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
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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

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Rjade It might help you...
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I just wanted to post this to reach out to other anxiety sufferers because as someone who has always suffered from it, I have found this to work for me. Everyday, especially on the ones that make me feel extremely nervous (just recently, training at ... View more

I just wanted to post this to reach out to other anxiety sufferers because as someone who has always suffered from it, I have found this to work for me. Everyday, especially on the ones that make me feel extremely nervous (just recently, training at a new job), I think of one thing that I know might go wrong. For example, I knew I would make a mistake or two (or ten!) but it made me extremely nervous to think about it. Instead of exhausting myself and waiting for something to go wrong, I welcomed the possibility of a mistake and it made the experience a whole lot better for me. Simple enough, but when you’re overcome with anxious thoughts, it’s hard to find that light that can make it a little easier. It’s certainly not the cure for anxiety but it can help. I think it also helps knowing that you’re not the only one who is suffering. To all who are, give it a go. It may take some getting used to but welcoming the possible negatives instead of fearing them can make you feel less anxious and may help you learn quicker from your mistakes. Take care.

Anxious_1 Day 1 of meds
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hi all i just started my meds for anxiety but have been getting pain in chest, sweaty on and off all day, is it just symptoms of the medication?

hi all i just started my meds for anxiety but have been getting pain in chest, sweaty on and off all day, is it just symptoms of the medication?

Fidgety My husband wants a family, but one of my panic triggers is pregnancy how can I move past it?
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Hi, I have been suffering with panic disorder since I was 19, it began when I started having sex with my partner, and every month I would be sent into a spiral of worry, panic and panic attacks over the idea I might be pregnant. The obsessive cycle w... View more

Hi, I have been suffering with panic disorder since I was 19, it began when I started having sex with my partner, and every month I would be sent into a spiral of worry, panic and panic attacks over the idea I might be pregnant. The obsessive cycle would repeat over and over again, and even taking pregnancy tests would only abate the feeling for maybe two days and I would begin again. I am often triggered by health concerns and that was the biggest trigger in my early 20's. I was medicated and have been managing well for 14 years now. My husband recently has been expressing his desire to have a family, as we are approaching an age in which it begins to get harder and more complicated to have children 35+. Whenever he brings up the subject, it triggers a panic attack, my body's learnt response to the idea of pregnancy. My panic prevents me from discussing the topic, or even having rational emotions to it. Lets face it change is hard to anyone suffering from anxiety and this specific trigger is not helping me at all, I need to get rid of this negative response so I can with a clear mind make a decision with conviction and no doubts to eat away at me. The more I struggle with this, the more I feel myself slip backwards into the constant worry and it is beginning to consume me. I need help I am terrified that this will sabotage my relationship with my husband.

cake my day Anxiety and the triggering stimulus!
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Hello everyone Just over 2 years ago during my undergraduate studies the most crucial period before the exams. I had some HORRIBLE neighbours who for ONE WHOLE week played the most obnoxious music with thumpers? It went on for one week and now im fee... View more

Hello everyone Just over 2 years ago during my undergraduate studies the most crucial period before the exams. I had some HORRIBLE neighbours who for ONE WHOLE week played the most obnoxious music with thumpers? It went on for one week and now im feeling the consequence from that time. Im having terrible anxiety from certain triggers. Eg music, talking from over the fence, potch lights from the neighbours. Not only do i feel heavy headed but have these stomach clenches which feels like knots from these triggers. Making me feel so helpless and feeling like im being locked in a cage. i just feel so anxious alot of the time and honestly wished i could just turn back the clock and be that person before that incident.( knowing that will never happen:( I'm just wondering is anyone has had similar experiences and how did you deal with the symptoms of anxiety. Because these days i don't enjoy my hobbies like i use to.Any advice and personal experience is most welcome!

Ale Anxiety is consuming my life
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This is all new to me. I do see a therapist but I’m not sure if it’s enough. i am married with a 3 year old and 3 month old and I’m in constant worry about my financial obligations. I am at home with my kids full time while my husband works big days.... View more

This is all new to me. I do see a therapist but I’m not sure if it’s enough. i am married with a 3 year old and 3 month old and I’m in constant worry about my financial obligations. I am at home with my kids full time while my husband works big days. We also manage and work a cleaning business, which over the years has taken a hit and isn’t doing well so I also work as a fitness coach locally and I recently got a job doing night fill at woolies. i haven’t yet started at woolies which is where my anxiety has kicked up. When I got the job I had only just had my baby and I informed them I needed time to heal as the birth wasn’t the best. They understood which was wonderful. I informed them as of Jan 1st 2019 I was ready to work. I’m a hard worker all I want to do is provide for my family and kids like my husband. But they still haven’t rostered me on to work and they have issued rosters till the 13th of Jan. I know most people would just go call them and find out. Which I am going to do but I had plans to do something with my kids today and because I found out I wasn’t rostered it’s thrown me. I can’t and won’t leave the house. I feel sick. I am crying. I am worried, what if they don’t offer my shifts. What if I can’t pay my bills and provide for my children. It consums me. And if it’s not this scenario it’s another about my financial obligations. I struggle with the thought of loosing my home to the point Ifeel I need to do something drastic for it to stop and so my children don’t develop my anxieties. It completely takes over every part of my life and I’m numb until it’s resolved which sometimes can take days. im sick of feeling like this I keep trying therapy but I’m worried it’s not enough and I’m never going to get past this. I’m worried it’s just going to get worse as life goes on.

Jittery Christmas anxiety
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Every Christmas the same thing happens to me, overwhelmed by anxiety. The need to socialise at this time of year make me crawl into a ball and cancel all plans. Shaking head to toe, I skipped Xmas day, struggled through Boxing Day at my place with th... View more

Every Christmas the same thing happens to me, overwhelmed by anxiety. The need to socialise at this time of year make me crawl into a ball and cancel all plans. Shaking head to toe, I skipped Xmas day, struggled through Boxing Day at my place with the family and now I can’t function at all... stuck in bed with fatigue, headache, jitters, mind racing...does anyone else’s anxiety levels hit the roof at Christmas and what do you do to get back on your feet?

agobella Celebrating
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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
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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
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(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
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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?