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

Eurovision_Fan Undiagnosed Anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi. This discussion is for anyone who either can't or doesn't want to get diagnosed for anxiety, but is pretty sure they have it.

Hi. This discussion is for anyone who either can't or doesn't want to get diagnosed for anxiety, but is pretty sure they have it.

Rach28 Extremely overwhelmed and under pressure - wanting to be left in peace
  • replies: 27

hi everyone im currently on centrelink job seeker payment and unfortunately one of the requirements of receiving this welfare payment means i attend fortnightly job provider appointments. In the past few months ive transferred to up to 5 different on... View more

hi everyone im currently on centrelink job seeker payment and unfortunately one of the requirements of receiving this welfare payment means i attend fortnightly job provider appointments. In the past few months ive transferred to up to 5 different ones. My most recent one was supportive on the first appointment but the proceeding two appointments he was putting alot of stress and pressure on me. Asking me personal questions that made me shut down completely and triggered my anxiety to the point I wanted to punch a wall and cry. It was really bad! What do i do!? In August 2024 i got a job and quit on the second day. I was given "constructive" feedback which I interpreted as negative and its massively affected my self-confidence and self-esteem. Its also increased my anxiety x100. So now im fearful of attempting to look for another job. Sadly another factor is I'm struggling with massive social anxiety. I don't know how to function very well when it comes to dealing with people or communicating my needs. I generally get very anxious, and if triggered I shut down and go into "reflex" mode where I am defensive. For many reasons including PTSD, Trauma, Anxiety, Depression and personal circumstances. I dont know what to do. I dont think I am an employable person and I feel I am a failure. I'm constantly surrounded by negative people who never support me in the way I really need. They never once ask me - are you okay. Or how can we help you!? I'm always being told - FIND A JOB. FIND A JOB. And I'm burnt out and exhausted. I'm tired of looking for jobs, this recent bad employment has impacted me in ways I cannot discuss. I dont know what to do.

Guest_04699229 Mum of 3 and a husband
  • replies: 2

I am constantly living in a state of worry, am I meeting everybody's needs in my household? I feel like I'm being lumped with everything yet told that I'm doing the bare minimum. I organise any and all family engagement, I shop and cook every week, I... View more

I am constantly living in a state of worry, am I meeting everybody's needs in my household? I feel like I'm being lumped with everything yet told that I'm doing the bare minimum. I organise any and all family engagement, I shop and cook every week, I work full time, I navigate play dates, I clean a house, I tidy a yard, I try to fill everyone's cup everyday but it never feels like enough, tolds it not enough. When I get down, I'm told, ask for help, but when I ask for help it's answered begrudgingly. Stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Rach28 stressed out by centrelink
  • replies: 1

hi everyone. thanks for reading this post it means alot. so.. im writing this post because currently on a exemption to not have to seek work/ study as im currently on centrelink jobseeker payment. ive been on this payment for the past 5+ years honest... View more

hi everyone. thanks for reading this post it means alot. so.. im writing this post because currently on a exemption to not have to seek work/ study as im currently on centrelink jobseeker payment. ive been on this payment for the past 5+ years honestly. i checked my MyGov profile account like i normally do to report/check for updates etc. Next week i have a super random phone appointment with a services australia office to 'help me'. they suggested that i could volunteer at a local disability employment services office. that sounds awful and i am not doing that! i just dont understand why they are bothering me during my exemption due to anxiety/depression. i just want to be left in peace to seek support from my psychologists and figure out what im going to do next in my time. Is anyone else struggling with centrelink not leaving you alone when your struggling with your mental health. right now my depression is quite high and my anxiety is severe. if you read my other posts you'll understand the circumstances that have caused this decline. i just want to scream right now. i feel like everything is out of my control and i just want a moment to breathe. i want a moment to figure out what i want without others telling me what to do. i'm sick of these appointments, phone calls, reporting. i'm sick of it and just want peace and quiet. is anyone else struggling with centrelink long term being unemployed. id love to hear from you so that i dont feel so alone right now in this awful feeling. thanks for reading x

Ash_music ALWAYS HERE
  • replies: 9

No matter how low you are feeling you have friends and family and people who can help you do much that love you. You are all amazing and smart and strong. And you CAN tell people that your not actually ok. Make them listen. They will want what's best... View more

No matter how low you are feeling you have friends and family and people who can help you do much that love you. You are all amazing and smart and strong. And you CAN tell people that your not actually ok. Make them listen. They will want what's best for you. So whatever your going through, and whatever challenges your facing, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. WE ARE ALWAYS HERE.

cvberwrld vent
  • replies: 1

hey everyonei just wanted some advice on something, i’m not sure if this is the appropriate place for it either but i’m studying a diploma of nursing currently and for about 3 months now, i’ve just been feeling very detached from it. i have veryyy li... View more

hey everyonei just wanted some advice on something, i’m not sure if this is the appropriate place for it either but i’m studying a diploma of nursing currently and for about 3 months now, i’ve just been feeling very detached from it. i have veryyy little motivation for continuing, i’m on campus four days a week and it genuinely feels like i’m on autopilot or something? that feels like the only way i can describe it . i had a practical assessment recently (which i failed) and ended up crying in front of my assessor, it was like an uncontrollable type of cry. it just feels like a wave of self doubt, lack of motivation, and frankly just an overall disinterest in a way? i constantly remind myself of the reason why i started studying nursing in the first place, but as of now i genuinely feel like i’ve made a mistake or something. if anyone has any advice lmk thank youuuu :))

