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

Maggie2 When family members don't understand anxiety
  • replies: 5

Hi everyone! And hello fellow anxiety-peeps. Nice to make your e-acquaintance. Over the past few years, my anxiety - especially my social anxiety - has gotten worse. I'm on meds, using mindfulness apps, and generally trying to look after myself and k... View more

Hi everyone! And hello fellow anxiety-peeps. Nice to make your e-acquaintance. Over the past few years, my anxiety - especially my social anxiety - has gotten worse. I'm on meds, using mindfulness apps, and generally trying to look after myself and keep myself relatively robust under such circumstances. Trying to get into a psych again, but I keep putting it off because it's scary. My partner's family were getting increasingly mad at me for flaking at events and "ignoring" people (because many don't know what my panic attacks look like, I just look "mad" and silent). So, I decided to make a video about what my anxiety is, what it feels like to have it, how other people in my life help me to feel safe, and so what my family can also do to help. It seemed more authentic than a letter and generally, the response has been good. Except for my mother in law. She didn't get. Among other things, she praised the breadth of strategies I was utilising, but because I'm in a bad patch right now, she suggested I'm not trying hard enough to manage my condition. She also suggested I'm not a good parent because my anxiety limits me. Which is a massive dig, because if my kid doesn't grow up to understand that people have all kinds of things going on and that doesn't make them any less of a person, then clearly *that* would be a failure. Understandably I'm a bit upset at this. Having social anxiety and being absolutely non-confrontational, I don't know how to deal with having my best attempt at communication taken the wrong way. Has anyone else been through similar? I know I need to give myself some time, hash it out with my partner ways to approach it, but right now I'm feeling quite deflated and little. What are your recommendations? Cheers! Maggie

ATHL2017 New Job and scared about not being able to speak properly
  • replies: 3

Hi all, First time poster but I have been using Beyondblue for a while. I have a new job tomorrow and its a telemarketing job. I have been so nervous and anxious that I can't speak properly. I think the anxiety is causing me to lisp and I'm scared th... View more

Hi all, First time poster but I have been using Beyondblue for a while. I have a new job tomorrow and its a telemarketing job. I have been so nervous and anxious that I can't speak properly. I think the anxiety is causing me to lisp and I'm scared that this may make me look bad during my first week or even lose my job. I probably know that its anxiety causing these thoughts but they really are impacting my daily life and I hope that after I start work, it will go away. Thanks for reading, this is probably more of a rant to relieve some anxiety but I needed an outlet before tomorrow.

kalli My anxiety is getting worse...help me, help myself
  • replies: 3

A few years ago after suffering unexplained symptoms, I went to see a psychologist & was instantly diagnosed with anxiety. Thankfully she taught me a few ways to help control & reduce my symptoms which after a few months seemed to work. After this, t... View more

A few years ago after suffering unexplained symptoms, I went to see a psychologist & was instantly diagnosed with anxiety. Thankfully she taught me a few ways to help control & reduce my symptoms which after a few months seemed to work. After this, the symptoms appeared very rarely and I was able to quickly gain control and tell myself "its all in your head, you're okay". 6 months ago I went overseas for the first time in 10 years and was faced with these symptoms all over again... Constant dizziness, hot flashes, feeling faint or shaky, loss of appetite and the URGE to escape. Since returning home these symptoms have become worse & worse to the point where I am experiencing them multiple times, every single day. This has interfered with my entire life to the point where I exclude myself from social events because of the fear that I will experience a panic attack & no one will be able to help me or I will just end up embarrassing myself. It has affected me at work to the point where I sometimes leave early.. I can't do things like go to the bank or wait in line. I've become so impatient that if I'm at a place for longer than 15-30mins I begin to feel so ill and almost as if I'm going to pass out or die. Today was the final straw... I went to do some shopping (my favourite hobby) and within 20 mins of being under bright lights and around so many people I began to feel very spaced out, light headed and extremely hot. I quickly thought to myself I NEED to get out of here so I rushed for the door which felt like it was so far away that I began to feel worse & worse as I rushed to my car. The minute I sat in my car and turned on the air con I felt fine again... PLEASE someone tell me I'm not going crazy. I'm so sick of these feelings, I just want it all to go away and to be able to enjoy the things I love to do. I'm so scared that I'm going to end up locking myself up at home because that's the only place I feel safe. I don't want to result to medication, I just want to be able to help myself. I know I have it in me... I just need the tools to be able to gain support again. Anyone else feeling the same? What works for you??

