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

KFPDW Feel the need to escape from hard life/Imagination/HELP! :(
  • replies: 10

Hi, I need to talk about this and get it out in the open. I'm 22 years old and I have an active imagination. But I do know when when it's the right time to use it and whatnot. No trouble distinguishing reality from real life with me. But that's not w... View more

Hi, I need to talk about this and get it out in the open. I'm 22 years old and I have an active imagination. But I do know when when it's the right time to use it and whatnot. No trouble distinguishing reality from real life with me. But that's not why I'm here. I'm going through a tough time right now with life in general with split parents, social circles at uni and I feel alone facing it. I've done alright on my own to start of with but after so long, it's starting to get harder. I feel like I can't be myself around my friends or family, the real me. I feel squashed in a tight box and frustrated feeling I'm not good enough. I feel like lashing out at the world (Metaphorically I mean, not actually physical lashing) just so I can let the world know who I am. I do go to counselling for help which has made a good difference but there's still this part of me that needs to say this in this way on the forum. I never said this before now so here goes! I miss having a best friend, someone I can turn to and hang out on a regular basis. So I use my imagination to escape when things get hard and at one point long ago I had a friend where we played in a fantasy world like Bridge to Terabithia sort of way. But he moved away so it felt like I lost a part of myself. I'm not ashamed of my imagination at all but I miss being able to have that friend where you can turn to and vice a versa, and have that Terabithia imagination world to escape to. I wanna do that again I feel embarrassed that I can't turn to anyone to have that place to escape to with them. Because I know there's people like that who are creatively amazing. I just never can seem to find them. I can never turn to my friends about this because I would calm up completely because I feel like no one would understand me. I know people do larp stuff so I don't see what's the difference. I feel the pressure so much that I have panic attacks that I can't help. Some people that I used to get along with OK react badly and don't take want anything to do with me once they see it. It makes my feel like their closed off reaction is a reminder of my actions no matter how hard I try to get along with people. Overall, I feel so alone and I feel stupid saying that I want to have a imaginary escape world with a close friend I can trust. More than anything really, I want to have that again. I don't know what to do

Maisymoo ANTI DEPRESSANTS FOR ANXIETY (Positive stories only pls)
  • replies: 3

Hi all Newbie here. I have severe anxiety, started in December this year after being bullied at work. My doctor tried me on medication and it wasnt helping. So I've switched to a different medication (very expensive but apparently one of the best out... View more

Hi all Newbie here. I have severe anxiety, started in December this year after being bullied at work. My doctor tried me on medication and it wasnt helping. So I've switched to a different medication (very expensive but apparently one of the best out there). Anyway, i am wanting POSITIVE success stories of being treated with anti depressants. My friends have all convinced me it's a terrible idea (I know they aren't doctors nor mentsl illness experts). I hardly am able to exist in the world with my anxiety and I personally think it's a good idea (if it works). POSITIVE SUCCESS STORIES PLEASE.

kreckle Negative Thoughts and Feelings
  • replies: 4

Hi, I think I've always been one of those people who looks at the forums anonymously late at night wondering if people have the same issues that I do, but I've never actively sought to join in. I put this in anxiety because its probably the one that ... View more

Hi, I think I've always been one of those people who looks at the forums anonymously late at night wondering if people have the same issues that I do, but I've never actively sought to join in. I put this in anxiety because its probably the one that relates to me the most. I've always struggled with self-image and how others perceive me. It has its ups and downs and sometimes I fool myself into believing that I'm actually okay, but it always eventually ends up in a big low like I am experiencing at the moment. I have seen a GP about this but the response I got is 'I don't like to put labels on things' follows by medication that I am not currently taking as my mother believes that there is nothing wrong with me and that I have no reason to feel this way. I really struggle with the thoughts that I am hated by everyone. Unfortunately, I present myself as something sarcastic and cynical who doesn't care what people think of them, and all of my friends are very similar. It's at a point where basically all talk is in some deprecating manner, and while its okay sometimes, other times it gets to be too much. But I am unable to say something for fear of losing them as friends, as they are the closest people in my life. I don't want them to think of me as a loser. I am also very spiteful, and while I do not like myself at all, I tend to make fun of people who are very similar to myself. Sometimes I think its because subconsciously they remind me of myself and I hate that, as I am not very happy with who I am. And I hate that I do this to other people, but I can't seem to stop. These thoughts basically hinder my ability to do any activities, I'm currently in my last year of school and my grades are suffering. I've told myself that I don't need to try because I don't need very good grades to do the course I want, and this thought has just snowballed into everyday life. I'm by no means lonely, or unpopular, I get invited out regularly. However, I don't feel like going to these events or when I do I just end up wanting to go home or upset. I don't like feeling this way, but everything that I've tried before has never seemed to work, and I guess I just needed to vent. Thank you for your time in reading :]

Catcute1240 School worries
  • replies: 2

I just began TAFE and are studying a cert II. Recently my doctor prescribed me medication for my anxiety. I was just wondering do I or should I tell my TAFE of this. Especially since it can effect my cognitive and mental state.

