Anxiety

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

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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

Sezza_H Should I tell others about my anxiety?
  • replies: 19

Is it ok to tell the people around me about my anxiety? I have struggled for quite a while with anxiety, but the strange thing is my anxiety doesn’t really manifest itself in anxious thoughts but more so in physical symptoms such as nausea, feeling f... View more

Is it ok to tell the people around me about my anxiety? I have struggled for quite a while with anxiety, but the strange thing is my anxiety doesn’t really manifest itself in anxious thoughts but more so in physical symptoms such as nausea, feeling faint, shaking, etc. I suppose I then worry a lot about these symptoms, and feel locked in with them whereby I am just so caught up with them that I struggle to be “present” or in the moment. This probably doesn’t make much sense but it’s the only way I can describe it. These symptoms appear whenever I’m out with people or whenever someone comes over and it is difficult for me to have to put on a brave face and act “normal” when I feel horrible on the inside. Sometimes I wish I could just tell the people around me how I am feeling and how much I am struggling. But then I wonder, am I selfish for doing so? Everyone has problems and a lot of people are facing difficulties much worse than mine so would me telling the people around me (family, friends) be like me complaining or whining to them? I know this sounds a bit ridiculous, but it is something I am concerned about. I guess I am wondering if I should tell my family and friends what’s really going on with me as I feel like I am sort of lying to them? Also, if I do tell them, how would I explain my anxiety?

Tiddles82 A prisoner in my own body
  • replies: 3

Well i have been diagnosed with complex PTSD and borderline personality disorder late last year. My major problem is that my anxiety is getting alot worse, simple tasks like going shopping or visiting my parents (who only live about 30 min drive from... View more

Well i have been diagnosed with complex PTSD and borderline personality disorder late last year. My major problem is that my anxiety is getting alot worse, simple tasks like going shopping or visiting my parents (who only live about 30 min drive from where i live) are very hard for me. I am seeing a psychiatrist and a psychologist and a Gp on a regular basis but even that i find really difficult atm with the constant severe panic attacks i am having. Every relationship in my life is suffering atm from my 16 year old daughter who i have not seen in over four years to my romantic partners becoming violent and me left to pick up the pieces of my broken life all the time. Well today i woke up crying so right away i knew i was having a bad day, my father had invited me out to see him today and i really wanted to go so i wiped my tears away and got dressed packed my stuff as i was going to stay the night and left. I had only just left the street and felt the anxiety starting to build but kept driving as i was trying to push myself like i always do.... got to the highway and all of a sudden bam panic attack full flight, so i immediately called my dad on the handsfree device in my car crying and telling him i couldn't come and see him as i was having a severe panic attack and asked him to talk to me until i got home. Driving slowly cause of the panic attack and feeling totally disoriented and extremely fearful and balling my eyes out he spoke to me until i got home. I am sick of my panic attacks they are ruining my life and it seems that there is no end to it,i have been suffering since the age of 14,i feel like a prisoner in my own body and i feel so alone and depressed most of the time, i really dont know what more i can do to improve my quality of life. I feel like giving up at times.

NannaJ Anxiety is taking over
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I'm a long time sufferer of anxiety. I have had it under control for many yrs but the last 12 months I have felt it getting worse and worse. I always think the worst of every situation. I always Google diseases because I believe I have the symptoms. ... View more

I'm a long time sufferer of anxiety. I have had it under control for many yrs but the last 12 months I have felt it getting worse and worse. I always think the worst of every situation. I always Google diseases because I believe I have the symptoms. I have my self convinced that something terrible is going to happen to someone I love. It's now starting to affect my sleep. I don't have a regular Dr so going and seeing a stranger to discuss this is a little daunting. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Nannaj

anita24 What jobs are best for Depression/Anxiety and stress
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So i have barely worked as it has been stressful. I want a job where i am helping people but i dont feel mentally capable to be in those type of jobs like nursing etc. What jobs are best for people like us that can involve helping people? It is upset... View more

So i have barely worked as it has been stressful. I want a job where i am helping people but i dont feel mentally capable to be in those type of jobs like nursing etc. What jobs are best for people like us that can involve helping people? It is upsetting in itself that i feel i am not capable to handle jobs. I have tried childcare but i couldnt handle it, i found it stressful and couldnt turn off at home. Any advice will help. Thankyou everyone.

CMF How do you explain anxiety to others who don't experience it?
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I have been having bouts of anxiety of late. Nothing new for me, it comes and goes, sometimes but here are triggers/reasons , sometimes I'm just anxious and overthinking. My partner of four months is a very positive and happy person and has never had... View more

I have been having bouts of anxiety of late. Nothing new for me, it comes and goes, sometimes but here are triggers/reasons , sometimes I'm just anxious and overthinking. My partner of four months is a very positive and happy person and has never had anxiety. He is supportive, caring, offers reassurance and does all the right things and encourages me to just get it all out and tell him how I'm feeling and why. but I know he doesn't fully understand it. He asked recently 'What does it feel,like to have anxiety?' I explained I worry, overthink, heart races, feel hot, panic and that I can't control how it, but I could see he couldn't relate. How do you get people to understand and relate to how you feel? CMF x

Anon64 Recent separation and severe anxiety attacks
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Hi all, ive seperate from my husband of many years a few months back and we recently had a moment where he verbally abused me on the phone. I have always been quite fearful of him and his reactions and it was only pointed out recently that I was expe... View more

Hi all, ive seperate from my husband of many years a few months back and we recently had a moment where he verbally abused me on the phone. I have always been quite fearful of him and his reactions and it was only pointed out recently that I was experiencing domestic abuse. This in itself was quite confronting as I spent all my years with him absorbing his anger and accepting his behaviour out of fear. To make things a bit complicated we have two boys under 10 and we need to keep in contact to juggle them around our working hours. I’m learning to heal and understand I’m not in control of how he reacts but I’m asking if anyone else has been in this situation and is there any tips with dealing with the anxiety attacks that come on from the fear of facing/talking to him?

