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

Von is lost Social anxiety
  • replies: 2

I have a group of friends that I hang out with once in a while. I didn’t realise until only recently but I have social anxiety. There is one really good friend in this group who always makes me feel comfortable and is the one always inviting me to th... View more

I have a group of friends that I hang out with once in a while. I didn’t realise until only recently but I have social anxiety. There is one really good friend in this group who always makes me feel comfortable and is the one always inviting me to things with the group. I feel totally fine when she’s around, but I obviously can’t rely on her for the whole time when we’re hanging out as a group. I feel quite anxious and awkward trying to talk to others in the group. I have tried on lots of occasions but they don’t give me much back in terms of conversation, which makes my anxiety worse because it feels like they’re not interested enough in me to talk to me. I find myself standing on my own because the rest have gone off somewhere and I don’t know what to do. I wish I was confident enough to feel comfortable on my own and better at socialising to connect more with these people but my anxiety does hold me back sometimes.

bill12345 Covid anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi, i am from adelaide australia and i am 17 year old who has been diagnosed with mild OCD and Anxiety. We have just come out of a 3 day lockdown after a cluster broke out last week and it has increased my anxiety heavily. This is due from when today... View more

Hi, i am from adelaide australia and i am 17 year old who has been diagnosed with mild OCD and Anxiety. We have just come out of a 3 day lockdown after a cluster broke out last week and it has increased my anxiety heavily. This is due from when today, my dad had to fill up his car, and i realised it was at the petrol station where a week ago a covid case had been discovered. Obviously it was closed, cleaned and then reopened and i stayed in the car because i was too scared to get out. I’m just so worried now that i might get covid because i was at that place but it would have any left if it was allowed to reopen right

Rikka anxiety & hyperventilation
  • replies: 52

does anyone have constant hyperventilation, where you need to force yourself to breathe or else you'll feel like it'll stop\ yep. also have a good day you can do this!

does anyone have constant hyperventilation, where you need to force yourself to breathe or else you'll feel like it'll stop\ yep. also have a good day you can do this!

Soleggiata Anxiety at Work Leaving Me Paralysed
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone, Has your workplace and their culture made your mental health worse? Work (and working from home in general) has made my anxiety skyrocket. Last week I was having constant anxiety attacks from my workload and the idea of not being able to... View more

Hi everyone, Has your workplace and their culture made your mental health worse? Work (and working from home in general) has made my anxiety skyrocket. Last week I was having constant anxiety attacks from my workload and the idea of not being able to get through it. I was so worked up that even hours after finishing for the day I couldn’t sit still or speak properly. I have since spoken to my boss and had my workload reduced but I’m still feeling overwhelmed and so sick to my stomach that it took me an hour to actually start my day and once I did I kept needing to take little breaks to walk around the house or make coffee. Worst of all I cannot stop crying. I have been looking for a new job for months, but just don’t have to confidence I once did to try, and again it feels overwhelming. I want to resign but I am scared of the shame I will feel about giving up. I don’t know how to pull myself together anymore to get through this and I feel hopeless. Have you experienced this and how did you make it out the other side?

Panic90 Anxiety and Difficulty with New Manager
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone I have anxiety and PTSD. I have recently started a new job within the same company. I have a new manager and work in a different office space with different colleagues. I was in my old job for three years and found it very difficult. I wa... View more

Hi everyone I have anxiety and PTSD. I have recently started a new job within the same company. I have a new manager and work in a different office space with different colleagues. I was in my old job for three years and found it very difficult. I was glad to leave. I've been in my new role about four months now. My new manager is a lovely lady but her management style is significantly aggravating my anxiety. She is high energy, constantly on the go, zooming in and out of my office with different things, she can't focus on one task at a time, literally runs around the office freaking out about things, sends 15 emails before 8am changing her mind about everything, doesn't let you finish a sentence without interrupting with some random thought, forgets what she tells you to do, forgets to go to meetings, is constantly late for everything etc I find myself getting really agitated, freaked out and nervous by this type of environment. I had my anxiety well managed until now. I don't want to let it get out of control. I ultimately know that the only way to deal with her is to sit down and speak with her but my anxiety is at a point where I can't do it. I had a bad experience with management in my last role and I feel physically sick at the idea of having to discuss this with her. I also feel like I haven't been there very long to be making such a bold complaint and I don't know how she will take this. It's basically criticising her personality. I've tried some other tactics: Closing the door to my office to prevent her from ducking in and out 50 times a day (not joking). However, she just opens the door and closes it constantly which aggravates me even more. When she gives me verbal instructions and I know she will forget it, I send an email confirming those instructions. She doesn't read it and still forgets. Wearing noise cancelling headphones. She just waves her hands in my face 50 times a day (not joking again) and I end up taking the headphones on and off and on and off. Has anyone with anxiety experienced a person who aggravates their condition and how did you deal with it? I