Traveller73 Panic attack
  • replies: 4

Hi. My anxiety has been managed for a while now (relaxation, tai chi and mindfulness) . Today at work,out of the blue I had what I believe is a panic attack. Sudden increase heart rate, light headedness, wanting to escape office. My heart rate went u... View more

Hi. My anxiety has been managed for a while now (relaxation, tai chi and mindfulness) . Today at work,out of the blue I had what I believe is a panic attack. Sudden increase heart rate, light headedness, wanting to escape office. My heart rate went up to 120bpm but has now come down to 100. I have been doing some meditation and just now some exercise. I have an app called 30 day fitness challenge which has been great if time poor. Still not at resting heart rate and still feel jittery. I wish someone couldd fix this, everytime I manage my symptoms, they do come back. I have an upcoming holiday worried about (2weeks time) and this happened last year; but literally twice as bad. This year only half as anxious but stii anxious. Why does the anxiety have to reappear?? I try all the right things-I think!

Miss1234 Anyone Feeling nauseous and more?
  • replies: 5

My anxiety has come back after 2 years. I don't even know why? Is this normal? I was so emotional today for no reason just really down. I felt really nauseous and as if I needed to go to the loo but never did. Has anyone felt like this? And how long ... View more

My anxiety has come back after 2 years. I don't even know why? Is this normal? I was so emotional today for no reason just really down. I felt really nauseous and as if I needed to go to the loo but never did. Has anyone felt like this? And how long will it last? Sorry it's been so long I've forgotten what to do.

B_Murf Seeking help with physical pain from anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hi there! I'm new and I'm seeking your help and some clarification. I've suffered from pretty severe social anxiety all my life. And while I understand anxiety is purely mental, for me the physical symptoms it causes are far worse. The main issue I h... View more

Hi there! I'm new and I'm seeking your help and some clarification. I've suffered from pretty severe social anxiety all my life. And while I understand anxiety is purely mental, for me the physical symptoms it causes are far worse. The main issue I have is physical pain. On the average day I'm fine, but if there is a future event I'm anxious about I'll have stomach pain (spasms) hours or sometimes days in advance, I can hardly eat, diarrhoea, vomiting and all in all nastiness. I often feel that mentally I can handle the situation but with all the physical pain included it's a nightmare. So like a lot of people I just avoid these situations and can live a happy life - but sooner or later something comes along that can't be avoided and now that I'm unemployed, now is that time. So I want to seek professional help - I'm trying to understand the process, from what I've read it something like this: #1 Go to a GP. - I don't have a GP so do you just lucky dip one off the white pages? - Are there anxiety specific GP's? #2 the GP will give some advice? Possibly refer to a physiologist - Is this referral to go to any psychologist or do you get referred to a certain psychologist i.e. Mr Beans on Smith Street? #3 You go to the psychologist and talk about your feelings and stuff - I'm not going to talk this away anytime soon so I imagine this will take many visits and won't be cheap? #4 - If medication would be a useful treatment then you get referred to a psychiatrist? Or does the GP refer you to a psychiatrist when you initially visit? #5 - Repeat step 3 except a psychiatrist can prescribe medication if appropriate I know it may sound strange but I find the medical field quite intimidating - I haven't even been to a doctor since I was a kid. Thanks very much. Murf

Smittygal Start at the beginning
  • replies: 6

Hello, I looked through the various forums and couldn't work out where to post coz I fall into a lot of the categories so hopefully I've chosen the right one. My marriage broke down in October after several years of effort, resentment, love, frustrat... View more

Hello, I looked through the various forums and couldn't work out where to post coz I fall into a lot of the categories so hopefully I've chosen the right one. My marriage broke down in October after several years of effort, resentment, love, frustration, and two beautiful kiddies (5 and 6 year old). Hubby and I are both committed to the needs of the kids and we have a good coparenting relationship which I'm thankful for. I've suffered depression/anxiety for years - I'm 41 now and first diagnosed at 24 but suffered long before that. This recent/current episode is the worst to date and triggered not by the separation but when hubby changed his mind and asked about reconciling. This completely spun me and is the reason I am where I am right now - not a good place. My anxiety this time presented itself as sinusitis - sore front teeth, pressure behind the eyes as well as shaky sensation in my hands and less obviously in other parts of my body, particularly first thing in the morning. So since then (late Jan) my anxiety has hit the roof. I'm under good GP care who has prescribed rescue drugs which I'm taking very irregularly. I suffered my first ever fullblown panic attack three weeks ago which resulted in me leaving the movie theatre and since then the anxiety comes in waves. I started seeing a psychologist this week who I love already! Straight shooter, engaging and passionate! So that's me in a nutshell. I have a couple of concerns maybe you can help with: 1) I know how important it is to exercise. I know. I just won't. What do you do when your motivation is zilch. How do you convince yourself to do even something simple like go for a walk...I know it will do be the world of good but I just wont do it! 2) I don't have any real friends, never really have - I'm exceptionally good at self-destructing relationships and people that do start to get close I push away. I've booked in to a Meetup event thing tomorrow evening hoping to meet some new friends - but see item 1 above, how do you convince yourself to do these things when you won't but you know how important it is. Such a vicious circle. Well if you read this far, thank you!

