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
Jump to
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. Remeber, this is anonymous and the Beyond Blue team are here to help if you need it This section is for people who are experiencing anixiety 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 you 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 worthile 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

Iamawinner Uni stress.
  • replies: 4

It's my first week back st uni and I'm already extremely stressed. I have to meet with my teacher to discus my project like everyone else. I procrastinate a lot and find it really difficult to communicate my ideas. Every time I meet with the teacher ... View more

It's my first week back st uni and I'm already extremely stressed. I have to meet with my teacher to discus my project like everyone else. I procrastinate a lot and find it really difficult to communicate my ideas. Every time I meet with the teacher and I don't know the answer or I haven't worked it out yet. I will say well I'll just have to work on that more .. but I always always feel him judging me and so when I look at him I get very overwhelmed that he thinks I'm stupid or just a pretty little girl. Or that I haven't put any effort in when 99% of the time I put everything into my uni. And it always makes me hold back tears. A lot of the time I di cry. It's so embarrassing in front of the rest of the class. I'm in my fourth year of uni and this happens every year and with most meetings with teachers. I have panic attacks when it comes to doing my assignments regularly and have so for the last 2-3 years at least. I know I can do it but when I think about not getting the work done I have so many negative thoughts that then cause the panic attacks or close to it. I just hate that everyone else seems to cope with stress so much easier it makes me even more upset!

CMF PMT anxiety/panic attacks/overthinking/constant chatter
  • replies: 22

Hi, I am 46 and have always suffered anxiety on and off. The last few months I have had triggers that caused anxiety and I will have a particular thing that I panic and worry about. I have started to notice that it happens more around that time of th... View more

Hi, I am 46 and have always suffered anxiety on and off. The last few months I have had triggers that caused anxiety and I will have a particular thing that I panic and worry about. I have started to notice that it happens more around that time of the month. I do suffer other pmt symptoms but am noticing a pattern with the anxiety now. There will be a trigger, I will feel panic/anxiety during the day and wake at times during the night as i constantly think negative things about it about. It will then it will lift, like a dark cloud has been removed from my mind and I think more rationally and of positive things re what I am anxious about and tell myself how silly I was being. I will then feel ok and more upbeat until the negative talk sets in again-i.e when I wake the next morning. When this happens I try to remember that I was feeling ok and why I was feeling ok and that it is the anxiety making me think negatively but it is an ongoing cycle. I know hormones play a part in this. I have a dr apt next week but I am assuming it is hormone related as my last few anxiety/panic attacks have been around the time of the month. My cycles etc are also changing. I am taking magnesium and B6 now and drinking chamomile and green tea. Has anyone been though this or had experience with pmt anxiety. cmf

Faithh Hi friends - Seeking some words of support
  • replies: 6

Hi guys, Thought I'd post here cos I wasn't exactly sure where I could just write an "update/having bad day" kinda post! Before I go on, I do have a therapist i speak to but just reaching out today in the hope of some responses as I'm not having the ... View more

Hi guys, Thought I'd post here cos I wasn't exactly sure where I could just write an "update/having bad day" kinda post! Before I go on, I do have a therapist i speak to but just reaching out today in the hope of some responses as I'm not having the best time and hope to feel less alone in this feeling. I'll put a little run down to what is affecting my life in negative ways (which I'm trying to change) but today has just been a bit of an overwhelming time. - Lost job in Nov 2016, still haven't been able to find anything. Im an art director and Ive been looking outside of my industry as well to earn some cash. I've gone from a healthy salary to nothing. Thankfully i have a partner, but still I need to make money and also keep busy! - Staying with mother in law lately to help her out after she was in hospital. I want to help of course but this has also pushed back my recovery program (haven't been to the gym since last Thursday and i can really feel the difference) - Dealing with my own health anxiety. I freak over the smallest things and catastrophise to the point of what feels like no return! Eg: tension headaches for me are... the worst case scenario, and I know I make them worse by imagining myself having to go to hospital for something terrible! - Shouldnt have googled anything health related!! Today has just made me feel so horrible I was pretty much in tears. Any words of wisdom, comfort and understanding would be so appreciated. Thanks xF

Frangipani25 New to the forum 🙂
  • replies: 4

Hello, I've never done anything like this before so I guess I will just start at the beginning of the story that has led me here today. I've suffered with mild anxiety for over 15 years, in my late teens. it got worse after the traumatic birth of my ... View more