ThoughfulOne When to get help
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone This is my first post on this forum. It's great to know that there are resources out there to help, especially during these strange times. I have always thought myself to be a resilient person and have been mindful to look after my mental... View more

Hi everyone This is my first post on this forum. It's great to know that there are resources out there to help, especially during these strange times. I have always thought myself to be a resilient person and have been mindful to look after my mental wellbeing. We have had major events in our lives (like everyone I'm sure!) however I dealt with them quite well. After a recent event, I've realised my reactions to other events in my life have resulted in me overanalysing, stressing, or feeling like I'm watching someone else's life play out. It's like I'm detached at times. I've had a health concern that so far has two specialists stumped, and will be going to another at some stage. It's good they are doing the best they can to work out the problem. I've mentioned to them the delays resulting from covid and the lack of results are really starting to stress me out, but haven't had any guidance from them. I had one major meltdown with my family and talked it over with them, but I feel it's unfair to unburden on them. I'm trying to put on a brave face to not freak them out so much. Sorry so now I have on here! There is the potential that my health condition is irreversible and will deteriorate, and if so, it will majorly change my life, and theirs. Well, I suppose it already has. I know I shouldn't but I've been playing the possibilities over in my mind. I just can't seem to stop. I know what's been going on in my life is small compared to others around me, and that it's just a rough patch, when it's over I'll be fine. I don't want my family to worry about me any more than they already are (re health conditions). Anyway, sorry for the long post and for unburdening here. I don't usually like sharing this kind of stuff, as I know after a while I'll be ok. Thanks for listening.

BabySteps 25 and I've Never had a Job and without my Driving and Ruined for different Reasons, Also No Friends, and Girlfriend - Experiences
  • replies: 13

I was Miss Diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Contracted Pre Diabetes Type-2, and have a Polyp In my Gall Bladder, and I'm overdue for Surgery by 1 Year due to Covid 19, It put my Driving behind by 9 Months In relation to my Driving Progress at 25 I start... View more

I was Miss Diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Contracted Pre Diabetes Type-2, and have a Polyp In my Gall Bladder, and I'm overdue for Surgery by 1 Year due to Covid 19, It put my Driving behind by 9 Months In relation to my Driving Progress at 25 I started at 22 Pursuing my Driving, However 1) Based on my Mental Health Miss Diagnosis, It took ( Dandenong ) 11 Month's to Fill out my Permission Forms so I could eligibly go for my Permit eligibility 2) I Finally started getting Driving Lessons, and I had the Wrongs Instructors till my recent Instructor that I much prefer 3) I had No Suitable Parent's, or Others to Drive with outside Lessons 4) I wasn't always guaranteed a Weekly Lesson, all the Time 5) I wasn't always guaranteed a suitable Weekly Session Time 6) Had to change My Old O.T Occupational Therapist, because She Told VIC ROAD's that I'm not In her favor of Confidence, now they either want to Restrict me or Suspend my Permit, TRAGICALLY, and that's not needed at all to happen ... In Relation to WORK 1) I never had my Driver's License, and Much Public Transit Skills, besides 2 LOCAL ROUTES that I rarely Take 2) I never had a sense for what's Manageable, Available, or generally what I ( enjoyed outside my Hobbies ) 3) You need Experience or Volunteer for most Entry Jobs, sometimes Further Education, and not all Industries or Jobs or Employers offer Volunteer, and not all either way would lead to a Payed Position anyway 4) Having by LAW, To notify a Employer about a Diagnoses of Illness, Discriminates me by Double the Regular Standard, Even If so a Miss Diagnosis 5) I can't Study without Driving, to complete Work Placement, and you need, Affordable Cost's, Local Proximity for Educational Institutes, maybe preferably ONLINE STUDY 6) I also don't have Friendships and NET WORK to Land me a Job 7) I try'd a JOB RECRUITER, and I was mainly offered 2-4 Jobs I didn't want, Mainly told to take ADMIN ADMINSTRATIVE/ADMINISTRATION, Entry Jobs which I didn't want, I was only fortunate to have 11 MONTH'S VOLUNTEER, In a RETAIL Role, that I didn't want, and I couldn't handle under a Payed Position with Professional Deadlines I know my Hobbies, and my Job PRO's and CON's, I haven't had any Experiences besides High School and Primary School and Hobbies, and lost

