Immediate support
Immediate 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 discussion

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 discussion

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 discussion

SheridanF Great Difficulty / Unable to Work (Teacher)
  • replies: 5

Hello! I completed my Bachelor of Education (Primary) in March and was able to start working as a relief teacher four weeks ago. I have completed two days (same class - they are a beautiful bunch - other teachers told me this was a rare case and laug... View more

Hello! I completed my Bachelor of Education (Primary) in March and was able to start working as a relief teacher four weeks ago. I have completed two days (same class - they are a beautiful bunch - other teachers told me this was a rare case and laughed), I was extremely anxious and on edge the entire days due to new responsibility & expectations. I was then given an eleven day contract, after the two hours I had a panic attack and was unable to finish the day or contract (the class has a lot of high needs and behavioural issues - however is something I know I could handle when in the right headspace). I haven't been called in to work at any school since which is kind of a relief but also makes me worried. I love the education world, the four walls of a classroom has never enticed me, but this is where I am at in terms of my career and the flexibility / little work pressure of a relief teacher should be within my capacity. I have been having a really difficult time not worrying and have been spiralling about either not being able to work (due to anxiety) or working and having another panic attack. My goal is to relief teach 1-3 days per week and be able to enjoy my days when I am not working doing things that are productive (instead of being stuck in bed). I would ideally like a to work part-time in a classroom so I had consistency with my environment, kids and expectations - however that is an almost impossible job to attain as a Gold Coast graduate. I am fortunate to not have to stress too much about financial stability, but want to live a PURPOSEFUL life. I am marrying my best friend in July and I know that he is worried about my ability to bring in a form of income (so we can save for a house deposit) and not wanting me at home all the time because it doesn't help my mental state. Any advice & support is greatly appreciated. Thankyou!

ohhmyyy Anxiety to Depression to Bipolar to ASD
  • replies: 2

Hi All, Suffered from anxiety and depression for a good decade since about 18. Comes in waves which last days and weeks but looking back feel like years (some years seem bleak and some years seem so happy). Because it came and went I didn't do much a... View more

Hi All, Suffered from anxiety and depression for a good decade since about 18. Comes in waves which last days and weeks but looking back feel like years (some years seem bleak and some years seem so happy). Because it came and went I didn't do much about it until EVERYTHING IN MY LIFE WAS FINE and then the panic hit me and I started seeing a psychologist. Two years later of the continuing up and down I was diagnosed with Bipolar II and put on lithium. Fast forward six months we changed to a different medication as lithium made me gain weight and dulled me. Fast forward twelve months I moved and a different psychologist said it's not bipolar its BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder). I immediately went and saw someone else as a diagnosis like that within 10 minutes of meeting me I felt was laughable and coming off the medication is a significant process. Saw a man who I felt for the first just got it and understood exactly what I was saying, hower the diagnosis was ASD and the treatment is stimulants. So currently as an anxiety sufferer, I am on 2000% in both productivity and anxiety. Has anyone else had problems with their diagnosis? How do you trust your psych? Do you just suck it up and stick with it? Or do you stop?

Lee Francis GAD sleeping tips?
  • replies: 6

Has anyone had any success getting good sleep with GAD? I’ve been chronically tired for a couple years now and it literally drives me to tears sometimes. My psychologist suggested I talk to my GP because she wondered if it might be more than my anxie... View more

Has anyone had any success getting good sleep with GAD? I’ve been chronically tired for a couple years now and it literally drives me to tears sometimes. My psychologist suggested I talk to my GP because she wondered if it might be more than my anxiety causing it (I get properly exhausted a lot of the time). I had bloods done (very brave of me, I have a huge phobia), but I’m perfectly healthy and my doctor thinks that my anxiety is causing sleep problems. I often have trouble getting to sleep, and even when I do I have vivid dreams and nightmares a lot. Otherwise, I am a very healthy person. I eat really well, I exercise, I hardly ever drink and I avoid caffeine… What have you done that’s successfully gotten you a good nights sleep?

architecture_student Insomnia without medication
  • replies: 7

Hi there! I am a 26 years old architecture intern, living with a history of anxiety and both chronic (life circumstance period-relayed) and occasional acute insomnia (falling asleep is next to impossible, but once I'm asleep, "the world is saved"). I... View more

