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

Username_9 Why do I have physical symptoms of anxiety when my mind is calm?
  • replies: 4

I've dealt with anxiety most of my life but thought I'd had it under control. It's taken a while to get into yoga and meditation but now I cant live without either so why am I still getting the physical symptoms of anxiety? My mind is calm, I have no... View more

I've dealt with anxiety most of my life but thought I'd had it under control. It's taken a while to get into yoga and meditation but now I cant live without either so why am I still getting the physical symptoms of anxiety? My mind is calm, I have no stress or no reason to be anxious yet my body has been going crazy for weeks now. I am shakey, sweaty, cant seem to breathe like a normal human, my heart is almost always racing. I have medciation which calms it down but I am on such a restricted dose so i cant often take it unless it's 100% unavoidable. As well as the yoga, I run daily which helps at the time but as soon as I stop moving to sleep or relax, the physical symptoms come back immediately. Has anyone else ever dealt with this?

jay1998b Am I anxious or does everyone feel like this?
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Hi. I'm not sure if I have anxiety or if I'm just making a big deal about something everyone is going through. I get stressed very easily, over grades, work, family, and friends. I get stress headaches because everything is stressful, I make plans an... View more

Hi. I'm not sure if I have anxiety or if I'm just making a big deal about something everyone is going through. I get stressed very easily, over grades, work, family, and friends. I get stress headaches because everything is stressful, I make plans and immediately back out of them, I am doing barely anything but I don't know what I actually do because I don't seem to have time for the things I used to enjoy. Breathing exercises and all that stuff doesn't help because I don't hyperventilate, I just find it more and more difficult to function. I feel like I can't talk to anyone. I can't talk to my parents, because they are already really stressed. I can't talk to my friends, because they're already really stressed. I used to understand why I got stressed, but now it happens to me all the time over the slightest things.

it_started_with_kids Hypochondria vs Health Anxiety
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Hi guys, I am new here and a bit nervous about writing because I think it's actually admitting there is something wrong. I have never really been much of a worrier, but after I had my first baby it started. I worry constantly about their health, and ... View more

Hi guys, I am new here and a bit nervous about writing because I think it's actually admitting there is something wrong. I have never really been much of a worrier, but after I had my first baby it started. I worry constantly about their health, and my health as then I won't be there to help them and see them grow up. I've had a horrible run over the last 2 months and am feeling rather overwhelmed about it all. It all started when we camping as i wanted to get my kids out into the wilderness and start to experience nature and my son was bitten by 2 x ticks. Now the fear I have developed about Lymes disease for him is killing me. It's possibly the worst condition to be worried about as it technically doesn't exist in Australia, even though I know of 3 people who have it, one being my aunty. It has no time frame, no particular symptoms, is lifelong and has particular no treatment. It's been 7 weeks since the bite and I still worry about every fever he has or rash he gets. Then I got a UTI that I can't budge with antibiotics (even after 3 rounds), and then the antibiotics started giving my the worst anxiety I have ever felt, like really bad and horrible thoughts coming out of nowhere, then I found a breast lump they needed to remove and then go back and get more out, and then I found some moles that needed removing as well and I have upper epigastric pain that won't go away, an endoscopy incidentally found coeliac as well but no cause for the pain. Awesome. It's the Lymes thats killing me the most because its my baby. Any tips on how to overcome these fears of mine. I am petrified there is something wrong with me and I wont be able to see my babies grow up. And even worse is I am petrified my son (who already has a heart condition) has Lymes and it will affect the rest of his life, he's only 4. Thanks for listening.

itsBoof Think I've developed an Eating Disorder & might need help.
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A year ago, I weighed in at 128.2kg. I have always been big but never that big so I did something about it, I got married on the 28th April this year so with that goal in mind I dieted like crazy & began exercising. By my wedding day, I had lost 53kg... View more

