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

Fluffy Anxiety being alone
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I live in a shared household and the other two people have gone away for 2 weeks. This is the first time I have ever been alone at home and I am really anxious about it. I’m worried about a whole number of things that could happen- logically I know t... View more

I live in a shared household and the other two people have gone away for 2 weeks. This is the first time I have ever been alone at home and I am really anxious about it. I’m worried about a whole number of things that could happen- logically I know the chances of any of my fears occurring is minimal; however, I can’t seem to get past these. I would love some ideas or suggestions that could help me with this anxiety as I don’t want to send the next two weeks like I have been today.

Guest_01299754 wanting advice on emetophobia
  • replies: 1

hello ive been struggling with emetophobia since i think i was 12-13, but didnt realise it was emetophobia till maybe 2-3 years ago. Though my current age is not too far. i think my emetophobia has gotten quite worse. i dont like being near someone w... View more

hello ive been struggling with emetophobia since i think i was 12-13, but didnt realise it was emetophobia till maybe 2-3 years ago. Though my current age is not too far. i think my emetophobia has gotten quite worse. i dont like being near someone who says they feel sick or are about to v***t. when i know someone has v***ted i try to stay away from them for some time. the first time i remember being sick i ate too much kiwis and was sick all on the carpet. but i also remember when others are sick in front of me too. my aunt had some bad food and was sick in her jacket. we were in public but that situation is very vivid to me. and i think about it alot. i couldnt be near her for like 2-3 days. but when i do think about these situations its like i imagine myself in their shoes being the sick one. and for times when i am sick i tend to run to my mother and i have to have her close. i also tend to panic alot when i feel it. i usually have to get my mother to get a bucket for me to be sick in ( i for some reason refuse to move ) and have to stay with her for the night. (depending on time). though i don’t remember a time when i was sick without her there comforting me. fast forward to now, my cousin and i just started being ill. and just about 30-40 mins ago she was sick. i ran to my mothers room and cried. she told me i was being dramatic ( a usual line ). and this is where i am now. i am quite worried about my future of when i live alone ( or shes no longer with me ) i dont want to have to panic alone. i should mention i am a person who tends to keep to themself. i think about opening up but then i bail out. ( this sometimes happens with family too). ( but this isnt my main topic ). i guess the reason i made this post is to ask for help on how to get my mother to understand my fear. and to tell her i want to go to therapy. but am worried about what she would say and costs. (recently my cat was attacked and she had to pay quite a bit). - please dont mind grammar and spelling mistakes. my cousin is still having bouts of being sick and im still a bit freaked out. (and am drying my tears from remembering some stuff) any help will be useful. thank you for reading and listening to my issues

Guest_88474894 Pain with anxiety
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With movement of my neck I get anxious as is cracks most of the time. I also notice that behind my left nostril, and eye plus over the eyebrow and temple I get anxious irritating pain that burns and gives me headaches. Has anyone else experienced thi... View more

With movement of my neck I get anxious as is cracks most of the time. I also notice that behind my left nostril, and eye plus over the eyebrow and temple I get anxious irritating pain that burns and gives me headaches. Has anyone else experienced this?

Guest_37092396 LIFE,VISA,UNCERTAINTY
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I dont know where i went wrong or what happened,I decided that I had enough of the discrimination and racism i face everyday just to go out and work or study, i was tired of locking my self indoors,but they didn't have a strong mental health support ... View more

I dont know where i went wrong or what happened,I decided that I had enough of the discrimination and racism i face everyday just to go out and work or study, i was tired of locking my self indoors,but they didn't have a strong mental health support it was there just for a name nothing was confidential. You can't speak up cause u didn't have proof you cant complain because you wore something that attracted them No I was just travelling home from work and trying to make a living. I just wanted some peace. I moved to Australia life gave me a bigger slap took away everything from me i didn't give up . I worked my way through it i was getting better than it through a. Stone at me again . Why is life so unfair those u dont even put any effort are in better places . Past 2 years i have been struggling so much with mental health issues, i finally gained enough courage to speak out .I honestly dont know anything I feel so confused I just want to sleep but my partner said I have started talking in my sleep .

Chris1983 Life
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I don't know where to start with this. I don't like life I've struggled my whole life. I think life is nothing but pain pain and more pain. I was never good at anything in school, I cant hold down a job. I could go on but I wont. Life is too hard and... View more

I don't know where to start with this. I don't like life I've struggled my whole life. I think life is nothing but pain pain and more pain. I was never good at anything in school, I cant hold down a job. I could go on but I wont. Life is too hard and I've been given nothing to adapt. I have a borderline IQ so I struggle with everything. I've given up stuff it all!

