD and how the sufferer feels: you can be driving a car and pass a pedestrian….. your intrusive thought will say “ what if I ran that person over” a person with OCD will experience severe anxiety that will accompany this thought…. with many scenarios running through their mind the OCD sufferer gets fixed on these thoughts/ images……. the OCD sufferer feels the urge to turn around the car and go and check in actually fact to see if they did run the pedestrian over…… they go back and check the pedestrian isn’t there but they will still constantly worry about it and have severe anxiety over it … with many what if s running through their mind….. because the sufferer “feels” extreme anxiety over this scenario the feelings seem very real…….. But to someone who doesn’t have OCD they will have the intrusive thought that they may run over the pedestrian….. but that’s we’re it stays as a thought and they forget about it… Some people with OCD may have intrusive thoughts to do something eg pick the correct coloured sock if they don’t they have the thoughts of “something bad will happen to someone they love if they don’t select the correct coloured sock” this thought is accompanied by extreme anxiety……. This condition is a very exhausting debilitating condition and it’s a very cruel disorder …. some people who suffer with this condition feel as though they are going crazy….. it’s a horrible disorder to have. OCD sufferers can feel “ stuck” scared, fearful and very exhausted. People with OCD perform compulsions to try to bring down the severity of their anxiety…. Eg seek reassurance, google search symptoms, check things over and over again…….ect Their anxiety comes down for a little while but it starts back up soon after because OCD is a vicious cycle. OCD is treatable.. I will explain in my next thread

Frankie94 Health Anxiety taking over
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Hi all, I'm a little apprehensive to post this. I have had anxiety for as long as I can remember on many levels(in my 50's now). I have never really dealt with it, but it is my health anxiety that has always been the worst and lately it has spiralled... View more

Hi all, I'm a little apprehensive to post this. I have had anxiety for as long as I can remember on many levels(in my 50's now). I have never really dealt with it, but it is my health anxiety that has always been the worst and lately it has spiralled out of control and I feel on the verge of losing it! Over the years I have imagined I have every medical condition possible, and lately I've visited lots of doctors to rule things out and of course everything always comes back negative. I get relief for a short period but then a new symptom presents itself and then it starts all over again. I am a very fit person with great nutrition but this anxiety is killing me. At my last doctors visit I was prescribed some anti anxiety medication but I just can't take it. The thought of taking it and the possible side effects has nearly sent me into a panic attack!! I know I need help as this is becoming all consuming for me. From anyone's experience can I get through this without medication..is it possible with just counselling??

Chorlton12 Asbestos roof anxiety - HELP
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Hi everyone Ive been subletting a property in WA for 6 months not realising the roof was asbestos. I am now constantly researching asbestos roofs and worried that I've done damage to my health. I know I shouldn't worry about the future but I'm scared... View more

Hi everyone Ive been subletting a property in WA for 6 months not realising the roof was asbestos. I am now constantly researching asbestos roofs and worried that I've done damage to my health. I know I shouldn't worry about the future but I'm scared Ive already done the damage. I can't believe it's not illegal to have had these roofs removed. I'm so upset with myself, Ive been living here for 6 months and Perth has had a very wet and windy winter. I feel my life is ruined I don't know how to go on, please help with this anxiety.

Justin95 Read this it helps
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These past few months I rarely go out only if I have blood tests and seeing my psychologist. I am suffering from maybe severe anxiety. The main trigger for me is when someone sniffs and coughs I take it maybe they don’t acknowledge me and think I’m b... View more

These past few months I rarely go out only if I have blood tests and seeing my psychologist. I am suffering from maybe severe anxiety. The main trigger for me is when someone sniffs and coughs I take it maybe they don’t acknowledge me and think I’m belowthem. What goes in my mind is when I go outside and hear people do this I get panic attacks and I have a dreadful feeling I have to get out of there. I used to get bullied a lot by my uncle who always coughs and sometimes hits me, I’m no longer in contact with him but whenever I hear people cough it reminds me of my Uncle. I don’t understand what’s wrong with me. I see other people who hears cough and feel as if they did not hear anything. I want to be normal again. It is very hard for me to bare when I hear all types of people that do this. Please be respectful with your answers.

x_BLUE_MOON_x I'm obsessed with my personal belongings
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Hi, I have this problem where I am obsessed with my personal belongings in my bedroom. To the point where I have been in a psychiatric ward 2 times. I’ve been struggling with this for 3 years, and I don't know what to do. I don't know, if it is OCD, ... View more

Hi, I have this problem where I am obsessed with my personal belongings in my bedroom. To the point where I have been in a psychiatric ward 2 times. I’ve been struggling with this for 3 years, and I don't know what to do. I don't know, if it is OCD, ADHD, anxiety or something else? As I have been diagnosed twice with ADHD, once when I was a kid and again the last few years. I'm very sensitive, I have very low self esteem, social anxiety, and Specific language impairment. I also have no friends, and no life really. Which I'm trying to change that, but it's hard. Also I have been having obsessive thoughts for about 13 years, where i overthink everything, even silly things. And I kind of have these obsessive routines where I have to do certain things a certain way every time, even if I don't want to do it. I find mostly now days, the obsessive routines are a lot less, but I still have a lot of obsessive thoughts. But the thing that mostly bothers me is me being obsessed with my personal belongings in my bedroom, like my tv, video games, action figurines, comics, computer and so on... I even have thoughts and I worry if my personal belongings has germs, covid 19 , or mold on it. Or I obsess that I have cleaned it too many times, or that it feels dirty. I know it's sounds crazy. I tell myself all the time, that those thoughts are stupid and silly. Say example the kitchen could be dirty, or I could get sick by touching a door knob, none of those things bother me. It's only my personal belongings that worries me which is odd. I have been to Psychologists and I have told them this. And they gave me all this feedback, which didn't help. I hope all of this made sense. Any opinions and thoughts would help, thanks.