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
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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

smallbrainedcat Is this possible anxiety or am I overreacting?
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I've always been an over-thinker but its been getting worse in the past few months. I'll start feeling hot, shakey and be on the verge of tears whenever I end up in an argument, make a mistake or end up in a situation where I'm not in control, even i... View more

I've always been an over-thinker but its been getting worse in the past few months. I'll start feeling hot, shakey and be on the verge of tears whenever I end up in an argument, make a mistake or end up in a situation where I'm not in control, even if its very minor. I'll often feel dizzy and shakey when I stand up or even sit up from lying down, followed by a 'whizzing' sound in my head which I have to crouch or sit down for it to go away. I constantly wonder what people think of me whether it be my clothes, behaviour or if I talk too much. I also fidget a lot and I can't sit still, I'm often told by my mum to stop tapping my foot or tapping a table, and being late (especially to my dance classes) makes me feel extremely stressed. I've mentioned this to my mum once or twice but she keeps telling me that I'm overreacting and that this is normal (I'm 17 and in year 12) and now I'm worried that I am overthinking it and I'm just being stupid over normal stress. Some days it does feel like normal stress and other days everything feels very overwhelming. I don't want to ask my mum if I can speak to a professional about this because I don't think she'll agree to that idea but I think I just need a bit of guidance or a second opinion.

S_1987 Relapsing GAD and depression
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Hi guys, think I’m just looking for someone for some reassurance! Bit about my story! Was diagnosed 6 years ago with post natal depression and GOD after the birth of my first child! 3 years of therapy and antidepressants plus ongoing prescription of ... View more

Hi guys, think I’m just looking for someone for some reassurance! Bit about my story! Was diagnosed 6 years ago with post natal depression and GOD after the birth of my first child! 3 years of therapy and antidepressants plus ongoing prescription of additional medication when needed for panic attacks. Been great! Skip forward 2 more kids and very rarely used medication! Like I’ve prob had the script filled once every 1.5 years. new baby 9 months old, went out with friends and husband for a 30th drank so much I have no memory of the night, wasn’t embarrassing just wasted is what I have been told! Hangover was brutal and lasted 3 days, ever since I feel like I am downward spiraling back into how I used to be! The anxiety is full force, all the symptoms that I used to experience - headaches, tingling in the back of my head, nauseas, faint, feeling like I’m going crazy, foggy head etc im angry at myself! I am such a controlled person because I have to be! If I let go I get anxious! I’m always super aware of my body and now I feel like I’m slipping! I don’t feel strong, I have a few hours where I’m like ok I’m feeling better and I can get stronger again then it hits me again and I panic! I have 3 kids and a husband now, I can’t be this 23 year old mess again! I’m 30 and we have so many responsibilities and my kids and husband don’t need this again! Help!

Chriss84 Anxiety help
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Hi I am having a relapse in my anxiety I don't want to take antidepressants as I have had bad side effects with them before has anyone got any advise on the natural approach that's help them with this problem Thanks Chris

Hi I am having a relapse in my anxiety I don't want to take antidepressants as I have had bad side effects with them before has anyone got any advise on the natural approach that's help them with this problem Thanks Chris

Nic80m Panic attacks
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Anyone have any tips on how to sleep after a panic attack?

Anyone have any tips on how to sleep after a panic attack?

Mjtsb Public speaking
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I'm desperate for some help I am basically having panic attacks almost daily thinking about a speach I have to do at uni! Public speaking is one of my worst fears I hate it, normally I just completely avoid these situations but I can't get out of thi... View more

I'm desperate for some help I am basically having panic attacks almost daily thinking about a speach I have to do at uni! Public speaking is one of my worst fears I hate it, normally I just completely avoid these situations but I can't get out of this otherwise I'll fail! I go bright red, stutter, can't make eye contacts, get restless sweaty and feel generally ill and can't concentrate! Is there anything I can do to help myself?