Hello, I've never done anything like this before so I guess I will just start at the beginning of the story that has led me here today. I've suffered with mild anxiety for over 15 years, in my late teens. it got worse after the traumatic birth of my youngest daughter 10 years ago. Afterwards I was diagnosed with PND. Since then add in an abusive relationship with my children's father, a divorce, court proceedings, custody battle, remarried, and change of location of 400kms away from my hometown it's fair to say I've been through a lot. About 6 months ago I started having panic attacks at work. I've had a few of these over the years, and only a handful quite debilitating. However my workplace was one of very negative energy. This obviously began affecting me, and as a result I resigned from there early Jan this year. Since then i spent a good month of daily to every second day experiencing an attack, have become mostly housebound and need to drive my children the 9 houses up to school each day as the thought of walking scares the life out of me. The 'what if' comes into mind. thankfully the panic attacks are nowhere near as frequent, and now mostly consist of chest tightening and feeling abit odd. After leaving work I saw a dr who diagnosed me with PTSD (traumatic birth), anxiety and debilitating panic attacks. I am currently in the care of a psychologist, but am finding the things that are getting brought up are so upsetting I feel so much worse after the visit. To make matters worse my husband and I have been trying over 2 years to fall pregnant. I do believe that is where my fear of birthing again, as well as medical procedures has come from. clearly we won't be getting pregnant whilst I am in this kind of state, which adds further stress to it all. Add in social phobia, medical phobia and being a little too dependent on my husband to always be there, things are pretty glum atm. Any help, support or advice is so greatly appreciated. sorry for the novel and thankyou to anyone who has made it this far in reading my post.

thebatman Anxiety and nausea
  • replies: 54

Hi, I'm 21 years old and I've suffered from anxiety from the around the age of eight. During this time my anxiety continues to change my symptoms, as my resilience builds against current symptoms. Because of this, each time I'm faced with the questio... View more

Hi, I'm 21 years old and I've suffered from anxiety from the around the age of eight. During this time my anxiety continues to change my symptoms, as my resilience builds against current symptoms. Because of this, each time I'm faced with the question - is this anxiety, or am I actually ill this time? As of the past month or so I've been feeling extremely nauseous from time to time, and I've also been light headed and feeling panicked. I made the mistake of googling 'what causes nausea?', and this has now increased my nausea and vertigo severely because of the possible illnesses that could be the root of my symptoms. I was previously unaware that anxiety could actually cause nausea or vertigo, so I suppose a large portion of me is worried that I am suffering an actual illness. It seems when I start to feel nauseous, it gets worse, because it consumes my each and every thought. It has now gotten to the stage where I don't want to leave my bed, and I'm struggling to eat anything at all, in fear it will make me sick. My question is: has anybody else experienced this? and if so, how did you get over the nausea or the feeling as though you're about to faint? Thank you. RELATED THREADS How do you eat when food makes you feel sick? Anyone suffering physical anxiety symptoms? Fear of feeling sick/dating/anxiety Anxiety and not being able to eat properly

Na_tash_a Severe Anxiety. Can anyone reccommend anything?
  • replies: 3

I am 27 now and have been suffering with severe anxiety since I was 17. At the time I didn't know what anxiety was, I thought it was because my diet only consisted of maccas and unhealthy food. I was always very outgoing and talkative who had plenty ... View more

I am 27 now and have been suffering with severe anxiety since I was 17. At the time I didn't know what anxiety was, I thought it was because my diet only consisted of maccas and unhealthy food. I was always very outgoing and talkative who had plenty of friends. At first I would just feel anxious before school and would go to the toilet constantly prior to leaving the house. It then moved on to me seeking out public toilets around me so I wouldn't be stuck panicking about going to the bathroom before I reached my destination. As the years went on it started to make me anxious just going to the shop or doing something like meeting up with friends. I would find myself having to wake up 5-6am vomiting and constantly going to the bathroom to calm my nerves so I could be ok to meet them. I couldn't eat prior to meeting them and had to wait to get home or to a safe place where I knew there was a bathroom. It got worse where I pretty much shut everyone out and made up so many excuses just to not go to their bday parties, I've even missed weddings because I wanted to avoid being sick. I now suffer with arm and head jerks when I start to become nervous. I shake uncontrollably until I can calm myself down. I feel I'm always feeling on edge, there's no calm place for me. I have been to multiple GP's and Psychologists and they cannot pinpoint what's causing this. Medications only work for a period of time then they end up making me sick or panicking more. I feel like i'm out of options. I recently went on a fodmap diet which has helped a lot but now making me lose weight. I am now taking private yoga sessions and taking time out of my day to try and relax but nothing is working. Ten years of hell I just want to live a normal life like everyone else and not have to worry about dumb things

Gazza17 Anxiety's back big time
  • replies: 4

Hey guys, very new to this, so I thought I would start with a quick background to my story. I have been suffering from anxiety for well over 8 years, and at one stage, I hadn't slept properly for over 6 years, I would lay awake repeating simple issue... View more

