Anxiety

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with anxiety.

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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

JG170421 I can’t stop wanting a baby
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I am new to the forum, but I was hoping to get some advice. My fiancée and I have been together for 4 years in December and are getting married in April, but I have been dreaming about having a child to call my own. I have a niece and nephew ... View more

Hi all, I am new to the forum, but I was hoping to get some advice. My fiancée and I have been together for 4 years in December and are getting married in April, but I have been dreaming about having a child to call my own. I have a niece and nephew and had an unplanned pregnancy a few years ago that did not work out. I’ve spoken to my fiancée numerous times about having a baby sooner rather than later (meaning moving up our timeline) but he keeps saying that he isn’t ready or says that he just wants to wait a little bit longer. As I have anxiety, depression and c-ptsd, I am worried that the feelings I have been having are going to impact my mental health dramatically. All I keep seeing all of the time are photos of all of my friends newborns or baby stuff advertised on Facebook and it always hurts my heart to a point where it feels like it’s going to break. I don’t know what to do. I understand my fiancée not being ready, but I’m not sure if he understands how it makes me feel. Has anyone got any advice that they can give me on this topic? thanks

Kitmadixy arguements with anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi, I have social anxiety disorder, when someone raises their tone at me/ says something judgemental or I voice my opinion and they argue back or blame me I find it incapable to speak and I get built up anxiety from their words and start crying. I ca... View more

Hi, I have social anxiety disorder, when someone raises their tone at me/ says something judgemental or I voice my opinion and they argue back or blame me I find it incapable to speak and I get built up anxiety from their words and start crying. I can never stop it from happening since I was little I just feel so overwhelmed when someone is frustrated at me. Then I cry a lot and I can’t speak anymore and when I do it’s just mumbling. It feels like no one else has this problem and I get called really sensitive for it. My best friend says he has to be careful what to say around me because he says he can’t say anything without me getting upset or hurt and that I’m sensitive. It is really hurtful for people to call me sensitive because I don’t choose the way I feel. I just want to know if anyone can relate to this or if this is normal with social anxiety, or any advice would be helpful.

Sofia99 Sleep problems
  • replies: 4

Hi, I’ve had on and off anxiety related insomnia for years. It has been great but lately it has come back, I can fall asleep but I just keep dreaming all night and wake up feeling exhausted. Dream after dream, I’m sure it will pass but how can i get ... View more

Hi, I’ve had on and off anxiety related insomnia for years. It has been great but lately it has come back, I can fall asleep but I just keep dreaming all night and wake up feeling exhausted. Dream after dream, I’m sure it will pass but how can i get a more restful sleep? It’s been going on for about 1 week and a half.

bill12345 Worried about getting sick
  • replies: 7

Hi, i have been diagnosed with mild OCD and Anxiety and i am in yr 12. My formal is coming up in two days and over the last week i’ve gotten over a cold my anxiety made me believe i had covid but i didn’t but know i feel all better it’s just that i’m... View more

Hi, i have been diagnosed with mild OCD and Anxiety and i am in yr 12. My formal is coming up in two days and over the last week i’ve gotten over a cold my anxiety made me believe i had covid but i didn’t but know i feel all better it’s just that i’m so worried about getting sick again because i don’t want to miss this weekend or formal with my girlfriend and my mind keeps telling me that i’ll catch something at sport training tonight and i’m just so scared because i don’t want to get sick again and my anxiety is making it worse and i just worry know when i feel like droplets i’d spit on me that i’ve got something and all i want is just not to be sick because i get colds every year i just don’t want to be sick again during this special time

Parrot19 Feeling Dangerously Low
  • replies: 3

Hi, I'm new here but have hit breaking point trying to cope with the things going on in my life which are subsequenly bringing up past issues which are now becoming problematic again (or perhaps they never left). My husband and I have struggled to co... View more

Hi, I'm new here but have hit breaking point trying to cope with the things going on in my life which are subsequenly bringing up past issues which are now becoming problematic again (or perhaps they never left). My husband and I have struggled to conceive for several years. Age was never on our side but I've never had a strong urge to have children. I've never been against them and if they came along naturally I was all for it. My husband however wanted to try everything so I have gone along with IVF to please him. It's been emotionally and physically draining for me and after almost a year of trying this way, I received another "unfortunately it was not successful" call this morning. All that to say, from the emotional strain I have gained weight which has triggered depressive moods as I have been through hell with weight problems for most of my past (I suffered anorexia as a teen and suicidal thoughts which was spurred on from being bullied as a child for being overweight). I've never had therapy or had any advice for those past issues which psychologically, I think have just snowballed but I've supressed them well. But today I was tipped over the edge from a comment made where someone (not knowing anything about me or my cicumstances) asked if I was pregnant. Of all days!! I couldn't believe it. This is not something I've been asked before and it has triggered all sorts of problems in my head, given the news I received from the doctor today and my weight insecurities going back to when I was young. I feel like giving up. I feel cursed. I feel too much pressure to try and conceive to keep my marriage alive and feel ugly and worthless from gaining too much weight. I even feel ashamed having written all this but I don't know what to do and how to cope.

miss92 Feeling Lost
  • replies: 2

Hello, I am new around here. I recently moved to a new area. Ever since the move my anxiety has been out of control. I moved as I wanted to be closer to family, which I am, and am grateful for and enjoy. I also had a new job opportunity, however the ... View more

Hello, I am new around here. I recently moved to a new area. Ever since the move my anxiety has been out of control. I moved as I wanted to be closer to family, which I am, and am grateful for and enjoy. I also had a new job opportunity, however the job is not what I thought it was. The workload is very heavy. As an example in my first couple of weeks, someone else in my office stepped into another role. I was given their work load. At the time I was already doing the work of someone else. There were days I was doing 3 peoples work. This was rather overwhelming as I was new. I miss my friends and the lifestyle I had. I don't enjoy the job, and I don't know what to do. Do I stick it out- though I can't see if getting better. Do I call it quits and look for something I really love doing? To make matters worse, it has really effected my health. I have an auto-immune disease and the added stress has caused a flare up in my health and I have been quite unwell. I just feel lost.

