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

Lee Francis Tips compulsive eating
  • replies: 6

Hi friends, I've started binge eating the last couple months and I can't seem to stop. It's proper compulsive eating, not just a matter of eating too much. I was just wondering if anyone had any tips or success stories? I think I know why it started.... View more

Hi friends, I've started binge eating the last couple months and I can't seem to stop. It's proper compulsive eating, not just a matter of eating too much. I was just wondering if anyone had any tips or success stories? I think I know why it started. I just moved to a different country after living with my parents for 30 years and I'm feeling very isolated. I'm having so much fun, but I guess I'm not ok either. Thanks

TheRavensDesk Anxiety is making university unbearable and unmanageable
  • replies: 3

I am currently struggling with severe anxiety and hence I am behind on my university work and am unable to attend my compulsory classes which contribute to my grade. How do you think i should deal with this? I live 2 hours away, so travelling and lea... View more

I am currently struggling with severe anxiety and hence I am behind on my university work and am unable to attend my compulsory classes which contribute to my grade. How do you think i should deal with this? I live 2 hours away, so travelling and leaving my house is incredibly difficult for me and the days leading up to Wednesday when I have to go are terrible. I have missed all the classes the past 2 weeks and I cannot miss anymore, but I just cant do it. Should I defer until next semester and get my mental health in check before returning? I am making efforts to manage it now, but I am unsure as what to do currently in my units, which I fear I will fail. But I also fear that if I defer, I am succumbing to the avoidance behaviour I have adopted. I made the first step yesterday and saw my GP and i am on the path to getting medication, but I just don't know what to do currently with university. I am 18 and I am a first year, but I feel like a failure if I stop...What do you suggest?

Underwood Please help! Panic attacks/constant panic
  • replies: 10

Hi guys, I’ve had anxiety for the past 8-9 years. I was getting awful neurological symptoms like tingling, bad brain fog and a host of other symptoms that have pretty much gone away until recently. I had every test under the sun because I couldn’t be... View more

Hi guys, I’ve had anxiety for the past 8-9 years. I was getting awful neurological symptoms like tingling, bad brain fog and a host of other symptoms that have pretty much gone away until recently. I had every test under the sun because I couldn’t believe what my brain was doing to me. To the point where a neurologist said to me you have anxiety and need medication. Ive been on meds that whole time and went off them for a few months this year - had a massive episode of panic and then went back on. Last sat night, out of nowhere my heart sank, I thought I felt numb in my hands which then lead me to a panic state for hours.now I keep getting random symptoms - sweating, feeling on edge, dizzy, crying. Im going to the doc this afternoon to ask if I may need a med change. I am just scared this isn’t going to go away. I’m in constant fear I’m going to pass out at the drop of a hat and everyone around me will need to call an ambulance. I almost wish I had a trigger instead of it coming from nowhere. No one at work knows about my anxiety which may make it worse. I just want to know how other people cope with this constant fear of a panic attack and constant overwhelming worry about every cell in my body.

Ollie2019 Work anxiety. I can’t take it anymore
  • replies: 1

I work as a veterinary professional and in the last few months I’ve been very anxious at work. I work in such a toxic environment. There are so many backstabbing two faced people there and I’m constantly worried about what that day will bring. i feel... View more

I work as a veterinary professional and in the last few months I’ve been very anxious at work. I work in such a toxic environment. There are so many backstabbing two faced people there and I’m constantly worried about what that day will bring. i feel like people are talking behind my back or that I’m not doing much work. Every time a meeting is booked I freak out thinking it’s about me. ive never had this problem before and it’s only at this job. i went to see my doctor last week because I am petrified going into work. She gave me a medical certificate and some sleeping tablets and I rebooked to see her in a week (which is tomorrow) i have resigned the day after my medical certificate as I really don’t want to go back. I have 3 weeks left until my last day. Can my doctor give me medical certificate for the 3 weeks? I can’t go back. I won’t. I can’t stop thinking about it and I feel beyond sick thinking of going back to that toxic place.

