Immediate support
Immediate 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 discussion

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 discussion

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 discussion

D Walsh Common cold and anxiety/depression
  • replies: 7

Hi, Does anyone else get exacerbations of their anxiety and depression when you are sick with a common cold? These last few days I’ve started feeling pretty average but the symptoms are similar to anxiety and depression and it makes me feel even wors... View more

Hi, Does anyone else get exacerbations of their anxiety and depression when you are sick with a common cold? These last few days I’ve started feeling pretty average but the symptoms are similar to anxiety and depression and it makes me feel even worse. Instead of just riding out the cold, my mind is jumping to conclusions and that my fogginess won’t go away!

ChickenKatsu Obsessive Thoughts about proving/disproving things
  • replies: 2

Hi I've been stuggling with anxiety and obsessive thoughts for around 4 years now. I'm seeing a consellor and taking medication however I thought it would be good to see if anyone is having similar obsessive thoughts to me. Lately I've been getting v... View more

Hi I've been stuggling with anxiety and obsessive thoughts for around 4 years now. I'm seeing a consellor and taking medication however I thought it would be good to see if anyone is having similar obsessive thoughts to me. Lately I've been getting very obsessed with people's beliefs - trying to understand why they hold them and obsessing with completely disproving them if I think that they are not true. Even if I know that a belief is silly and makes no sense I get really obsessed with being able to completely disprove it - often spending hours ruminating on thoughts and being unable to relax until I can say that I have completely debunked it. Even if I know that so many elements of a belief are silly I still get anxious that I can disprove every single aspect. The beliefs I get worried about can vary from conspicary theories to psuedoscience to outdated economic theories but they all are completely harmless to me - which is concerning why I get so obsessed with thinking about them. Does anyone else get anxiety and get obsessed about being able to say something is/isn't true?

Weaponsofmassdisstortion Second session with the psychologist...
  • replies: 1

As I write this, Nobody knows your heart, from the Princess Mononoke soundtrack is playing on loop. This is the kind of thing I always think about when I am down. The psych asked me about my background and of course we got onto the topic of my childh... View more

As I write this, Nobody knows your heart, from the Princess Mononoke soundtrack is playing on loop. This is the kind of thing I always think about when I am down. The psych asked me about my background and of course we got onto the topic of my childhood. I really hate talking about that. Having to fight the other kids all the time. Their parents encouraging it, because we were dirty foreigners. My mum not really caring(To be fair she had her own problems, she was a schizophrenic) When I tried ask for help, everyone just dismissed me and said I was putting on an act to be funny. Being bullied at school. Because I had to wear the same clothes every day. Always being malnourished. I was fighting back tears the whole time. I am so much bigger and stronger then most of the people who gave me a hard time growing up. I have had fantasies about repaying them for their abuse. No, I won't do anything, don't worry. Although it is tempting. I thought I did okay, but then I was on the verge of tears two days later. A part of me just wants to turn my back on the world. Just make a lot of money. Buy a massive piece of forested land. And go to sleep in the woods. Just live in the forest. God I would like that. It seems that nature and technology has been a better friend to me than society ever was. All of your sorrow, grief and pain Locked away in the forest of the night Your secret heart belongs to the world Of the things that sigh in the dark Of the things that cry in the dark.

JaiB Family says I have anxiety, I don't think I do.
  • replies: 4

So it's Vic public holiday home with the family and they decide to go out for breakfast, harmless right? Well as we drove around past several highly packed cafe's I said I can't be bothered and they passively aggressively said they would just eat at ... View more

So it's Vic public holiday home with the family and they decide to go out for breakfast, harmless right? Well as we drove around past several highly packed cafe's I said I can't be bothered and they passively aggressively said they would just eat at home. I'm not th first to do this. However they claim I always do it and I have social anxiety. I don't see it. My argument is if it takes me 20min to find a park then get seated and a 45min wait surrounded by people who all seem to be lining up fighting for who gets to give their money away first for over priced deli goods then their must be a better use of my time. I understand being social is important but honestly what a joke. There is some anxiety involved I guess just what I would call the norm, (you know being uncertain of what the he'll the barista just offered you or, looking up at the waiter as he newlines for your table just to turn away last second) but nothing I'm having an attack over. Example: My wife will drop the kids at school go off for a coffee with another mum then head to Kmart grab something the kids need then home to social media for an hour before picking the kids up. When asked how her day was she says good! I would call it wasted nothing was contributed to our family house or community. Help guys have I lost it?

