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

db9284 Intrusive thoughts :(
  • replies: 20

Hi all, I've seen similar posts to what i'm dealing with but so far i've found it hard to cope and wondered if anyone else had these kind of issues. So i'm pretty sure I have OCD, no official diagnosis but what I think and how I feel meets all the cr... View more

Hi all, I've seen similar posts to what i'm dealing with but so far i've found it hard to cope and wondered if anyone else had these kind of issues. So i'm pretty sure I have OCD, no official diagnosis but what I think and how I feel meets all the criteria. I've noticed at times in my life that when I get really stressed or anxious, or sometimes if i'm going through a life transition, that intrusive thoughts pop up. Sometimes its bearable (worrying that i'm going to hurt my dog, or if someone sits behind me on the bus that they're going to hit me on the head) but recently it's started to become more sinister. It has happened several times before and eventually the thoughts have gone away, but this time, perhaps due to poor current circumstances in my life (depression, anxiety, dealing with a breakup) I cannot get rid of them. It makes me feel sick, perverted, like a genuine basket case, and just all round shitty. I'm disgusted to even type it, but this is what i'm dealing with: I started having weird, inappropriate thoughts about my dad. I genuinely believe that this is because it is, in my head, the most 'wrong' thing to think. So it started off with me thinking, "what if the only way to save everyone I love, was to go down on him, or vice versa?" Now i'm very aware that the likelihood of this situation occurring is incredibly slim, but still, once the thought is there, it's there. So then I was haunted by images of these things happening. Or sometimes I just feel overly aware of my nether regions, like if i sit in a way which i feel like they are exposed, i'll feel uncomfortable, think about them, and then somehow relate it to my dad because that's what my brain knows will make me feel like shit. Sometimes it is a compulsion to think these things, and I feel like I physically have to, other times I am able to refrain from doing it but it's hard to abstain. I'm sick of thinking about this stuff, and feeling like a victim of my own mind, it's incredibly debilitating i've read so much on this topic but not much has helped. Does anyone have any advice? It would be really nice to stop feeling like my head is a monster who's constantly out to get me....

LLaw Am I Overexaggerating My Mental Health Problems?
  • replies: 10

Hi, I was wondering if anyone else could relate to this. I've had (what I think are) mental health problems for most of my life- the most extreme including being in the ER. I'm on anti-depressants. I've been thinking lately that I'm over-exaggerating... View more

Hi, I was wondering if anyone else could relate to this. I've had (what I think are) mental health problems for most of my life- the most extreme including being in the ER. I'm on anti-depressants. I've been thinking lately that I'm over-exaggerating my issues for attention. I *do* want attention- I want help and I want to feel better. But sometimes I think I'm just telling that to myself so I don't feel so bad for seeking attention. This thought pattern goes round and round and round. I can't decide on a final answer. I feel like a fraud- like there's nothing wrong with me and that I don't belong on this forum, at a psychologist's office etc. Like, my issues aren't that big of a deal. I'm not crying everyday. I'm not stuck in my bed. I feel like I don't really deserve help, even though I want it, because I remain composed and calm 95% of the time. I don't know what to do. I want help, but my issues aren't a big enough deal. Can anyone else on here relate to how I feel?

paydel I feel lost and completely alone :(
  • replies: 2

Ever since highschool ended, I've been on a steady but effective decline. I seem to have this fear of amounting to nothing, but also a fear of trying. It's been something like 3 and a bit years now and even though there have been moments, I've never ... View more