Hi there! I am a 26 years old architecture intern, living with a history of anxiety and both chronic (life circumstance period-relayed) and occasional acute insomnia (falling asleep is next to impossible, but once I'm asleep, "the world is saved"). I have established a balanced life post university, with regular checks of psychologist which kept the black dog quiet. I am looking at a major shift in my life of going back to university, moving from a balanced lifestyle to a complete life mess in a uni degree - also loosing all friends and psychologists out of sight by moving across states . I need help on getting a hold on insomnia - basically as of lately, if I get some sleep it means I stay alive in a foreign environment. I am a massive anti-medication person. I concentrate of therapy and cognitive techniques to the point where I reject even simple supplements. I am short on coping mechanisms. I am full of fear of failure, extreme perfectionist anxiety that basically keeps my self-esteem below zero. Without belief in medication it seems like I just destroy my brain by staying awake for too long. I feel like my current psychologist is not impressed with my progress in tackling anxiety. (Again, a train of negative thought during the night) I will not make it further than a few years while doing this profession with chronic sleeping problems!

Kate_04 Going back to work
  • replies: 2

So I dislocated my elbow in March, making me unable to work. But I’ve not got an all clear to go back. But I’m super anxious about going back. My work makes me anxious in general, I deal with people through out my whole shift. I just need some tips o... View more

So I dislocated my elbow in March, making me unable to work. But I’ve not got an all clear to go back. But I’m super anxious about going back. My work makes me anxious in general, I deal with people through out my whole shift. I just need some tips on how I can go back? Like I wanna go back slowly to settle back in.. but I don’t know how to speak to my manager

distelfink So over this health anxiety (female cycle mentioned)
  • replies: 3

It's been awhile since I've been on here as things have been okay, I guess. I'm seeing a psychologist now and the doctor put me on antidepressants. For about a week now, I've started having period pain symptoms (including the sore boobs) but it start... View more

It's been awhile since I've been on here as things have been okay, I guess. I'm seeing a psychologist now and the doctor put me on antidepressants. For about a week now, I've started having period pain symptoms (including the sore boobs) but it started when it was too early for my period to come and pretty much straight after my period finished. It was a pretty 'reverse period' as it was, so for the pain to come after made somewhat sense as it's happened a few times after. But because of the pain in both boobs, I keep thinking it's breast cancer. It's not constant. I feel no lumps. (to the point I keep checking and it hurts the more I check.. duh).. the pain is only there when I try to find it. 9 times out of 10 ... there's no pain. But of course, when I think of it, I feel it and focus on it. I feel my shirt touching them (mostly just my left side)... and it stresses me out. Or if I change position and my boob touches my (underboob... --- hahaha I'm overweight, you get the idea) and I think "OMG something has grown"... yet, I know exactly what it is. But If I'm with friends... or If I'm side tracked, there are absolutely no symptoms at all. It's literally until I stop and I tried to find something that's wrong... I see my psychologist tomorrow, and will talk to her then about it too. I've given it a month, if the pain (which isn't even bad?? it's just a feeling that I feel shouldn't be there yet) is still there, I'll see the doctor. I've been so concerned with everything cancer related since my Mama died in 2009. Literally the stupidest things. My recent blood tests came back as my red and whites being good,... I keep trying to focus on that. I am low in Vitamin D, as well as a slight fatty liver. Doctor wasn't too concerned about the liver but I am making changes to correct that. (diet related, not alcohol related) If a person pokes my back or shoulders, or chest area (even softly) it feels as if someone has punched me. It's ridiculous. So of course, I see the big C in my mind again. The mental thoughts and the physical thoughts that follow are so tiring.