Ivy_blossoms Need help! Anxiety or Depression
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Hi all, This is my first post here. Hope to get some help... Last week my husband and I were watching tv and I out of nowhere suddenly felt a racy heart beat, deep breathing, suddenly burst out crying badly not knowing why. All the negative incidents... View more

Hi all, This is my first post here. Hope to get some help... Last week my husband and I were watching tv and I out of nowhere suddenly felt a racy heart beat, deep breathing, suddenly burst out crying badly not knowing why. All the negative incidents keep playing a loop in my mind and cant get over them easily. I had lot of trouble pushing myself up to go to work the next couple of days. Over the last 6 months or so I have been having phases of highs and lows- terrible mood swings- during my highs i feel excitement, motivated and also have a racy heartbeat and sometimes body shivers. And during my dull phase its crying spells, lethargic, frustrated, angry and feeling hopeless. This has been going on for a while now and each phase stays for a week or so till i feel okay. Never really asked for a help but now feel the symptoms are getting worse.. Its been 3 years in Australia- I have always been a reserved/introvert/ sensitive person but now i don’t like talking to people, get really intimidated by people and scared, avoid a conversation and just like to be alone. Talking to people gives me jitters and shivers. Nothing seems to interest me and i feel detached from my parents/ friends. cant seem to bond with anybody- hardly have one or two friends here. Hate doing household chores and feel everything i do takes so much of my effort which wasn't the case before. Sometimes i feel i get detached from the surroundings. Weird sensation, feels like a dream/ surreal? For a few seconds/mins not aware of the surroundings, during that time the light seems very bright all of a sudden and cant understand where I am? its feels weird but i'm unable to explain what i feel. I was diagnosed with depression when i was 17, had come out of it with the help of meds. Never had anxiety then. Now i'm 26 and cant seem to figure out what i have now is anxiety or could it be relapse of my depression? I'm feeling nervous to type this post as well as its my first post in here. Thanks!

Beanie018 When you don't even know yourself
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I have been through anxiety and depression for many years. I am now 29 it all started about 12 years ago. 4 years ago was my first experience with anxiety, after months of struggle I finally started getting better. Much better that I stopped my medic... View more

I have been through anxiety and depression for many years. I am now 29 it all started about 12 years ago. 4 years ago was my first experience with anxiety, after months of struggle I finally started getting better. Much better that I stopped my medication and hadn't experienced any low moods or panic attacks for 4 years. Lately it's all come back and what feels like twice as hard this time. I feel like I'm on the outside looking in and I don't know who I've become. I don't have family here as they are all overseas. I have a partner of almost a year but don't live with him, he doesn't understand it and I have started to distance myself from him. My doctor has just started me on medication again and I'm working up the courage to call to book counselling sessions. It scares me not knowing who I've become or why this is happening again. I feel alone in this uphill battle and don't really know where to begin to start feeling like myself again... advice please

vala2017 I am back and worst then ever
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Hi everyone, I had some health anxiety last year which cleared up with some time, but am now in a worst state then how I was last year. I now get these really obtrusive disturbing thoughts that come from I do not know where and they scare the hell ou... View more

Hi everyone, I had some health anxiety last year which cleared up with some time, but am now in a worst state then how I was last year. I now get these really obtrusive disturbing thoughts that come from I do not know where and they scare the hell out of me. I have been diagnosed with OCD and am seeing a psychologist about it, but they are away at the moment and not sure who else to turn to in the meantime. I feel scared and alone and cannot relax. Can anyone share any stories of how they have overcome this to give me some hope......I was a happy and fun person before this but now feel a shell of my former self. I really don't know how much more I can take and my anxiety is giving me anxiety! Please share some success stories to help me get by this difficult time. Thanks.

Safeasmilk Recommendations for podcasts
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Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for podcasts in the areas of motivation, inspiration, wellness and self help etc thanks ben

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for podcasts in the areas of motivation, inspiration, wellness and self help etc thanks ben

Superdry87 Panic attack calm down
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Hi everyone, I mostly just came here to try and calm myself down. I need to feel connected to people or talk to people when having a panic attack. Also wondering if there are other people out there that have an panic attack so bad that you vomit? I d... View more

Hi everyone, I mostly just came here to try and calm myself down. I need to feel connected to people or talk to people when having a panic attack. Also wondering if there are other people out there that have an panic attack so bad that you vomit? I don't usually have a problem with anxiety attacks, not for a long time. I am on medication for scitzoaffective disorder and when it is making me tired and I fight it, this is when i seem to have panic attacks. As mentioned, I really just came by to calm myself down. Thanks for reading