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

agobella Celebrating
  • replies: 1

Hi Everyone I was dreading Christmas this year, but this year is the first time in I don't know how long, that I actually only had a minor anxiety attack which did not affect enjoying Christmas. I felt like shouting up to the heavens, it was and stil... View more

Hi Everyone I was dreading Christmas this year, but this year is the first time in I don't know how long, that I actually only had a minor anxiety attack which did not affect enjoying Christmas. I felt like shouting up to the heavens, it was and still is unreal that I was not plagued by an anxiety attack, just maybe my concoction of meds is actually working after all of these years. Sadly, I find it hard to believe and I am worried that an anxiety attack will rear its ugly head again, but I must remain positive.

DailyBread Physical vs Mental Anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi all, I, as many of you on this site, have been afflicted with anxiety. I hate it. I feel like it's a constant pressure that makes even breathing a taxing activity. Sleep is usually my only respite, but sometimes even there it encroaches, giving me... View more

Hi all, I, as many of you on this site, have been afflicted with anxiety. I hate it. I feel like it's a constant pressure that makes even breathing a taxing activity. Sleep is usually my only respite, but sometimes even there it encroaches, giving me nightmares and leaving me exhausted when I wake. I have tried many suggestions in dealing with it, but most seem to imply (or directly state outright) that anxiety comes from your thought processes and patterns. I don't dispute this at all, I am no medical professional, but I am not constantly worrying about some unknown future, or what embarrassing thing might happen at the next party I go to; I am worrying about never being able to feel that pressure lift off, and be content in just being. I am constantly in a state of anxiety, no matter what I do, be it an enjoyable activity (like reading) or a chore (washing the dishes). Altering my thinking doesn't seem to be doing much, mainly because I don't recognize any intrusive thoughts that I could alter my perception to. So I'm stuck with these physical manifestations instead, and it's really bringing me down, to the point where life like this seems more like an existence than a life that can be enjoyed. Perhaps I could give you fine readers a little backstory? Maybe some might be able to see something I can't, or even relate to it. A month after putting down my beloved dog, it was my birthday, and I went on my first (and last) binge drinking spree. I was throwing up everywhere after a few hours and almost passed out on the sofa (I alternated between napping and cleaning up the vomit). For a week after, I was so ill, barely able to do anything due to severe dizziness, near-constant nausea, light-headedness, heart pounding (or seeming like it was), and very bad diarrhea. I even went to the ER on day three, thinking that perhaps I had alcohol poisoning. I was sent home with wafers to aid with the nausea, and instructions to sleep it off.

sam1999 I'm constantly anxious about my health
  • replies: 1

(i have general anxiety for about four years now) I'm getting really bad healthy anxiety , it started in august of this year I'm not too sure what triggered me to constantly worry about this though. in saying that around the beginning of June I start... View more

(i have general anxiety for about four years now) I'm getting really bad healthy anxiety , it started in august of this year I'm not too sure what triggered me to constantly worry about this though. in saying that around the beginning of June I started my weight loss journey, now that I'm looking after my body more than ever, I've become very self aware of my body and feel the need to be in control. if it's a cold or if I'm feeling sore somewhere or just anything i always expect the worst. if it does turn out to be something, its never been something serious but I'm constantly afraid if the doctor isn't telling me something or if they're giving me false information. and if I have an anxiety attack, the physical symptoms that occur freak me out as well, I get chest pains when i feel anxious. recently I started developing pain in my right arm and leg with small bruises that come and go, I've seen a doctor and he did a physical examination and said that I've just pulled muscles in my groin, leg and bicep and to take a few days to rest and slowly get back into exercise after. but even though the doctor has said that I'm fine, I'm still worried that I'll get a life threatening illness. please reply if you've experienced anything similar

Arden Guilt and Anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi, I find it really hard to explain myself but I am going to try. Earlier in the year I chose to leave a part time job that i hated to go traveling. Now that i have returned I have gotten a casual job. Every day I have the guilty feelings that I mad... View more

Hi, I find it really hard to explain myself but I am going to try. Earlier in the year I chose to leave a part time job that i hated to go traveling. Now that i have returned I have gotten a casual job. Every day I have the guilty feelings that I made the wrong decision in leaving my job. I feel guilty every time I get called up to work and can't go in. I always show up for my rostered hours and accept extended shifts. The job in itself makes me uneasy and when they call up for last minute shifts I panic and make up excuses. I then spend the next two day feeling guilty and worried and anxious and thinking that I should have just gone in to avoid this feeling. I get these feelings even when I have an actual reason to not go in. And then it ruins my day anyway from feeling like I've done the wrong thing. The guilty feeling isn't just for work related feelings. It's things like choosing to stay home instead of going out, going out instead of staying hime, picking one event over another, disappointing friends etc etc etc. It's everything. Over eating, not saying enough, saying too much, saying the wrong thing. I just can't seem to not feel guilty. Does anybody have an advice on how I can control these feelings?

