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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Chris_B Forums etiquette: give support to receive support
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newb... View more

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newbies are welcomed when they first post, and we understand that it’s a big step to post for the first time on a forum like this, especially if you aren’t feeling great. It’s important to remember, though, that these forums are a community of real people, just like you, not a one-on-one support environment like going to see your psychologist. To get the best out of being here, one of the best tips we can offer is give support to receive support. Being a good community member means: participating in different threads (not just your own), replying to people who have taken the time to reply to you (even if it’s just to say thank you), and... posting words of emotional support and encouragement when you see others who are hurting and reaching out. You don’t have to feel obliged to solve the problems of others: that’s not what we’re here for. But you can offer empathy and what you’ve learned from your own life experiences, even if it’s just a line or two, eg. “I don't know what to say, but I want to give you my support and tell you I care about what is happening to you and hope life will get better soon.” Try to develop an interest in the journeys of others here on the forums. You may be surprised at how good being an active, caring member here can make you feel. For those of you who have had good experiences giving support here on the forums, please post in this thread here and let us know how it has helped you on your journey.

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EllieC A bully in the family
  • replies: 3

Hi Beyond-bluers Looking for advice on how to deal with a member of my extended family who just sends my social anxiety through the roof. My maternal extended family have always been very close, and they have been an amazing support to me when I have... View more

Hi Beyond-bluers Looking for advice on how to deal with a member of my extended family who just sends my social anxiety through the roof. My maternal extended family have always been very close, and they have been an amazing support to me when I have had a hard time. I am not the only one in the family to suffer from some mental health difficulties, I have a cousin on that side who suffered a very traumatic experience in her teens and as a result has developed PTSD and a lot of anger around what happened to her. All of us have tried to be supportive of her as she tries to heal. Unfortunately, some of her anger seems to express itself in the form of really excessive nastiness towards a whole range of people, including us. Over the years she's repeatedly taken these little digs at my weight and appearance, my job, the course I'm studying, and suggested that I don't even have proper anxiety because I don't even know what it's like to have bad things happen to me so I should "just get on with it". The worst thing she's done was when she made a racist insult about my ex-boyfriend's mother to his face (which is not why he's now my ex, although I wouldn't have blamed him if he had bolted at that point). Weirdly enough the final straw was hearing her tell somebody else that people from my hometown don't know anything. I'm just so sick of being insulted by her. Frankly, we're just two people who shouldn't be in the same room. The rest of my family find her rude, but say they can just let her comments roll off their back because they know what she's like. But my social anxiety makes that impossible. So I've gotten to the stage where I haven't been attending any family gatherings because she's always there for them. Not only am I scared of what she will say to me, but I feel so attacked by her that I'm worried I will lash out and say something awful back - I've certainly been thinking a lot of uncharitable thoughts about her It finally hit me this weekend because there was a family dinner for my late grandfathers birthday and I just couldn't bring myself to go and face her. I miss spending time with my family. Everybody is scared to say anything to her because she is very manipulative and her mother has already been emotionally blackmailed by her into cutting ties with several of their old family friends that have somehow upset her. I don't know how to deal with this or whether I should just cut ties with all but my immediate family, because I can't take her anymore.

olga do you feel the same?
  • replies: 5

Hi, everyone. I am 28 y.o. Lately i've been going through anxiety and panic attacks. They come out of nowhere for no particular reason. I don't seem to relax anymore. constantly concentrating on my physical symptoms and feeling that i am going to die... View more

Hi, everyone. I am 28 y.o. Lately i've been going through anxiety and panic attacks. They come out of nowhere for no particular reason. I don't seem to relax anymore. constantly concentrating on my physical symptoms and feeling that i am going to die. Been to the doctor and done all sorts of blood tests all turned out good. I work in aged care for 8 years but decided to quit as it makes my anxiety worse. Can't see sick and dying people anymore. I get thoughts that i am going mad sometimes. As if my mind totally deattaches from reality. I've never been like this before. I always used ro be very happy, easygoing girl. Now i feel like that person is dead and I am like robot. Everyday is the same to me i get stuck in anxiety, fear of death or going crazy. Doc put me on mediciation which i've been taking for 3.5 weeks. Also i've been to psychologist. Does anyone feel the same? How can get back to my happy self?

