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

Baljit *Trigger warning* (Violence) Incident - Feeling Vulnerable
  • replies: 2

Dear All, I just wanted to share a incident that took place yesterday, and I can’t stop replaying this in my mind. In summary, I was in the bank yesterday having a chat with one of their staff, and suddenly out of no where there was a commotion with ... View more

Dear All, I just wanted to share a incident that took place yesterday, and I can’t stop replaying this in my mind. In summary, I was in the bank yesterday having a chat with one of their staff, and suddenly out of no where there was a commotion with a male shouting and swearing, and the next thing I see is him storming over to his partner who automatically got onto her knees and into a ball position to protect herself. (This is the image that I can’t get out of my mind), and at this time fortunately the security team intervened. I was and still am in shock and feel physically sick as I have never experienced anything like this before and it’s just breaking my heart. I cant stop thinking about the female and her life, and how I can help her. Baljit

Iwanttocryeverday I can’t stop myself going down the black hole
  • replies: 3

I don’t know how to really do this I’m new here but I believe I’m really struggling and my mental health is now getting in the way of my life. I thought I knew what was making me this way but to be completely honest I don’t even know what it is anymo... View more

I don’t know how to really do this I’m new here but I believe I’m really struggling and my mental health is now getting in the way of my life. I thought I knew what was making me this way but to be completely honest I don’t even know what it is anymore but I am so unhappy I’ve lived with my partner and his family for three years and it has been everything but rainbow and daisies - it’s been HELL and so difficult to co live with each other at the start I was treated badly because his own sister was going through some mental health issues. I felt like nothing I did was good enough, there was always a problem because I didn't do what they wanted up for their standards, I was spoken about in another language, she would purposely run hot water while I was in the shower so I could never shower and there was an argument or fight everyday. Ever single day. My partner was gambling I felt like I was losing control of what was happening. I feel like I lost myself for them. I don’t even know who I am anymore. I’ve had my privacy taken away from. My happiness. My dignity. Everything is gone and I don’t know if I can’t even get it back. I can’t help but feel so much resentment towards them because I blame them but now, everything in the house has calmed down so much and changed abs it is better way better but I feel like, I kept my mouth shut for so long in order to respect them, now I'm not okay and they think why am I upset if it’s all in the past? But I can’t let it go no matter how hard I try I have so much resentment I don’t know what to do anymore

CJJ Anxiety and Health
  • replies: 9

Hi everyone, Does anyone else feel that their anxiety contributes to their health issues? I have become so anxious (and perhaps paranoid) about covid that I don’t know if my anxiety is causing my body to be symptomatic at times. I’m going for covid t... View more

Hi everyone, Does anyone else feel that their anxiety contributes to their health issues? I have become so anxious (and perhaps paranoid) about covid that I don’t know if my anxiety is causing my body to be symptomatic at times. I’m going for covid test #15 tomorrow and can feel everyone’s eyes roll that I’m going again I hate that anxiety makes me feel so bad. It feeds my depression and is best friends with my ocd. This roller coaster sucks!

Ashley1994 Health Anxiety - Tingling
  • replies: 3

Hi there, I am in the process of waiting to see someone regarding health related anxiety. For the past 2 weeks I have had a tingling/bubbly feeling (similar to a piece of cotton rubbing on my leg) in the outer side of my left calf. I do not know if t... View more

Hi there, I am in the process of waiting to see someone regarding health related anxiety. For the past 2 weeks I have had a tingling/bubbly feeling (similar to a piece of cotton rubbing on my leg) in the outer side of my left calf. I do not know if this is anxiety related, it happens 10+ times a day randomly. Obviously I have gone to the google route and think I have MS. I am hoping this is not true. Has anyone experienced this feeling, in 1 specific area for longer than a few days? I’ve read about anxiety tingling but I’m not sure if they mean a full limb and only while they are having an anxiety attack, mine is even when I’m not feeling anxious. Thank you!

D Walsh No known trigger
  • replies: 4

Hi, I have been on and off with anxiety and depression for about the last 15 years. Initially it was triggered by stress with uni exams and people pleasing. Once that phase of my life was done I have found myself in and out of the cycle to the point ... View more

Hi, I have been on and off with anxiety and depression for about the last 15 years. Initially it was triggered by stress with uni exams and people pleasing. Once that phase of my life was done I have found myself in and out of the cycle to the point I sometimes now don’t even know what is triggering me? I find it so difficult when I can’t attribute this feeling to a cause. just wondering if anyone else is this way?

gracielou22 Struggling through my notice period at work! Advice?
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I'm hoping for some advice. I resigned from my job two weeks ago, but due to my contract terms I have to see out 6 weeks of notice before I can finally be free of the place! I'm finding it really difficult to get through the notice period. It... View more

