Support
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 conversation

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 conversation

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 conversation

Nutcase What is wrong with me.
  • replies: 3

It has hit me so hard and from out of no where. I can't think, I can't breathe, I can't move and I can't even pick up the phone to talk to anyone. I can't see any reason for it but it won't go away.

It has hit me so hard and from out of no where. I can't think, I can't breathe, I can't move and I can't even pick up the phone to talk to anyone. I can't see any reason for it but it won't go away.

Justin_b123 Anyone else?
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone I'm really hoping someone has experienced the same thing as me and is able to give advice. A couple of years ago I had a severe anxiety attack which was followed by a few more. I now have this feeling that nothing is real it's like when I... View more

Hi everyone I'm really hoping someone has experienced the same thing as me and is able to give advice. A couple of years ago I had a severe anxiety attack which was followed by a few more. I now have this feeling that nothing is real it's like when I'm doing something it's not me controlling myself I also have a very numb head. In result of this I have convinced myself that I have a brain tumour or something severe like that. If anyone else experiences this and has any strategies to combat this I would really appreciate it.

MissCambridge My workplace ruined my life
  • replies: 6

Where to start... Well, I finished my diploma and entered into the workforce confident, strong and enthusiastic. Unfortunately I don't remember that person particularly well. I'm now a shadow of my former self and I despise myself every day for it. I... View more

Where to start... Well, I finished my diploma and entered into the workforce confident, strong and enthusiastic. Unfortunately I don't remember that person particularly well. I'm now a shadow of my former self and I despise myself every day for it. I didn't believe people when they said it was a terrible place to work. I should have. When I started to hear whispers about all the disgruntled ex-employees I didn't run. I should have. When I watched people get bullied out of the place one after another I didn't stand up, I didn't leave. I should have. Now I sit here a totally different person with a much shittier view of life. It just passes me by and I wait for each day to finish hoping that the next one is better while I swallow my medication and hope to feel nothing. It doesn't happen. I worked for a short time as a case manager; helping people get on top of their problems and support them through their trauma. Funny that. After 6 months I was given a promotion as a Team Leader and I stayed there for 2 years. In my 3rd year a new worker started. As we expanded they needed a second Team Leader and she was it. We got along well at first; she supported me to learn as she had years of experience that I did not. I welcomed it and looked to her as a mentor. But, that passed. One day I questioned her about her method of case noting and decided that my team would do it differently; I declined taking on an extra client she asked me to. Shortly after I was getting cornered in offices and yelled at, threatened, intimidated. I attended the police station as the bullying was that bad. Senior managers that were her long time friends were trying to get rid of me. The rumour mill was turning like crazy; I was apparently having affairs, drinking in work cars, you name it! That was a horrible year. I watched all my friends either get fired or asked to stay away from me. I was alone. Now, I know this sounds like a bit of a far fetched story - but I assure you, it's all true. My work ended up investigating and substantiating the whole lot. I turned up to work and read an email in the car that she was given a promotion; she was not only in charge of me now but the whole organisation - you thought she was getting fired too, right?! I didn't go to work that day. I didn't go back at all. Every day I fight to be my old self again. One that doesn't struggle to go to the supermarket or take the garbage out. I am crippled with anxiety and I cant fix it.

LUCIDFOX_X Please help
  • replies: 3

I will start with this, I have had anxiety for a long time. I am naturally a very bright, bubbly, outgoing and happy person. I have ADHD and take medication for it for around 2 years or so. I stopped taking it for a while then started again. Since We... View more

I will start with this, I have had anxiety for a long time. I am naturally a very bright, bubbly, outgoing and happy person. I have ADHD and take medication for it for around 2 years or so. I stopped taking it for a while then started again. Since Wednesday i have been experiencing severe anxiety, extreme social anxiety, and everything seems to be freaking me out and/or is too overwhelming. I am thinking maybe I am experiencing depersonalization. I feel like I am not in my body and I am not present. I feel like I'm going crazy and I am scared. I feel like it's getting worse. I don't know what to do and I don't know how to talk about it. I want to talk to my partner about it but don't know how. I am unsure of how to handle this as it's not something I have experienced before. Please help me....

bibliophile Feeling like I'm just not good enough
  • replies: 3

So, I've now been unemployed for 6 months after I left my previous job due to stress and anxiety. I have had my good days and my bad days and have even gotten some temporary work in this time period, but nothing at the moment. I'm just sick of going ... View more

