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

CoraC Rejection from job interview (job I'm already in)
  • replies: 1

Job hunting. It's hard, right? I don't enjoy going through the motions of trying to 'big' myself up because that feels fake.then the whole selling yourself palaver. It's the worst. But I thought I had worked out my own magic formula for getting it ri... View more

Job hunting. It's hard, right? I don't enjoy going through the motions of trying to 'big' myself up because that feels fake.then the whole selling yourself palaver. It's the worst. But I thought I had worked out my own magic formula for getting it right. 1) take contract role to see if you like job, people etc. all being well, apply for permanent job as one comes available. Then youve established yourself, have good solid work skills, good already formed relationships and you're a known quantity. Well didn't all this come unstuck when I applied for my internal role at work recently. At this point I've done the role a year. Got the interview, told I'd done very well but oh well um we have no perm job to give you (job advertised as perm). We can give you a few more weeks work but that's it. Later a colleague (who I've trained and mentored in the few months he's been there ) announces he's been given a much longer contract than I have. I am genuinely thrilled and pleased he will have some certainty. But now I realise how poorly I have done in their eyes. I have nothing but respect for my colleague who secured the longer role but have lost respect for the decision makers who deemed me to be less suitable, have overlooked my 20 years industry experience, taking on extra duties and helping out the whole team. I just feel like walking out the door and never coming back. Please does anyone have advice? I'm in a pit of despair about this and don't know if I'll be able to interview again without huge anxiety.

RootinTootin Feel like anxiety is ruining what I've set up for myself and creating difficult decisions
  • replies: 4

I recently got diagnosed with GAD and depression. I've had symptoms for a while but I recently moved country and started a postgraduate course, and the stress of this, along with leaving family and friends back home, really brought everything to a he... View more

I recently got diagnosed with GAD and depression. I've had symptoms for a while but I recently moved country and started a postgraduate course, and the stress of this, along with leaving family and friends back home, really brought everything to a head and I essentially had a breakdown. I struggled to look after myself, couldn't sleep and had some really dark thoughts. I've been seeing a counsellor for around 2 months now, and started antidepressants 2 and a half weeks ago. My best friend also arrived last week. It doesn't feel like it on a daily basis but I have made progress from where I was. I guess the reason I'm posting is because I'm not sure whether anxiety is causing me to get really stressed about my current situation, or whether the postgrad course is causing the anxiety. My mental health is awful right now and I have been tempted to sack it all in and return home. But that means leaving my partner here, my best friend, and leaving the course. Due to visa reasons, I don't think I can stay in the country if I quite the course. So far I've really not enjoyed the course and it has caused me a lot of anxiety, but then I am only 2 months in and everyone I have spoken to/read says that the first few months are overwhelming and hard, and everyone says to push on through. I just feel like my anxiety and depression has got me in a horrible situation where I'm not enjoying my days, but that if I quit I have to leave the country due to visa reasons, which makes me feel kind of trapped? I feel like I should keep taking it day by day and give it more time, but in my head I don't know if I can do this and the daily battle against anxiety and depression is exhausting. I guess I'm wondering if anyone has any advice, and I just wanted to get it off my chest and talk about it. Thanks for reading!

sunnydaysarecoming anxiety taking over my life
  • replies: 3

hi, i’m 16 years old and my anxiety is taking over. i’ve had anxiety since i was young (around 10) and lately it’s been hitting me hard. i recently got my first job ever which has been a huge trigger and i’m towards the end of my schooling journey wh... View more

hi, i’m 16 years old and my anxiety is taking over. i’ve had anxiety since i was young (around 10) and lately it’s been hitting me hard. i recently got my first job ever which has been a huge trigger and i’m towards the end of my schooling journey which is terrifying as now i’m facing the real world. my anxiety stops me from hanging out with friends when i’m invited places, ordering my own food, buying something from the shops, getting onto a bus by myself, class presentations, and many other simple daily activities. i have a shift tomorrow for my work which is absolutely terrifying and i can’t sleep. sometimes i feel so alone with my anxiety so i’m hoping there is people out there who feel the exact same way.

greatoutdoors123 Focussing on mistakes in my past
  • replies: 6

Hi there, I seem to have a problem with focussing (and almost obsessing) over mistakes I've made in the past. Whether it be at uni, or work etc, I will just randomly think of them and then replay them over and over. It's really getting to me and make... View more

Hi there, I seem to have a problem with focussing (and almost obsessing) over mistakes I've made in the past. Whether it be at uni, or work etc, I will just randomly think of them and then replay them over and over. It's really getting to me and makes me feel bad about myself. Has anyone else felt this way, or have any tips? Thanks everyone, x

44Max44 A distressing day
  • replies: 16

So today has been pretty difficult for me so far. Some background is I've had nasal polyps for a few months now, but they have never really caused me any worry- until this morning. I went to blow my nose and a little bit of mucus with blood in it cam... View more

