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

YHY89 Social anxiety and phobia of staying in others house
  • replies: 17

Hi everyone, I've had anxiety for as long as I can remember, but social anxiety has only started making appearance in recent years. My sister in law and her family hired a cabin for the upcoming June long weekend. My mother/father in law also own a c... View more

Hi everyone, I've had anxiety for as long as I can remember, but social anxiety has only started making appearance in recent years. My sister in law and her family hired a cabin for the upcoming June long weekend. My mother/father in law also own a cabin and it was assumed that the rest of the family would stay in their cabin. The cabin sleeps 6 people (1x Queen and a room with 2x bunk beds). My husband and I would be sharing the bunk beds with my other sister in law and her husband. I've always avoided staying at other people's houses and I'm worried about spending an entire long weekend in a tiny cabin. There's is minimal space/privacy, one bathroom to share, and my worst nightmare is sleeping in a room with other people! I also have OCD and have a very structured routine. Plus, I feel like I'd be in everyone's way and take too much time with showering/getting ready (I hate being rushed). With all this in mind, my hubby immediately told his Mum that we wouldn't be going. His Mum is apparently disappointed we're not coming and said "then, we'll have to organise another family get together to celebrate your Dad and sisters' birthdays". I feel so upset for being a disappointment & letting everyone down, compounded by the fact it's their birthdays. Part of me really doesn't want to go because I'll be uncomfortable the whole time, but I don't want to disappoint his family. What seems like an easy thing to do is giving me so much grief. I've taken the day off work and haven't been able to stop thinking about this situation. What should I do? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Ashlay Managing anxiety in morning and night
  • replies: 3

I have recently gone through a bout of anxiety which I find I'm slowly working through and progressing as each day goes on. During the day I'm able to distract myself and find I'm confident in moving through the anxiety and feeling more like myself. ... View more

I have recently gone through a bout of anxiety which I find I'm slowly working through and progressing as each day goes on. During the day I'm able to distract myself and find I'm confident in moving through the anxiety and feeling more like myself. Although as soon as it moves to the evening I find my worries, thoughts and feelings start to come back just as I start winding down for the day. I too wake in the morning with feelings of anxiety wondering if I still feel anxious or what is making me anxious is still there. Anyone with any tips, suggestions or just a chat it would be greatly appreciated.

ayyjude Anxious sleeping since moving into a new apartment
  • replies: 4

Hey everyone, I'm 25 and just moved out of my childhood home recently. For some extra context, my dad passed away when I was very young and mum as well about a year ago. Even after her passing I was feeling fine living in our old home alone despite i... View more

Hey everyone, I'm 25 and just moved out of my childhood home recently. For some extra context, my dad passed away when I was very young and mum as well about a year ago. Even after her passing I was feeling fine living in our old home alone despite its problems and was eager to move to a new & safer apartment and begin the next chapter of my life. But now that I've finally moved, some unexpected stuff has come up, causing extra stress (I already tend to worry & overthink) and while I've pushed those thoughts away, I've recently started to find it difficult to fall asleep (FYI I've never had trouble sleeping in the past). I'm feeling like I'm nervous about sleeping which is just making it worse. I've been to a GP who prescribed melatonin & referred me to a therapist (whom I'll be seeing in a few days). I'm a light sleeper so I started wearing earplugs as well but found that my heart is still pounding and I just focus on my pounding heartbeat the whole time. I'm open to any tips and help and I understand improvement might be a lengthy process but I'm eager to try anything to improve my situation. Thanks in advance!