Corn_L Anxiety while driving
  • replies: 8

Hi everyone, this is my first post here. I am a shy introvert at my late 20s and was first suffered from social anxiety 6 years ago (that was pretty much the same time when I started learning to drive). I easily get anxious when I meet people who are... View more

Hi everyone, this is my first post here. I am a shy introvert at my late 20s and was first suffered from social anxiety 6 years ago (that was pretty much the same time when I started learning to drive). I easily get anxious when I meet people who are loud-spoken or who show any impolite/disrespectful manners. Few years ago, I failed my first driving test (I cried during the test as the examiner was loud-spoken. He didn't say anything disrespectful, but I felt really anxious because of his tone & voice). After that test, the examiner spent time talking to me and calming me down. He explained to me that was his natural voice, 'don't take it personal'. He also suggested me to try again in 2 weeks as I was close to passing the test. But I refused. I lost my confidence in driving. Then I completely stopped practicing for 2 years. I didn't tell anyone about the details of that test. It was too silly. I gave up just because someone did not talk gently to me. In recent months, my social anxiety has got better (I felt worst during COVID lockdown). I had a thought that I should start practicing driving again. A co-worker of mine recommended an instructor to me. As of today, I have practiced with him for a month. Now I'm struggling with whether I should stop practicing, again because he is loud-spoken. Also, he often made subjective comments/criticism on me, my family, and my partner. For examples, he called me lazy and said he couldn't understand why my family & my partner didn't take the responsibility to teach me when I was younger (implying they are not good parents/partner). When I said I don't agree with him, he replied he was just joking. I know I may be too sensitive. I appreciate his driving skills. However, his attitude and his tone & voice made me feel sick at times. I can control myself not to cry in the car, but my heart rate reached 130 in the last lesson. Nothing special happened on the road, just normal traffic. I just feel anxious every time when he raises his voice. After each lesson, I keep thinking about the negative comments for hours and hours, I can't sleep at nite. Even on the following day, I still have those conversations in my head, no matter I am at work or at home. I cried for a while today and yesterday when I was by myself at home. Thanks for reading my story. I hope to get some suggestions on how to deal with anxiety while driving and loud-spoken people. Thanks a lot!

99isthebest Health Anxiety - awaiting tests looking for assurance
  • replies: 3

Hi All, I’m writing here because as all my fellow HA suffers will understand I’ve had another panic attack and am looking for some reassurance. Of course I know whatever you say won’t change a thing (health wise) but any kind of comfort or advice at ... View more

Hi All, I’m writing here because as all my fellow HA suffers will understand I’ve had another panic attack and am looking for some reassurance. Of course I know whatever you say won’t change a thing (health wise) but any kind of comfort or advice at this point will be greatly appreciated at this point. Maybe a tip you use to cope or maybe even just letting me know if you have experienced something similar then realised it was all in your head. So to my story and why I’m so anxious right now feeling like the worlds closing around me. I have been single since 2017 when me and my partner of 6 years broke up. Since then I’ve had two sexual encounters. One was way back in 2019. I slept with a girl I meet on tinder, we did oral foreplay then had sex with a Condom. This was only once and after that she ghosted me as I had trouble getting it up (because of my anxiety go figure). At the time I never thought anything of it as my mind immediately goes to we had safe sex so no baby all good. But I never thought about the possibility of an sti more specifically something permanent and life changing like hiv. The second time was recently and the catalyst for this recent anxiety attack. I had sex again with another girl from tinder this time with no condom. Again at the time I never thought anything of it because she was on the pill and in the heat of the moment/my previous bad experience I thought not having a condom would help me with keeping it up. While both girls seemed like trustworthy people and not users of needles or anything crazy like that (one a teacher one a nurse) I didn’t think anything of it at the time but now I’m petrified that I could have something as even if they’re trust worthy people how can I know the people they’ve slept with before me are. Of course we had chats like this before having sex and they both seemed to be in long relationships before but obviously it’s hard to tell and of course the only way to know is to be tested. Another thing I’m petrified of is if I have cancer as recently I’ve noticed my hips hurting especially after sport and constantly tired. Although I have been very depressed and anxious which I believe adds to both as I have gone through happier periods where these symptoms haven’t really bothered me. I know that no one here can tell me for certain I don’t have these things but I guess I’m just looking for positive stories of fellow suffers and how it went. Any unusual symptoms etc when you were totally fine. Thanks.

Lauz22 My people pleasing and push over ways lead me to dangerous situations
  • replies: 6

Hi all, Often I feel like one of the biggest push over and people pleaser ever to exist. It constantly puts me in damaging situations. I am continuously being walked all over in every aspect of my life. I am aware of my detrimental behaviour yet I am... View more

