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

Harper_Blue Hi
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I am Harper and I am 15. I have read through a few of the threads before I decided to introduce myself. I have anxiety and I am a huge over-thinker I remember always doing it when I was young, I think about everything that could possibly be a... View more

Hi all, I am Harper and I am 15. I have read through a few of the threads before I decided to introduce myself. I have anxiety and I am a huge over-thinker I remember always doing it when I was young, I think about everything that could possibly be an outcome of what I say before I say it. sometimes this seems good but it means that I talk a lot less then other people because I spend a lot of time going through everything. I am socially awkward I guess you would say, I am pretty sure I suffer from 3 different types of anxiety although I haven't had a diagnosis because i am to scared to tell my family. I have generalised anxiety, social anxiety and specific phobia. The specific phobia i have is called Misophonia which really means that I can't deal with certain sounds, especially the sound of people eating/chewing. It's not like i just don't like the sound, I cannot stand the sound and there have been times when hearing the sound as mad me burst out into tears. this isn't a recognised disorder in the DSM-IV or anything so not many people know about it. I hope that there are some people out there that either also have this or know about it so I don't feel so alone about it. I am sorry for just word vomiting, I hope it all makes sense. I am also sorry if anything isn't actually correct, this is just my understanding of it and my experiences. I am glad i am on the forum now so i can talk to people about this and hear other peoples stories too, it seems like such a lovely community. Harper

Bellasunshine My 8 yr old is suddenly scared all the time
  • replies: 2

Hi, My 8 yr old daughter is all of a sudden scared all the time and gets easily upset, she starts crying but doesn't know why she crying. She has been home from school with me for the last 6 weeks as i lost my job due to the covid 19 and a week ago I... View more

Hi, My 8 yr old daughter is all of a sudden scared all the time and gets easily upset, she starts crying but doesn't know why she crying. She has been home from school with me for the last 6 weeks as i lost my job due to the covid 19 and a week ago I started back at work 3 days a week so she goes to school for 2 days. School is obviously very different from before covid 19 I have to drop her off and pick her up from front of school, I'm not allowed to walk her to class she is in a different classroom with different teachers and different kids. Over the last couple of days she has been more tired, very emotional, she won't go to bed by herself and then she just cries. When I ask why she is upset she says she doesn't know why and that's she scared but she doesn't know what she's scared about. She has started hoping into bed with my husband and me in the middle of the night which she has never done. I'm not really sure what to do. From worried mum

JazzyMum Covid 19 Anxiety - returning out of isolation
  • replies: 5

I'm a teacher and have immuno compromised family members I am sole carer for. I have been back at work for a little while but I cannot resolve the issue of different rules in school vs social distancing in the outside world. I have had a couple of ma... View more

I'm a teacher and have immuno compromised family members I am sole carer for. I have been back at work for a little while but I cannot resolve the issue of different rules in school vs social distancing in the outside world. I have had a couple of massive panic/ anxiety attacks in the past two days. I walk around with 1700 others all day in a world where social distancing is talked about but impossible to maintain. I don't believe children (esp 18 year olds) are affected as differently to adults. I'm the teacher so I can control this to some extent but how can my 14 year old, who returned to school today do this? - he cannot control others - he's a teenager - they cannot be expected to socially distance. How can I let my child back into the system I am rendered unable to cope with? I have spoken to a few people who try to tell me how lucky we are and how its theoretically safe but my brain has put up walls that I am petrified to knock down. My GP says its all a myth - so I can't exactly ask for help there. After isolating for two months I am finding the lack of control of environment incredibly difficult to deal with. I'm walking daily but as soon as I try to chill a bit my head floods with arguments about the valid and non valid aspects of what I'm experiencing. I know a lot of school children are experiencing the same anxiety that they've never had before - any advice on how to move forward would be welcomed. Big socially distant hugs to anyone experiencing the same - I'm sure we can get through this but I'm just not sure how.

