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

Jim_b New job, huge leap, out of my depth and no idea how idea I’m going to be able to do it!
  • replies: 3

Hello there! First post on here, so be gentle with me. So I recently started a new job as the editor of a magazine. Brilliant you might think. Well, yes, but the magazine is about something I know very little about and have even less experience of. I... View more

Hello there! First post on here, so be gentle with me. So I recently started a new job as the editor of a magazine. Brilliant you might think. Well, yes, but the magazine is about something I know very little about and have even less experience of. I started just under two months ago, and since I started, to varying degrees, I’ve been riddled with anxiety and worry. This is all the more difficult because while a bit of a worrier at times, I’ve never been through such a long period of misery. I struggle to sleep, and when I do wake I feel more tired than when I went to bed. I rise with a sinking feeling in my stomach, and shortness of breath on and off during the day. At least once a day I have a strong desire to cry. Often I do. In fact, things got so bad last week that I passed out in the office, had to go to hospital and take the rest of the week off. I actually don’t worry about what people think of me, but I do worry about the extended discomfort of doing something for 40-odd hours a week that I don’t enjoy. This is magnified especially by the fact that I excelled at my old, mostly unrelated job, but it was going nowhere. So hopefully you’ve got this far and can help me with the nub of my post - how do I get through this time? I’ve tried talking to people, I’ve tried mindfulness, I’ve tried exercise, I’ve tried drinking, I’ve tried not drinking, but nothing seems to have any great effect. The hope is that this job will help lead to something I love, so there is method to the madness of me trying to stick with it. Hoping others have been through similar and can offer some words of support and advice. FYI - saw a psychologist with NewAccess on Monday, first of six meetings. Hopefully that’ll provide some solutions.

Snowboard Paranoid about people talking about me
  • replies: 3

Hello, I've been dealing with an issue over the last couple of months. I will link back anything people say/do to myself in a very negative way. For example, If I cough and then the person next to me coughs I will think they are making fun of me. I t... View more

Hello, I've been dealing with an issue over the last couple of months. I will link back anything people say/do to myself in a very negative way. For example, If I cough and then the person next to me coughs I will think they are making fun of me. I think it sounds silly but this is where it has got to, I never use to be like this. Another example, I could be in one room of a house and hear people talking in the other room and I will find a way in my head to make it out as if they are talking about me even though i'm sure they are not. Or if i'm in a room of people and turn around and make eye contact with someone I will think they're just staring at me. I'm not sure what to do, I'm 23 and use to be a very confident and outgoing guy. Now I constantly hear at social events 'you should talk more.' This issue (although i'm sure is pretty minor compared to others on the forums) is having a pretty big impact on my social behaviour and mood in general. Has anybody dealt with something similar? Is there a name for this? Thanks.

Krystalinna My life is perfect but why am I so unhappy
  • replies: 4

I have a beautiful fiancé a furfilling job beautiful home good friends yet my days are becoming filled with sleep. sleep is where I can get away from feeling so empty feeling like nothing has meaning. I just don’t understand why my mind goes to this ... View more

I have a beautiful fiancé a furfilling job beautiful home good friends yet my days are becoming filled with sleep. sleep is where I can get away from feeling so empty feeling like nothing has meaning. I just don’t understand why my mind goes to this dark place.

Tristanb New Member - Pure O OCD - obsessed over going mad/psychosis
  • replies: 3

Hey there all, Really appreciate anyone who takes the time to read this and/or post a response. I was diagnosed with OCD almost 5 years ago now and have never took to any forums or groups to talk about my own unique experience with the disorder. I ha... View more

Hey there all, Really appreciate anyone who takes the time to read this and/or post a response. I was diagnosed with OCD almost 5 years ago now and have never took to any forums or groups to talk about my own unique experience with the disorder. I have had the obsession or fear of going mad/psychotic/scizophrenic for sometime and just thought it might help to discuss it here. I have incredibly disturbing thoughts that I know are completely ridiculous but just can never seem to let them go. They are thoughts about the symptoms related to psychotic disorders which I have come to know by reading “dr google” far too often. It gets so bad sometimes that I almost imagine these symptoms are happening to me, my anxiety then goes through the roof to the point where I am just praying, sometimes in tears, for these thoughts to stop. Has anyone, or does anyone suffer from this? Or can any one with OCD relate at all? thanks in advance

