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

thesedaysarenotfun GAD all my life- nervous breakdown has left me with anxiety based insomnia
  • replies: 8

Hi all, I am new to BB and I appreciate any feedback and advice . About five weeks ago I suffered a nervous breakdown due to overwork. There were warning signs in the months leading up to it which I didn’t pay attention to and it resulted in severe a... View more

Hi all, I am new to BB and I appreciate any feedback and advice . About five weeks ago I suffered a nervous breakdown due to overwork. There were warning signs in the months leading up to it which I didn’t pay attention to and it resulted in severe anxiety, depression and anxiety based insomnia. They don’t give you a lot of room here to go into detail so the short version is that I can’t sleep atm without pills. I’ve tried various things to mixed results. Im scared of going to bed. I’ve been on an SNRI for 3 weeks which is starting to stabilise me but I still can’t sleep. There has even been one night where I got no sleep at all and then had to go to work. OTC sleep aids have provided some relief but they don’t always work. Panic attacks and brain zaps prevent me from falling asleep. I should mention that I have also been undertaking CBT therapy with a psychologist for my anxiety and sleep anxiety. The steps he is asking me to take to combat my problem haven’t really worked so far and after a night of no sleep like the last one my resolve and confidence is badly shaken. I tell myself the right things, like it isn’t the fact that I’m tired that make me feel like , it’s my thoughts surrounding it. The problem lies in my subconscious and how I’ve trained myself to think and react to stressors, it will be ok etc. I’m trying to take one day at a time, I’ve dramatically reduced my caffeine intake and changed my diet. I’ve cut out sugar, alcohol and tried to keep a sleep schedule. The only thing I can’t stop is the cigarette smoking which has increased with all the stress. I’m smoking 15- 20 cigarettes a day at this stage. I’m trying everything I can short of just stopping taking pills and trying to suffer through something which feels like it will never end. How do I function without sleeping? Many times I’ve felt like I’m at the end of my tether and can’t go on anymore and it scares me. The anxiety passes of course, but comes back. I’ve been in dark places before with anxiety but nothing like this. My sleep was never effected before. If anyone has any advice or stories of their own, particularly successful ones, then I am in much need of hearing your experiences. Thanks!

Wizzyg New anxiety symptom -metallic smell
  • replies: 5

Hey guys just wondering if anyone has ever experienced a metallic almost blood like smell/taste whilst they are experiencing high levels of anxiety.. i had this symptom come out of nowhere after dealing with anxiety for years.. the smell isnt chronic... View more

Hey guys just wondering if anyone has ever experienced a metallic almost blood like smell/taste whilst they are experiencing high levels of anxiety.. i had this symptom come out of nowhere after dealing with anxiety for years.. the smell isnt chronic its only happend twice or 3 time in the last 2weeks but comes on for a few seconds during high anxiety. i was taken to the hospital last week because of this because i thought it was a stroke symptom but was reassured its not however the doctor could not give any reason for it. Hoping someone here has also experienced it with their anxiety so i can calm myself and believe it is yet another symptom of the long list. I should also mention ive been lightheaded the last week.

Elizabeth2601 Health Anxiety - waiting for MRI
  • replies: 2

Hi everyone, I need some help and support. I have recently had terrible headaches, tingling and wet skin feelings in patches on my body, dizziness and blurry vision and I am freaking out! my GP referred me to a neurologist who has ordered a brain and... View more

Hi everyone, I need some help and support. I have recently had terrible headaches, tingling and wet skin feelings in patches on my body, dizziness and blurry vision and I am freaking out! my GP referred me to a neurologist who has ordered a brain and spine MRI which I had on late Thursday night (it's Sunday night now). I feel like I can't even face to day tomorrow as I live in complete fear that my phone will ring with him wanting me to come in to discuss the results. I have been seeing a psychologist but it hasn't seemed to be helping, I can't control this panic I am feeling that something terrible was on the MRI. has anyone else experienced this? Please help!

Noso Anyone else had these panic attack symptoms before?
  • replies: 8

A couole of hours ago I had what was probably the worst panic attack I've ever had, I won't into huge detail about what triggered but needless to say I can't handle confrontation whatsoever, I pretty much fall to pieces straight away and freak out. A... View more

A couole of hours ago I had what was probably the worst panic attack I've ever had, I won't into huge detail about what triggered but needless to say I can't handle confrontation whatsoever, I pretty much fall to pieces straight away and freak out. Anyway when it really kicked into gear my hands and fingers all siezed up like crab claws and it was actually quite painful it was like I was being mildly electrocuted, this then spread to my face and my face went all numb and it actually made it difficult to talk, at that point brain goes into overdrive and screams stroke! It took me a while to convince myself otherwise and get movement back in my hands, fingers and face. I've had anxiety for a fair while and I've never experienced anything like this before, just putting seeing if this has happened to anyone else? cheers for listening guys, Kieran

kucingcantik Change of career due to anxiety?
  • replies: 9

Hi there, I am new here! I was diagnosed with GAD and Social AD in 2015, but have really been experiencing this my whole life. I am a lawyer and that is obviously quite a stressful job. I find it really hard to manage my anxiety in many situations th... View more

