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

Mavis1989 Phobia/severe anxiety related to partner getting drunk
  • replies: 5

Hi I guess I’m just seeing if anyone can relate or offer advice. I’m 31, female with female partner of 5 years and have 7month old baby daughter that is biologically hers. I have a long standing mental illness hx (GAD, MDD) and a particular phobia ar... View more

Hi I guess I’m just seeing if anyone can relate or offer advice. I’m 31, female with female partner of 5 years and have 7month old baby daughter that is biologically hers. I have a long standing mental illness hx (GAD, MDD) and a particular phobia around being around people who are drunk but it’s mostly related to being around a partner who is drunk. I’ve always felt like this and there have been points in my life that the intrusive thoughts and ruminating about it have become quite intense to the point where it seems like it was all I could think about and it was taking over my life. It’s not at that point atm but the fear of it getting out of hand is there my partner was a binge drinker when I met her and it bothered me from day dot but we stayed together despite it being something that it always causes me anxiety. When she got pregnant it was great and she only starting drinking at the start of the year after breastfeeding finished up. Long story short, I’ve recently been discharged from hospital for MH relapse and my partner has been really supportive and it has strengthened our relationship. We had a really important wedding to attend that I was bridesmaid for 2 days after leaving hospital (I pushed getting out of hospital so I could attend-my depression and anxiety is only about 30% better but I needed to be at this wedding) The wedding itself was beautiful and my partner was great to begin with. I had previously asked her to please not get too drunk-we have had multiple discussions about why I have a phobia around this issue (related to past childhood trauma) and I thought she understood the importance of respecting my boundaries especially as it was so difficult for me straight out of hospital to be there. She got extremely drunk and when I noticed how quickly she was drinking and asked her to slow down, she didn’t listen and kept going despite my obvious distress i understand it may come across controlling and I’m well aware of that but I can’t seem to change the way I feel and my partner changes into a different person when drunk, so uncaring and selfish which isn’t like her and I really needed her to be my rock this weekend and instead it was a disaster. Has anyone had similar issues in their relationship? I don’t know how to fix my relationship without either feeling like I’m trying to control my partner or accepting something that my body and mind won’t let me accept without severe mental anguish. Please help

eth93 OCD: Do you ever fully recover, or do you just learn to live with it?
  • replies: 6

I was diagnosed with OCD at a fairly young age. And have been medicated from my mid teens.. Over a decade later I have decided that I would like to come of all my medication. I have done this slowly and in regular contact with my GP. I'm now on zero ... View more

I was diagnosed with OCD at a fairly young age. And have been medicated from my mid teens.. Over a decade later I have decided that I would like to come of all my medication. I have done this slowly and in regular contact with my GP. I'm now on zero medication. Ive recently started having thoughts again about a particular OCD theme I have had in the past. Except with no obvious emotional response. Which has me questioning things. Is this me just learning to live with my OCD? Or should I genuinely be questioning things.

Romy Moving out of my parents place
  • replies: 2

I have GAD and a big trigger for me is CHANGE. This past weekend I moved out of my parents place into a small rental unit with a girl I hadn’t met before. I have said for years I never want to rent, I want to stay at home and save so I can one day bu... View more

I have GAD and a big trigger for me is CHANGE. This past weekend I moved out of my parents place into a small rental unit with a girl I hadn’t met before. I have said for years I never want to rent, I want to stay at home and save so I can one day buy my own place. After an argument with my parents one night I just randomly went online and found a rental and moved out a few weeks after. So I ended up at this rental for only 2 nights before I realised I’d made a huge mistake. I’ve spent the past 3 days crying, unable to eat much. I’m moving back to my parents place (which they are completely supportive of because they wanted me to stay at home and save in the first place). I feel so stupid for giving up after 2 nights. I’m not one to give up when my anxiety is bad, I always push through, but this situation did not feel right for me so I’m moving back home. I don’t know how to push away this feeling that I have failed and I am also worried that when I do have to move out one day I’m really going to struggle. Advice, words of reassurance or similar experiences?

