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

CookieFrog Nightmares about the fate of the universe...
  • replies: 8

I haven’t been properly diagnosed with anxiety but I feel like this is the right place to go for this sort of problems. I keep having nightmares about the state of the world/universe similar to AnxiousBears post. It started ages ago when I watched a ... View more

I haven’t been properly diagnosed with anxiety but I feel like this is the right place to go for this sort of problems. I keep having nightmares about the state of the world/universe similar to AnxiousBears post. It started ages ago when I watched a suggested YouTube video on what will happen to the earth in 5 billion years. I still get nightmares now! Earlier today a friends mum was telling me about asteroids that could impact earth, predictions about nuclear wars, black hole anomalies etc. I’m literally shivering. I posted this here instead of on the young people’s forum in case it was better to go here due to the fact it is fairly scary to think about. Especially for me. Does anyone have some tips because I’m actually shivering at the moment. Help...

Cee123 Helpful resources for Anxiety
  • replies: 1

For anyone looking for help on Anxiety, there are some helpful resources on the website for the Clinical Centre for Interventions here in Perth, that focus on mainly CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). I was in the Social Anxiety group at one point.... View more

For anyone looking for help on Anxiety, there are some helpful resources on the website for the Clinical Centre for Interventions here in Perth, that focus on mainly CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). I was in the Social Anxiety group at one point. Although it did help me a lot, I'm not totally cured of this. It's self help stuff. Anxiety: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Anxiety Health Anxiety: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Health-Anxiety Panic Disorder https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Panic Perfectionism/OCD https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Perfectionism Social Anxiety https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Social-Anxiety

blondguy Relative pushing Religion...HELP!
  • replies: 18

Hi Everyone (new posters too!) Ive been putting off writing this post for a long time as I am stuck...and its impacting on my mental health I have no problem with religion as I had a solid Christian upbringing when I lived in Ontario Canada when I wa... View more

Hi Everyone (new posters too!) Ive been putting off writing this post for a long time as I am stuck...and its impacting on my mental health I have no problem with religion as I had a solid Christian upbringing when I lived in Ontario Canada when I was little. For the last 4 years my sister keeps sending me texts/emails to accept Jesus Christ and I will be devoid of any further anxiety health issues if I do so This is what I have been firmly told to do.... * If I accept Jesus Christ 'I wont require my medication anymore' * I must get rid of anything in my home that is 'Evil'....music..movies...artwork that reflect any evil.. * I cant donate my copies of the Exorcist...The Omen...Friday 13th etc to charity as they have to be destroyed to prevent the devils presence * My sister wont post on the forums because I gently mentioned that Religion is a very 'Personal matter' and not a 'fix all' for mental health * Unfortunately I have had to block her from my cell as the preaching never stops This isnt a religious thread topic...Its about the impact that my 54 year old sister has on my well being. Any advice is welcome from religious or non religious people of any faith would be great! Thankyou for taking the time to read my post my kindest......Paul

Chad199992 Body Dysmorphia/Anxiety about hairline
  • replies: 1

I'm extremely insecure about my hair because of the my right side of my hairline, I had a rash few years ago and left it untreated which has made me lose some of my hair on the right side temple. The left side is compltely normal. I get really anxiou... View more

I'm extremely insecure about my hair because of the my right side of my hairline, I had a rash few years ago and left it untreated which has made me lose some of my hair on the right side temple. The left side is compltely normal. I get really anxious when i see it in mirros and can't stop looking at my hair it when i see a mirror. I'd spend hours trying to comb my hair in a way where you can't see my right hair line. The first thing i do when i wake up is look at the right side of my hair line and if it's exposed it which makes me anxious because i know others will see it too. I'd often sit there and anaylse every single hair strand along my hairline to make sure it's perfect. I've often contemplated about getting a hair transplant to fix the right side but i know it'll only make my compulsion worse. I'd spend hours looking at the mirror trying different hairstyles to see which one looks the best for me. After a while, i start sweating from the anxiety and often would have to shower and restart the whole process again. There would be days where i wouldn't think about it at all because my hair lays the way i like it and covers the right side of my hairline, on other days i would see my right hair line exposed and it would ruin my day. I'm overly obessed about my hair to the point where it dictates how i'll feel for the whole day. Can anyone share some tips that will help ? I was reading about exposure therapy, would that help?

