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

Icey Car travel
  • replies: 3

When travelling in a car I have an strange urge that I am going to fall out of the side I am sitting on. I also have a compulsion to want to open the car door. So far I have successfully managed to talk myself down everytime this occurs. I have no re... View more

When travelling in a car I have an strange urge that I am going to fall out of the side I am sitting on. I also have a compulsion to want to open the car door. So far I have successfully managed to talk myself down everytime this occurs. I have no reason to want to hurt myself. I do not want to hurt myself. But the compulsion stays. I have panic attacks whilst travelling in a car, and end up covered in sweat and feel as though I am going to pass out. It has only occurred the past 10 months, I have been to Dr, Optometrist, Eye Specialist, had holtier monitoring, an MRI of the brain and nothing has given an answer of what is occurring. I feel as though I am going crazy as how can such a normal day to day thing cause me so much panic and anxiety. I also feel so alone as anyone I talk to just dismisses it or has no understanding. I just feel so lost and don't know what to do. Please has anyone else experienced this at all I can't keep going like this, I'm so afraid I am going to become housebound.

BALM Just exhausted, cranky, and feeling a failure
  • replies: 5

I posted a few years ago. Can't really recall what I wrote then...but my battle with anxiety and depression has been on for over a dozen years. It feels like every time I might take steps forward, something happens and knocks me back. I took up runni... View more

I posted a few years ago. Can't really recall what I wrote then...but my battle with anxiety and depression has been on for over a dozen years. It feels like every time I might take steps forward, something happens and knocks me back. I took up running before Christmas and was loving it...but after 4 weeks I developed a stress fracture in my ankle. Now have 6 weeks in a moon boot. Im so tired of life at times and then I get guilty because I fail as a father, husband, make mistakes at work...last night I even said something in a social setting that I knew was wrong as soon as I said it. I still feel embarrassed. But it's also because I'm so tired after the past year, like everyone dealing with covid and related stuff...feeling like you have to carry so much. And to be honest I don't care about mistakes, we all make them and we just apologise and make amends where needed...but I just wish that people around me would see through some of this and see that I am tired and I need care (even if it's 'tough love' to pull my head in on something). But I often just feel alone with my stewing and thoughts. I share them at times but except for my psych I don't feel like anyone gets them (and while he's a great psych and truly cares I am paying him $$ to do so!). I am now starting to fear that I'll eventually give up and kind of do life functionally...in some ways I kind of want that, to escape my emotions and just say "stuff it" and not care. Not sure what I want. I guess I'd just like to feel like life has some structure to it. To feel as though I have some control. To believe that I am truly loved by family and friends.

To_much I’m lost
  • replies: 7

Hi this is all completely new to me but after stopping my bad habits and realising the state of my mental health I’m just lost I never really knew the affect of anxiety till it hit me like a truck I can’t leave the house I think the worlds against me... View more

Hi this is all completely new to me but after stopping my bad habits and realising the state of my mental health I’m just lost I never really knew the affect of anxiety till it hit me like a truck I can’t leave the house I think the worlds against me the odds arnt in my favour growing up I was always the talkative one I was always the one to talk to new people start conversations have a laugh like they say but these days I can’t even talk to my girl with out feeling like somethings not right I can’t hold a conversation longer than couple minutes I start getting light headed tunnel vision racing heart and I’ve accepted it but it’s taking a toll on my family I feel like I’m just a burden to everybody there is days I can’t get out of bed there are days I just cry for hours and hours just feeling like a complete LOST SOUL. everyday is like a new day I can’t remember the day before anything I don’t know what to do

Green grass I'm having Panic attacks again.
  • replies: 5

I am getting my self back to calmness to recover from the panic attacks I seem to get. They could be related to new medical appointments I'm having which brings up the past. It is 2021 I am here living my life now not living the past over again. Thes... View more

I am getting my self back to calmness to recover from the panic attacks I seem to get. They could be related to new medical appointments I'm having which brings up the past. It is 2021 I am here living my life now not living the past over again. These appointment will better my life experience and bring me more positive times and vibes.