Codes84 Is a complete recovery from derealization in possible?
  • replies: 4

Hey everyone. I've been suffering from symptoms of derealization since January this year. At the start I was having severe daily intrusive thoughts and thought I was losing my mind. I was getting severe anxiety as well and couldn't even go to work fo... View more

Hey everyone. I've been suffering from symptoms of derealization since January this year. At the start I was having severe daily intrusive thoughts and thought I was losing my mind. I was getting severe anxiety as well and couldn't even go to work for at least six weeks. My days consisted of sleeping and trying to stay sane. I've been put on medication and tolerated it relatively well. It's helped with the intrusive thoughts and my sleeping has gotten better. I'm back at work a few days a week and have started going back to the gym. I'm avoiding alcohol and caffeine to try and help. My anxiety has gotten better and the symptoms of derealization has reduced greatly but I'm recently I'm starting to feel them creeping back in. I'm trying to reassure myself as much as possible and do grounding techniques but I don't feel like it's working. When I'm distracted at work it's not as bad but as soon as I start thinking about it it gets worse. Has anyone completely recovered from derealization? Whether it was for only a few months or several years? Does anyone have any advice about a "complete" recovery?

Georgiafleur Moving out
  • replies: 3

My name is Georgia, i am 22 and i have had debilitating anxiety for as long as i can remember, i have seen many psychologists and am currently medicated which i had upped to a higher dose. Friday the 12th of June i moved out of the family home up in ... View more

My name is Georgia, i am 22 and i have had debilitating anxiety for as long as i can remember, i have seen many psychologists and am currently medicated which i had upped to a higher dose. Friday the 12th of June i moved out of the family home up in the country and down to Melbourne on my own into an apartment The minute my family left this crippling anxiety came over me and i could not stop crying and hyperventilating and instantly regretted my decision to move away I dont think i gave myself enough time to fully be ready And i feel i just rushed into it without really considering if i was ok As the days have gone on i have felt worse and worse and worse I am really not coping at all and am at the point where i cant even bring myself to go outside even to the supermarket which is not like me! At all This friday i have made the decision for me and am moving back home to be with my family where i am comfortable and can work on my mental health with family around me rather than in my thoughts all alone in a huge city feeling miserable Is it wrong of me to want to go home to Give myself some more time to be fully ready to move out on my own? Am i stupid for not forcing myself to stay here even though i have this crippling anxiety that is making me shake and sweat?

PsychedelicFur Leaving a toxic energy behind
  • replies: 79

Hello there, a couple of days ago I had come to the realisation that I needed to leave my very destructive and toxic relationship. I found the courage and strength within me to leave. I had been dating my partner for ten months. And throughout those ... View more

Hello there, a couple of days ago I had come to the realisation that I needed to leave my very destructive and toxic relationship. I found the courage and strength within me to leave. I had been dating my partner for ten months. And throughout those ten months it had been a very rocky experience. This was my first ever real relationship. Name calling had been happening when I got anxious. This particular person would get angry with me and start calling me ‘pathetic’ and ‘childish’ when I wanted comfort and hugs during a panic attack. He told me that the reason he would get angry and treat me poorly was because I made him get that way by being anxious. when I went to hospital for suicidal thoughts he hadn’t spoken to me all day because of an episode of me overthinking over text prior to that day. He then rang me up and abused me on the phone saying ‘maybe you need to lose me, someone you love in order to realise your a horrible person.’ And ‘if your trying to make me feel sorry for you then you can stop trying.’ he also use to pick on my appearance knowing very well that I had insecurities and issues that led back to my mum being emotionally abusive towards me. calling me a 6/10. When I hadn’t been asking him to even rate my looks. Telling me I also look embarrassing in my flamboyant clothing. And that I was plus size too when others and even medial professionals tell me I’m not. he would sometimes not drive me home and I would have to catch the train home by myself without him even walking me to my platform. I felt very unloved and lonely. then when I would have anxiety episodes and overthink he would ignore me for hours on end by not responding to my calls or text messages. Then blaming me for making him angry. He would say things like ‘if you didn’t do that then I would not have treated you that way.” Part of me feels very liberated and empowered that I decided to leave. Another part of me feels upset and so very heartbroken. I know deep down I have done the right thing for my mental health and well-being. And people, who I trust deeply around me have told me so too. As they have watched me face the challenges and pressure this relationship has put me through. I have been reading books about feminism and practicing self care and love routines. As well as reading articles about narcissistic abuse. I’m in a weird situation, need some more insight. PF

