Anxiety

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with anxiety.

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

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

Emmy. Day after panic attack
  • replies: 9

Had a huge panic attack yesterday, haven't had one this servere in a very long time. (To say I feel devastated is an understatement). Anyway, what I'm wanting to ask is today I just feel exhausted, and still a little panicked too. Is this normal? My ... View more

Had a huge panic attack yesterday, haven't had one this servere in a very long time. (To say I feel devastated is an understatement). Anyway, what I'm wanting to ask is today I just feel exhausted, and still a little panicked too. Is this normal? My poor husband was so surprised to see me like that yesterday. It took me back 3 years ago to my first ever panic attack, that's how scary it was and how out of control I felt. Sorry rambling. Please let me know if you experience anything similar the day after? Many Thanks, Emmy

M_j_ Wakeup call and drinkers remorse
  • replies: 9

Hi- had the most horrible weekend and couple of days resulting in taking myself to gp and subsequently having to face my anxiety/depression/social anxiety that have caused me to have what id consider some kind of drunken psychotic episode. Feeling pr... View more

Hi- had the most horrible weekend and couple of days resulting in taking myself to gp and subsequently having to face my anxiety/depression/social anxiety that have caused me to have what id consider some kind of drunken psychotic episode. Feeling pretty ashamed and like I never want to leave my house again... as I'm generally able to convince people I'm a functioning adult -old enough to know better- its especially mortifying. Where do i go from here?

AdamW Significant Stress and Anxiety - Returning to Work
  • replies: 2

Hi Everyone, I hope everyone is having an enjoyable morning, in Adelaide the weather is very cold which sometimes makes getting out of bed even harder. My anxiety came about 3 years ago. I was living what I would describe as a normal happy life, good... View more

Hi Everyone, I hope everyone is having an enjoyable morning, in Adelaide the weather is very cold which sometimes makes getting out of bed even harder. My anxiety came about 3 years ago. I was living what I would describe as a normal happy life, good job, mortgage, somewhat stable relationship and we just welcomed into the world our second child. At work the company I worked for went through a significant restructure and I moved into a role I wasn't qualified or suitable for as a Project Manager. Long story short, juggling a new job, having a young family and having relationship issues with my partner I went into a downward spiral. The stress I was experiencing impacted my life dramatically. I was diagnosed with Celiac disease, may partner and I separated and from the beginning of this year I have been of work because my anxiety was impacting my ability to do my job (all normal anxiety symptoms). I describe the working environment as being toxic. Having not worked for a while and my partner and I calling time on our relationship has left me with a somewhat identity crisis. I've worked in the same industry for 20 years and was with my partner for 10. Its been tough but I'm still here. I would like at returning to work but need to be cautious, I don't want to take on to much and end up where I was. I'm meeting my old employer tomorrow to see what its like going back into the environment. Part of me would like to go back their and openly talk about my experience as I think that's what is needed to reduce the stigma but its also tough and I'm not sure how to have those conversations. I worked in a department with 200 people. For a long time I felt like I had 2 many eggs in my basket and my basket broke. My basket I refer to as being my brain. I also feel like what I went through over 3 years has impacted me Psychologically as there are some things I don't feel I can do anymore. Returning to work feels like the hard decision. I wanted to see how others have gone in returning to the workplace and what their experience was like and how they find things today. What have you learnt from it? Mental illness is tough, even harder when people distance themselves from you or have trouble in understanding what it is like. I hope the children of the future don't have to face these burdens. Thanks

Sasim New job offer anxiety
  • replies: 2

Received new job offer. Having some social anxiety.Current job is mostly emails, sometimes meetings and phone calls. New job will involve staff control, more being with and among people. Nearly accepted and feel depressed. Afraid if force myself, can... View more

Received new job offer. Having some social anxiety.Current job is mostly emails, sometimes meetings and phone calls. New job will involve staff control, more being with and among people. Nearly accepted and feel depressed. Afraid if force myself, can break down. I'm 60, stay at current calm but less paid job or change? How to build this confidence to accept and go on with success?

MisterM I am confused as to who I am or what I want to be and it is making me have bad anxiety
  • replies: 26

Hi all, I am almost 33 years old and have just begun my second year of a four year teaching degree for secondary education along with an arts degree. I often have doubts as to whether being a teacher is for me. As I am learning psychology as part of ... View more

Hi all, I am almost 33 years old and have just begun my second year of a four year teaching degree for secondary education along with an arts degree. I often have doubts as to whether being a teacher is for me. As I am learning psychology as part of my arts degree and the fact that I find it fun to learn has had me thinking about becoming a clinical psychologist or developmental psychologist but I don't like the fact that it requires years of post graduation study. I also don't know if being a psychologist would be for me. There's things about both careers that scare me and make me anxious. My true passion is music, I love writing songs, recording demos. I also like visual art. I am an arty type pretty much and not a corporate professional conforming your appearance to the profession type, I have my hair long (the thought of having to cut it short to be either a teacher or psychologist bothers me as I feel better about myself looking how I want to). I hate conforming to societal expectations especially in the workforce when it comes to appearance. I just want to be myself, an artist, doing what an artist does and dresses and wears his hair like he wants to. I have my first teaching placement soon and I am so anxious about it that I cannot focus on my homework. What's stopping me from just being a musician full time? Well lately my passion and motivation has died down, especially since I started uni last year I have been working on my craft less and less. My guitars just gather dust. The fact that I am nearly 33, no chance of making it big time in the industry. The 20s are the best time to be a star musician, not some old guy. My lack of belief and talent, to be honest I don't like my voice or my guitar skills, I am not that good but enjoy writing. People say they like my songs but I think they say that to be kind and not hurt my feelings. How will I manage my finances without a 'proper career'. The fear of my conservative family's reaction if I were to quit uni and just focus on being a musician, especially my mum who is very abusive, bad tempered, critical and ridiculing of me. I don't know what I want in life and am confused, down and suffering bad anxiety. I feel like an aimless failure that has no aspirations in life and is so scared of everything. I did exceptionally well in uni last year, high grades, GPA average of 6 and over but still I am not sure about the direction I am heading. Just wanted to vent and hope someone can give me some advice.