Bevd Scared of which way to turn.
  • replies: 1

Hi, I live in a small country town in NSW. My 23 year old daughter lives with me. She is studying a university degree by distance. This is her final year and during it she has had to take high level units as she is also doing honours. Because of her ... View more

Hi, I live in a small country town in NSW. My 23 year old daughter lives with me. She is studying a university degree by distance. This is her final year and during it she has had to take high level units as she is also doing honours. Because of her social anxiety she has put off doing work placement (she has to do 12 weeks) so this is something she also has to fit in and find the courage to do. I have gained work in central Queensland where my three adult (her brothers) live/work. Ideally we would live in the same town as them and I would drive to a neighbouring town for work. My daughter has lost contact with those she went to school with so has no friends. I am her only friend and confidante. My sons dearly want us up there, but my daughter is so anxious that she is fearful that her studies will suffer. She’s worried her brothers will push her to be more social and not completely understand her anxiety. I do wonder if having them to interact with may help her, but worry it may exasperate her anxiety. I will either let my sons down by not going or let her down by dragging her away from her “safe place”. She refuses to seek professional help for her anxiety. I don’t have to move, but am confused and upset about what’s best to do. Part of my thinks I should support my daughter through this last difficult year at uni and then reassess the move if another job becomes available. Any suggestions or ideas would be wonderful. Thank you

stace11 Noise phobia?
  • replies: 8

Hello, I am new here! I don’t know if what I’m feeling is normal and I’m just struggling to sort out what’s going on and how I’m feeling. A little background, I have had anxiety for YEARS as well as a dose of PTSD stemming from emotional and mental a... View more

Hello, I am new here! I don’t know if what I’m feeling is normal and I’m just struggling to sort out what’s going on and how I’m feeling. A little background, I have had anxiety for YEARS as well as a dose of PTSD stemming from emotional and mental abuse from years past. I have a dog, he has severe noise phobia and anything like thunder, lightning, fireworks, weather events etc, he goes OFF. He’s causes massive damage to our house & he’s had to have major surgery once because of his panicked reaction. He’s currently on 2 types of medication to treat his anxiety’s and panics. So here is my problem.... due to this major issue, I fear that I’m developing a noise phobia myself. I am fine in my busy work place with massive noises & I’m fine during the day. But at night time, if I hear a creek in the walls, a bang in the house, the neighbours closing a car door, even just the house making noises! I’m in a panic. It’s like my heart is pounding, I’m sick. I’m on the verge of having a panic attack! All because someone closes a door across the road? I can’t sleep, I can’t wind down. At nights I’m soooo on edge. Any and all noises send me back to all the times I have had to work with my dog in his own panic attacks. I just don’t know what to do. At nights when I’m alone I feel like it’s completely running my life, it’s almost debilitating..... I can’t sit down and watch tv after a long day at work because I’m just listening out for any noises. is it ridiculous to be feeling this way? Am I developing a phobia on top of my normal anxiety and depression? What can I do? This is an every night event.

Jac-in-the-box I fear the Physical symptom of anxiety are crippling me
  • replies: 9

Hi, i am a 40 year old woman who has had anxiety in and off for over 15 years, looking back, I believe I had it through my teenage years but didn’t know what it was. i first became aware of anxiety when I suffered my first of many panic attacks and t... View more

