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

Macbook Relationship anxiety
  • replies: 2

I struggle with anxiety regularly but manage to keep it at bay most of the time. However my anxiety always surfaces in certain situations around my relationship. I’ve been with my partner for 2 years now and we live together. He has never been outwar... View more

I struggle with anxiety regularly but manage to keep it at bay most of the time. However my anxiety always surfaces in certain situations around my relationship. I’ve been with my partner for 2 years now and we live together. He has never been outwardly romantic and has never done any romantic gestures for me. I try to tell myself that he’s romantic with the little things in what he says and at home, but I can’t help being annoyed that he doesn’t do more actions to be romantic. I have spoken to him about this but nothing changes. When he chooses his day off to hang out with friends, my anxiety builds as I don’t see why he doesn’t want to spend that time with me. We live together so in his mind we are spending time together all the time. But I want to experience more things outside of home. I struggle knowing whether it is my anxiety that is making me think I should break up or whether it real. how do we know when our feelings are real or it’s just anxiety playing tricks on us?

LisaGood Returning to school as a teacher
  • replies: 1

Im anxious about returning to school as a teacher of young students. How do I protect my self and fellow staff from the anxiety due to changes to social norms. No high fives, avoiding people in the corridor, feeling like every one may be a threat to ... View more

Im anxious about returning to school as a teacher of young students. How do I protect my self and fellow staff from the anxiety due to changes to social norms. No high fives, avoiding people in the corridor, feeling like every one may be a threat to myself of students?

corrdiorofdreams I feel anxious and guilty for standing up for myself
  • replies: 1

I run my own business. I've been going above and beyond on a client project for 3 months. Yesterday I was let go 4 days before the end of the project with no notice. I told the client contact that I was disappointed by their behaviour as I could have... View more

I run my own business. I've been going above and beyond on a client project for 3 months. Yesterday I was let go 4 days before the end of the project with no notice. I told the client contact that I was disappointed by their behaviour as I could have filled in that time with other work if I'd known. I know that was a reasonable thing to complain about but I was treated as though I was being a drama queen. The client contact just said something to the effect of 'I'm just the middle man, these are shit times, and here are all 50399978 problems too!' so it just turned into a guilt trip and how none of it was their fault. It's got me really knotted up inside... not because of the money (that's not urgent) but because right now is a shit time, and it's really disappointing to see people treating people without common decency. I should mention this business operates in the mental health field, especially supporting people through uncertainty, so it borders on being unethical. I'm kind of proud that I stood up for myself as this is not easy for me to do. However, it's given me so much anxiety to have ended things on bad terms. I didn't want it to be taken personally, but I wanted to point out the unprofessionalism and lack of ethics. I've tried to talk about this to my partner but he keeps saying 'well, you should have done XYZ before it happened.' That's just not very helpful for the now though. I just need to move past the knot in my stomach feeling. How can I do this?

MichaelJo What are the best books for you to deal with anxiety?
  • replies: 3

Hi. Lately, I started noticing that reading have had a great impact on my anxiety. I am much calmer and optimistic now. The last book a read was a great one named: Worry Free LIfe: 15 quick lessons on How to Overcome Anxiety and Fear That can Change ... View more

Hi. Lately, I started noticing that reading have had a great impact on my anxiety. I am much calmer and optimistic now. The last book a read was a great one named: Worry Free LIfe: 15 quick lessons on How to Overcome Anxiety and Fear That can Change Your Life by Marcos Lima. This book came with a course that really helped me to stop my panic attacks. I think everyone should have a look at it. I found it on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Worry-Free-Life-Relaxation-Happiness-ebook/dp/B0828M892J/ What about you? What are the best books that you guys read to overcome anxiety and how it has helped improve your lives?