MaceyMae Anxiety and lack of motivation
  • replies: 3

Hi online community! I have severe anxiety and depression, I only started medication a few months ago, but it's helped fix my moods and be able to control my emotions. But I've just gone back into second semester of uni, and just like last semester, ... View more

Hi online community! I have severe anxiety and depression, I only started medication a few months ago, but it's helped fix my moods and be able to control my emotions. But I've just gone back into second semester of uni, and just like last semester, I'm lacking greatly in motivation, energy and concentration. I have two assignments to work on and I've been trying to start them for the last week and I just can't bring myself to do it. I'm getting more and more behind, which is increasing my stress levels and making me feel down. I always feel sleepy and lose concentration very easily at uni. So my question is, is this still related to my anxiety and depression, or, is it something else? Does anyone else experience this? And any tips to help? Any advice would be greatly appreciated

MossyVale Just some help dealing with a situation
  • replies: 7

Hey guys I'm new to the forums and just looking for some advice. I have ptsd/anxiety which can be crippling at times. I've been on anti depressants which I'm no longer taking but I feel have been a god send, but they aren't enough. Therapy did nothin... View more

Hey guys I'm new to the forums and just looking for some advice. I have ptsd/anxiety which can be crippling at times. I've been on anti depressants which I'm no longer taking but I feel have been a god send, but they aren't enough. Therapy did nothing to help. But no one in my immediate circle understands my anxiety, because well doesn't everyone get anxious? My anxiety has been triggered again due to my job. I have moved interstate to take on a job I thought would be more life friendly than the industry I was working in. Turns out I've unknowingly walked into a job and industry exactly the same. I've been in the job 2 months and my boss has decided to belittle me because I'm not learning as quickly as he wanted (I had zero previous experience). The rules are constantly changed, I'm being berrated for using my initiative, berrated if I get anything wrong, berrated for asking questions and being made to stay back without pay to "prove myself". I don't want to work there anymore but I'm stuck in this "freeze" where I can't comprehend doing anything. I'm in a state where I don't even know where to start. I don't want to go to work, I'm too scared to quit. I'm tired on constantly having to endure this type of treatment at work. I wonder if this is actually normal these days? I'm tired of always being in conflict and I'm afraid that the little fire inside that keeps me going will go out. I've started applying for new jobs but I'm terrified that I will be heading into another crappy job. Its a huge deal for me to have too much change, it upsets me a lot. What do I do? How can I control my anxiety? How do I stop the cogs in my head from spinning past each other and actually lock into place so I can some healthy, rational decisions?

KTOCD OCD Compulsions? Tics? Habits?
  • replies: 11

Hi All, I have suffered from OCD for some time now and generally manage well. I have recently reduced my medication and my repetitive behaviours are coming back. I am finding that not all of my compulsions are related to obsessions and I find myself ... View more

Hi All, I have suffered from OCD for some time now and generally manage well. I have recently reduced my medication and my repetitive behaviours are coming back. I am finding that not all of my compulsions are related to obsessions and I find myself engaging in these repetitive behaviours unconsciously. I have sought out some info on tics, however these seem to be involuntary. I don't know if my behaviours are involuntary. I certainly don't need to think about doing them...they just start themselves. I'm thinking they could just be a habit. I occasionally experienced a head jerk that I need to do and feel it coming on. It generally doesn't keep happening though. Only every now and then. My speech has been slightly off occasionally too - words coming out wrong mainly...not pronounced properly. Has anyone had any experience with this? I have tried to do a bit of research on it but can't find much out there. Thanks KT

TDonuts Seeking Advice On My Situation
  • replies: 2

Hey everyone, First time posting, thought i'd try this as other methods of supporting haven't been working. I have been working through my anxiety and depression for a year now and I feel like things haven't got better I'm just more aware of how I fe... View more

Hey everyone, First time posting, thought i'd try this as other methods of supporting haven't been working. I have been working through my anxiety and depression for a year now and I feel like things haven't got better I'm just more aware of how I feel. The crux of the issue is that I find it really hard to motivate myself, as situations seem so impossible to succeed. I separated from my partner of 3 years due to how unmotivated I was in life. I left my "perfect" job for the same reasons. Back at my Parents house whilst looking for a new house, and feeling the weight of my whole year of failures really squashing me. My question to all of you is, how to get up and get it all done? I can pin point all my life's issues, but how no energy to push myself to address them - instead I just find the easy way out to avoid feeling pressure. I am on anti-depressants but feel that theres more to the solution than a pill. Let me know your motivation techniques and any advice you have. I need all that I can get! Thanks!

Jimbo86 Morning anxiety
  • replies: 11

Does anyone have any help full tips for morning anxiety what subsides after acouple of hours

Does anyone have any help full tips for morning anxiety what subsides after acouple of hours