Fenerbahce Health anxiety back again
  • replies: 2

Hi all, Back again! I’ve had health anxiety for the last 8 years. throughout the years, I have convinced myself of every known disease and get symptoms associated to it. With every new symptom it can go on for months with doing every test possible un... View more

Hi all, Back again! I’ve had health anxiety for the last 8 years. throughout the years, I have convinced myself of every known disease and get symptoms associated to it. With every new symptom it can go on for months with doing every test possible until I finally convince myself that it’s anxiety and it goes. So here is the new one - I just need some sense kicked in. 6 weeks ago was going camping with a few friends when I suddenly felt a very tickle like heat sensation on the right side of my belly button more closer to my hip. Thought nothing but was definitely aware of it. It would come and go, the funny thing is that when I touch it, it goes away? then started to think about it more and more and started googling. Until I came up with bowel cancers etc. the pain will radiate to my hip, my bum, etc. then the pain started swapping sides. Exact same sensations but on my left side. Weird right? i Then noticed a little light red blood on my bowel and that’s when all hell broke lose. When to my GP, did every test and stool test etc. all came back normal. I know logically it’s hemmorhoids because I suffer from it, but emotionally I’m doubting which is result in constant agonising deep thoughts and symptoms get stronger. two questions, anxiety yea or no? 1. I don’t wake up with any pains, it’s only when I start to look for it, then slowly makes an appearance. 2. Pain that switches sides? Even my GP said that’s physically impossible unless you a had massive bulging disc on both nerves etc. mri ruled that out. please talk some sense to me. I know the logical answer I just need my emotional rational to comprehend with the logical response.

TrudyJane Helping an anxious loved one
  • replies: 3

How can I help my anxious daughter seek help for her anxiety? She has all the excuses in the world not to seek help. She lives overseas so can’t visit. Should I discuss my concerns with her partner. Advice please.

How can I help my anxious daughter seek help for her anxiety? She has all the excuses in the world not to seek help. She lives overseas so can’t visit. Should I discuss my concerns with her partner. Advice please.

AverageAusGuy Anxiety/ depression caused from work
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I have had depression and anxiety on and off my whole life that has been largely manageable until recently. Over the past few years my anxiety and depression has gotten progressively worse mostly due to some negative work experiences tha... View more

Hi everyone, I have had depression and anxiety on and off my whole life that has been largely manageable until recently. Over the past few years my anxiety and depression has gotten progressively worse mostly due to some negative work experiences that I seem to just keep accumulating. I have had many jobs in my life (I am in my 30s) and I have had bad things happen in most (not all) of them that have slowly chipped away at my confidence and exasperated my anxiety and depression. I have been bullied in the workplace, I have had managers that have sworn at me and spoke as if I wasn't even in the room, I have been criticised for my quiet personality, I have been put down, and I have been lied to about opportunities for development, I have had coworkers undermine my work or throw me under the bus in order to look better to management. Most recently I was fired from a job for no apparent reason (I think I just didn't fit in with the work culture there because I was specifically told that I had a great work ethic and do everything that was asked and "something is just missing"). I have never been fired before and this one really hit me hard because I know from client feedback I was doing great work. I am trying really hard to put all of the negativity behind me and maybe realise that I have just had some bad luck with the jobs I have had in my life. I can't help but think that maybe I am the problem though or this is a normal part of working life? I have always had a great work ethic and pride myself on doing a good job. I am never late and always act professionally. I know I have some really good qualities and abilities to offer. I am starting a new job soon and I am very edgy and anxious about it all working out ok. I am on the lookout for anything negative and I am concerned about how I will perform in the new role because my anxiety is at a heightened state. I am trying not to carry any baggage over and come in on a fresh slate. If anyone has had similar experiences or tips for me to overcome this at work I would greatly appreciate. Thank you

Chicken_little Anxiety returns
  • replies: 3

I’m as used to anxiety as I guess you can get. When I diagnosed I realised that most of my life I’ve had anxiety, even as a child. My GAD wanes which is a lovely respite, but right now it’s back. Along with the general 2020 goings on, in August some ... View more

I’m as used to anxiety as I guess you can get. When I diagnosed I realised that most of my life I’ve had anxiety, even as a child. My GAD wanes which is a lovely respite, but right now it’s back. Along with the general 2020 goings on, in August some things in my own life set me off and I haven’t been able to pull myself out. last time I was unwell like this my anxiety manifested as health anxiety in addition to my “regular” anxiety. This time I was worried about my skin and was super proud that I went for a mole check (all clear). Now, my focus has turned to my eyes. Ive finally built up the courage to book a check up with my optometrist tomorrow. im far sighted and have astigmatism in one eye. now I’ve convinced myself that tomorrow I’m going to be diagnosed with some horrible eye disease. It’s probably just aging and a bit of eye strain, that’s what my logical brain says, but I can’t get past it. I feel so silly that I get so worked up, that I fixate on issues like this. Who on earth is scared of the optometrist! Ive read about others with health anxiety and they seem to have any test possible to find what’s going on, but I’m terrified to find something.