Hi there, I am new here! I was diagnosed with GAD and Social AD in 2015, but have really been experiencing this my whole life. I am a lawyer and that is obviously quite a stressful job. I find it really hard to manage my anxiety in many situations that arise frequently in my job. This leaves me having panic attacks and feeling awful for days/weeks at a time. I find it hard to interact with my children and husband and withdraw when this happens. It affects how I enjoy my whole life. I have wanted to be a lawyer since I was 13. I thought it was something I was really passionate about. I do enjoy some aspects of my job, but every few months since I started working as a lawyer I have wondered if what I enjoy about my job really does justify the anxiety flare ups I experience due to my work. Has anyone here changed careers because of the way that their career impacted upon their mental health? I feel like I would be a failure if I did this, but I also feel like I am wasting my young children's childhood due to how this is making me feel.

DomM Anxiety and OCD thought patterns leading to self destruction
  • replies: 3

Was Curious if anyone else feels their anxiety/ OCD thought patterns make them feel like they are a bad person. I am constantly feeling like I have done something wrong, acted in a bad manner, worrying people hate me, self destructing my relationship... View more

Was Curious if anyone else feels their anxiety/ OCD thought patterns make them feel like they are a bad person. I am constantly feeling like I have done something wrong, acted in a bad manner, worrying people hate me, self destructing my relationships, and making up scenarios that never happened. I was wondering who else has these types of experiences and how they work through them? As it appears to most people "nothing" is wrong with me, but I am destroying myself on the inside with thoughts and now thoughts of things I know I did not do but keep questioning it anyways. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Alwayworied Anxious wreck
  • replies: 2

I have been off work for a couple of months on compo im returning tomorow, i feel nervous sick and anxious usually when this happens i cant sleep i wake up all the time feeling sick no doubt when i wake tomorow morning to go back to work i will have ... View more

I have been off work for a couple of months on compo im returning tomorow, i feel nervous sick and anxious usually when this happens i cant sleep i wake up all the time feeling sick no doubt when i wake tomorow morning to go back to work i will have to take a sick bag i usualy end up having to drive and spew at the same time more dry reaching than anything the closer i get to work the worse i feel oh no not looking forward to tomorow i should be asleep now for a 5 oclock start but im way to anxious about it i feel sick now, is there any ways around this anyone please

Jemz14 HELP terrified to sleep!!!
  • replies: 9

I believe I may be the most anxious I have ever ever been and NOTHING is helping!!! im a extreme hypochondriac last week was a irrational fear of anaphylaxis now I’m obsessively scared of dying in my sleep as I think I have sleep apnea!!! I have had ... View more

I believe I may be the most anxious I have ever ever been and NOTHING is helping!!! im a extreme hypochondriac last week was a irrational fear of anaphylaxis now I’m obsessively scared of dying in my sleep as I think I have sleep apnea!!! I have had had heaps of reassurance from my doctor it’s not helping I’m forcing myself to stay awake and calling ppl terrified to be alone a night by myself this can’t go on what can I do???

AnxSam What to do!!!
  • replies: 5

I've recently started a new job (3months in) I left my old job to travel, spend time with my girlfriend. Since I've started every time I head into work my stomach churns, I feel sick and I get anxious about performing daily tasks. I've always had thi... View more

I've recently started a new job (3months in) I left my old job to travel, spend time with my girlfriend. Since I've started every time I head into work my stomach churns, I feel sick and I get anxious about performing daily tasks. I've always had this fear/anxiety that whatever job I do I'm always destined to fail, not succeed or not perform well. It's always been my understanding I'm a failure. Particularly in this role as its a role I've never be assigned to or had experience in. I don't know how to stop feeling like this and start feeling normal or even excited to come into work!

Coggie I think I will choke when I eat..Feel like I am going Crazy!!!!!!
  • replies: 4

Hey I am new to this site and think it's great that you can express how you are feeling. I was recently in hospital and to say it was an unpleasant experience is an understatement and I feel that I had a physical and nervous breakdown. Fast forward 3... View more

Hey I am new to this site and think it's great that you can express how you are feeling. I was recently in hospital and to say it was an unpleasant experience is an understatement and I feel that I had a physical and nervous breakdown. Fast forward 3 weeks after that and one night I took two tablets before going to bed and They did not go down too well and I thought I was going to choke. The next day I awoke with my throat aching, went to the Doctor and he said I had an infection and put me on antibiotics, which did not solve the problem. My infection is gone but I have developed a phobia of eating solid food as I feel it will get stuck and choke me. I feel like a baby as I have to eat really soft foods and even then I have panic attacks and cough for such a long time that I am left with a very sore throat. I am seeing a counselor but does not seem to be working and I am also doing meditation. I feel like I am going crazy and life will never be the same again. I have a very supportive partner but I feel with what I am putting him through.