Hi all, I'm hoping for some advice. I resigned from my job two weeks ago, but due to my contract terms I have to see out 6 weeks of notice before I can finally be free of the place! I'm finding it really difficult to get through the notice period. It's a small office environment and the only other employee who is in office for the same hours I am is being quite passive-aggressive and hostile towards me, and it's making me extremely anxious and miserable. Has anyone had any experience re-negotiating notice periods due to mental health issues? If so do you have any advice for how I could approach my situation? My boss is also pretty inflexible and stubborn sometimes so I'm wondering if I need to go to my GP for a medical certificate or something official to help me escape this corporate nightmare! They're yet to find a replacement for my role so I imagine that will also factor in. Additionally, I have no capacity to work from home so I'm really feeling stuck in the situation! Thanks!

that_one_quieter_kid Does anyone know how to describe this..?
  • replies: 3

Hey so, I'm new around here so mind me if I'm intruding. Does anyone know how to describe the feeling that everyone you know hates you, whether it be family, friends, it could be anyone. Am I just paranoid or is it related to how other people have tr... View more

Hey so, I'm new around here so mind me if I'm intruding. Does anyone know how to describe the feeling that everyone you know hates you, whether it be family, friends, it could be anyone. Am I just paranoid or is it related to how other people have treated/treat me? Honestly I feel as though I intrude on every possible thing, I feel as though I don't belong anywhere. It's not even just that, I feel as though some of those people want to take their anger out in specific ways towards me, no matter what it be. I don't know how to describe it really. Whenever I try to talk to a friend about it they brush it off or ignore me completely, it gets to a point where I am constantly asking myself "do they hate me?" and when I ask them that same question, they get frustrated at me for saying it. I don't really ask it anymore. I'm half coming on here for advice and half coming on here to look for a way to explain how I feel. Not one of my friends understands how mental health works, not that they're dumb, they're really sweet, I guess. I just can't express how I feel without being laughed at or being made to feel insecure about my own feelings. I guess that's it for this 2am forum post. I'm really sorry if I'm disturbing you guys on this forum, it's not my intention at all, I just really need some help figuring this stuff out.

Ishbel I feel like a failure
  • replies: 4

I am a mum of 6, including 5 with mild special needs. Earlier this year 2 of my children attempted suicide within a fortnight of each other. 1 was due to depression (he has autism) & the other had been bullied at school. I spent so much time taking t... View more

I am a mum of 6, including 5 with mild special needs. Earlier this year 2 of my children attempted suicide within a fortnight of each other. 1 was due to depression (he has autism) & the other had been bullied at school. I spent so much time taking them from therapy to therapy to get them help, that I got very rundown, as I also suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. I was also working as a casual contractor organising events for a company (nothing was happening due to the pandemic). Eventually, after very little support from the new boss at my work, I chose to resign and be there more for my family. I stupidly said to another person that I had no faith in the company as they’d never bothered to learn how to run the conference from me. Also, 1 of the sponsors quit as she only wanted to sponsor the conference if I was running it. Next thing I find my ex boss coming after me with a court case, as he’s panicked. I was the only one who knew how to run the conferences (he/no one else in the new company tried to learn what I was doing or showed any interest) and thinks I might jeopardise his company and take away all the sponsors. He’s wealthy and wouldn’t think twice about ruining someone for his own personal gain. But now I feel even my worthless. I said 1 stupid thing and he’s blown it all out of proportion. We have good lawyers, but I can’t help but think that I’m a failure at everything.

Sadie243 Different Friend Groups
  • replies: 5

Hi there, I have OCD and anxiety and ive had it for 10 years so I know my way around my brain. Lately I've become anxious about mixing friend groups. I belong to multiple friend groups but they are all different. My 2 oldest friends are great but the... View more

Hi there, I have OCD and anxiety and ive had it for 10 years so I know my way around my brain. Lately I've become anxious about mixing friend groups. I belong to multiple friend groups but they are all different. My 2 oldest friends are great but they have completely different interests to me. My boyfriend friends who I get along with really well and have become close friends with have similar interests to me. I always worry and get about mixing those groups together when it comes to having a birthday or social gathering. I always worry that my boyfriends friends are going to judge me on my friends and their interests. My oldest friends boyfriends are also a bit different. They have different interests like gaming and dressing emo. I'm however the complete opposite to all that but I still love my friends. I would love to know how to come about my worries and how to deal with it

misties Not good enough
  • replies: 9

I am having issues with low self esteem, as I get older I am 69. I am concerned that my husband will no longer find me attractive. He tells me I am gorgeous and beautiful holds my hand we have sex about once a month but he has pics of naked beautiful... View more

I am having issues with low self esteem, as I get older I am 69. I am concerned that my husband will no longer find me attractive. He tells me I am gorgeous and beautiful holds my hand we have sex about once a month but he has pics of naked beautiful girls should i be worried that I am not as good as them?

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