Mel72 neighbour anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi I thought it would be a good idea to chat this out. I know i have anxiety not been to gp just try to deal with it as it happens but my anxiety has flared up bigtime due to having to finally get council help about my neighbours dog, I hate confront... View more

Hi I thought it would be a good idea to chat this out. I know i have anxiety not been to gp just try to deal with it as it happens but my anxiety has flared up bigtime due to having to finally get council help about my neighbours dog, I hate confrontation so tried to avoid this but yeah finally had enough (2 years) apologies trying to not talk about that too much, the big issue is now I am too scared to move around in my house, go outside, I know i have done nothing wrong but I feel like I have, I feel so much self doubt about anything i do it got to the point that i felt that i have now put my family in a war zone and the only way to stop bad stuff happening to them would be me leaving them. I suppose I am wondering if there is something bad coming off me that is going to make bad stuff happen to all of us??

Diddle28 How To Make Friends?
  • replies: 4

Hello all! I have bad social anxiety and I find it hard to talk to people. I start to have mini panic attacks, I tend to stay away from everyone and start thinking that everyone is talking/laughing at me. Does anyone else find it hard? And if so what... View more

Hello all! I have bad social anxiety and I find it hard to talk to people. I start to have mini panic attacks, I tend to stay away from everyone and start thinking that everyone is talking/laughing at me. Does anyone else find it hard? And if so what has helped you to go up to someone and start a conversation? I miss having friends.

Whatsinaname Confrontation anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, Long time between drinks, but just looking for a shoulder to lean on I guess. Today's story: I overtook a car in a 100 zone, my speedo said he was doing 90. Anyway he touted at me and I could see in the rear view he was yelling at me. As... View more

Hi everyone, Long time between drinks, but just looking for a shoulder to lean on I guess. Today's story: I overtook a car in a 100 zone, my speedo said he was doing 90. Anyway he touted at me and I could see in the rear view he was yelling at me. As we came up to a T intersection he was still going and I honestly had no idea what the issue was so when he pulled up beside me I lowered my window (not sure why) nd he proceed to yell at me.for over taking him when he was doing 100 and over taking on unbroken lines (the definitely were, they were unbroken for on coming traffic as we were going down hill). I kinda just disagreed and he yelled some more then we went our own ways. Long story short: I know feel really anxious about the possibility that I did do something wrong. I'm well aware that worst case my speedo is wrong and he was doing 100 and I over took by speeding, but nothing happened and life goes on. My issue is something like that instantly puts me in a spiral of what its and ends with me feeling like I need to do something dramatic (like sell the car). Does anyone else have an issue like this and bonus points if you have a trick to stop that spiral? Thanks,

cathyxd7 social anxiety even around friends and family
  • replies: 2

Hi, I'm new to this site but i thought i'd reach out to see if anyone feels the same/has any advice. I'm 16, and i've been struggling with social anxiety for about 4 years now. Every social situation, no matter if it is with people i consider my clos... View more

Hi, I'm new to this site but i thought i'd reach out to see if anyone feels the same/has any advice. I'm 16, and i've been struggling with social anxiety for about 4 years now. Every social situation, no matter if it is with people i consider my closest friends/distant family seems to trigger me and send me spiralling into anxiety. e.g. tonight we have some of our cousins over (one of them a boy my age) and my chest has felt tight, worries have consumed me for the last two days and i just cant seem to focus on anything else. i don't want my symptoms to control my every action. when i go on forums like this most people talk about their anxiety when they meet new people- wondering if there's anyone out there who gets extremely triggered by social situations w/ friends or family? Thanks, wishing you all love and support ~

tesla88 Workplace situation anxiety
  • replies: 2

In 2019 I was hospitalised with severe anxiety after I was severely micromanaged and bullied by an manager placed in charge of my team. This bullying includes thing such as: Putting pressure on to do tasks that do not align with organisation policies... View more

In 2019 I was hospitalised with severe anxiety after I was severely micromanaged and bullied by an manager placed in charge of my team. This bullying includes thing such as: Putting pressure on to do tasks that do not align with organisation policies Constant pressure to give access to systems this manager is not meant to access Derogatory and incorrect comments in relation to work performance Not correctly reflecting the great work the team do to senior staff of the organisation. Constant pressure to do work not within our roles At that time this manager was to move into my office at the worksite. The boss of the organization then removed this person as our manager. The same Boss has now indicated she would like to move this same person back into our office again. Is there any laws/systems in place as to when a person with a known Mental Health disorder to prevent such bullying happening again and the same result of hospitalization? The organization has many other managers that can manage our team, and we have not had this problem with other managers.