PsychedelicFur Things that can help when having an anxiety attack
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Hello there, I hope all is well. I have started this thread because I think it’s important that people who suffer or people who don’t even suffer from anxiety are aware of things or rituals that can help when having an anxiety attack. I don’t know fo... View more

Hello there, I hope all is well. I have started this thread because I think it’s important that people who suffer or people who don’t even suffer from anxiety are aware of things or rituals that can help when having an anxiety attack. I don’t know for sure if this thread as been posted before but I’m wanting to do this because I know how hard it can be to when you are trying to be in the moment when having a panic attack some of my favourite things to do when having an anxiety attack is : laying down on my bed to try and help me live in the present moment. This helps if I am at home. Sometimes going for a walk to gather my thoughts and get fresh air helps me. Playing with a fidget spinner, stress ball or small toy helps, immensely. Find something to draw, write about or finding something to read. Focus on three things you can touch, two things you can taste and one thing that you can smell. It helps distract the mind from anxiety sometimes. if you have any suggestions perhaps you could put some responses below. all the best, lots of love PSYCHEDELICFUR xx

Mina19 My pet rabbit died yesterday and I feel so sad
  • replies: 4

Hi people my pet rabbit died yesterday she was attacked by a stray cat and I feel so sad and horrible because I wasn’t there to protect her when it happened. I first felt numb and quiet but now I’m feeling overwhelmed and sick to my stomach. I feel g... View more

Hi people my pet rabbit died yesterday she was attacked by a stray cat and I feel so sad and horrible because I wasn’t there to protect her when it happened. I first felt numb and quiet but now I’m feeling overwhelmed and sick to my stomach. I feel guilty like my rabbit hates me for what happened. I have many pets that I love and take care of well but I didn’t expect this to happen to her. I just feel sick. I already have severe anxiety and ptsd and this is just making everything worse. Please give me some advice.

Kaylazik Help
  • replies: 3

I can’t do anything anymore I give up on everything I’m so scared to just do basic thing I keep trying to talk to my parents about it but no one understands how hard it is to just sleep or wake up everyone just think I’m lazy but it’s just this feel ... View more

I can’t do anything anymore I give up on everything I’m so scared to just do basic thing I keep trying to talk to my parents about it but no one understands how hard it is to just sleep or wake up everyone just think I’m lazy but it’s just this feel where I can’t do even if I really want to I just can’t. My parents been trying to get me a job and they put me on this course and after the first day I give up because the thought of going back scary me so bad I was looking up how to suicide because I’ll rather that then go back I been crying about it for about 10 hours straight now I’m so tired and exhausted and I just don’t know how to explain this to my parents

alexis123 Struggling to leave the house
  • replies: 7

I’ve had anxiety and depression for awhile now but past couple months i’ve struggled to get out of the house or out of my bed and i am usually a very social person but i just keep pushing my friends away because i don’t want to burden them with all m... View more

I’ve had anxiety and depression for awhile now but past couple months i’ve struggled to get out of the house or out of my bed and i am usually a very social person but i just keep pushing my friends away because i don’t want to burden them with all my anxiety, any tips on how to become more social again? I really miss my friends and they still invite me to everything it’s just sometimes i think it’s better if i don’t go and avoid me having anxiety out with them?