Ever since highschool ended, I've been on a steady but effective decline. I seem to have this fear of amounting to nothing, but also a fear of trying. It's been something like 3 and a bit years now and even though there have been moments, I've never felt more lost and alone. Even around family and friends. At the moment I'm overwhelmed. I've just moved houses with my family and that was a lot. Several days, lots of stuff, and we moved it all ourselves on trucks and Utes. Plus, I'm the one who has had to organise a few of the utilities like internet and phone lines, and we just found out NBN isn't available in our area for some time. Their fault, not ours, but we're the ones who have to suffer and our telecom company isn't helping in the slightest. Total nightmare scenario. Coming off that I saw a course in a field I have an interest in so I pursued it; but the more I spoke with the careers advisor, the more real it got. I persevered anyway and now I'm in it. It starts this week and the problem is; I'm terrified. I am completely and utterly terrified at the prospect of going back into a learning environment after 2 or so years. What if I fail, this is so last minute, I couldn't possibly prepare myself in time, what about bus routes and fares. Anything I can point and can mplain, worry and see the potential for failure in. You can be I'm seeing and doing it. I don't feel like I have the mental capacity to deal with any of this. But I've got such a boring job, and have been job hunting for months and no-one will hire me. This is making me sick to my soul. I'm getting nausea, loosing my appetite and I'm having trouble thinking clearly or focusing. When I look up bus routes so I can set my alarms I feel like vomitting. Lying in bed thinking about the idea of waking up makes me sad and I start crying. Admittedly, I'm having a hard time dealing with this and my mind is wandering to some dark places. On top of all of this, I'm so lonely. I'm part-time so not a lot of shifts. My brother goes to school during the day; my dad's at work, my mum doesn't live with us, my other brother and I aren't close, and I the area I've moved to is kinda out of the way. So I barely see my friends and I'm so depressed. I don't know what to do. I'm lying on my bed, and I'm so very lost. But writing this was a little therapeutic, I guess.

sharkgirl social Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hey, I am new here. I have a 7 month old baby and I get very overwhelmed leaving the house with him. I love my son so much and want him to have the best life but I just can't seem to get past feeling terrified of people judging me and my parenting. I... View more

Hey, I am new here. I have a 7 month old baby and I get very overwhelmed leaving the house with him. I love my son so much and want him to have the best life but I just can't seem to get past feeling terrified of people judging me and my parenting. I signed up to go to playgroup but the last time I went I was so nervous I just stood in the corner and struggled to start any conversations with other parents. Does anyone else have trouble or had trouble leaving the house with their new baby? if so any tips on how to overcome this?

amyt- How to help study anxiety!
  • replies: 2

Study anxiety can be challenging, it can come with pressure, stress and even feelings of hopelessness. As a current year 12 student and having previously and currently experiencing these study anxiety feelings, I can help if you're feeling lost. Some... View more

Study anxiety can be challenging, it can come with pressure, stress and even feelings of hopelessness. As a current year 12 student and having previously and currently experiencing these study anxiety feelings, I can help if you're feeling lost. Some small things to start off by easing your mind is LISTS!! Every anxious persons favourite thing! Begin with taking a deep breath, if you're feeling overwhelmed, and grab some paper or a note book and begin writing down a to-do list. I personally love to write down in dot points what homework and study I have to do in order from needs more work to least, and a great tip for studying is do homework, study on maths for 45 minutes, then spend an hour on your weakest subject and another hour on a different subject, great method for planning and memory! My main tip for you all with study anxiety is meditate in the morning, night and before beginning your studies, it's proven that meditating improves your memory skills, so that's a plus alongside the meditation and clearing your mind. And of course the lists and planning out your days to clear and organise your mind!

Matt SA Who do you go to?
  • replies: 17

So I’m 41 and am the person everyone in my family & friends group comes to when they need help. Inside I’m cracking under the pressure & I feel like when I’m pretty much in crisis I have no one to turn to. I’ve been seeing a psychologist and for the ... View more

So I’m 41 and am the person everyone in my family & friends group comes to when they need help. Inside I’m cracking under the pressure & I feel like when I’m pretty much in crisis I have no one to turn to. I’ve been seeing a psychologist and for the most part it goes well - but I still find when the pressure gets high I want to fall apart but feel so completely alone.

DassaJassa Drug Induced Daily Anxiety
  • replies: 34

Hello readers Here is my story... I'm a 22 year old Male who has been struggling with daily anxiety and now depression as a result. Around 4 months ago, I was using the Illicit drug methamphetamine with a friend, I never regularly experimented with t... View more