Hi, i am a 40 year old woman who has had anxiety in and off for over 15 years, looking back, I believe I had it through my teenage years but didn’t know what it was. i first became aware of anxiety when I suffered my first of many panic attacks and thought I was having a heart attack. I was fortunate and after a rough patch of about 12 months was able to settle well on medication. I lead a very busy life, I have a growing family and a demanding job that I love. It has been many years since I have felt this out of control and lost. i believe the death of my father 4 months ago has triggered my anxiety and I have been spiraling ever since. i am constantly worried to the point of wanting to be physically sick. I am jittery and shaky, have difficulty concentrating and am afaraid that every twitch/ache is a sign of serious health issues. the physical manifestations if my anxiety have sky rocketed, previously I would get increased heart rate and a bad head ache. In the past 4 months, my left arm is aching and twitching, increased heart rate, tingling in face and tounge, brain zaps, constant nausea constant chest pressure and shap pains in the chest. I am also now having what u describe as a hot flush, where out if now where this wave if heat engulfs my head, face and neck which makes me dizzy and dazed. i am now frightened to drive my car or go out in public without my husband as I fear I could become ill and no one would be able to help me. i feel trapped in thus never ending cycle. any tips or advice would be very welcome. I am very scared that I will not be able to get ahold of it and my life will be ruled by my fears. thsnjs for listening.

sometimesanxious How long does it take for physical symptoms to ease once taking medication
  • replies: 1

I am on day 8 of starting a very small dose of medication for my anxiety and anxiety as just wondering roughly how long it took others to notice the physical symptoms of their anxiety start to ease? Having the physical symptoms that are forever chang... View more

I am on day 8 of starting a very small dose of medication for my anxiety and anxiety as just wondering roughly how long it took others to notice the physical symptoms of their anxiety start to ease? Having the physical symptoms that are forever changing are a constant trigger for me. The medication has increased my anxiety somewhat and I find night time especially hard and early mornings and have been having quite a few panic attacks.

TamDog Living undiagnosed but everything has come undone
  • replies: 1

Hello im new to these forums and in hoping someone can help me. Ive been living with undiagnosed anxiety and depression most of my life. I never realised i had problems yet looking back its all so clear. Just recently my husband saw the cracks openin... View more

Hello im new to these forums and in hoping someone can help me. Ive been living with undiagnosed anxiety and depression most of my life. I never realised i had problems yet looking back its all so clear. Just recently my husband saw the cracks opening and has begged me to get help. For a few months life has felt like its in different colors. I feel scared to be alone. I want to cry all the time. I feel like im too reliant on having my husband with me andthat he will get sick of putting upwith me. We have 2 children and i question my parenting all the time. Ny brother suicided 19 years ago and this affects my life all the time. How do i stop the panicky feeling? I feel like i cant keepputting on the fake smile but im terrified of showing people how i really feel. I worry im so black inside and there's nothing good. I miss feeling good. I feel stuck. Id appreciate any advice. Thanks.

Greg61 Trying to find help for my son
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone, i manage my own depression and anxiety issues, but this is about my son, not me. He is 30 this year and has suffered from his early teens with a social anxiety disorder. He knows he does, and tries to deal with it as best he can. I belie... View more

Hi everyone, i manage my own depression and anxiety issues, but this is about my son, not me. He is 30 this year and has suffered from his early teens with a social anxiety disorder. He knows he does, and tries to deal with it as best he can. I believe Headspace possibly saved his life and helped him a great deal. He now lives alone (shares a unit). He is very thin and knows he is ill, but feels not one will listen to him. He is often dismissed as a drug abuser (he does smoke weed and nicotine, but no more than the "average" person), and this hurts him deeply. He has done what most of us would call vast amounts of reading and research, but historically, medical professionals have dismissed him with throwaway lines like "take supplements" and "try this or that and you'll be ok". He has tried and done all those things and they haven't helped. He's had bloods done and thyroid tests but nothing seems out of order. He believes he has something like "reverse anorexia" as he describes it, where he can eat, and does, but doesn't put on weight or mass. He says he can't physically eat around others or near authority figures. He isn't bulimic. it hurts me to see him this way. He's been going through all the regular medical motions without an answer and its feeding his anxiety terribly. I'm scared he'll give up. He knows we love him and support him, but we all feel powerless. im looking for help for him initially where he lives (Gold Coast). I'm in NSW. Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas?

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