K12345 How to help after a break up
  • replies: 2

Hi all, My brother has social anxiety, and is currently going through a break up (ended by his girlfriend, who is understanding of his anxiety). He is borderline stalking her and will not leave her alone. When he is home he shows no emotion and will ... View more

Hi all, My brother has social anxiety, and is currently going through a break up (ended by his girlfriend, who is understanding of his anxiety). He is borderline stalking her and will not leave her alone. When he is home he shows no emotion and will not talk to anyone in our family, barely even small talk. He stays in his room with blinds drawn and reads or watches TV. We are a close knit family and are supportive of his anxiety, not judgemental. Does anyone have any tips of how we can help him to stay away from his ex? We feel that this is the initial step to him moving on with his life. No one expects it to happen overnight, but it's been about 6 weeks already and he's showing no signs of abating. He has a psychologist but his next appointment is 2 weeks away. Also if you have any tips on how we can support him we'd really appreciate it. We'd love him to get out for a walk, alone or with one of us, to chat or be silent, just for some sunshine and air, and he refuses. Won't eat meals with us, etc. We are absolutely not pushing him but attempting to make small steps to ease him back into his life... Really welcome any feedback!! Thanks

Always Work stress
  • replies: 5

Hi, first time posting. I currently work in a job that is extremely stressful - like the worst stress I've ever experienced. In an office with far too few staff and far too much work. Plus the rules change constantly, i feel undertrained and am const... View more

Hi, first time posting. I currently work in a job that is extremely stressful - like the worst stress I've ever experienced. In an office with far too few staff and far too much work. Plus the rules change constantly, i feel undertrained and am constantly being verbally abused by 'clients'. I was diagnosed with depression & anxiety a few years ago but got it well managed and was ok until i started this job. I'm at an all time low and feel i need to take some time off before i quit and lose my income. I don't sleep. I have anxiety attacks and bouts of crying before work most days. I have some income protection through my super but I'm not sure if my previous diagnoses would exclude me from claiming. I wouldn't even know how to arrange to go on stress leave if thats even an option. Or would they blame the preexisting condition and say i don't qualify? I've tried to tell my team leader that I'm overwhelmed but she does nothing except try to console me. Is there anyone else out there who has preexisting mental illnesses that were well managed but due to work related stress have had a decline in mental health? What did you do?

Gia_10 Bullying and Social Anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi, all! So recently, i was doing a clean out and come across some papers of which i had written about a pretty traumatic experience i had years ago when i was in high school. Reading over it brought back painful memories of the nightmare i had endur... View more

Hi, all! So recently, i was doing a clean out and come across some papers of which i had written about a pretty traumatic experience i had years ago when i was in high school. Reading over it brought back painful memories of the nightmare i had endured over the 2 years i was at this school. Long story short- i was a victim of some extreme bullying- physical, social, psychological, all of it. Completely forgetting all about this- it made me realise where all my anxiety stems from.. i also went through a pretty rough childhood, being stuck in the middle of family matters. Im not one to feel sorry for myself- yeh, ive been through ALOT- i turnes to drugs and alcohol at one point in my late teens before doing a full 360 and trying to get my life back on track- by then, i was 19 and my anxiety hit an all time low- Particularly social anxiety. Although now, im alot better, im still having many bad days and i almost always have this 'niggling' feeling that im uneasy and self concious. Currently still on ssri's and have been in and out of therapy for years and will be in for a medication review with a highly reputable psychyiatrist soon. Despite support from family (im ashamed to have my friends know i suffer from social anxiety), i practise cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness, meditation, im a mum of two, i hold two jobs, and ive been training in 'bodybuilding' sports for 2 years (ive only competed once, so far), so im leading a very productive and healthy lifestyle, but nearly every single day i continue to have panic attacks and i continuously push myself.. sometimes it just feels hopeless.. knowing its been 15 years and i still suffer. Really, i just want to get better so i can be the best mother, partner, worker, athlete, whatever and this anxiety is really getting in the way- sometimes ill freeze when im in the middle of shopping. Ill feel like the ground is going to swollow me. Suddenly everyone around me looks like they hate me. I know its probably irrational, but i actually have episodes where i feel paranoid. I feel stupid for not getting over this. Telling myself to 'harden up' isnt really helping. Is there hope in recovering and living a much happier and productive life where i can connect with others and just move on??

Jdavid Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hello I was just wondering does anyone else have anxiety about taking medication I can’t take medication longer then 2 days with out thinking that the medication is giving me side effects or making me crazy

Hello I was just wondering does anyone else have anxiety about taking medication I can’t take medication longer then 2 days with out thinking that the medication is giving me side effects or making me crazy