Erida Help : She thinks she has the Father in Law from hell
  • replies: 3

Hello, For nearly 10 years, our daughter in law has been my sons partner and from day one we felt she wanted to avoid us. Frequently she would withdraw to the bedroom when we were at their home, not that that happened very often. . In the 10 years th... View more

Hello, For nearly 10 years, our daughter in law has been my sons partner and from day one we felt she wanted to avoid us. Frequently she would withdraw to the bedroom when we were at their home, not that that happened very often. . In the 10 years they have been to our home, 4 times. My son defers to her. Happy wife, happy life, Seems to be his motto, She has declined countless nvitations to both visit us and be involved in family events We suspected she has anxiety and depression from her behaviour so we didn't push things. Recently after a strained get together cross words were exchanged and a horrible argument ensued during which she said that she ONCE had an eating disorder and was hospitalised. This explained a lot but now she accuses us of criticising her and not supporting her. Our son supports her, she is his wife. We want to have a caring relationship with her but it seems she has decided she loathes her father in law and accuses him of picking on her. We understand that anxiety is not anyone's fault. How do we best relate to her and reassure her ? We want to embrace her as part of our family.

Kailani Drowning in Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Before I start I want to say there is no need to reply to this. I am merely venting about my feelings and I do not want to burden anyone with feeling like they need to respond. However, feel free to post your own feelings on this thread. Anxiety has ... View more

Before I start I want to say there is no need to reply to this. I am merely venting about my feelings and I do not want to burden anyone with feeling like they need to respond. However, feel free to post your own feelings on this thread. Anxiety has taken so much from me. My happiness. My joy. My independence. Friendships. My love for activities. It has taken over my life. The mere task of going out by myself is overwhelming. I avoid social events because I don't want to feel the lack of control that anxiety induces. I have lost so many friendships because of my anxiety. I just feel like I am stuck in concrete while the rest of the world moves around me. I am slowly drowning in silence as anxiety has become my constant companion. It is hard to remember the times that I was not anxious as they are very rare. The physical impact of anxiety is exhausting. My chest is constantly tight, my breathing shallow. My stomach in knots. What kind of life is this?? The anxiety and thoughts can become so rapid and overwhelming that I feel like slamming my head against a wall. Maybe then it will be quiet for a bit. I have began to reach out to services but I know as much as they are helpful that my anxiety will always be with me. Acting as an anchor that weighs me down as I suffocate. Even now as I write this I am anxious. My heart is racing. This battle is exhausting. It tears me down little by little. I have so much admiration for those who fight this battle as well. Who knows how my battle will end. Which side will win. "but if I sit in the rain maybe I can drown in something other than my own thoughts" To end this on a more positive note, I hope u are all well.

Kailani OCD and public perception
  • replies: 9

Hi, first of all I want to stress that I am safe and I hope u all are as well. OCD is very misunderstood within society and is often utilised as a 'quirky' character trait. If I had a penny for every time I have heard someone say "I am so OCD as I ha... View more

Hi, first of all I want to stress that I am safe and I hope u all are as well. OCD is very misunderstood within society and is often utilised as a 'quirky' character trait. If I had a penny for every time I have heard someone say "I am so OCD as I hate mess" or "you are so neat you must have OCD" I would be rich. What these people don't realise is that OCD is crippling. It invades into your life and makes simple day tasks exhausting. There are also so many different forms of OCD so characterising OCD as just being neat can be seriously damaging. I personally will not call someone out for using phrases like the ones I previously mentioned as I know that it is due to a lack of education on OCD. I guess I just wanted to know how you guys respond to phrases like these? Do you start a conversation with people? Or do you just ignore it? Finally I would like to finish this off by saying I hope u are all well and remember we are in this fight together!

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