Hi all, Often I feel like one of the biggest push over and people pleaser ever to exist. It constantly puts me in damaging situations. I am continuously being walked all over in every aspect of my life. I am aware of my detrimental behaviour yet I am struggling making a change. I am so used to saying 'yes' instantly, to anything. It stems from a desire of acceptance and validation as it lacked from my childhood. Growing up, my parents indirectly taught me that my voice was to be silenced and to not vocalise myself at the expense of upsetting others. I so deeply want to be loved and accepted by friends, family, colleagues, partners. I overvalue other peoples opinions. It's sad as I know I am a good person and I deserve better. But because I feel so unworthy at times, I put so much value in being liked by others. My behaviour patterns examples are: - Letting friends, partners etc make all the decisions - Agreeing with everything others say, or staying quiet if I don't agree - Holding my tongue when faced with adversity - I never stand up for myself, I ignore the problem or erupt with emotion - I take others words over my own - Being kind to others after they continuously disrespect me It has become automated responses and unsurprisingly, I am left unhappy and worthless. I have this warped belief that others will treat me how I treat them. So I set out to be the nicest, happiest, caring person. Only to never receive it back. When I look at the results in my life, I can see in every aspect where my behaviour as put myself in such detrimental and unhealthy situations. I was emotionally and mentally abused by my ex-husband and his family. During my darkest time, going through divorce and depression, a 'good friend' abandoned me when I needed it the most. I had a colleague who groomed me to divulge my most personal information and offered his loyalty, only for him to spread rumours about me and sexually harass me. I was befriended by a couple who offered their friendship and mentorship, only to find out they wanted me to join an organisation where they would earn money if I joined into this cult-like 'business' It sounds ridiculous, but unfortunately this is my life and I get so tired of it. I owe it to myself to be kinder, to stop seeking happiness from external factors and to do what makes me happy. Can anyone else relate? If so, please share how to overcome this harmful cycle and set boundaries? Thanks!

Coralie1963 Partner avoiding money talks
  • replies: 6

So my partner avoids talkimg about money in particular today when I asked our savings goal, we both agreed to save 50 dollars a week towards our wedding and house deposit. Every time I ask how its going he says "I will have a panic attack and melt do... View more

So my partner avoids talkimg about money in particular today when I asked our savings goal, we both agreed to save 50 dollars a week towards our wedding and house deposit. Every time I ask how its going he says "I will have a panic attack and melt down can we not talk about it" or changes the subject or answers without answering, but I feel like we should be able to discuss this good or bad. I don't think saying don't talk him saying I'll have an anxiety attack each time I bring it up is constructive, I want to understand his perspective but I am struggling, I feel like he might be hiding something but I don't want to go to a place of judgement. Has anyone got any advice on how he might be feeling or how I should approach this?

VelvetThunder panic attacks where i need the toilet 
  • replies: 4

I’m a 28 year old male suffering from some pretty debilitating anxiety that leads to depression. So, when I’m at home and know I don’t have any plans i feel great. As soon as I need to leave the house I get a strange panic feeling and need the toilet... View more

I’m a 28 year old male suffering from some pretty debilitating anxiety that leads to depression. So, when I’m at home and know I don’t have any plans i feel great. As soon as I need to leave the house I get a strange panic feeling and need the toilet. If I’m driving my car and get stuck in traffic, I start to panic knowing I can find the nearest toilet available. I have seen a doctor and he’s put me on medication. I’ve been on it for 4 weeks exactly and haven’t felt any different . I also get the feeling where I’m too scared to eat outside of my home. Fear that I will get sick, but as soon as I get home I’m starving and can comfortably eat. I know this stems from some stomach issues I’ve had in the past, but I’ve been healthy for years and this anxiety has gotten worse and worse over the past 2 years. Going to work and being at work is fine but anything else terrifies me. To the point where my girlfriend told me she was stuck on a train due to some line works, just the thought of that gave me anxiety. I wasn’t even on the train! I’ve been stuck in traffic before. Has the feeling of needing the toilet so bad that I turned around, found a spot on the side of the road and was prepared to completely humiliate myself.. As soon as I got out the car I had a second to calm down and felt completely fine. How can someone go from the feeling like that any second to feeling fine and not going for another 3 hours when I got home. It’s rather depressing because there’s nothing more I would love to do than go out with friends, have a meal, hang out somewhere and not have to look everywhere for the nearest toilet. Any feedback, advice or help would be greatly appreciated .

HearMe Social media - delete?
  • replies: 3

I deleted Instagram a long time ago because I noticed it was impacting my mental health. I recently created another Instagram profile and the same thing happened so I deleted it again. my friends comment that I am always off and on social media and I... View more

I deleted Instagram a long time ago because I noticed it was impacting my mental health. I recently created another Instagram profile and the same thing happened so I deleted it again. my friends comment that I am always off and on social media and I can see how that might be unusual to them. I can’t describe to them how it affects me because they don’t understand. I battle with the way that social media and news apps make me feel, anxious, scared, inadequate. but I can’t stop looking ! I want to delete it all and live a life without it all but when I do I feel so disconnected and fear I’ll miss out and lose friends. I then return to social media and it’s a cycle of this over many years now. Does anyone else have these problems with social media? what should I do to get over this behaviour