A year ago, I weighed in at 128.2kg. I have always been big but never that big so I did something about it, I got married on the 28th April this year so with that goal in mind I dieted like crazy & began exercising. By my wedding day, I had lost 53kg and weighed 75kg. Sounds great right? Yes, I’m unbelievably proud of myself, every time I’ve tried dieting I would last 6 weeks & lose 10-15kg then fall off the wagon & pile it all back on. But aside from physically feeling fantastic & having more self-confidence than ever before (gone from size XXL to S) it has become incredibly mentally draining on me to stay strict on myself. Let me explain, I’ve always loved food, like really loved food. But now I feel like I can’t have a cheat meal or ingredient without feeling guilty or like I’ll pile it all back on. I weigh myself twice a day & stress about the number that awaits me. My current diet is, every day: -2 boiled eggs or muesli & fruit for breakfast -Tin of tuna or salmon & some vegetables for lunch -Either salmon/steak/chicken/lamb & vegetables for dinner -Snacks include a banana or some nuts I exercise at least 6 days a week by either walking/running/rowing/gym as well as do 120-150 push ups & sit ups every day. What I need is to feel like I can get back into some sense of normal. It is affecting my social relationships & social life. I just got back from my honeymoon where I stuck to the same diet as above & didn’t touch an alcoholic beverage (I lost 1.5kg in 3 weeks). I avoid going out with friends because generally that involves drinks and/or bad food. My family & friends are worried about me & think I look borderline sick skinny at times, though I look down and still somewhat see that huge guy. I feel like if I eat bread again or some ice cream I’ll balloon out again so I avoid it all together. My fear is that the routine I have has me maintaining this weight so if I slack, I’ll blow back out. The couple of times I have slipped I can’t help myself and end up pigging out because I can’t avoid turning 1-2 slices of pizza into 6-7. I’m stuck with the problem of ‘how do I convince myself to become ‘normal’ again. People continue to ask me when I am going to stop & how much longer, but I just can’t find the courage to try a healthy balance. I know I should be allowed a cheat meal here or there, I want to be able to go out with friends or to a restaurant & not have to look up the menu beforehand to see if it has something I’m allowed to eat.

Gloria___ Good relaxation apps
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My anxiety is through the roof , I am I need of some good relaxation apps to download so I can try and relax and stop overthinking so I can go to bloody sleep,I am exhausted, started back on my anxiety tablets today but I think I am going to need som... View more

My anxiety is through the roof , I am I need of some good relaxation apps to download so I can try and relax and stop overthinking so I can go to bloody sleep,I am exhausted, started back on my anxiety tablets today but I think I am going to need something to help In the meantime:(

WorriedDad13 My health Anxiety
  • replies: 8

Hi everyone, I’m at the end of my rope, im exhausted every day, im worried every day, im illogical with myself every day and I just can’t seem to turn any of it around. Every day I go to work and put on a brave face, meanwhile I am ‘testing’ any symp... View more

Hi everyone, I’m at the end of my rope, im exhausted every day, im worried every day, im illogical with myself every day and I just can’t seem to turn any of it around. Every day I go to work and put on a brave face, meanwhile I am ‘testing’ any symptoms I think I have or do have and am attributing to a major issue. Most recently 4 months ago my baby boy started day care, since then my wife and I have been sick pretty much non stop. I currently have swollen glands in my body, so does my wife. Logically I know that we most likely both have the same thing and we’re both run down so it’s lasting a while (over a month so far) however my anxious mind is telling me I have cancer and my wife is going through her own non lethal illness. I’ve been to a psychologist before, I gave up after 4 sessions because I couldn’t see it working. I don’t know what to do anymore. theres no question in any of that, I’m not hoping for much to come of me writing it, I just had to get it off my chest.

mynameismaddie Advice needed
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I suffer with anorexia, anxiety, depression and OCD. I have been receiving treatment for the last 10 years but am still struggling. Anyway I wanted some advice about an upcoming dinner. I can’t eat in front of people and have to eat at the same time ... View more

I suffer with anorexia, anxiety, depression and OCD. I have been receiving treatment for the last 10 years but am still struggling. Anyway I wanted some advice about an upcoming dinner. I can’t eat in front of people and have to eat at the same time and eat the same things everyday. Usually I just avoid social occasions which are sit down meals but I would really like to go to this dinner as it involves a presentation I am interested in. I am also sick of missing out on everything. I don’t know how to go though without it being very embarrassing and I don’t know how to explain the fact I am not eating. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I could still attend without making a scene or is it best just not to go?

Elizabeth2601 Health Anxiety - Colonoscopy
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Hi all, I am hoping that someone can help me. I suffer with serious health anxiety - I have been seeing a psychologist but it is not seeming to help, she suggests trying to be mindful but I can't concentrate on anything. There are factors that have m... View more

Hi all, I am hoping that someone can help me. I suffer with serious health anxiety - I have been seeing a psychologist but it is not seeming to help, she suggests trying to be mindful but I can't concentrate on anything. There are factors that have me concerned, I am so worried that I have cancer. I have a colonoscopy scheduled for tomorrow and I can't breathe I am so stressed about what it will find. I am 33 years old, overweight and have a one year old little girl, I keep imagining not making it to her 5th birthday or even her 2nd birthday. I feel like I have brought cancer on myself because of an unhealthy lifestyle. I just wish I could calm down and stop thinking about it.

pip123 I feel like im going crazy.
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Hi guys, Im new to these forums. Just seeking some advice. I feel like im causing myself to feel like im going crazy. My brain just keeps over thinking and over thinking and then i think because my brain just wont stop i am going crazy. Someone pleas... View more

Hi guys, Im new to these forums. Just seeking some advice. I feel like im causing myself to feel like im going crazy. My brain just keeps over thinking and over thinking and then i think because my brain just wont stop i am going crazy. Someone please tell me this is just my anxiety?