Guest_10317 Anxiety, Work, and Expectations
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I have just started a new job this week and was only able to attend 2.5 days before I became too anxious and panicked to attend. The job is slightly similar to what I was doing, but at a higher level and full time instead of part time. My previous jo... View more

I have just started a new job this week and was only able to attend 2.5 days before I became too anxious and panicked to attend. The job is slightly similar to what I was doing, but at a higher level and full time instead of part time. My previous job will likely be ceasing (and getting replaced with a completely new and smaller system) in about 6 months, so I felt pressured to get a new job before time ran out. I'm nearly 30 and felt there was an expectation that I should be working full time and so accepted my current position despite not being comfortable with leaving part time. While the people seem nice, it has not been well structured and is lacking support. I was told multiple times that there is no other option but to be thrown into the deep end and I feel overwhelmed. I know I would be capable of doing most of the tasks if I had more organised training and support, but am already so worn out from working nearly double my previous hours. I haven't been this panicked or anxious since before I first started medication and seeing psychologists about 5 years ago when I was suffering from agoraphobia. I saw my GP today who has given me a week off so I can see my Psychiatrist and find a new Psychologist (my last one's practice closed) to get a mental health care plan started. I fear I am incapable of living a normal life and am so disappointed in myself to see all the progress I have made over the past 5 years vanish in just a few days. I feel like I could grow to like the work I'm doing now, if only in a better environment, but feel trapped by my decision and that I shouldn't give up so soon. It has already taken such a mental and physical toll on me just to get through those 2.5 days.

Spanz Health condition
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Hello..I am struggling alot right now. I have been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia since seeing a dentist for a tooth extraction in July. I am a nz citizen been living and working in Australia for 2 years up to this point. I usually can get a hol... View more

Hello..I am struggling alot right now. I have been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia since seeing a dentist for a tooth extraction in July. I am a nz citizen been living and working in Australia for 2 years up to this point. I usually can get a hold of my anxiety and depression but since this debilitating condition I cannot work or drive until I get used to the powerful meds. I am under neurologist and GP for this condition.. still waiting results of MRA. Since July my savings is all gone and my mental health has gone from bad to worse.. I have had councillors ring and want $295 for one session.. and I no longer have an income. Nor can I drive... i am scared I will have to go back to nz if I can't get help here. What do I do? Is there help here?

ArkCane Anxious and need someone to talk to
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I've suffered from social anxiety most of my life. I've implemented ways to reduce this anxiety such as - the rare times I go out, I have a 'safe' person that I can talk to and I order most of my things I need online.I work full time and study online... View more

I've suffered from social anxiety most of my life. I've implemented ways to reduce this anxiety such as - the rare times I go out, I have a 'safe' person that I can talk to and I order most of my things I need online.I work full time and study online at uni and socialise well at work but I have trouble making friends in my home life. I've kind of accepted that this is who I am.The issue is: My anxiety has peaked the last few months and it's impacting my relationship with my husband. We're great together. We've been together 9 years, married for nearly 2 with a son.I've started to get a little paranoid. He hasn't done anything wrong at all but I keep thinking he's keeping things from me. The logical side of me knows he would never ever do this - he constantly reassures me he loves me and shows in actions too. He's a great husband. Tonight, I pretty much accused him of cheating. I know he wouldn't. There's zero evidence of him doing that too. He's attentive and loving towards me. My anxiety has peeked lately, and I have just over thought myself into thinking he's chatting up other girls. We had a big conversation, and he thinks it's a trust issue - maybe it is - but I really think it's a mental health issue. I've never had any thoughts of him ever cheating and I've always trusted him in the 9 years we've been together. Before I talked to him about this, I had thoughts of going through his phone. That was the last straw to me actually bringing the subject up. I wanted to talk to him before it got to the point of me actively invading his privacy. I love my family so much and we are such a great little team. My anxiety and paranoia are impacting my home life, and I really hate it.Does anyone have any advice or anything that has worked for them to help?

Rossco Does she really love me
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I feel so down right now. My wife doesn't understand and often her actions are making me feel worse. Instead of being their for me and showing some support she goes off and has a drink with her friend.....a questionable friend because my wife has pre... View more

I feel so down right now. My wife doesn't understand and often her actions are making me feel worse. Instead of being their for me and showing some support she goes off and has a drink with her friend.....a questionable friend because my wife has previous purchased smokes for us and groceries.

Guest_87361103 Anxiety at work
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Hi I have had 2 full blown panic attacks at work. My baseline anxiety outside work is manageable but at work I am constantly fighting to keep it together.That despite Pschologist and medication help its been 9 weeks and I still need medication to get... View more

Hi I have had 2 full blown panic attacks at work. My baseline anxiety outside work is manageable but at work I am constantly fighting to keep it together.That despite Pschologist and medication help its been 9 weeks and I still need medication to get through my work day. the anxiety is palpable and slow lifts as home time approaches. I understand my brain associated work with danger due to previous panic attacks. medications have not really helped. anytime I am not engaged in a task at work I feel I am battling intrusive thoughts that I am about to panic. people have assured me it will get better meanwhile I feel it’s has not eased after 9 weeeks.