Littlebluescent Sudden anxiety from intrusive thoughts
  • replies: 4

Hi, The last few days, I've suddenly found myself ridden with anxiety to the point I'm struggling to enjoy things I usually enjoy. The past year, I've found myself coping with the Pandemic pretty well considering. The other day I found myself spirali... View more

Hi, The last few days, I've suddenly found myself ridden with anxiety to the point I'm struggling to enjoy things I usually enjoy. The past year, I've found myself coping with the Pandemic pretty well considering. The other day I found myself spiraling into deep thoughts. I don't want to be specific because I don't want to trigger it. Whenever I go anywhere now, I find myself fearing or getting anxious that something bad is going to happen. I was sitting in a sauna today, and my mind went straight to 'what if someone locked the door and I couldn't get out'. This thought led to me leaving the sauna. The last time I felt this anxious was 2 years ago when my ex and I broke up. I think I just completely freaked myself out and I understand adding fuel to these thoughts give them power. Each morning, I've thought 'today is a new day' and then the thoughts pop up again and my head struggles to come back down to reality. Any support is much appreciated. Thank you.

Bluereader I'm worried and paranoid that I'll get fired
  • replies: 2

I work on a casual basis to support myself in my studies and I suffer from anxiety and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Increasingly, I've been having to call in sick due to flare-ups of my IBS and it's causing my anxiety into overdrive. My managers k... View more

I work on a casual basis to support myself in my studies and I suffer from anxiety and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Increasingly, I've been having to call in sick due to flare-ups of my IBS and it's causing my anxiety into overdrive. My managers know my health problems and are supportive but I'm scared that it won't be enough. I don't know what to do to calm myself down, I'm seeking treatment and support for my IBS but I keep getting a flare-up nearly every second week, I can't lose my job!

Canucky living with Hashimotos Disease and anxiety
  • replies: 6

Been diagnosed a year and now gradual anxiety. I would like to talk to anyone else with Hashimotos and how they cope with the anxiety it brings.

Been diagnosed a year and now gradual anxiety. I would like to talk to anyone else with Hashimotos and how they cope with the anxiety it brings.

Marms Help Suggestions
  • replies: 2

I'm in a foreign city getting specialised mental health help. Currently staying in a motel and travelling to hospital 3 days a week for treatment. I'm finding the solitude terrifying. Cyber talk or chat dont seem too work . Have called some help line... View more

I'm in a foreign city getting specialised mental health help. Currently staying in a motel and travelling to hospital 3 days a week for treatment. I'm finding the solitude terrifying. Cyber talk or chat dont seem too work . Have called some help lines. And Chat l have been getting out and walking but find that very daunting any suggestions welcome.

Curiosity18 How do you know if you have anxiety?
  • replies: 5

I think I'm experiencing symptoms of general anxiety. I wake up every morning with the feeling of butterfly's in my stomach for no particular reason. The feeling sticks with me all day. It affects my eating habits as well. I usually feel: * sweaty pa... View more

I think I'm experiencing symptoms of general anxiety. I wake up every morning with the feeling of butterfly's in my stomach for no particular reason. The feeling sticks with me all day. It affects my eating habits as well. I usually feel: * sweaty palms 24/7 * Constantly worried about someone's opinion about me * Nauseous (this can last months) * Afraid to go to work/socialise with friends. ( I freak out over the feeling of nausea and everytime I go out, i suddenly feel sick, therefore I try to avoid going out and I stay home) * I double check everything I do, even when I know I have what I need * Avoid eating out as I my waves of nausea return and it makes me feel overwhelmed.

anon143 Anxious about applying for transfer of housing
  • replies: 1

I have problematic neighbours & live in a unit separated by a brick “common wall”. The common wall is connected to the main bedroom so at night I hear mumbling of conversations without eavesdropping etc. Sometimes I can hear my neighbour have DV situ... View more

I have problematic neighbours & live in a unit separated by a brick “common wall”. The common wall is connected to the main bedroom so at night I hear mumbling of conversations without eavesdropping etc. Sometimes I can hear my neighbour have DV situations which I try not to involve myself but it got to a point where I had to intervene & call police. I’ve reported many times about the noises from that neighbour & housing seems to be understanding & make note of it. Our other neighbour is constantly partying outside their house, sometimes up to 4 times a week. I was frightened to call police previously as I am a new neighbour & I really don’t want to upset others having a good time but they play their music so loud I can hear it thumping through my walls but recently I had to call police to make another noise complaint. I’ve asked housing to consider transferring based off of the constant reminders of DV I experienced & the lack of respect from neighbours & their noises at odd hours throughout the night. It’s thrown both my son & myself off routine as we are consistently being waken in the night & with him starting daycare soon I know we will not be settled. As I’m writing this, my neighbour is again having another DV situation & screaming at the top of her lungs. Housing has made it seem that I won’t be approved because of the noise but suggested if I can provide gp reports about my mental health from my Counseller & gp it can be considered. Now I’m starting to get no good thoughts plague my mind & all I want is to live in a quiet house away from others who abuse alcohol & possibly drugs. I hate it here & ive only moved in back in October.

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