Earthbound Maybe it's not "normal" after all...
  • replies: 2

NB the quote marks for "normal". Hi, this is my first post here. Where to begin? I've always had a high sensitivity to most things around me, including sound & noise. Late 2019, I had to move from my place of 20 years into a new house that has been s... View more

NB the quote marks for "normal". Hi, this is my first post here. Where to begin? I've always had a high sensitivity to most things around me, including sound & noise. Late 2019, I had to move from my place of 20 years into a new house that has been somewhere between a trial by fire and extended dark night of the soul. Every single button that could be pressed for me has been consistently pressed hard. eg It's on a flight path - right overhead, several per hour, early morning to late night. A neighbour across the road with his own longterm issues has been cranking extremely loud music literally any time of the day or night with zero consideration for anyone around him. He's been fined more than once, arrested and sectioned. None of this has stopped his behaviour. He's sometimes started at 3am on a weekday morning, or 6am. He likes to yell loudly to the world while this happens too. I've had a lifelong phobia of dogs. There's one that starts when I go anywhere near the back fence, so I don't. Put all that together, and it's hellish. It's part of a housing co-op and I'm not sure there's anywhere else for me to go within that. I'm in Adelaide, btw. What I've done to mitigate the sound to a large extent is get some noise cancelling headphones, which work really well, and some similar earpods for sleeping in. Again, good. Makes a huge difference. But - I resent the fact that I have to use them because I feel so uncomfortable in the area (not one I would choose to live in in any case), and also because of my sensitivity, I find myself constantly listening out for the noise, or anything that might resemble it, so there's no real respite. I was talking to someone a little while ago who has much experience in mental health and when I mentioned the "always listening out", she saw that as a red flag that I really do need to talk to someone, rather than keep enduring everything. As I say in the heading, that's what's been "normal" for me, just living with all this crap. That's fine, but the matter of expense is a concern for me. But I figured asking around here, there might be some ideas as to who / where / how, and maybe others who know about this level of sensitivity (which I don't see as any type of weakness - quite the opposite - but it sure as hell complicates things sometimes). I tend to see everything as a learning experience, but I've learned enough from this one now, thanks! Any thoughts or help very much appreciated.

danstar111 relationship anxiety
  • replies: 3

gday, recently i have begun seeing a long time friend in more of a dating context. while time together is normally okay, i get very anxious about our relationship in other times alone. sometimes this can be triggered by messaging, but more often just... View more

gday, recently i have begun seeing a long time friend in more of a dating context. while time together is normally okay, i get very anxious about our relationship in other times alone. sometimes this can be triggered by messaging, but more often just by my own thinking with no obvious causes for these thoughts. i constantly am assuming the worst will happen in any situation between us, expecting failure. because we have known each other for a long time, i am concerned if i start dating this person, they will get to know the real me and realise they can do much better - constantly feeling like im not good enough. because of these feelings i often feel like im not myself around them, which then perpetuates the feeling that im not good enough and a 'red flag'. despite all this, i feel obsessed with this person, constantly thinking about them, our interactions and imagining future interactions. i often feel overwhelmed by it all. for a long time i refused to get involved with anyone romantically, and i am starting to remember this is the reason why - i dont feel like myself. i am very frustrated by how im feeling and behaving, as i have very strong feelings for this person and i don't want to shoot myself in the foot and self sabotage, before its even had time to begin. any help or advice would be hugely appreciated cheers

Mandela007 Sales Job - Severe Anxiety for over 15 years
  • replies: 10

Hi all, I work in technology sales and have struggled with debilitating anxiety for over 15 years. It's a field where you are expected to be fearless, confident and tackle challenges. I recently started a new job which is intense and everyone is extr... View more

Hi all, I work in technology sales and have struggled with debilitating anxiety for over 15 years. It's a field where you are expected to be fearless, confident and tackle challenges. I recently started a new job which is intense and everyone is extremely confident and extroverted. The company is all about raising the bar, and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. I have always had an overwhelming sense of dread when it comes to my job. I don't fit the sales mould - I am introvert, hate networking, hate social events, and like to stay in my comfort zone. A few years ago when I came out of university I landed in tech sales and was asked to do a presentation at a conference in my first 2 months. I suffocated with fear, had sleepless for weeks in the lead up. On the day my mouth was dry, I felt dizzy with fear, felt like I couldn't breathe and rushed through my 1 hour long presentation in 15 minutes. It was one of the most humiliating days of my life. Today, I still think back to that incident. I still suffer from debilitating anxiety and with my new job I have training coming up next week. Part of that training is the most dreaded thing I have encountered in my life "Sales Role Plays" which are done in front of a group. I have been losing sleep over this, neglecting my 12 week old child, and feeling overwhelmed with what I will be faced with next week. I have low confidence, and everyone else makes these things look easy with their confidence. In the past I have avoided things like this by pretending I was sick, or simply not showing up to activities that involve presenting or role playing. I am struggling to cope. I am having thoughts about quitting my new job already and am feeling overwhelmed, stressed and anxious beyond belief. This weekend is going to be a nightmare for me as I count down to the dreaded training starting on Monday as if I am counting down my last days on death row. Is there anyone who can help?