CasperD Self-induced anxiety - was it worth it?
  • replies: 1

Hi all, This is my first time posting here and I feel silly for having to do so. I have always suffered anxiety and depression and have been on medication for many years. I always thought I knew the worst of this illness, but I only realised just how... View more

Hi all, This is my first time posting here and I feel silly for having to do so. I have always suffered anxiety and depression and have been on medication for many years. I always thought I knew the worst of this illness, but I only realised just how bad I can get after recently resigning from a new job with nothing else to go to (aka self-induced). I have been reaching out to family and friends, but I'm conscious of the fact that they can only do so much. I live a long way from my family (Victoria vs Queensland), but I have never wanted more for them to be closer. I live alone and have been single for 6 years now, so apart from those on the other end of text or phone, there is really no one. Leaving a well-paid job because of moral issues with the industry and what it was doing to me mentally is crazy enough, but I can't help but think about what would have been worse. Putting up with the moral dilemmas and still getting paid for it, or the current situation I find myself in. I am applying for jobs and by most accounts, people would say that I'm highly employable with a lot of experience in my field. But I can't escape the feeling that I have brought this on myself and need to punish myself for my stupid life choices.

Manda007_ Depression or sad
  • replies: 5

Hey guys, i am not sure if I have depression or anxiety.. I can’t sleep, I can’t eat, , I cry all the time, I sit at home and the walls feel like they are closing in on me, which makes me feels worse, but the idea of going out fills me with dread and... View more

Hey guys, i am not sure if I have depression or anxiety.. I can’t sleep, I can’t eat, , I cry all the time, I sit at home and the walls feel like they are closing in on me, which makes me feels worse, but the idea of going out fills me with dread and makes me feel sick. I didn’t go to work on Friday because I could not leave the house. I feel like I am being sucked into a black hole and I am about to be consumed by it. I just can’t seem to get happy. My partner just broke up with me so I am not sure if I am sad or depressed. My ex is on deployment and recently told me that they are not coming home to me and I need to move out of my home navies they are taking a job in another state. i feel like a shell of my former self and I just can’t seem to shake this sadness. We have been having problems since nov and I have felt this way since then. I have tried therapy but it does not seem to be helping me... should I do? i need help

Josh112 Discontinuation Withdrawals - I just need to chat
  • replies: 3

So since about September last year I started on antidepressant medication. Was starting to feel relatively well and the side effect of weight gain from the drug made me decide I wanted to move away from it and try to live 'sober' again. So my psychia... View more

So since about September last year I started on antidepressant medication. Was starting to feel relatively well and the side effect of weight gain from the drug made me decide I wanted to move away from it and try to live 'sober' again. So my psychiatrist agreed and we made a plan to taper. I believe I tapered much much too fast. I went from feeling fine to then starting to feel anxiety creeping in again over the course of the week. Random crying spells, intrusive thoughts and general badness. Day 7 since stopping medication. Started to feel very anxious. Appetite shot to bits. Day 8 anxious again, little sleep. Not a lot of food. Day 9 very anxious and a pretty average sleep again. Had to take sleeping medication to take the edge off. It worked well and I actually was able to eat dinner. Day 10 was much the same's built up to the point where during the day I'm so sweaty, anxious and out of my mind that I avoid going out and shower a few times a day and become reduced to tears by the consistent anxiousness. Today(Day 11) Seemed like a relatively good start to the day, didn't cry too much or feel too out of place. Was feeling a bit numb in the head, sweaty and not great. Went to lunch, started to go downhill after that. I managed to eat some sushi and some food during the day, struggled to keep it down. Anxiety grew more intense throughout the afternoon and I took sleeping medication to see if that would help. Not the greatest at the moment, some friends and my girlfriend are going out to dinner and I'm not in any shape to be considered good company. Just gonna stay home and watch the footy (thank god its back on). I am wondering if anyone has had similar experience with Antidepressant Discontinuation withdrawals. I'm at day 11 now since stopping the medication and it's absolutely hell on earth. I am determined to try and ride this out in the hopes of it becoming better soon. Family members (Sister and Father) think I should just return to a very low dosage to help me sleep and hopefully curb some of the symptoms.

