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

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
  • replies: 2

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
  • replies: 3

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.

SilverLight Anxiety: The Missing Pieces of Me
  • replies: 1

Does anyone else feel like their anxiety just sucks the life out of them? I have depressive disorders as a side effect of my anxiety so I guess that doesn't help... But I feel so broken, like theres pieces missing and like im still stuck a decade in ... View more

Does anyone else feel like their anxiety just sucks the life out of them? I have depressive disorders as a side effect of my anxiety so I guess that doesn't help... But I feel so broken, like theres pieces missing and like im still stuck a decade in the past... Its really random. Back in highschool 7 years ago I wrote songs, lyrics and music, that were praised by a real lyricist in a band, I could draw, paint, create almost any medium, I wrote short stories, poems and even about 2/3 of a novel... and then I got hit with anxiety in the middle of year twelve... I haven't done anything with my own imagination since... I use how to draw guides to be able to remember how things are drawn, I wrote some song lyrics for the first time in 6 years yesterday but only a few lines. I haven't gotten past a single colour on a painting in years... I used to sing, dance, perform as well and I loved every second of it.... Now its just gone... Now I fear ever getting back on a stage again... Whats happening? Why has my anxiety taken all this away from me? How do I bring it back? How do I look at my arts and crafts materials and feel passion for it again? Or is it gone forever?

Davida2020 Anxiety and Asthma
  • replies: 3

Hi, I've just experienced Asthma flair-ups from the flu I got almost two weeks ago, it seems like its treated after heavy does of Antibiotics and Steroids and the doctor said your fine? but I still feel very nervous and anxious which is making my che... View more

Hi, I've just experienced Asthma flair-ups from the flu I got almost two weeks ago, it seems like its treated after heavy does of Antibiotics and Steroids and the doctor said your fine? but I still feel very nervous and anxious which is making my chest very tight and hard to breath? I think I'm experiencing Anxiety based on past experience been admitted to hospital so many times, I cant even drive to the shop when someone gives me the finger for ( making a wrong turn) everything makes me very nervous and in public places. I talked to my GP and he said it might be the prescribed asthma drugs or in my head? Okay thanks Doc? I just feel really down, two weeks ago I was doing my business work, happy and healthy, going to the gym and boxing, now I'm a different person now I just wait for another attack but I feel very tight chested? cant go near anyone while I sort my anxiety out.