Hello readers Here is my story... I'm a 22 year old Male who has been struggling with daily anxiety and now depression as a result. Around 4 months ago, I was using the Illicit drug methamphetamine with a friend, I never regularly experimented with this substance, let's say every few months we'd set aside a few days and have a bender with mutual friends. Maybe 10 times in my lifetime, max. I was a regular weed smoker and on occasion ecstasy, so we can establish I wasn't a model citizen. I was caught up in the fun and it was common practice with my friends, this is my main regret, I can't undo it, i wish I could now, with that said, let me tell you about my incident. That night, 4 months ago, after smoking quite a large amount of the drug ice, not knowing at the time how much was too much as I generally thought I could handle it and having been awake for possible 48 hours? Hard to say considering how long ago it was, I then proceeded to smoke some weed, which this wasn't a new thing, I often would mix drugs without incident. I proceeded to have a shower, shortly after getting in i began to feel really uncomfortable in the chest, my focus was then drawn to my heart-rate, being on a stimulant, it was racing, I immediately left the shower, got dressed and entered my roommates room, complaining of chest pain and concerned, he said not to worry, that i was just "paz". the intensity increased and I began having problems breathing, and was convinced I was having a heart attack, I demanded he call 000, After a half an hour wait with me on the ground, fearing I was about to die, I was taken to hospital, they diagnosed an overdose. I was sent home and since then, have had daily chest pains, chest tightness, constant palpitations and pounding heart, headaches, random pains, constant fear of having another incident, panic and various other terrifying symptoms. After countless visits to GP's, I was referred to a psychologist, I'm on my sixth session and it does help, I have longer periods without losing control but I'm still struggling. I've been considering antidepressants since it was recommended by the GP months ago but I'm really worried about it making me feel worse in the initial weeks, my symptoms already terrify me, particularly heart related one's. I've read myself into hysteria about side effects, what's worse, my parents aren't even aware of any of this, for their own sake. I just don't see myself ever being normal again, I fear this is permanent

Bomber11 Driving Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi This is my first post so I may struggle to put my feelings in to words. Driving in unfamiliar places raises my anxiety to extreme levels in some cases, blurred vision, shortness of breath and racing heart that leave me avoiding going anywhere out ... View more

Hi This is my first post so I may struggle to put my feelings in to words. Driving in unfamiliar places raises my anxiety to extreme levels in some cases, blurred vision, shortness of breath and racing heart that leave me avoiding going anywhere out of the ordinary. I’m finding it hard to rationalise the feelings or work through them so I can work on a solution. I feel as though I’m missing out on travel opportunities and seeing new places and the longer it goes on the worse it becomes. The same feelings come about in most unfamiliar surroundings and I have this innate fear of not having my bearings and losing my sense of direction. This is something I’ve worked with and put up with for years. Anyone experienced anything similar

Gg22 Extremely anxioua after return of panic attacks
  • replies: 1

Hello everyone, I have been diagnosed with GAD I mainly struggle with health anxiety. My anxiety had been pretty stable the past few months, havent had any panic attacks. I see a psychologist and do CBT, practice meditation, exercise and do activitie... View more

Hello everyone, I have been diagnosed with GAD I mainly struggle with health anxiety. My anxiety had been pretty stable the past few months, havent had any panic attacks. I see a psychologist and do CBT, practice meditation, exercise and do activities that calm me.. a week ago i experienced 2 panic attacks and i feel i have tried everything and I am still getting no relief. I feel really upset that there really is something medically wrong with me even though i have seen my GP many times. My panic attacks start with a big warm rush throughout my body, my heart races, i get hot, dizzy and shake afterwards.. is this what panic attack is? I'm honestly unsure anymore. I can be laying in bed watching tv and this happens. I dont understand. I feel at my wits end with this. This is also started with the traumatic birth of my son 16 months ago and recently i have been wanting another l, i think this is what has started my anxiety and panic attacks again. I have ann app with my psych but the wait time is 4 months so i just don't know what to do in the meantime. Im sick of anxiety stopping me from doing what i want in life but i am so terrified of the thouhht of going through all the birth etc again. Any advice would be appreciated

David9 How to survive
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I am just new to this forum and desperately need help from people who understand. I want advice as how to start my day. I suffer from anxiety and the start of each day is when I am most frightened. I am in a job I hate but it pays the bills f... View more

Hi all, I am just new to this forum and desperately need help from people who understand. I want advice as how to start my day. I suffer from anxiety and the start of each day is when I am most frightened. I am in a job I hate but it pays the bills for now. I want to wake up in the morning and rather that hide under the covers trembling I want to be able to rise and greet a new day even though I know it is going to be stressful as usual. This anxiety is slowly grinding me down to a point where it is really scaring me about where it will end up.