Kayleeh Health Anxiety- thinking I have a neuro disorder
  • replies: 3

I have alsways had anxiety around health but the last few months Ive literally been obsessed. It started when I had insomnia for a few weeks then I noticed twitching of my thumb so I googled it came up with parkinsons , ms, als I googled and googled ... View more

I have alsways had anxiety around health but the last few months Ive literally been obsessed. It started when I had insomnia for a few weeks then I noticed twitching of my thumb so I googled it came up with parkinsons , ms, als I googled and googled freaking myself out!!! eventually I pushed it to the back of mind. A few weeks ago I noticed when Im sitting or laying down I jerk but they are the tiniest little jerks that sometimes they wont visually move the area, I dont notice any during the day unless im sitting but this doesnt seem to be a comon anxiety symptom so now im actually convinced there is something wrong with me and god im scared im so so scared. I twitch and jerk has anyone got this and could it be anxiety? Ill be going to the doctors next week.

Countrymusicgirl Help me understand my anxiety
  • replies: 6

Recently my anxiety has been bad enough that every day is a struggle to get up because I don't want to face the world. I've gone from mentally numb because of medication to being so anxious I'm feeling sick to eat, I'm waking up anxious but the major... View more

Recently my anxiety has been bad enough that every day is a struggle to get up because I don't want to face the world. I've gone from mentally numb because of medication to being so anxious I'm feeling sick to eat, I'm waking up anxious but the major thing that I'm struggling to deal with I'm not feeling numb anymore I feel empty, I've deattached myself from my emotions, I don't have any emotions. It's hard to explain it's like I'm not in my body I feel lost inside of me. I don't know who I am anymore. Can someone make sense of this ?

JBat New job causing my anxiety to flare up quite badly. What do I do?
  • replies: 2

Hi all, I started a new job 3.5 weeks ago and am unhappy and it's causing my anxiety to flare up because I don't know how to handle in. Just resign I hear you say, well I tried that but then because I felt guilty, I said I would stay and work from ho... View more

Hi all, I started a new job 3.5 weeks ago and am unhappy and it's causing my anxiety to flare up because I don't know how to handle in. Just resign I hear you say, well I tried that but then because I felt guilty, I said I would stay and work from home the majority of the time and go into the office on Thursday's. The thought of going in tomorrow makes me feel sick. They don't know about my depression and anxiety as I am embarrassed and don't want to be judged. I have lied (I know it's wrong) and said I cannot get childcare and this is why I cannot remain in the job but really it's because my anxiety is so bad. Last Thursday when I was in the office I had to get my friend to call with an "emergency" so I could leave. What do I do?

Ccbbk anxiety attack over mess
  • replies: 3

Does anyone get the feelings and thoughts that they have finally got better? Ive been so happy and positive after a really bad time a few months ago and today i felt amazing and went out with no social anxiety feeling pretty fabulous.... until i got ... View more

Does anyone get the feelings and thoughts that they have finally got better? Ive been so happy and positive after a really bad time a few months ago and today i felt amazing and went out with no social anxiety feeling pretty fabulous.... until i got back home and remembered i didnt clean before i left. Now i know it doesnt take long to clean up so why would i get so worked up My mother arrived during and i was shakey and heart was pounding and i couldn't stop cleaning trying to fight back the choking feeling. When she left i helped myself calm down and I called her and apologised which i never usually have the guts to do and she said it was very obvious something was wrong but she new i needed space. Its really embarrassing when you have to say its because I didn't clean before i left! Anyone else have Anxiety attacks over a clean unorganised house?

tleaves Can anyone help me with anxiety problems
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Can anyone give me some advice. Recently my depression has become alot worse due to some issues that i had in my work place although these issues are now better i am finding it increasingly difficult to get myself to work. I get very anxious about th... View more

Can anyone give me some advice. Recently my depression has become alot worse due to some issues that i had in my work place although these issues are now better i am finding it increasingly difficult to get myself to work. I get very anxious about the thought of going to work nearly every day which is very upsetting for me cause even though I know that there is nothing to worry about i seem to get myself so worked up that sometimes I can't leave the house. So this leads to me missing work and pay as i am a casual employee. If anyone can offer some advice on how to manage my anxiety would really appreciate it

Sad_Puppy_Dog An example of how anxiety affects me: OVERTHINKING. looking for similar stories, successes, etc
  • replies: 2

Anxiety has been with me for a long time. At least around the start of high school with bullying, expectations, the future, grades, peer pressure, etc. I over analyse, overthink, to a ridiculous degree. After much chaos and setback particularly in th... View more

