Anxiety

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with anxiety.

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

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

Hamada Does anyone else have this type of "Anxiety"
  • replies: 3

I don't know where to turn anymore, Im seeing multiple therapists, psychologist, and psychiatrist, I'm on medication that is being tapered up slowly but none of it seems to help, my anxiety is constant, I can't stop thinking about my thoughts 24/7, a... View more

I don't know where to turn anymore, Im seeing multiple therapists, psychologist, and psychiatrist, I'm on medication that is being tapered up slowly but none of it seems to help, my anxiety is constant, I can't stop thinking about my thoughts 24/7, am unable to enjoy or do anything without thinking about the anxiety or being aware of my thoughts that I'm thinking, I can do things for hours straight and have no changes but the "anxiety" is still there, I'm not even sure it is anxiety anymore, I was having panic attacks 4 months ago after an overdose of stimulants, but before that, I never felt anxiety, now like I said above, it's just constant, I'm always thinking about the anxiety even while doing things and everything and nothing seems to "Trigger" it, there isn't a single activity I can do that I'm not thinking about it or how the anxiety can be there. I don't even know what my thoughts are really about anymore since all I think about is anxiety and when a non anxiety related thoughts pops into my head I immediately take notice of it and realize i'm distracted from thinking about it, I just don't see exactly how I get out of this after 4 months of it, it just seems like this is my life now and no amount of medication or therapy is working, the only thing that seems to of worked is that I can use my computer and watch TV sometimes it's just constant from the moment I wake up to the moment I fall asleep. Has anyone else had this type of "anxiety", is the damage already done at this point where I won't be normal again and never be able to switch it off to be absorbed by anything else other than the anxiety cause I really just don't see a light at the end of the tunnel, I don't even see the tunnel anymore this "anxiety" is just all-consuming all day every day and there's not even any physical symptoms apart from a slightly elevated heart rate that is probably just my normal heart rate at this point. I just want to see if there's anyone out there that has had this and got better or at least learned to enjoy life with it cause I just don't see a future for myself anymore apart from this. Thanks.

Anxious_Annie Separation Anxiety - Can anyone help me?
  • replies: 3

Hello everyone, irst time poster here! I have GAD, always have, but I have been in a relationship for just over a year with a wonderful partner - he is supportive, kind and makes me feel at ease. The catch is, he works away a lot, up to 6 weeks away ... View more

Hello everyone, irst time poster here! I have GAD, always have, but I have been in a relationship for just over a year with a wonderful partner - he is supportive, kind and makes me feel at ease. The catch is, he works away a lot, up to 6 weeks away at a time. When he goes, I have huge feelings that he wont come back or will fall out of love with me if he doesn't see me. Logically I know this isn't how he is, but I cant shift the feelings. I am in my 30's and this feels childish to feel this way. an anyone relate or help?

Ben1983 Cardiac anxiety
  • replies: 2

G'Day all, just looking for advice on cardiac anxiety from those who have suffered and pulled through to the other side. I have had all the test to rule out any issues with my heart that includes multiple blood and test ecgs, holster monitor, echocar... View more

G'Day all, just looking for advice on cardiac anxiety from those who have suffered and pulled through to the other side. I have had all the test to rule out any issues with my heart that includes multiple blood and test ecgs, holster monitor, echocardiogram and a Cardiac computed tomography Angiography all in which came back normal. So all that should be enough for me to feel reassured that my heart is perfectly fine, but for some reason it doesn't. I'm still anxious that there is an issue with my heart to the point that I am constantly checking my pulse to look for any signs that my thaughts are correct. And when I do find something that seems off I'm constantly seeking reassurance from my Dr to tell me other wise. I even tried to request an exercise stress test, however my Dr said there was no need as I have already had the gold standard of testing and every thing is fine. I have also had other physical symptoms and at the beginning it added in the anxiety, however I am starting to except the physical symptoms for what they are from anxiety and not from my heart. How do I truly get over this as it is impacting my life and tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

rossavo Anxiety about school
  • replies: 1

i'm starting school soon, since holidays end in a few days, i'm going into year 11, and my timetable just came out but the school messed up and some of my classes are missing and overbooked me so theirs no room for my diploma, i've tried talking to t... View more

i'm starting school soon, since holidays end in a few days, i'm going into year 11, and my timetable just came out but the school messed up and some of my classes are missing and overbooked me so theirs no room for my diploma, i've tried talking to the school about it they are not answering, and tried taking to my mum about it but she just tells me she's going to work it out and she'll handle it, she wont tell me anything about whats happening and she keeps dismissing me when i try and tell her how i feel, my friends from school wont answer my texts to get support. i stopped seeing my therapist about a year ago i'm prone to anxiety and take meds to reduce it but over all i'm okay, unless its something really big like this. this is really freaking me out and i don't know what to do. i feel really uncomfortable and haven't been able to sleep for a few nights. any advice would be really helpful.

black_rose Work Causing Anxiety...
  • replies: 4

Where to start, at the end of May after being long term unemployed for 4 or 5 years (studied during that time) I finally got myself a job, my mental health was suffering as finding a job was almost impossible. I thought this was great, I could finall... View more