ThomasJakeLim Anxiety from job search due to ageism
  • replies: 4

Hi there I am in my mid forties and just finished my 8 year contract work. Now back in the job hunting mode and feeling overwhelmed by uncertainties due to age. I hear too often about age discrimination and it's really hitting me hard not knowing if ... View more

Hi there I am in my mid forties and just finished my 8 year contract work. Now back in the job hunting mode and feeling overwhelmed by uncertainties due to age. I hear too often about age discrimination and it's really hitting me hard not knowing if employers or recruiters are actually discriminating me due to age. I fear for my future. Anyone had the same experience.

Beethoven48 Struggling with change
  • replies: 4

I’ve been in travel for 25 years but extremely unhappy in my current workplace. I started looking for a new travel job in Nov2019 but the pandemic hit and I became stuck having no idea what to do. My boss is a micromanager, watching like a hawk and b... View more

I’ve been in travel for 25 years but extremely unhappy in my current workplace. I started looking for a new travel job in Nov2019 but the pandemic hit and I became stuck having no idea what to do. My boss is a micromanager, watching like a hawk and badgering on every little thing, whether it’s done right or not. Repeatedly asking the same questions over again, pestering to double check everything, to contact or follow up clients every 5 mins. Makes you feel like you can’t do the job without supervision and you don’t know what you’re doing, can’t and don’t do anything right, like you’re in primary school and you can’t be trusted. There’s no encouragement, recognition, appreciation or incentive, and we have not been treated fairly or equally during the last year. I’m the youngest in the office by 15-23 years. My two colleagues have screaming matches in the office. One is the type that has been everywhere, done everything, worked for every company, met all the famous people etc. The other whinges and complains about everything under the sun - constantly. It’s a very negative, toxic workplace. I can’t envision an alternative that I’d enjoy doing. Apart from limited transferable skills like admin I don’t really have any other experience. I’m an introvert and not very assertive or competitive and don’t see my myself as a “salesperson”. Things like ‘meet kpi’s’, ‘sales driven’, ‘superstar’ and ‘team player’ etc. in job ads put me off. I see expectations so high that I can’t possibly meet them. I’ve applied for 16 and had a couple of interviews this year, but finding it extremely difficult. Jobkeeper ends soon and I’m not eligible for Jobseeker. I’m desperate to get away but don’t know what to do or which direction to take, afraid of jumping from the frying pan into the fire. I’ve always found it very difficult to connect with people and have virtually 1-2 close friends. My immediate family are quite close and supportive, though perhaps not fully aware of my anxiety. My partner is also supportive but doesn’t have an empathetic personality. My Dad was also an introvert and developed Parkinson’s and dementia very quickly and passed away in 2019. I see a lot of him in me and worry I’m becoming like him but don’t have any control over it. I feel very unsure, isolated, alone, lost and disconnected, even emasculated - like I don’t fit in or belong anywhere. My anxiety is through the roof, while happiness and confidence are in the basement.

44Max44 Trouble finding psychiatrist, Anxiety & (suspected) ADHD holding me back in life
  • replies: 4

Hi, I've been trying to see a Psychiatrist for quite a while now but to be honest I have no idea where to look. I've tried emailing a few but they're all booked up usually. Does anyone have any tips on how/where to find one? For years and years now I... View more

Hi, I've been trying to see a Psychiatrist for quite a while now but to be honest I have no idea where to look. I've tried emailing a few but they're all booked up usually. Does anyone have any tips on how/where to find one? For years and years now I've suffered from many different things ranging from depression, anxiety, healthy anxiety, generalized anxiety, and so on. I suspect that I may have ADHD or am maybe on the spectrum based off of the symptoms I experience. I meet most of the criteria for someone with ADHD but have never been to a Psychiatrist to get it checked out. As a kid I was always just a little bit odd and the 'shy' kid and everyone thought I'd grow out of it I guess, but 20 years later and I'm still the same but just with anxiety and depression on top of it. I've never been able to act normal in public and the only people in this world I can truly act normal around is my best friend and some family members. It's so hard for me to find jobs because my anxiety holds me back and any job that requires me to interact with any customers (so pretty much all of them) would be torture to me because I suck at socializing. Thanks for any advice

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