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

Alycia New job stress and anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi guys, I started a new job 2 months ago and my training has now come to an end as of last week. I’m starting my first week out of training tomorrow. I have had anxiety and depressive thoughts for many years of my life on and off. The last couple of... View more

Hi guys, I started a new job 2 months ago and my training has now come to an end as of last week. I’m starting my first week out of training tomorrow. I have had anxiety and depressive thoughts for many years of my life on and off. The last couple of weeks i have been feeling overwhelmed with the work load and expectations that i will be under eventually. I have been having panic attacks while working and anxiety and crying every night because I feel like i am no good at the job and embarrassed to ask for help from my manager or other staff. I feel like im not getting it. I ask for help and my manager usually likes to do a video call when he is free which can be in a few hours. I ask smaller questions from experienced officers that my work wont require a supervisor approval to continue. I try continue other tasks when im waiting for a response but then feel overwhelmed by the amount of work outstanding and questions per item i have. I have already expressed to my manager about how I’m overwhelmed and anxiety has been alot. He understands and had a good chat with me to reassure me. I feel myself and my manager are doing all the right things and most of my anxiety stems from my own insecurities and lack of self esteem and confidence in my knowledge and how to action my work. I’m struggle to tell my body and my mind that I am just doing the best I can and it will get better with time. I keep having dark thoughts about self harm or self destructive behaviour like maybe i shouldn’t have taken the job. I know I’m capable and these things come with experience. I wouldn’t have got this job if i wasn’t suitable. I am looking for advice and a really a pep talk to calm myself down. I have had face to face psychology appointments in the past so i know some techniques such as breathing. The shakes, irritability, panic attacks, nausea, self harm/thoughts of self medicating and crying has been going on for about 2 weeks now. Im over feeling this way and i want to have more faith in my self and be kinder to myself. The fear of not knowing, fear of failure and fear of judgement is strong. Any advice or kind words would be helpful.

annabay what physical feelings of anxiety do you get?
  • replies: 798

hey there, what physical symptoms of anxiety do you experience? I often feel very alone in my experience of having physical chest (what I think are heart) spasms and was wanting to create a space for everyone to list their physical feelings that come... View more

hey there, what physical symptoms of anxiety do you experience? I often feel very alone in my experience of having physical chest (what I think are heart) spasms and was wanting to create a space for everyone to list their physical feelings that come hand in hand with anxiety so we can all feel less alone. hope everyone is well.

Guest_10151 I don’t feel like me anymore
  • replies: 5

Hey im Dee, I actually am looking for support advice on how I’m feeling I’ve never experienced this feeling before and don’t feel myself anymore and wondering if anyone can relate to my symptoms i think it’s anxiety but i dont know. i have like sever... View more

Hey im Dee, I actually am looking for support advice on how I’m feeling I’ve never experienced this feeling before and don’t feel myself anymore and wondering if anyone can relate to my symptoms i think it’s anxiety but i dont know. i have like severe agitation like i feel restless and have been having insomnia past two weeks. sometimes i have racing head like a rush if i can explain it, like i feel confused, i get head pressure without feeling like a migraine just throb to my ears, nose and temples.. I don’t feel myself to the point i feel depressed. im 34 and I’ve experienced anxiety before but this feels so much worse like i don’t know how to get rid of it. It’s been 3-4 weeks .. I started natural anxiety stress tabs and magnesium for sleep. So much sleep is bit better, but I feel like how I feel is like a wave and I crash. It’s affecting my life and I just want to be me again. any questions please ask, and please help in any way. thanks Dee x

Guest_81124938 Physical symptoms anxiety
  • replies: 2

I have recently gone through some changes in life and had some traumatic things happen and I have become extremely anxious having panic attacks where my heart skips beats , then goes really fast, I have trouble breathing, get super dizzy. Headaches. ... View more

I have recently gone through some changes in life and had some traumatic things happen and I have become extremely anxious having panic attacks where my heart skips beats , then goes really fast, I have trouble breathing, get super dizzy. Headaches. I have been on a heart monitor , been to cardiologist had brain scans and every test under the sun but nothing is wrong. I am obsessing over my heart because someon in my family has had trauma happen with their heart so now I think because I’m having palpitations that there’s something wrong but it’s just anxiety. Does anyone else fixate and obsess them make themselves more anxious. I just went back on medication a week ago and am the most anxious today. I have been on it before for a long period of time. Just never had th feeling of migraines headaches everyday and heart stuff everyday like this. I’m doing ever kind of therapy but wanted to get some comfort in knowing I’m not going crazy

cocoaqua jobless for 2 months tried a casual agency but shifts are not regular
  • replies: 3

we have been unemployed for 2 months and we have tried casual work but its not regular and we are looking for activites to clear the mind we have already tried walking puzzles dulingo colouring findawords talking online but our anxiety is that we don... View more

we have been unemployed for 2 months and we have tried casual work but its not regular and we are looking for activites to clear the mind we have already tried walking puzzles dulingo colouring findawords talking online but our anxiety is that we don't have constant regular work in early learning is our profession without constant work we are stuck alone everyday and feel lonely we have also been cut from jobs 5 times due to staffing cuts, and we joined a puzzle day but its only 1 day need streageies to pass time .