Nessa-chan Regret of buying a kitten- Help!
  • replies: 18

Hi, I'm a 21 year old GAD who is in their third and final year of university, along with a part time job and club leader. Recently about 5 days ago, my dad bought a 10-week old ragdoll kitten for me. For the last few years I've wanted a pet and only ... View more

Hi, I'm a 21 year old GAD who is in their third and final year of university, along with a part time job and club leader. Recently about 5 days ago, my dad bought a 10-week old ragdoll kitten for me. For the last few years I've wanted a pet and only about 3-4 weeks ago did I get permission to have a pet by my mum. I was only looking at some things to know about owning a cat and just bought a few things to see if I liked how it was in my room. The day after buying some things (that if I didn't want I would have given to a friend) my dad said he had found a kitten for our house, and later that weekend we got the kitten. I was very excited but nervous and anxious about having one. After 1-2 days I noticed that I was feeling more anxious and down then usual, and I recently have been going to therapy for my anxiety and depression. I noticed it was linked to the worry and anxiety about owning the kitten, the responsibility and the lost of my own personal alone time and space, along with time spent out of the house. I really value my alone personal time and space as an introvert, and miss going out with friends to study or eat (Missed our weekly study session). I think I and my dad rushed getting a kitten, as this huge responsibility was something I was not as prepared as I thought. I love my kitten so much but the anxiety of having him has caused me to lose my appetite, breakdown and cry (sometimes when I look at him I breakdown) and lose sleep. I don't know what to do! I really want to keep him as I love him so much, he is a great companion, very affectionate and when I look at him I have the thought "I don't want to lose him". But I don't have as much time as I thought for him. Owning him has caused a lot of mental health instability and unsureness, and I am very busy with university, part time work and hanging out with friends, and my family are busy with their life as well. Any advice as to what I should? Should I keep him or try selling him/ give him up?

pawsy Withdrew my application for a job. Feel like a loser
  • replies: 9

I have been unemployed for more than two years. I had an interview last week that went well. Immediately I was swamped by awful anxiety which went on for days. I convinced myself that I would not be able to do the job. That the workplace would be hos... View more

I have been unemployed for more than two years. I had an interview last week that went well. Immediately I was swamped by awful anxiety which went on for days. I convinced myself that I would not be able to do the job. That the workplace would be hostile and unsupportive, and I did not have the skills. I tried to tough it out until they let me know one way or another, which they said they would early this week. But then this morning I emailed and withdrew my application. I got a nice reply saying they were sorry I was withdrawing because I was still in the mix. I am sad my anxiety is so intense I seemingly cant take a risk like this job anymore. Feel so alone with my stupid thoughts in my head.

Jessa_ ADHD
  • replies: 2

I’m a 31 female and I think I might have ADHD. It would make a lot of sense if I did as I seem to have most of the symptoms. Has anyone in this thread been diagnosed with it? How did you go about getting a diagnosis and do you have any coping strateg... View more

I’m a 31 female and I think I might have ADHD. It would make a lot of sense if I did as I seem to have most of the symptoms. Has anyone in this thread been diagnosed with it? How did you go about getting a diagnosis and do you have any coping strategies? Everyone keeps telling me it’s just severe anxiety but I think it’s more

Guest_1573 Adult ADHD?
  • replies: 2

Hi All For as long as I can remember (since a very young child) I have always suffered from anxiety, fear, feeling 'different', feeling inadequate. I have a history of anorexia/body dysmorphia, depression, anxiety, somatic symptom disorder. PTSD (I w... View more

Hi All For as long as I can remember (since a very young child) I have always suffered from anxiety, fear, feeling 'different', feeling inadequate. I have a history of anorexia/body dysmorphia, depression, anxiety, somatic symptom disorder. PTSD (I won't go into it all here). Needless to say I have seen numerous professionals over the years. Been prescribed many medications. None of which worked. I have been doing some research and I actually think on top of everything I have adult ADHD. Probably always had it but it was undiagnosed hence never receiving the help I need. I ALWAYS feel on edge. Constantly. I can not stick to anything. I break appointments. I overeat or drink/smoke...always an oral fixation! I am constantly worn out from this. I truly never relax. I wake often during the night. I have always been a very highly strung person (I have a rather unfortunate history which has possibly made me this way?). Just wondered if anyone else feels the same and if they have been diagnosed? I am seeing GP this week to discuss. Now that I am middle aged one would think life would be calmer . It is the total opposite. Thanks for reading. Thanks for any responses.