Anxiety has been with me for a long time. At least around the start of high school with bullying, expectations, the future, grades, peer pressure, etc. I over analyse, overthink, to a ridiculous degree. After much chaos and setback particularly in the last 10 mths and time spent with a new psychologist for 2 mths, I have come to learn a bit about myself with overthinking and acknowledging it more loudly. The boiling point happened in the recent session where I became teary thinking about how much it rules my life. When asked what I was thinking, I responded that is it just SO EXHAUSTING. It is a part of me that I do NOT want and have not managed to control and recently it is something I am confronting, questioning, analysing (!) by myself and with my counsel support. I LOATHE it, even (As goes the perpetual cycle) wondering if it has anything to do with driving people away or them recognising that quality in me and wanting to flee. Undetermined. My mind is not always at high levels of fear though that occurs from time to time. There is some degree of me going "What if this? What if that?" about numerous things, actions I consider taking. I do seem to prefer some order, structure and logistics though I have always wished to be more carefree like some others. My mind is frequently restless, on overdrive, going back over the same problems and scenarios (Recent breakups would be the main field above all) from things that have occurred even a long time ago, trying to get unanswered questions resolved and solve problems, going round in circles. It is SO tiring, playing my life over and over again ad infinity. It kind of makes it difficult too because I am a writer and I am creative with film, drawing and design. I'm a storyteller and a visual person...so my skills/talents can actually open up to serve me in a negative way. ^&*$! I have recently been told to focus on mindfullness, the present moment. I am wondering however about the experiences of others who have a mind that just won't slow down, that won't stop obsessing, rehashing, planning, analysing and all of those other appropriate words. And are there examples of people who have controlled or "beaten" this aspect of themselves that I can read about? Would love to see what is out there. Thanks.

byproductofsystems My Anxiety, how it effects my life, how i feel powerless and aware that i feel powerless to do much.
  • replies: 8

Greetings community, Using the Beyond Blue resource has been something that has been building up for a while i think. And like many other posts, it's how to start. I guess with a bit of the backstory to give context to the present. I am an ex-statewa... View more

Greetings community, Using the Beyond Blue resource has been something that has been building up for a while i think. And like many other posts, it's how to start. I guess with a bit of the backstory to give context to the present. I am an ex-statewad, byproduct of NSW institutionalized care, with DOCS being my longest term carer. In short, i guess details don't matter to me anymore nor do i really find the details of the picture really helpful to focus on. All my life and personal research, meanderings, ponderings and speculations has lead me to i think a vastly deeper awareness of my strengths and abilities, but have confined me with barriers that i don't see difficult as conquering. I just have reached a point where i was ready to take on the world again, full force, determination, aspiration to make it happen. For the first time as an adult, i knew the paths i wanted to spend my life in. But instead of getting help i got doubt from those around me, i got a lot of withdrawals from people due to intensity, passion, wanting to rise above day to day life and achieve true freedom. To be able to live without concerns of the daily grind, how am i going to afford to eat, am i providing well enough (i dont even provide, i sacrifice at the cost of my health). I guess i always knew i had alot of wisdom, strength and life experience due to my history. But never doubt. Now, that doubt has turned into total carelessness. I just don't seem to care about anything. Nothing. I barely eat anymore, i've realised atrophy has started to set, exercise comes at the sounds of "snap crackle and pop" through my cartilage and ligaments. I think i've developed an eating disorder. As when im alone, even with food. I seem to lack the desire to cook, i used to enjoy hosting for people when i had the opportunity and environment for it. But i can barely be bothered watching eggs fry, most of the time i just crack them and check back in a few minutes. I dont really have the energy to watch them. I know simple things like daylight, exercise and healthy food impact alot. I know i need to make changes, yet feel utterly lacking any motivation, energy or care about it. I'm aware i have near no personal life skills, my skill is putting on a mask and convincing people not to look closer. But if you push past it, you'll find someone's mental health in tatters, at a loss, lack of care, motivation or anything. I honestly wish i could just fall asleep and not wake up, but each day. I do.

Number7 My life
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This condition is ruining my life. It is preventing me from doing things I used to love and leaves me spending my days in bed depressed and wondering how anything will ever get better. I struggle to attend university anymore, every time I approach my... View more

This condition is ruining my life. It is preventing me from doing things I used to love and leaves me spending my days in bed depressed and wondering how anything will ever get better. I struggle to attend university anymore, every time I approach my class my heartrate accelerates, I get hot flushes and a tightness in the chest which generally gets so bad I decide to not attend my classes. I struggle doing things I used to love to do. I can't go to the pub with friends anymore if there is going to be a large group of people there, I begin suffering the same symptoms before I even leave my house and end up deciding to go to bed again no matter the time of day. I work in retail and have had to take the last two weeks off work as the thought of being surrounded by strangers in a store was too much for me, and when I am at work I routinely have to leave the floor and sit in the bathroom to calm myself down. I feel like I haven't left my bed in a month as I can't fathom the idea of being anywhere else without beginning to panic. I've been left fatigued and depressed and really don't see how this can ever get better. I am yet to see a doctor and be properly diagnosed with anything as my future career is within law enforcement and being diagnosed with any mental health condition will make the already competitive application process even harder.