Anxious01 Fear of losing things
  • replies: 3

So I don’t really know where to start but that I think my anxiety stems around the theme of a fear of losing things. I will suddenly think of something I haven’t seen in a while and will get so anxious and worked up if I can’t find it. I will go thro... View more

So I don’t really know where to start but that I think my anxiety stems around the theme of a fear of losing things. I will suddenly think of something I haven’t seen in a while and will get so anxious and worked up if I can’t find it. I will go through good times (say 6 months plus) with no anxiety before it creeps back in. This time of the year is notoriously bad for me as I have time off work and my partner works away so I sit at home just me and my thoughts. I try and get out and stay busy but this time anxiety has still creeped in. This time my anxiety is over the fact that I said to my partner 3 years ago in a heated arguement “I hope you die”. It makes me sick even writing that out I regret it so much but I haven’t thought about it for ages but now I am all anxious over it - racing heart, can’t sleep, shaking, palpitations, fears, obsessive thinking etc. I don’t know why I am like this... I just fear that I will lose him and I will be wracked with guilt over this one silly comment I made that was said out of anger and frustration. There is no way in any kind of reality I meant it. I honestly just hate myself in times like this.

Ryan_j New to Anxiety
  • replies: 18

Hi I’m Ryan 33 years old and recently been suffering quite considerably from anxiety. Well, at least I think it’s anxiety I have been referred to a psychologist in a few weeks and also a respiratory specialist as my anxiety seems a major player in my... View more

Hi I’m Ryan 33 years old and recently been suffering quite considerably from anxiety. Well, at least I think it’s anxiety I have been referred to a psychologist in a few weeks and also a respiratory specialist as my anxiety seems a major player in my struggle to breath almost all hours of the day.... does anyone else suffer from what only I can best describe as heavy breathing or not being able to feel like thay can inhale a full breath? My anxiety stems from the fact I think I must be dying.... I suppose this is something that has been going on for a few years now and I’ve just swept it Under the rug never thought I would be the person who might need mental health help.... have an amazing wife a stressful job but can never stop to seem thinking about my health and how upset I would be if something happened to be and I disappointed my wife.... health anxiety I guess it’s a bad one.... anyway first step made to see a specialist a little embarrassed by it all but will see how we go.

Danno87 Heath anxiety and ‘false’ symptoms?
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Hi All, New to the forum and Health Anxiety sufferer for the last 6yrs. I have not seen anyone about getting my anxiety under control yet, but have an appointment with my GP today to chat about creating a plan. What I am wondering is, do any other su... View more

Hi All, New to the forum and Health Anxiety sufferer for the last 6yrs. I have not seen anyone about getting my anxiety under control yet, but have an appointment with my GP today to chat about creating a plan. What I am wondering is, do any other sufferers of health anxiety read about symptoms of a certain illness they think they have and then develop symptoms? Last week I had a gland in my neck swell up and after a google (bad idea I know!) and reading other symptoms of Lymphoma, I started feeling these symptoms, chest aches, itchy ness.. it is an absolute nightmare. Do other suffers have this problem?

Ah_mei Anxious about hot weather
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Hi, I am new here. I am 46 yo living in Melbourne with my husband and 2 kids. On Christmas Day, I started overthinking about the impending 3 days hot spell and started getting anxious. It hasn't stopped since. I took steps to ensure that the family s... View more

Hi, I am new here. I am 46 yo living in Melbourne with my husband and 2 kids. On Christmas Day, I started overthinking about the impending 3 days hot spell and started getting anxious. It hasn't stopped since. I took steps to ensure that the family stayed cool putting on the aircon or by going to places with a/c. We survived but I found myself worrying about the next heatwave in few days time. We we are also planning a trip to Singapore in 2 weeks time for about 4 weeks to visit families. I dread the flying. Had a couple of panic attacks before on the plane. But the worst part is the sleeping arrangement, with all 4 of us cramping into a room. Here I go again, overthinking it and causing my anxiety level to shoot up. i started to plan and manage my trip by downloading movies to watch for distraction, yoga and meditation programs and music, trips to swimming pools and indoor places, etc. I am trying to take control of the future, but my anxiety level would not come down. I am not eating, always feeling bloated and thirsty, and having bowel problems. My head spins a hundred miles an hour and I am having problems sleep. I tried the smiling mind this morning at 4am and managed to get 3.5h sleep. i am seeing my GP tomorrow, and am hoping for some medications to control my racing mind. She may recommend other forms of treatment like counseling. But from what others say about waiting time and my overseas trip, it may b a while before it starts. can anyone suggest some things they have done to rein in their anxiety? I will really appreciate it. thanks. We