Lyndakaren Workers Comp Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi I have been on WC since November last year for anxiety and panic attacks, this has continued on and I have been on such a roller coaster ride with the insurance company and old employee. I also note I have never been on WC before and I am learning... View more

Hi I have been on WC since November last year for anxiety and panic attacks, this has continued on and I have been on such a roller coaster ride with the insurance company and old employee. I also note I have never been on WC before and I am learning so much, I feel everyone is be deceitful and just wanting me to be back at work. Since leaving my old work place last year as it was toxic I have taken on 2 jobs as I have felt so pressured by my rehab provider, both attempts have lead to me being unwell and pressured each position only lasting 4 weeks. My insurance have said they are going to stop my payments as they believe I have the capacity to work as all certificates said I could until recently I said to my doctor no I am unfit I do not want any more pressure to go back, I really want to take this slower instead of feeling pushed into just taking a job to keep the circle happy forgetting about why I an actually in this situation. I have spoken to a solicitor they are taking over for me to relive my pressure due to also having covid-19 its been very tuff. I have just started talking with a Phycologist under the WC and I feel they are just being the same as my job rehab provider. I feel I just don't want to talk to these people anymore they don't understand what I go through on a daily basis. I also have a daughter and she has been seeing me on this emotional roller coaster ride its not right on her I just want my life back. I know this is a short version on the event but has anyone been through this journey. I feel its getting to the point I want to tell all of them to get ……. love to hear you're thoughts

Ezz81 Dealing with anxiety and having no way of overcoming it
  • replies: 2

Hello, I have been dealing with depression for a while now and seeking help throughout this time but my anxiety seems to be overtaking this now. i work 8n a high pressure job with long hours, and the ongoing thoughts am I good enough to keep going. S... View more

Hello, I have been dealing with depression for a while now and seeking help throughout this time but my anxiety seems to be overtaking this now. i work 8n a high pressure job with long hours, and the ongoing thoughts am I good enough to keep going. Sunday nights are the absolute worst with but I don’t know why and I’m unable to get good sleep because of this. During the covoid pandemic I have been the one to try and reassure people there jobs are safe, but knowing that some will be let go any moment. I get to a point in my life where I feel enough is enough and want to give up, how long do I keep doing 60 to 70 hours a week at work, all I do is work, go home eat dinner go for a walk and sleep and then do it all over again. I never take anything for granted but it’s really consuming me now. what do I do, and where do I go with this?

Littleg94 OCD
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone I fee like I struggle with OCD is as a councillor once who said I didn’t but I clean a lot! Not constantly but the house has to look a certain way or I get anxiety and angry and sometimes take it out on my partner. I vacuum every day and ... View more

Hi everyone I fee like I struggle with OCD is as a councillor once who said I didn’t but I clean a lot! Not constantly but the house has to look a certain way or I get anxiety and angry and sometimes take it out on my partner. I vacuum every day and everything has to be in its place! I recently had our in-law stay with us for a month and due to covid and being stuck from the uk there staying til June but where sharing it between here and my sister in-laws there about to come back for another four weeks and I can’t deal with my anxiety of them coming back and me not being able to control my environment and cleaning ect! I always get super paranoid about what they think of me as I come straight home from work and vacume I feel like they think I’m crazy or something just need help or advice to stop this

M1ssjess89 Skin crawling
  • replies: 6

I thought my anxiety was going ok, but I don't know. I had a bad moment for weeks in march. Now I'm going okish. But I still have in the back of my head I have ms. I've had a ct scan on my brain and it came back clear. I have a buligng disc which is ... View more

I thought my anxiety was going ok, but I don't know. I had a bad moment for weeks in march. Now I'm going okish. But I still have in the back of my head I have ms. I've had a ct scan on my brain and it came back clear. I have a buligng disc which is causing pins and needles. But even when I think I'm "calm" I've been getting crawling feels over my stomach, abdomen, then just random small tingles in different spots. I nearly always breath shallow so I don't know if it's related to that. I become so focused on what I'm feeling I stress out. I'm still getting anxious just not so bad. But these symptoms do not help. I don't know if it's all anxiety :(:(

RachelV25 exhausted with constantly having to manage overwhelming anxiety
  • replies: 2