Cybertron121 Bullying and harassment at workplace
  • replies: 5

So, it feels like I am being constantly bullied and harassed at my workplace. I have had moment of panic attacks and actual shocks as well where it felt like I was electrocuted because of the subtle ways I was bullied. I did not realize earlier as I ... View more

So, it feels like I am being constantly bullied and harassed at my workplace. I have had moment of panic attacks and actual shocks as well where it felt like I was electrocuted because of the subtle ways I was bullied. I did not realize earlier as I thought it was just a phase but it seems to be getting worse and worse. In addition, management told me that the situation I was in was "Damned if I do and Damned if I don't" and I have been told that twice which I perceived as a threat from my management and my previous team leader used words like "Sink or Swim" I have been ridiculed and bullied as a gay person indirectly by the staff members because I am not in a relationship and I refuse to go into one because if I can't make myself happy then how can I expect to make the love of my life happy? Furthermore, management has advised me that I am letting the team down and nowhere have I ever raised this issue with my team leader because I don't know how they would respond and I am scared. The company I work is notorious for micromanaging it's workers and working them to the point of pure insanity by not giving them enough time between calls and I feel I am being used like a punching bag as well. What should I do?

distelfink Physical symptoms of (health)Anxiety. (Lady issues)
  • replies: 3

So, awhile ago I had symptoms with my breasts, where I was so hung up on the thought that I had breast cancer. (Purely because I had an ache which turned out to be completely normal... I'm due for a pap smear, and anyway, I had been focusing on the t... View more

So, awhile ago I had symptoms with my breasts, where I was so hung up on the thought that I had breast cancer. (Purely because I had an ache which turned out to be completely normal... I'm due for a pap smear, and anyway, I had been focusing on the thought and I said to myself to not think about it as much as I was because I knew that my brain would manifest pains. Anyway, so wouldn't you believe it... Here I am again. I got PMS symptoms and suddenly, that meant I had cervical cancer. I got a random itch and of course, I googled. Then, I had a pain on the undie line where my thigh meets the side of the groin... Again, googled. (Idiot) and then since then, all I am feeling is random senations in my groin, abdomen etc. I have gas and as the gas and bloating is building, it hurts, obviously. Then my thighs get tired when walking up ramps or stairs and of course, I went to, yep, cancer or something else. Just like last time, if I'm distracted I have no symptoms. When I feel the "pain"... It would only be a level 1 or 2, it's not even anything bad, but in my head, if a body was normal, it wouldn't hurt or have ANY sensation. I clean for a living so I'm up and down steps, vacuuming and using a heavy blower every day, so my shoulders are sore, but I know that's related to work. I KNOW I have to see a doctor, I'll be seeing one soon but the second someone says "see your doc for a mind ease" I read "you're dying, see a doctor" But why can't it all just go away? How can I stop my brain from LOOKING for the pain when it's distracted? I wake up fine, I look for sensations, I find it, it gets worse and it's a.vicious cycle

Kmart96 Sleep troubles
  • replies: 6

I’m having trouble getting to sleep due to my massive anxiety problems. I suffer severely from health anxiety and always think I have a serious illness. I struggle to get to sleep as I’m worried that I won’t wake up again and I don’t know how to get ... View more

I’m having trouble getting to sleep due to my massive anxiety problems. I suffer severely from health anxiety and always think I have a serious illness. I struggle to get to sleep as I’m worried that I won’t wake up again and I don’t know how to get out of that cycle. I’m losing sleep over this anxiety and it’s cause actual health problems in my day to day life. Was hoping someone has gone through this themselves or could point me in the direction of a solution of some sort.