Mel1991 Alone and useless
  • replies: 1

Hi there,just wondering if anyone had any advice or suggestions tips to help me out. I have been struggling with my anxiety all my life. But over the last few months it has just gotten out of control to the point I am having a panic attack more than ... View more

Hi there,just wondering if anyone had any advice or suggestions tips to help me out. I have been struggling with my anxiety all my life. But over the last few months it has just gotten out of control to the point I am having a panic attack more than once a day lately to the point I am throwing up. I know people say seek out your family and friends. But the truth is I don’t have anyone in my life that cares to take a step back and listen for five minutes out of their day. I am really struggling so and tips you find that helps you. I will be forever grateful thanks for reading.

Songwriter-2023 Feeling anxious all the time
  • replies: 1

I am feeling so anxious all the time. I have had anxiety since I was around 12 years old. I am terrified of losing loved ones, terrified of not accomplishing goals in life and just scared of being alone, and I'm also terrified of driving. I am turnin... View more

I am feeling so anxious all the time. I have had anxiety since I was around 12 years old. I am terrified of losing loved ones, terrified of not accomplishing goals in life and just scared of being alone, and I'm also terrified of driving. I am turning 25 in couple of months and I haven't even got my L's. Not many people understand why, I'd love to tell them but I just can't.

Guest_05554629 I am a mess.
  • replies: 1

I am a mess.I am a stay at home with a teenager and a ten year old and due to my family struggling saving money I decided that this would be the year that I returned to office work.I have worked as a cleaner ever since I left to become a stay at home... View more

I am a mess.I am a stay at home with a teenager and a ten year old and due to my family struggling saving money I decided that this would be the year that I returned to office work.I have worked as a cleaner ever since I left to become a stay at home mum and it is great as I am all by myself. I have also worked at three other places casually but never stuck with them as I always found a reason to leave.I found a great job with a great boss and was offered a role, I rearranged my entire life, kids extra curricular activities, everything to accommodate this and ever since I said yes I have been having constant panic attacks.Like full on crying panic attacks.I came to realise that I am not emotionally ready to be away from my kids even though they don't need me anymore.So in the middle of my attack I sent an email off and said I no longer could take the position.I feel much better now, but I am wracked with guilt as my poor partner is left, once again working to support his kids and flake of a wife. I guess I am not looking for anyone to say anything. I just needed to get this all out. My mum thinks I need to see a doctor and get some help.The thing is I am actually ok 90% of the time. Just the idea of full time work where I cannot drop off and pick up my kids brings me to panic. Maybe I do need professional help.

Rascally Am I paranoid or very aware?
  • replies: 4

I feel someone is contributing to a lot of trouble in my circumstances. (I have a very poor health) this person works at a hospital & once boasted she could access any file. Her motive seems to be an obsession with my sister, with whom I was very clo... View more

I feel someone is contributing to a lot of trouble in my circumstances. (I have a very poor health) this person works at a hospital & once boasted she could access any file. Her motive seems to be an obsession with my sister, with whom I was very close to. She has stolen from me & given those things to my sister. Once she worked at at a law firm. I received a letter, demanding I give my sister money. I took it to that same law firm & they had no knowledge of it. This woman once told me she wished she had my family instead of her own. There have been many lies & manipulation for the last 20 years. My siblings do not interact with me at all. Even after I tried many times to meet with them, this person was always there & humiliated in front of my siblings. Do to my continual health issues, I feel she is interfering somehow. Things don't make sense. I really don't know what to do anymore. My family were a very close unit, we did everything together. "Character assassination" comes to mind, yet if so how do I deal with that?. I now live in total isolation, Acquaintances have approached me on a few occasions discussing how much trouble she caused in their lives. At times I'm fearful, a car was parked when I put my bin out. The young man was on the phone & said " yeah, here lights came on, she's here" I really do wish it was paranoia, but my gut instinct tells me otherwise. I have no proof & am a nervous wreck. If I do see her, she gets no reaction from me... none... what hurts are my siblings, celebrating birthdays, Xmas all getting together. Close relatives have passed & no one told me.. I don't get it. I was always there for them, we laughed & played all the way into our 30s. This is devastating me & because of the thievery, lies & betrayal, I can't move on.. I have no one

clackerz Lost, anxious and overwhelmed
  • replies: 1

I can't beat this. Don't know where to turn. Don't know how or where to start.I'm diagnosed with Depression (~15 years). I was diagnosed with ADHD (~5 years). I'm on several meds but they don't seem to do anything anymore. My ADHD meds and scripts ha... View more

I can't beat this. Don't know where to turn. Don't know how or where to start.I'm diagnosed with Depression (~15 years). I was diagnosed with ADHD (~5 years). I'm on several meds but they don't seem to do anything anymore. My ADHD meds and scripts have about run out whilst I continue to wait to receive an appointment see my psychiartrist to get an updated letter to my GP.I'm constantly overwhelmed.....like almost every waking minute. This causes anxiety levels to skyrocket. Nothing I do seems to aleviate it. The small snippets where I do feel 'OK' - the dread returns immediately. It's like my mind doesn't know how (or want?) to be normal and is in a constant state of overwhelming thoughts. It's taken over my life. I'm constantly tired and worn out. I have no energy. I'd prefer to be locked in solitary confinement. I don't go anywhere much and have basically ceased all activities. I have been getting worse over the last few years. I've tried seeing a few psycologists but I never open up (don't know how or where to start) and just go through the motions basically telling them I'm OK.

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