I just began TAFE and are studying a cert II. Recently my doctor prescribed me medication for my anxiety. I was just wondering do I or should I tell my TAFE of this. Especially since it can effect my cognitive and mental state.

Biancalee 1 week on medication and can’t stop focusing on my swallow- am I going crazy?? HELP
  • replies: 3

So I had a baby 2 weeks ago and started to feel obsessively anxious. I had struggled with health anxiety and gad for a few years before hand and responded well to medication. When I found out I was pregnant I weaned off. Now I have started back on an... View more

So I had a baby 2 weeks ago and started to feel obsessively anxious. I had struggled with health anxiety and gad for a few years before hand and responded well to medication. When I found out I was pregnant I weaned off. Now I have started back on and feeling much better i increased my dosage the last 3 days and BAM! I started focusing on my swallowing and can’t stop! It’s a constant obsession and it’s making me so anxious that I will never stop. I keep telling myself it’s my anxiety but I’m worried I am going crazy and will never be normal again. Someone please give me some advice, it’s making me depressed!

Sooze000 Anxiety of disclosure statements
  • replies: 3

I'm just throwing this up here because more and more lately, I'm finding that all the mental health sites, apps...well basically everything, have very scary disclosures protecting themselves. Not scary in general probably but for someone who experien... View more

I'm just throwing this up here because more and more lately, I'm finding that all the mental health sites, apps...well basically everything, have very scary disclosures protecting themselves. Not scary in general probably but for someone who experiences anxiety on a plethora of levels....it's a nightmare. Even meditation, EFT and natural therapies all have statements like"don't do this if you are emotionally frail or suffer mental health disorders without professional help. It's a bit of a nightmare for me now as you really begin to question every thing positive you try and do to help yourself even. I never see others with this problem

Morgz20 Relationship anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi, I am new. Just asking if anyone knows of any good strategies to stop/control/manage negative irrational thoughts involving what your partner might do to hurt you? When I get these thoughts they feel out of control. They start off with just one li... View more

Hi, I am new. Just asking if anyone knows of any good strategies to stop/control/manage negative irrational thoughts involving what your partner might do to hurt you? When I get these thoughts they feel out of control. They start off with just one little thought, which I think my rational brain can handle. It goes away for a little while, then out of the blue, it will come speeding into my brain not holding back. Until my rational brain loses the fight and I break down in tears. I do talk to my partner about these thoughts, and they reassure my rational brain. I feel better... until the next one comes. So, talking to my partner is only a quick fix, I need a solution to manage these thoughts on my own. Thanks for your time

TheDuke Physical anxiety symptoms
  • replies: 36

Hi all as I have posted elsewhere I am going through a bit of hell starting my meds with extra anxiety. 4 days in and told to go at least 2 weeks. its really hard. At times it seems impossible. At least during the day I can walk etc. but most nights ... View more

Hi all as I have posted elsewhere I am going through a bit of hell starting my meds with extra anxiety. 4 days in and told to go at least 2 weeks. its really hard. At times it seems impossible. At least during the day I can walk etc. but most nights I wake at 4 am. I immediately get that awful anxious feeling through my chest. it cold dark and i don’t know what to do. I am so frustrated I just want to cry.

ozziebear Is this anxiety or is it ocd
  • replies: 4

I recently purchased a book I feel that everyday I need to read a whole chapter and can't settle unless I read it Problem is because I have the obsession I am not understanding what the book says as I am concentrating more on getting the task done. T... View more

I recently purchased a book I feel that everyday I need to read a whole chapter and can't settle unless I read it Problem is because I have the obsession I am not understanding what the book says as I am concentrating more on getting the task done. This is driving me insane is it ocd or anxiety? How do I just read it when I want to read it instead of it being a daily chore

ETamar Health Anxiety issues :/
  • replies: 4

Hi, im new to the website and have been feeling like making a post would be helpful to try find some advice or something like that? hopefully it’s not too much to ramble a bit, I’m a bit anxious to share this because I feel it sounds very crazy but i... View more

Hi, im new to the website and have been feeling like making a post would be helpful to try find some advice or something like that? hopefully it’s not too much to ramble a bit, I’m a bit anxious to share this because I feel it sounds very crazy but ive been dealing with health anxiety ever since I left school last year, and it’s been getting worse and worse. I’ve been having anxiety and panic attacks over getting diseases that would lead to me dying, and it’s gotten to a point where I keep thinking if I see anything related to any of the diseases, that it’s a “sign”, or I refuse to do anything incase “karma” comes in and makes me get this disease or something like that. I don’t even want to mention the diseases by name incase I jinx myself. i’ve only been recommended relaxation techniques and haven’t had any medications yet and I’m beginning to feel like antidepressants might be the only way to calm myself down. Do any of you guys have health anxiety like this or any advice? Anything would be really helpful, thank you so much for your time