So today has been pretty difficult for me so far. Some background is I've had nasal polyps for a few months now, but they have never really caused me any worry- until this morning. I went to blow my nose and a little bit of mucus with blood in it came out, and my nose was bleeding a little bit. I then stupidly googled 'blood nose and nasal polyps' and of course, one of the things Google says it 'could' be is cancer. Great. Now my mind is going crazy and I can't think of anything but that, I went to my friend's house and found it extremely difficult to socialize, I pretty much just stayed silent and was in my head the whole time. On the bright side of things, this rather distressing experience finally pushed me to go down to my GP and book both a normal consult to check up on my nose, and a mental health care plan for Monday next week. I'm seriously considering just going down to the GP tonight (it closes at 10pm) and getting my nose checked then because I'm really concerned. It could very well be (and most likely is) just a slight nose bleed caused by the abnormally hot day (28 degrees compared to 20ish degree days usual), but that still doesn't stop me from being anxious of it. This isn't really a question, I'm just really anxious right now and want to voice my concerns. Let's just say I can't wait for the GP visit tomorrow and see what the doctor has to say. I really need to get out of the habit of self-diagnosing myself because it just makes me panic even when I might have no reason to be panicking at all. I hope that's the case. Thanks guys

Maximprok Please Share - Panic Attacks and Hospital Visits
  • replies: 2

I'm interested to see whether other people have a similar experience to me. The last 2 months has been absolute hell for me. Prior to what I'm going to share, I've never had any anxiety problems or experience a panic attack. To tell you a bit about m... View more

I'm interested to see whether other people have a similar experience to me. The last 2 months has been absolute hell for me. Prior to what I'm going to share, I've never had any anxiety problems or experience a panic attack. To tell you a bit about myself: I'm a 23 year old woman and I do temping for work (

sledz14 Tingling, muscle tension after intense anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi All, For the past 1-2 weeks I've had a really intense period of panic and anxiety brought on by a health scare. I was so wound up in paralyzing fear, dread, sadness, stress for nearly 2 weeks. I had the occasional moment of calm when distracted, b... View more

Hi All, For the past 1-2 weeks I've had a really intense period of panic and anxiety brought on by a health scare. I was so wound up in paralyzing fear, dread, sadness, stress for nearly 2 weeks. I had the occasional moment of calm when distracted, but it would always come back and hit me like a tidal wave. My sleep has been awful and my body has truly taken a toll. However, today I'm finally feeling a little bit better and like myself. I honestly think my brain just gave up and has no capacity to panic anymore. I feel calm and relaxed, am able to think straight and concentrate, but I'm having these waves of tingles and numbness down my head through my right jaw, neck and shoulders. I know it's not a panic attack. Is it possible that this is my bodies reaction to being so stressed for 2 weeks? I've been reading online that it could be that my stress response is still in a semi-hyperstimulated state. I'm considering popping to shop and getting a massage to help relieve that tension. Has anyone else felt this way?

Zazu What a year... How to keep up
  • replies: 2

So this year so far, in order, I've changed jobs from self employed to full time employment, moved house, pulled out of uni as it was too much, gotten pregnant (am still), and 2 weeks ago lost my grandfather who I was quite close to, then last week f... View more

So this year so far, in order, I've changed jobs from self employed to full time employment, moved house, pulled out of uni as it was too much, gotten pregnant (am still), and 2 weeks ago lost my grandfather who I was quite close to, then last week find out my Mum has bowel cancer and has to have surgery in 2 weeks and prognosis isn't looking good. A couple of things I could do with advice on: 1. Nothing I say or do for mum is making things better and I don't know what to do. I live 2 hours from her, and have organised with work to adjust my hours so I can be up there with her 3-4 days a week, limited by my own need for doctors appointments for pregnancy and work commitments. My idea was that I can help out with stuff around the house, shopping, cooking meals for the week etc. I tend to 'solve' and be quite practical and have no idea what to actually say to her. She said today that I'm not taking it seriously enough and don't realise she'll be dead soon. She is sure she will not make it through the operation and will only plan for her passing, not plan anything for the scenario of her living.. i.e. how can we make sure she has meals, who can check on her when I'm not there. She will only focus on who gets what and making sure I don't throw out anything of hers that is expensive. How do I handle this? Any ideas? What does she need from me and how do I balance that with what has to be done? 2. How do I keep my own head above water? I'm hormonal, grieving for pop, stressed for Mum, barely getting my job done, strapped for cash and already today felt that lovely breathlessness and heart pumping of my old friend anxiety, where I even had to end a work phone call quickly before I couldn't talk. I know I can't look after others if I fall apart, so how do I summon the strength to get through this and be there for mum?

Anxietyprone 2 week anxiety
  • replies: 8

Over the past 10 years I've suffered on off with severe anxiety spells. They generally last 2 to 3 weeks. Weeks filled with the weirdest. Tightest chest, can't eat can't think straight for more then 2 mins and fear the absolute worst. I know it event... View more

Over the past 10 years I've suffered on off with severe anxiety spells. They generally last 2 to 3 weeks. Weeks filled with the weirdest. Tightest chest, can't eat can't think straight for more then 2 mins and fear the absolute worst. I know it eventually settles but I want to start looking at underlying issues and other methods of getting on top of this? Has or.does anyone suffer similar

Amond New health anxiety need help
  • replies: 10

I need help or just some reassurance I do suffer from anxiety triggered usually by a stressful situation but my anxiety which can be appropriate for the situation can get really out of control. I just hate being in this state. i am mother to two youn... View more

I need help or just some reassurance I do suffer from anxiety triggered usually by a stressful situation but my anxiety which can be appropriate for the situation can get really out of control. I just hate being in this state. i am mother to two young children and recently had a biopsy for a suspicious nodule found internally a bit more than a week ago. I am totally panicked and I’m just not going to be able to handle a bad result. I definitely have symptoms which is why I was referred to the specialist in the first place but I’m just not coping at all I get the results tmw . Please can anyone provide some reassuring words. Thanks