Hey guys, very new to this, so I thought I would start with a quick background to my story. I have been suffering from anxiety for well over 8 years, and at one stage, I hadn't slept properly for over 6 years, I would lay awake repeating simple issues over and over in my mind, i was very frigidity, i would break down and weep for no reason,I couldn't concentrate at work(my work suffered big time). Simple tasks became a night mare, and I just couldn't function in everyday life. With the help from my very loving and understanding wife,and my local GP things got better over time, I did quit the job i loved ( this was a very stressful job) and found a less stressful job, my family rallied around me and helped and i did seek professional advice from councilors and physicists, and things got much better and for the last 18 months all was going really well, but for the last few months, i have fallen back a little and the beast seems to be creeping up on me again, life is really good at the moment, and i think i have no real stresses going on, but i feel like its starting all over again, but my symptoms seem much more serve this time around, I haven't slept more than 10 hours in 5 days, and haven't been able to work for the last 2 days, has anyone got any suggestions for me, do i need to try harder to control the anxiety, cant really afford of the profession help that i had before. Thx Gazza17

Faithh Seeking some reassurance this morning
  • replies: 4

Good morning. A small intro - I have been dealing with anxiety which has become mild depression over the past few months. Seeing my therapist on a weekly basis. Although my partner is very supportive, last night i reached out to him and he was helpfu... View more

Good morning. A small intro - I have been dealing with anxiety which has become mild depression over the past few months. Seeing my therapist on a weekly basis. Although my partner is very supportive, last night i reached out to him and he was helpful in making me feel at ease when i was feeling anxious and had some feelings of depersonalisation (which scares me so much). He had been through some deep depression in his past so i texted and asked if he could tell me more of his personal situation to help shed some light on my situation last night in a time of need. It was late, and he had been tired from a job as well as having a cold, and so he didn't want to get into it. I was disappointed and felt unsupported (even though he does give me his support every day and reassurance). I ended up reading about other peoples stories of anxiety, depression and depersonalisation until about 1am... probably a big mistake! And so I woke through the night feeling anxious a bit shaky and just disconnected from the world. I guess I'm asking for any reassurance and positive stories from anyone who has ever felt this way. I feel scared and although the logical part of me knows Im ok, the other part is "What is wrong with me, why am i feeling like this" Trying and doing my best to "think straight" Thanks guys x Faithh

Feeling_Bullied Is it all in my head?
  • replies: 4

I have the dealing with the neighbour from hell. There has been an ongoing battle for months between myself and the neighbour (mother and son). I feel as though they are purposefully attacking me (not physically but mentally/emotionally). Admittedly ... View more

I have the dealing with the neighbour from hell. There has been an ongoing battle for months between myself and the neighbour (mother and son). I feel as though they are purposefully attacking me (not physically but mentally/emotionally). Admittedly I left my bins out on the street so that I could secure a parking spot however as there is an easement that separates my house and the neighbour (of which they have ownership) that I am not able to use it to access my driveway without their permission hence the need to park my car on the street. They have contacted not only the council ranger but involved the police about this issue and also falsely accused me of putting excrements on the mothers car. Since they were not able to get that to stick, they have contacted the council ranger, once again, but this time to complain about well established trees (at least 17yo) in the front of my house which does not encroach on their property. At times I feel as though my symptoms/feelings are brushed aside by friends and family. Even the council ranger said that he's (the son) got in for you. Am I reading too much into it? Is it all in my head that he's got it in for me?

Instruggletown Feeling defeated.
  • replies: 3

Hi this is my first time posting. I've sought out these forums as i have no where else to vent. I have been dealing with ALOT lately. I see a counsellor fairly regularly but she's not really available to me outside my booked hours. Just this morning ... View more

Hi this is my first time posting. I've sought out these forums as i have no where else to vent. I have been dealing with ALOT lately. I see a counsellor fairly regularly but she's not really available to me outside my booked hours. Just this morning i feel like i broke. I feel like I've coped and coped and now i cant cope anymore. I think i had a mental breakdown or panic attack because it wasnt just crying, i was shaking and hysterical. It got to the point were i thought i may have to go to the hospital because i couldnt stop myself feeling overwhelmed. But then i thought is that even where you would go? Hence i googled and google brought me here. A few things im having to emotionally deal with right now... 1) my husband has cancer and im trying to support him and our children, and deal with every emotion that goes with that 2) one of my children i think is struggling and im struggling to parent her, i feel like im failing her, i feel like im failing both my children 3) i grew up in a dv family (physically abusive step father and a narcissist mother) which i dont feel like im recovered from 4) i recently found a long lost sister and along with that many other relatives on my fathers side. I also found out my father died 10 years ago unbeknownst to me. 5) at the same time as all this happened, a family member discovered they were abused as a child and im trying to be a support person for them So the past year particularly i have had a lot on my plate and have coped for the main part. But just this morning something quite smallish set me off and i was an inconsolable mess. I literally was broken crying out for support from my husband and i got nothing. My 'homework' from my counselor from last session was to show emotion and boy did that happen. But what do i do know...i got nothing from my husband emotionally...not even a hug. How do i support myself when i have no one else.