I've had severe anxiety since early childhood. In fact, I can't remember a time I didn't have a crippling feeling of impending doom. I spent my life thinking that something terrible was about to happen and torturing myself with 'what if' scenarios. W... View more

I've had severe anxiety since early childhood. In fact, I can't remember a time I didn't have a crippling feeling of impending doom. I spent my life thinking that something terrible was about to happen and torturing myself with 'what if' scenarios. What if my parents died in a car crash? What if I lost my job? What if everyone hates me? I was born in the 1970s when recognising and treating anxiety, particularly in kids, was not really a thing. Mostly everyone thought that I was a bit sensitive and that I'd grow out of it. For me, anxiety manifested as severe infantile eczema, so my legs were covered in a painfully itchy rash for years. I used to have to wear gloves to bed at night to limit the scratching and try to go to sleep with my legs smothered in eczema cream.When I was 14, I was misdiagnosed with a terminal genetic disorder which only increased my sense that the world was going to come crashing down on me at any moment. I grew up knowing that I would probably die before I was 30, would have a weak heart or go into heart failure and more than likely, I would go blind. I'd also never be able to have kids because it would probably kill me. At 18, the doctors said "Oops, our bad. You don't have it after all." In my 20s, both of these situations passed, but I never lost the feeling of overwhelming doom and fear. If I hear a police siren in the distance I'm sure they're coming to arrest me even though I haven't committed any crimes. If one of my colleagues isn't as friendly as normal, I assume that I've done something to annoy them even when, logically, I know that I haven't. I work long hours in a professional role yet every day I carry around a heavy, sick feeling in my stomach waiting for everyone to realise that I'm terrible at my job. That I'm useless. That they should get rid of me. And I don't know how to make it stop! I take my medications, I see my counselor , I do all the recommended breathing/mindfulness exercises, I do yoga. I do everything I'm supposed to just to try to reduce these awful feelings and sometimes I just get so sick of it because nothing works, or, if it does it only works for short periods of time and then the anxiety is back. I'm so angry that I have this. Sometimes I just get so frustrated that I have to do all of this just to function. Does anyone else feel like this or am I the only one??

worthiness Dealing with long dist relationships during covid19 travel restrictions
  • replies: 2

Hi All, This is the first time I’ve “reached out” about my anxiety in a public format - I’ve found it rather hard to deal with a lot lately, with my job and relationship situation. I feel I’ve tried everything (tea, reading, exercise, telling family ... View more

Hi All, This is the first time I’ve “reached out” about my anxiety in a public format - I’ve found it rather hard to deal with a lot lately, with my job and relationship situation. I feel I’ve tried everything (tea, reading, exercise, telling family and friends... crying a lot) and whilst it may temporarily calm me I have found no long term aid in helping me cope better with situations that have triggered my anxiety attacks, so thought I’d give a forum a shot! Bit of background, I travel for work full time and spend most of my time overseas alway from fam and friends at home (my main support net work) hence developing inevitable distance w friends = lovely now im home. Whilst being away I have had a boyfriend for over a year now who has worked with me. We both come from different countries so with covid 19 we left or job ans have gone to our homes in dif countries and don’t know when we will see each other again. He seems fine - it’s his nature to be as cool as a cucumber but myself not so much. I’m having obsessive thoughts of things not panning out well and get extremely worked up when we have a disagreement and can’t “settle it before bed” like we would when we are together. He doesn’t get anxiety like me so he doesn’t understand that when something isn’t good with us I need to sort it right away before I over think it and have a huge panic attach. He tells me to “calm down” “stop being crazy"“I hope you didn’t overthink it” and I hate that because I don't chose to be this way by choice. If i could change i would. I feel I’m walking on egg shells when we speak. I’m always trying to keep things positive so we don’t argue but it’s inevitable sometimes. Just wanted to ask if anyone is going through the same thing? And if people in this situation could provide me with helpful tips on how to keep myself in check without relying on another person to fulfil my sense of worthiness

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