So, I've now been unemployed for 6 months after I left my previous job due to stress and anxiety. I have had my good days and my bad days and have even gotten some temporary work in this time period, but nothing at the moment. I'm just sick of going through the wringer of emotions everyday. I had a really good job interview yesterday which I was proud of how I performed but now I just keep going over and over in my head about more things that I could have said and I can't help thinking that I won't get the job. I'm currently receiving newstart allowance and I have to apply for 20 jobs each month, no matter if I'm qualified for the jobs or not. I had an appointment on the phone with my job service provider yesterday afternoon and it just made me feel really down. At first he was like, well done on the amount of jobs you applied for and you've been to a great interview well done. Then he was like 'you're FINALLY doing something' compared to the jobs I applied for the previous two months. And I was like what? I've done what I'm supposed to do and you make it seem like it's my fault that I don't have a job. I would really like to do the job I interviewed for yesterday but I'm not sure that it'll happen. And people that I know keep asking me every week 'so have you got a job yet?' and when I say no they're just like 'well, we need to get you one' but it's not like I'm trying. I live with my parents but I feel like I can't talk to them about it cause my Mum already has enough stuff on her plate and my Dad just has the attitude to anxiety that you need to suck it up and get over it. I have an appointment to see my GP in a week and a half but I just needed to be able to talk to someone before then. I don't have a lot of friends and they all have jobs and lives so I feel like I'm nothing in comparison.

Kay_Laker People think I'm fine but I'm fighting a war in my own head.
  • replies: 3

Hi I'm 23yo female and I can't seem to cope with my anxiety as of late. It seems to be changing as I get older. It started off as panic attacks and sweaty hands, then to feeling numb & faint, to now feeling alone & angry. I used to be the happy go lu... View more

Hi I'm 23yo female and I can't seem to cope with my anxiety as of late. It seems to be changing as I get older. It started off as panic attacks and sweaty hands, then to feeling numb & faint, to now feeling alone & angry. I used to be the happy go lucky that was friends with everyone but its like I'm to busy trying to get my head around day to day tasks and using all my energy stressing or being angry for no real reason. I'm frustrated that I turn little problems into big issues in my head for an example my sister had a pap smer and it came back as possible cancer causing cells (but not cancer)...I know shes young (22yo), healthy and it could be 100 things but I jump to the worse possible thing!!! I worry myself sick!!! I can't laugh like I used to and I feel like instead of making the people around me feel good I push them away or project negative energy and thats NOT who I am. I only feel good when I blarst music so I can't think or when I am playing sport, its werid but for those moments I feel kind of normal like its quite it my head and I'm free from myself. I go wacky after the gym because I feel good and I know its only temporay so I feel like I have to go over the top and embrace it. I want to be that bubble outgoing girl that my girlfriend fell inlove with, I want to be that approachable one at work thats fun to be around, I want to smile & laugh but truly feel it....like a good belly laugh or a good cry after bottling it up for so long. My confidence has gone to shit after dropping out of my chef apprentiship, I just wasn't passionate enough and couldn't handle the hours/lifestyle. Now I'm working in a cafe as a cook and I HATE it, and I'm so unsure of my feelings that I don't even know if its my job thats shit or myself making it shit? I don't want to be a chef but I don't know what I want to be and I don't think I will know until I figure this all out. I hate the person I have become and I'm aware I'm acting this way but it's like my head has to do one better on me (stress wise) or I shut down to prevent myself from getting emotinal or lash out and get angry. How do you break out of a bad mindset? How do you not stress about pointless things or overthink stressful situations? How do you find yourself when its as if that anxious side of yourself is playing a daily head game of hind and seek? How do I stop this from progressing? How can I use this to my advantage? HELP.

chap10 OCD and searching for purpose
  • replies: 11

I have recently been diagnosed with OCD. In my case it's a hijacking of my mental attention and it feels like being held prisoner to my mind. I'm trapped in my head all day every day from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep. I could go i... View more

I have recently been diagnosed with OCD. In my case it's a hijacking of my mental attention and it feels like being held prisoner to my mind. I'm trapped in my head all day every day from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to sleep. I could go in to detail but that's not really the point of this post. I don't know if anyone will be able to help or will understand but I'll give it a shot. Basically I feel like I have absolutely no purpose, no meaning in my life, and I don't know how to attain purpose or meaning. I've been taking the prescribed medication and I feel like I'm waking up a bit. I suffer from depression as well and the medication is at least helping with that. But I feel like "now what?", I've been lost in my head for so long I don't even know where to start. How do I build a life when my life has been inside my head for so long. I'm also quitting drinking as I have been drinking too much as a means of self-medicating the OCD and resulting anxiety and depression. I want to drink and let go a bit, but I can't because I have quit and I think it is best for me. But where is the fun? in all seriousness what is the point of going on? I'm not suicidal otherwise I would have posted in that forum. I'm kind of just in a no-mans land, just a barren place devoid of meaning. I just don't know where to go from here...

missute09 Anxiety after home invasion: advice appreciated
  • replies: 6

Would appreciate some advice from others. I short history:- I think you could say I have always suffered from anxiety to some extent and it was amplified after a guy broke into my apartment around 8yrs ago and whilst he never touched me he sat outsid... View more