Frei unable to sign probate documents - a legal alternative?
  • replies: 2

After abuse at a NSW infants school when 5-6 years of age, I developed anxiety. My condition led me to leave Australia. I last saw my wonderful Mum in 2004. We telephoned often and I was lucky we had a great chat on Mother’s Day last year, just befor... View more

After abuse at a NSW infants school when 5-6 years of age, I developed anxiety. My condition led me to leave Australia. I last saw my wonderful Mum in 2004. We telephoned often and I was lucky we had a great chat on Mother’s Day last year, just before she died on my birthday a few days later. The care home where Mum was said they could organise skype for us but never did. Nor did I get information as to what caused Mum’s sudden shock deterioration. Now I have to sign probate documents but I have explained several times to my solicitor, that I cannot touch anything from Australia, especially from where I grew up. As I wrote: ‘Thank you for your email with the probate documents. Sorry again for my anxiety disorder being a problem, but the mere suggestion of receiving physical mail from Australia sent me into another panic attack last week. Hence the delay in replying. Even if it means more time and probably cost, can I print the documents out here and have my signature witnessed and then send them back to you? Just getting a notary to help will be a challenge, as again, my need to feel 'safe' away from Australia means I don't want HDC being able to see the contact details of the legal office I usually use. The Australian Embassy here has absolutely no interest in helping me, so I will need time to find a notary. I hope you can understand my situation, even if it sounds completely crazy.’ Then I received the following e-mail. 'Unfortunately you are required to have the copies of the death certificate and will certified, which requires that whoever certifies these documents see the originals. This means that we will need to post the original will and death certificate, and it is not possible to simply provide soft copies as I had originally thought. Unfortunately I do not see a way around this requirement. I understand your reluctance to provide an address, but perhaps the documents can be sent to someone you know and trust?' So again, my problem is not understood. Isn’t there a way for someone I elect as a power of attorney to sign the documents for me? I may not be physically incapacitated but mentally I am. I have finally made it back to being able to work, though my crazy routine at my apartment door saw me terrorised my the woman opposite, who photographed and reported me and so the police were involved. With corona, I lost my job but if I can just get this issue of signing these documents dealt with, I can really move on with my life again. Thank you.

Speechless 38 going on 40 no kids
  • replies: 2

I have anxiety of nonstop thoughts and feelings about turning 40 and its been quite painful for me. I have always dreamed of having children and having a partner that is able to help support this dream. But ive lived a life of mental illness of socia... View more

I have anxiety of nonstop thoughts and feelings about turning 40 and its been quite painful for me. I have always dreamed of having children and having a partner that is able to help support this dream. But ive lived a life of mental illness of social phobia and anxiety and its been alot of periods of isolating myself from society over the years. But a 5 years ago that changed and i got very well and was active in the community until i started going out with a person that has schizophrenia and my anxiety took a toll on me and i got adrenal fatigue and got obese from all the stress involved. I have always lived at home with my parents. We live on acres in a picturesque location and i basically have a duty of care for my aging parents esp my half deaf mother who has always had deafness as her disability. But i dream of having a child and having a place of my own esp a place in a rural setting like home. I dont have enough money to support a child and i dont have a partner that is able to support me and a child and i cant talk about this to anyone much as i feel like im not worthy of it. Like my life is chosen by others for them. Independence has always been hard for me. Once was a distant dream is suddenly a do or dont do repercussion anxiety. i really want to be able to forge ahead and push my way out of codependences around me and get healthy again, get out in the community and meet new people and get a job again. But covid 19 has seemed to put a damper on that and also my partner that is very ill with schizophrenia cannot understand his severe limitations and what that means to my life. He has brain impairments that sees things impulsively and emotionally for him but not understanding or planning or able to think about details. He just cannot do and he has no money or anything. How can i stop my mind spiraling out of this anxiety about my near future esp during this time? It gets really painful esp seeing people with kids on the tv and everywhere. Its like another painful part of my life i missed out on.

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