IsaJett Do we care or do we not care ?
  • replies: 15

I have been seeing a guy who is younger than I am ..everything is so so sweet ..until he mentioned one time that he feels that he thinks people are judging him or us ..when we go out . i was mortified ...because I was never one to care what others th... View more

I have been seeing a guy who is younger than I am ..everything is so so sweet ..until he mentioned one time that he feels that he thinks people are judging him or us ..when we go out . i was mortified ...because I was never one to care what others thought ...cos I got my own life to live and it isn’t anybodys business . I learned these a while ago ..people are gonna judge you regardless ..that’s what people do . So you would do your head in if you cared at all about what anybody thought . I got that down pad ..but my boyfriend was like so distraught by it , and I was so taken back because I was oblivious to how he was suffering . i told him how I viewed it in the hope of him being able to get another perspective ..so he doesn’t feel so judged..cos that sounds really painful for him , he felt that it’s important that I know how he’s feeling about it , and I’m glad he did ..because I was absolutely clueless...thinking omg what’s the big deal ...we just go out get some dinner. ....but apparently it is a BIG deal to him ..he hides it rather well ...times when we out ..I thought oh he’s very quiet but at times he just looks like he doesn’t want to be there , so I am just in a world of pain for him ...because I don’t care about what others think ...but he does. He would say ..he doesn’t care either ..but clearly he does ..hAha i harped on it a little while as I wanted him to see it my way ,..and then I realise he gonna have to do this on his own . its not even just the age gap thing ...it’s everything ..people judge or so we think ...but whatever the case is ,..we just cannot care ..we have to choose not to care ..so we can operate normally . Hmm just a rant session ..anyone feel the same ..would love to hear similar survivor stories . i thought he wanted to end the relationship and freaked out until I realise he is in a way opening up to me and I can’t just go all personal on him ..cos it isn’t about me ..it’s about him and how he thinks the world views him .

roogirl Lavender for anxiety
  • replies: 5

Hello everyone, My GP has suggested I try lavender capsules/tablets for help with my anxiety. Has anyone out there tried them and if so how did you go with your anxiety? Did you feel calmer etc? Any comments on this subject welcomed. Thanks Roogirl

Hello everyone, My GP has suggested I try lavender capsules/tablets for help with my anxiety. Has anyone out there tried them and if so how did you go with your anxiety? Did you feel calmer etc? Any comments on this subject welcomed. Thanks Roogirl

emmalilac Some help needed please
  • replies: 6

Hi there, as you can tell I am new to this place. I came onto this platform in a cry of help as I am in currently in a vulnerable state. So here is my situation: For a week I have been avoiding my friends and everyone on social media to the point whe... View more

Hi there, as you can tell I am new to this place. I came onto this platform in a cry of help as I am in currently in a vulnerable state. So here is my situation: For a week I have been avoiding my friends and everyone on social media to the point where I have deactivated my instagram account. This is not the first time I have done so this year but it is a way of me to cope in a way with my issues. Usually my friends would check up on me, call my number and message me. But this time it's different. I feel so lonely and guilty like I had brought this onto myself and on the other hand disappointed with my friends for not reaching out in my most difficult of times. I am especially disappointed with one of my friends who knows my current situation which is god awful but not even she has bothered to call me or anything during this week of hell. I understand that they have their own lives and everything but they are acting like everything is okay. No one has bothered to ask what happened to my Instagram account or bothered to message me as clearly something is upsetting me. I feel so anxious and sad and I have cried ever since I decided to isolate myself from everyone. Maybe I just want attention, maybe I just want someone to ask me "Are you okay?" and I can't even get that. I am scared of what's to happen next because I don't want to be friendless in the next year of school. I am really sorry for venting but I really need some help or opinion to this matter of mine. Thank you for reading Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

MrRobot Anxiety.....I think!!!
  • replies: 7

I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression after speaking with my GP a few years ago. The past few days I had feelings of nausea, hardly any appetite and just emotional and want to cry. These feelings are the strongest in the morning when I look at ... View more

I was diagnosed with anxiety and depression after speaking with my GP a few years ago. The past few days I had feelings of nausea, hardly any appetite and just emotional and want to cry. These feelings are the strongest in the morning when I look at the time and realise I have the day ahead. I have never had such strong feelings like before and to be honest I really don't like it. My daily routine has completely changed as my wife has gone away for a week on a birthday trip and is out of mobile range and I have taken time off work during this time to look after the kids. I thought I would be fine but have moments where I really struggle. I have found going for a walk helps, but after that I keep watching the clock again. I want to try to keep busy but lack the motivation to do so. It seems like a crazy circle. I found myself here just wanting to ramble I guess and see if anyone out there has had similar feelings and ways to combat it. I am currently on medication for my anxiety and depression and and currently not seeing a psychologist. I don't like to burden people with my problems (damn male gene) but I know I can't keep going on like this, I am mentally exhausted!!! Any tips/advise would be welcome, or even jus knowing I am not alone I guess.

Monkeysss Constant feeling of impending doom? Good distractions?
  • replies: 7

How does one distract themselves from impending doom? Ive been having an increase in panic attacks and I had the worst panic attack I’ve ever experienced yesterday and ever since I have a constant feeling of impending doom. i woke up anxious about ha... View more

How does one distract themselves from impending doom? Ive been having an increase in panic attacks and I had the worst panic attack I’ve ever experienced yesterday and ever since I have a constant feeling of impending doom. i woke up anxious about having another panic attack and the thought hadn’t left my mind I had another mild panic attack today but nothing compared to yesterday. I constantly feel like something bad is gonna happen to me. Like I’m gonna pass out or die. Which makes me start having a panic attack. What are some distractions or ways people have stopped these thoughts? Or both impending doom and the fear of having another panic attack? Btw I’ve recently been put on medication, which my dr said should help but can take 6 weeks to take effect. So I need ideas until then

agobella Why does anxiety creep up when you are having a good time?
  • replies: 3

Hi Everyone Today I went out for lunch with my friends, lunch went ok, but when we sat down after lunch a wave of anxiety swept over me. With me, when this happens, I have physical symptoms-have to run to the toilet, my nose starts running and I star... View more

Hi Everyone Today I went out for lunch with my friends, lunch went ok, but when we sat down after lunch a wave of anxiety swept over me. With me, when this happens, I have physical symptoms-have to run to the toilet, my nose starts running and I start sneezing. I did double one of my meds last night and now I am wondering whether the two glasses of champagne that I had at lunch would have exacerbated my anxiety. Looking for answers if anyone has any.