PurplePenguin77 Medication for Physical anxiety symptoms
  • replies: 3

Hi, I’m a late teen and in my early teen years I went to a psychologist for a while for my anxiety. I struggle mainly with social and performance anxiety, but when I was younger, my main issue was the immense worry and anxious thoughts. I went to my ... View more

Hi, I’m a late teen and in my early teen years I went to a psychologist for a while for my anxiety. I struggle mainly with social and performance anxiety, but when I was younger, my main issue was the immense worry and anxious thoughts. I went to my psychologist for about a year and then I stopped, and honestly my anxiety has gotten much better and im able to regulate my worry.However, i still struggle with physical symptoms of anxiety, like trembling, heart racing, voice shaking, dizziness, when faced with situations like public speaking. But the thing is, I don’t feel like i worry beforehand or anything. It’s like i can’t control my body from experiencing these symptoms, even if my mind doesn’t feel anxious. I’m wondering if medication would help me. Should I go see my GP and is my GP able to see if it will help? Or is it a long process for anxiety medication, or will my GP refer me to a psychiatrist? Any other advice would be helpful

Unsure14 Feeling lost
  • replies: 3

Hi, I am struggling at the moment with a lot of anxiety and stress when it comes to work. The job is very demanding and can be very difficult. I only started this particular job 6 months ago so I’m still fairly new to it but the job itself as changed... View more

Hi, I am struggling at the moment with a lot of anxiety and stress when it comes to work. The job is very demanding and can be very difficult. I only started this particular job 6 months ago so I’m still fairly new to it but the job itself as changed dramatically within those months. When I first applied for it I was confident and excited but lately that excitement has gone away, we have had many changes happen very quickly and very little support. I feel very lost and I keep getting anxiety attacks about having to go into work. I’ve been in the industry for a long time and have moved up into a different role and I no longer feel comfortable doing it anymore due to all this stress anxiety. I feel lost, it was never going to be a forever job but I have never known what I have actually wanted to do in a career. I’ve tried techniques that I’ve been taught over the years but in my heart I know it’s not the job for me but I feel stuck and unsure on where to go next. Especially financially as well. I can’t afford to just quit. I just want to know if there’s anyone else out there feeling the same and if their any tips or guidance.

yur Anxiety?
  • replies: 1

I think i might have social anxiety I don't know, i can't get it checked out or whatever cause my mum will say "I'm just shy" and I'm too scared to get it checked out anyways....i never really questioned it until now. likee i used to not care when a ... View more

I think i might have social anxiety I don't know, i can't get it checked out or whatever cause my mum will say "I'm just shy" and I'm too scared to get it checked out anyways....i never really questioned it until now. likee i used to not care when a loud noise would happen, but now i jump when i hear any unexpected sound.i always feel nervous and have a need to get home asap when im out at the shops but it only happens when i go with someone else and i dont need to buy anything. another is when im walking especially on the main roads i cant look up when cars are coming i always keep my head down cause i dont wanna stare at anybody but there was this one incident that happened at school for me so like i was playing volleyball, i used to play for school but quit the team but like i was playing in a PE class and the whole session, my heart was racing, and i was shaking alot but i kept playing through it cause i wanted to win. i tried to calm myself down but i couldn't and thugged it out. i think it was because my friend i quit volley with wasnt there with me, and the other class we were playing against i didn't like them. yeah thats all i can be bothered to type

DavidLikesGoats Sudden anxiety at a critical moment in my life
  • replies: 3

Hi my name is David, I'm in my 20s. I've struggled with mental health issues for as long as I can remember. When I was seven or eight I was diagnosed with autism and saw a therapist through primary school. Later in high school I was diagnosed with de... View more

Hi my name is David, I'm in my 20s. I've struggled with mental health issues for as long as I can remember. When I was seven or eight I was diagnosed with autism and saw a therapist through primary school. Later in high school I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I have recently started my third year of University. I failed a couple semesters due to poor time management and mental health issues. At the same time as this I've had a sudden period of really bad anxiety that's lasted weeks. I've had a lot of nausea, been unable to eat much food without gagging, and have a lot of tension and tremors in my body. I think I've lost about 10% of my bodyweight because of this... The mental stuff is really hard to deal with too. Every morning I'm convinced the world is going to end very soon. I get fearful that learning and reading about the things I love (art and art history) will make my anxiety worse and worse... I'm lucky I have a few friends I can reach out to but I don't want to bother or scare them since they have busier lives than me. In recent days my paranoia about a coming apocalypse has caused me to think of suicide a lot... Not as something I want to do now, but as a "way out" if things get too bad. I don't want to think like that and it scares me that I feel like I have to. I was really looking forward to my next semester, but the quality of my favourite class, mandarin Chinese, has suddenly dropped with budget cuts. I've looked into student advocacy and they told me some things I might be able to do, but the whole process has been stressful... It's compounded my feelings that I should change courses. Anyway I wanted to write down how I'm feeling so I could look back on it again and ask for some support or advice. If anyone's been in a similar situation please let me know.