Where to start, at the end of May after being long term unemployed for 4 or 5 years (studied during that time) I finally got myself a job, my mental health was suffering as finding a job was almost impossible. I thought this was great, I could finally gain some financial independence and stop being dependent on my partner, feel worthwhile and actually gain self esteem again, being a very independent person being financially dependent on someone was a real blow to me as a person. At first I loved my job, still do, customer service at petrol station is what I'm qualified to do, nor is my dream job or what I've spent a few years studying for, but hey, it's a job, it *cough* 'pays'. But it is coming to the stage where I feel taken advantage of. I know the only reason I was employed was because of the $6,500 wage subsidy that went with hiring me. Yeah ok I get that, not an issue. What is getting to me is I am being significantly underpaid, I don't receive the legal minimum wage, penalties, public holiday rates. However, the other lady who started at the same time as me complained and asked to be back paid for all her hours, including all the hours she worked that they refused to pay her because it was 'training'. 2 days later she lost her job, they found a way to fire her. She was also long term unemployed. I was told by another worker that she lost her job because she spoke up and advised me not to say anything about my pay if I wanted to keep my job. So I did. Just recently I have now found out that at the end of a shift if the till is down, it comes out of my pay. So not only am I now getting underpaid, I've also been informed that a highly illegal docking of wages can occur. I feel angry, I feel used and taken advantage of and feel that they deliberately employed vulnerable people so they can be taken advantage of, because they're less likely to complain because they need the job. The issue that I've faced these past few months, is if I speak up and ask to paid minimum wage and speak out about this I WILL lose my job, I've spoken to fair work and they suggested finding a new job and then when I leave pursuing it because unlawful dismissal is difficult to prove especially if they say the reason was performance based and only being there a few months it'll be really hard to prove and it's likely that although they'll have to pay me they'll get away with the unlawful dismissal. I'm stressed, I need the job but I hate being taken advantage of.

Lets_try Never ends
  • replies: 2

I just can't deal with people face to face I have been stuck in my house for about 10 years now since I was 22, I am 31or 32 I don't remember. The only reason I leave is to do shopping and I just grab whatever and rush back. I think it is because I h... View more

I just can't deal with people face to face I have been stuck in my house for about 10 years now since I was 22, I am 31or 32 I don't remember. The only reason I leave is to do shopping and I just grab whatever and rush back. I think it is because I hate myself just everything about me my looks my thinking. I mean if I can't stand myself why should anyone else have to. I was bullied my whole school life for my looks heh I guess it worked now I am nothing

JamesR Cant sleep or eat, and i feel like i cant reach out for help
  • replies: 1

I havent slept in 55 hours and i haven't eaten in 63 hours, my family is away at the moment and im home alone, and everytime my mum calls me she asks if im ok and i cant handle telling her that im not, and i lie, which leads to me breaking down even ... View more

I havent slept in 55 hours and i haven't eaten in 63 hours, my family is away at the moment and im home alone, and everytime my mum calls me she asks if im ok and i cant handle telling her that im not, and i lie, which leads to me breaking down even worse. I don't know what to do about this

Mendel Morning Anxiety
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone, I am just reaching out for advice on how people handle their morning anxiety. One of the worst things is going to bed feeling pretty good and relaxed, and then waking up in the morning with that knot in the stomach feeling anxious for no... View more

Hi everyone, I am just reaching out for advice on how people handle their morning anxiety. One of the worst things is going to bed feeling pretty good and relaxed, and then waking up in the morning with that knot in the stomach feeling anxious for no particular reason. It is frustrating, and it interferes with the mood at the very start of the day. Cheers, Mendel

Jennaa Social anxiety/ meeting new people/ keeping jobs
  • replies: 1

I have a constant anxiety that is there weather I’m meeting up people I’ve met before or meeting new people for the first time I’m so crippling with fear about what they’ll think of me or how I look that I just won’t go or if I do try to I won’t make... View more

I have a constant anxiety that is there weather I’m meeting up people I’ve met before or meeting new people for the first time I’m so crippling with fear about what they’ll think of me or how I look that I just won’t go or if I do try to I won’t make it there because I’ll feel to sick or start hyperventilating I have no idea what I can do to help this. it’s the same with jobs if I get a new job I’m scared that I’m not learning everything properly & that I’m an annoyance for asking about anything it doesn’t matter how many times people tell me it’s ok to ask questions I just can’t. im so sick of having all this in my head I need help in how to fix it any help would be so appreciated because I really don’t know what to do or how to help myself

_ravenclaw_poe Worsened anxiety due to recent news stories
  • replies: 2

Hey guys, i don’t know if this is the best place to put this but I don’t know what else to do. This month has been really hard. Thankfully, I have not been directly affected by the fires nor by this new virus. However, as I have OCD with massive fear... View more

Hey guys, i don’t know if this is the best place to put this but I don’t know what else to do. This month has been really hard. Thankfully, I have not been directly affected by the fires nor by this new virus. However, as I have OCD with massive fears surrounding illness/germs and danger to my family, my anxiety has been the worst it’s ever been. im too scared to leave the house and too scared to sleep at night, leaving me to sleep all day instead. I’m just so scared all the time and I don’t know what to do. I start uni soon so I need to get better. I feel like the only thing that will solve this is for the virus to be cured but idk if/when that will happen. any advice? Anyone experiencing the same or similar thing? thanks xx