Missmary05 Anxiety, palpitations and burping
  • replies: 1

Hi all, not sure if the post I was writing disappeared, so I'll rewrite. I've had anxiety all my life, but the symptoms of the latest flareup are extremely loud burping which can go on for quite a while after most meals, and often leads to bouts of e... View more

Hi all, not sure if the post I was writing disappeared, so I'll rewrite. I've had anxiety all my life, but the symptoms of the latest flareup are extremely loud burping which can go on for quite a while after most meals, and often leads to bouts of ectopy (3 or 4 normal beats, then a skipped beat or double beat). I have a hiatus hernia so am thinking my present anxiety could be exacerbating the gerd. I have this most days at the moment, and have had it before with previous bouts of anxiety. When I am relaxed, I don't get the burping or the palpitations. I've had tests which show my heart is fine but it's still scary, and the more I tense up, the more everything happens. I also sometimes get it when I wake in the night, but not as badly, and I find mornings are the worst times for me. I've started seeing a psychologist, and am taking essential oils and natural minerals (not sure how well they're working though). Don't want to make a habit of my medication either, but would like to know if anyone else has these anxiety symptoms, and if so, what do they find works for them.

Susanna4568 Excessive daydreaming
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone! I'm still relatively new to these threads so I'm sorry if I break any forum rules (I also wasn't sure what section to post in) I started seeing a therapist last year after dealing with anxiety, intrusive thoughts and OCD. A lot of this w... View more

Hi everyone! I'm still relatively new to these threads so I'm sorry if I break any forum rules (I also wasn't sure what section to post in) I started seeing a therapist last year after dealing with anxiety, intrusive thoughts and OCD. A lot of this was caused, or at least worsened, by me being quite isolated due to COVID (I'm no longer isolated). My anxiety/intrusive thoughts have improved and I'm no longer seeing my psychologist. I've always been someone who has daydreamed a lot. I had a vivid imagination as a kid and I think I daydreamed just for fun. However, since my decline in my mental health last year, I have noticed a huge increase in my daydreaming. It has only been recently I've recognised how much it impacts my life; I can do it for hours at a time. I feel as though I'm almost addicted to it, and it is definitely a form of escapism. My life almost feels boring without it which then in turn makes me feel sad/depressed. I also kinda feel guilty when I do it, as I do have a close family and who I like spending time with, but I just cant help but daydream almost all the time. Even though I somewhat enjoy the daydreaming when I'm actually doing it, it feels unhealthy and I feel like it is starting to take over my life. I worry that I will lose my grip on reality because of it, which makes me anxious. I guess I would like some advice/any opinions on this? I am hoping to return to my therapist again to talk about it with them too. Thank you

Susanna4568 Scared to stop going to therapy
  • replies: 11

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting so I'm sorry if my post is not following any forum rules or etiquette. I started seeing a psychologist last year after dealing with anxiety, OCD, intrusive thoughts and procrastination. I had so many physica... View more

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting so I'm sorry if my post is not following any forum rules or etiquette. I started seeing a psychologist last year after dealing with anxiety, OCD, intrusive thoughts and procrastination. I had so many physical symptoms of anxiety, couldn't be home alone or by myself at all, and felt like I didn't know myself anymore. I was basically overanalysing and worrying about anything and everything. I was overthinking my entire life which was causing me to deal with so many different OCD themes and I experienced graphic, detailed intrusive thoughts. Fast forward 6 months and my psychologist said that if I feel comfortable, I don't really need to come back to see them anymore. I am definitely doing much better; I have a good understanding of my mental health and how my brain reacts to triggers and certain situations. I can be home alone and no longer feel like I am about to "lose my mind". Despite my improvement, I feel really scared to stop going to therapy. I constantly feel as though I am about to tip over the edge and lose myself again. I worry that if I do go back, my psychologist will think I am overreacting and am wasting their time when they could be seeing other patients who are struggling much more than I am. I guess I would appreciate some advice on what I should do. Do I have to be completely better to stop going to therapy? If I start to feel terrible again, am I allowed to go back and see my psychologist even if they have already given me all the tools I need to cope?

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