Checkthebatteries While I'm waiting
  • replies: 3

I have depression and anxiety and I'm in my 20s. No medication. I've also been told there is a possibility I have cancer and have to have tests. They are meant to be quite invasive. I'm told it's urgent, which has got me really scared about what's go... View more

I have depression and anxiety and I'm in my 20s. No medication. I've also been told there is a possibility I have cancer and have to have tests. They are meant to be quite invasive. I'm told it's urgent, which has got me really scared about what's going to happen and what the tests will say but every time I call the specialist I can't get through. I don't want to tell my mom because she has some serious health and safety issues going on and this will stress her out. Especially as I'm her golden child. My dad is seriously old school and will tell me to harden up. Our relationship is deteriorating fast. I've been out of therapy for six months but I've asked my therapist if I can come back. However, I asked a month ago to deal with some financial and emotional stuff that is still there and getting worse and never got a reply. I'm hoping it's changed this time. I have no friends or partner or other family to talk to or to help me through the process. I need some advice on how to get through this. I feel so ill and stressed out and I don't think I can function properly in the other aspects of my life like work and uni. And I don't exactly qualify for support groups as I don't have a diagnosis yet.

Tiffany1 Challenging myself to improve
  • replies: 3

Been on these forums before, they're mighty helpful and I love all of you for hanging on there and managing the mental illness and fighting the good fight each day!! Much love much love!! Since my last post, I've been to 4 sessions with a psychologis... View more

Been on these forums before, they're mighty helpful and I love all of you for hanging on there and managing the mental illness and fighting the good fight each day!! Much love much love!! Since my last post, I've been to 4 sessions with a psychologist. A lovely woc whom I feel very comfortable with and who understands my migrant experience without me having to iterate it. I've been diagnosed with anxiety. I've started a new job as a travel agent. I don't like it, but minimum wage is better than nothing. And this is still better than waitressing. I'm stressed out because I have to work an extra day at my family business a cafe, so I end up working 6 days a week. I don't feel like I am rested enough, I've been having panick attacks bc of it. I dislike talking to strangers to have to convince them to book their holiday with me. I am passionate about travel and different places and cultures, but customers are concerned about getting as good a deal as possible when travel cannot be discounted much. (Otherwise I would be literally paying for their travel) I got a full time job straight out of university bc my mum and dad were nagging me and mum was making me work at the cafe anyway. so I took the lesser evil, and thought at least this way I would have enough energy to work a desk job full time and do my own personal art (I went to art school) but because I'm working way more than I anticipated, I'm just always too tired or too anxious to do what I love and get downtime and rest. Ive spoken to ppl about this, I've got a variety of coping mechanisms from my psych. Friends and bf have suggested I take less days at work which I refuse to do because I am still proving myself at the travel agency and my mum needs help running the business. I also have anxiety when I try to draw anyway, bc of an abusive teacher I had in university. And bc of the negative thoughts which tell me I've never been good at art which is why I couldn't find an art job out of uni. I'm annoyed because a lot of people I talk to irl, they don't understand what that means, they tell me I'm just being silly and dramatic. They don't understand it's anxiety and that to a degree you can do CBT, but you can't just "stop". I'm trying to cope, which is why I'm here again. Because of my CBT I'm able to minimise the impact of negative thoughts. How do I start thinking nice thoughts about myself? Because I've never been able to do that.

Louis88 So anxious it makes me physically ill - too scared to seek treatment - need advice
  • replies: 11

I have dealt with anxiety problems for a very long time. I saw a psychologist during my teen years for depression & anxiety which seemed to help one but not the other. Things seemed to get better enough for me to manage on my own as I got older, but ... View more

I have dealt with anxiety problems for a very long time. I saw a psychologist during my teen years for depression & anxiety which seemed to help one but not the other. Things seemed to get better enough for me to manage on my own as I got older, but recently they've been getting worse and worse. I have a lot of responsibilities this year, have to do things (like chair meetings etc.) that give me really bad panic attacks. I have dealt with panic attacks on a regular basis for a long time (usually go to the bathroom and wait in the stall for half an hour / longer if I'm at university or work for the heavy, noisy breathing and feeling like I'm going to pass out to stop) but they have been so bad recently I have started throwing up, and feel completely wrecked for the rest of the day (sometimes multiple days after). I'm at the end of my rope. They seem to come out of nowhere and there's nothing I can do to anticipate them or stop them from taking everything out of me when they happen. I recently caught up with an old friend who I knew dealt with similar problems, and they told me they have had great success with short-term anxiety medication. From what they told me of their experiences with this as well as ongoing support from a psychologist, it seems like it would really help me. When these really bad ones hit it feels like the entire world is caving in, it feels like I'm dying. But I'm also too scared to talk to a doctor about this option for treatment because I'm scared of being seen as like a drug addict or something - as I have heard that people use this medication recreationally. The thought of my doctor seeing me in that light makes me extremely anxious. I don't know what to do because I have tried so many things (cbt, several antidepressants, etc.) and nothing has helped. I feel like I can't continue the way I am but I'm worried about getting help. Has anyone else dealt with a similar problem?