Would appreciate some advice from others. I short history:- I think you could say I have always suffered from anxiety to some extent and it was amplified after a guy broke into my apartment around 8yrs ago and whilst he never touched me he sat outside my bedroom door telling me the things he was going to do to me . I was stuck there for just over an hour and managed to get my mobile and get help. The police came and told me I was lucky as he was a repeat sex offender (he spent years in jail and when I received his release letter it got worse for a while). Since then I have not been able to be in a house on my own at night, I need a light on at night, I look over my shoulder all the time if home alone during the day. My house is surrounded with cameras etc. now:- I had a baby 3 yrs ago and my anxiety seems to have for worse. I am constantly scared of dying. The shooting down of planes, hijacking of planes, and constant "end of the world" thoughts are ruining my life. I have no trouble falling to sleep but I sleep for around an hour and then I am awake usually from 11pm until around 4am usually due to a nightmare about the above. I could sleep no worries at all during the day and these negative thoughts are not as prominent during the day. I work full time in child protection which I know doesn't help! I try to avoid the news and websites so I don't read or hear anything but this is impossible' and not fixing the problem. any advice?

Brad22 Constantly overthinking all the time
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I have been suffering from anxiety and depression for awhile. I'm 18 and have been dealing with it since I was in primary school. I always overthink everything in my life. I started a new job last month and I enjoy what I do and my work ... View more

Hi everyone, I have been suffering from anxiety and depression for awhile. I'm 18 and have been dealing with it since I was in primary school. I always overthink everything in my life. I started a new job last month and I enjoy what I do and my work colleagues that I have met are great. I however have been over working myself without realising until yesterday when I couldn't go to work due an anxiety attack. This isn't my first job and it isn't the first time it has happened. Ever since I started my new job, I have always had a thought that i would have an anxiety attack and now it's happened. I never took breaks during work because I was too afraid to stop working, thinking that I would start getting anxious, and since the job requires me to drive to places to complete my tasks, I just used driving as my break from work, even though it really isn't. I have problems with food, which is unfortunately my worst enemy. If i could live without eating, i would. I always worry about what i eat, when i eat and where i eat as i dont want to feel sick when in a nervous or unknown situation. I thought I was eating enough when at work but I don't think I was as some times after a big day, I would feel weak and light headed. This could also be my mind being overworked but I have never felt what my mind feels when it's overworked since I always worry more about my stomach and whether I have enough energy. Lately on the weekend, I have been feeling tired and lethargic. It was most noticeable last weekend just a couple of days before my anxiety attack. I don't really have many hobbies or things I do in my spare time as I always want things that I want done to be done straight away. Even if it wouldn't be physically possible to do in 1 day or in a few hours, I would either try my hardest to finish it, or I would give up on it, or if it's important, I would start panicing until someone else comes and tells me it's ok to leave it which even then, sometimes that doesn't help as I will start to worry about it. I take medication prescribed by my GP.. My mum suggested that we should visit my GP and either look at uping my dosage or trying a different medication. I feel my medication has helped but now I wonder if it's enough. I havent seen a psychologist for a while due to it being hard to get an appointment. I don't really know what I need to do or what I will get from posting this here, but I just feel like I need to. Thanks for reading.

harrypotterntheturtle Don't know what to do.
  • replies: 3

Hi there, basically im really struggling atm. My boyfriend is possibly getting deployed overseas sometime this year for 6+ months, and I just dont know how to deal/cope with this. I cant stop crying. We dont even know if he is actually going yet but ... View more

Hi there, basically im really struggling atm. My boyfriend is possibly getting deployed overseas sometime this year for 6+ months, and I just dont know how to deal/cope with this. I cant stop crying. We dont even know if he is actually going yet but I just cant put my mind to ease, I cant stop thinking negatively about my future. Like I know he will be back eventually but I just keep replaying over and over in my head how crap my life will be if hes not around. Because of this, im beginning to overthink about uni. Im starting next week and my mind thinks I wont be able to study if he goes because I cant be without him. Its strange because I know how to be independent, but I cant help but feel like this and dont know how to make it stop. Im sick of feeling like this and Im damn well sick of crying. When I was younger I refused to go on school camps because I didnt want to be without my mum. My parents would pay for the camps and when it was close to the time of leaving id just cry and cry and I would end up staying home. It was the worst feeling ever and even then I hated that I felt like that but I couldnt help it. Right now feels like a repeat of when I was younger. It just consumes me and I don't know what to do

As an organisation that supports people from across Australia, Beyond Blue acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present.

First Nations Peoples are advised that this website may include reference to and images of deceased persons.

Beyond Blue is committed to safe inclusive spaces, policies and services for people of LGBTIQ+ communities and their families.

Helpful information

Stay in touch

Sign up below for regular emails from Beyond Blue, filled with information, advice and support for you or your loved ones.

Stay in touch

Talk it through with us, we'll point you in the right direction.

Call 1300 224 636

24 hours / 7 days a week

Chat Online

24 hours / 7 days a week

Email us

Get a reply in 24 hours

Copyright � 2026 Beyond Blue Ltd

All rights reserved

Contact us Terms of use Privacy policy Site map