Support
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 conversation

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 conversation

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 conversation

anmay Ashamed about my anxiety
  • replies: 5

Hi All, I'm new here & decided to post as I'm really struggling. My anxiety is off the charts at the moment. I remain undiagnosed, when I see the GP I skirt around my mental health issues as I think I'm either in denial or ashamed. I've recently soug... View more

Hi All, I'm new here & decided to post as I'm really struggling. My anxiety is off the charts at the moment. I remain undiagnosed, when I see the GP I skirt around my mental health issues as I think I'm either in denial or ashamed. I've recently sought counselling support for past trauma & am on a waiting list of a few weeks as its a free service, however this admission of something I've kept secret for years has opened up pandoras box and I'm not coping but I hide it really well. I put on a face to the world that isn't how I really feel. I haven't slept overnight for the past week. I'm having panic attacks laying in bed unable to sleep. I haven't gone to work the past few days. My mind is constantly in overdrive, I feel overwhelmed and underwhelmed at the same time until I'm just in a zombie like state. I know I should get up and out of bed & go for a walk, do some meditation, talk with someone openly, go to work, get to sleep early... but I can't seem to manage doing anything at all. No one is aware how much I'm struggling as I'm ashamed to admit I may have a mental illness. I come across as ok. I can be around people and have conversations however I'm constantly thinking about how anxious I am, which turns into paranoia and then my heart races and I feel sick in the guts, but I will still just sit and pretend nothings happening on the inside. I'm worried I've screwed my life up and will end up institutionalised. I just want to feel normal again. If anyone can relate or offer some insight or advice, I'd really appreciate it.

MissMc Returning to work next week 30 Jan
  • replies: 8

Hi I'm returning to work next Monday 30 January after having 9 weeks off due to my depression and anxiety .... I'm very worried that I'm going to totally loose control on the said day I'm not on any meds for my anxiety only for my depression .... I'm... View more

Hi I'm returning to work next Monday 30 January after having 9 weeks off due to my depression and anxiety .... I'm very worried that I'm going to totally loose control on the said day I'm not on any meds for my anxiety only for my depression .... I'm having small bouts of anxiety even thinking about returning to work .... I have written a list of positives to why returning to work is going to be good ... money, getting out of the house, wearing some make up ( yes vain I know ) but hey if it makes a person feel good why not!!! my work colleges ( which I haven't seen only communicated on social media ) having a purpose to life and some direction and commitment, and a routine .... I see my psychologist on Friday the 27 Jan and hopefully she can give me some strategies I can use ... I really need to return to work I know that, BUT!!!!! IM SCARED!!!! I have no one I can talk to face to face not even family, so that's why I joined this site and I certainly have NO wish to discuss this with any work colleges as I want it kept secret, but I do know theres going to be a lot of question wanting to be asked by my work mates!!!!

PhoneJockey Medicare rebate denied?
  • replies: 2

I have been suffering pretty bad anxiety for about a year or more now. I finally plucked up the courage to quit my job at the call center which was causing most of it and decided to get the help I needed by exposing my issues to my doctor, which was ... View more

I have been suffering pretty bad anxiety for about a year or more now. I finally plucked up the courage to quit my job at the call center which was causing most of it and decided to get the help I needed by exposing my issues to my doctor, which was hard for me to even do. I got referred to the psychologist, I was anxious to go because I always think something will go wrong. The appointment went just fine, but now, something has gone wrong. I was told I was entitled to $124.50 back as a medicare rebate. The receptionist said they would do this at the clinic and I would get the amount in my bank account within 24 hours. I googled this and most people received it within 5 days. It has been over a week for me, checking my bank account every single day as I am relying on this money being unemployed as I am living off my savings and am not entitled to centerlink for the full 13 weeks as I quit (even though I quit for good reason!). Today i received a letter in the mail from medicare saying $0 rebate, "service not claimed". I was told many times I could have a rebate for these sessions, and if this doesn't resolve I won't be going back to the psychologist because it is simply too much money to be spending right now with sessions $170 every fortnight. I feel like I'm an exception and this doesn't usually happen but for some reason it has happened to me. I felt like I was on a good path by going to the sessions and really putting myself out there and now I just feel awful. I cried for a long time when I got the letter. I called the psychologist office first and they swore up and down that everything has been put through correctly. Then, onto medicare. The lady tells me that they have no record of me having a mental health care plan even though when I was at the office they told me they had a copy of it and I have a copy of it in my hand right now. Now I'm going to be on the phone again to the psychologist office to try and get them to re-send the mental health care plan to medicare... this all just seems so much! As someone with anxiety about even talking on the phone I feel like I'm really being put through the ringer here. Has anyone had any experiences like this? At this point I am just so upset about this experience that I am thinking about not even going to my next appointment.. well, if it doesn't get fixed up i won't be going because of the cost.

phil1967 anxiety and online video games
  • replies: 10

I was wondering how many people here play online video games ? I pay an online game called world of warcraft and find it a nice escape from reality which inturn takes my mind away from my problems long enough for my anxiety to calm down . I shall how... View more

I was wondering how many people here play online video games ? I pay an online game called world of warcraft and find it a nice escape from reality which inturn takes my mind away from my problems long enough for my anxiety to calm down . I shall however say that this is not a total escape from reality that I immerse myself into to replace my real life,but just a momentary release of my worries . this I find is also a great way for me to socialise as I have a bad social anxiety problem but without having to put a face to a name I find it a lot easier . a lot of people say that this isn't a good thing to do but if it helps in any way I cant see it being bad ,this has helped me for many many years and I have even found that it has made going out after I have payed for a while so much easier . but be warned that it can become very addictive and you must and I cant stress this more ,limit your time you spend online in such a game ,be aware of the time and set limits for yourself ,don't make it a priority and most of al have fun . it might sound a little silly I know but the positive effects that having fun has on your body and its chemistry make huge changes to some one that suffers anxiety and depression . remember its the little steps we take or find that contribute to our recovery ,some things are not for every 1 but that's why we are a different

beewinnie Anxiety and intrusive thoughts
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I am new to the site but unfortunately not to anxiety - with a lovely touch of intrusive thoughts. This is my third big dose of it. I had it originally when I started university (8 years ago), then about a year and a bit ago and again no... View more

Hi everyone, I am new to the site but unfortunately not to anxiety - with a lovely touch of intrusive thoughts. This is my third big dose of it. I had it originally when I started university (8 years ago), then about a year and a bit ago and again now. I guess I am just looking for any tips and some positivity. I am feeling pretty disheartened that it has returned so quickly after my last encounter. I have gone back to running, been trying to incorporate deep breathing, started back up on my medication and seeing a psychologist. Any other things you have used to 'get out of your head' would be much appreciated. Also, wondering if it is normal to be feeling pretty bummed out after a psychology appointment. I assume it is as it is dealing with everything you don't want to really be dealing with. But I feel at the moment I am talking a lot but not getting a whole lot of guidance as to what I can do moving forward. As I have dealt with it before I guess I know some techniques but any tips to bounce back would be amazing. Thank you

buddy27 Anxiety related to feelings of isolation
  • replies: 3

I've been suffering anxiety over the past 10 years related to a very specific senario; feelings/fears of isolation when my friends/partner are away traveling. I believe it's related to an event that happened about 10 years ago when I was living in a ... View more

I've been suffering anxiety over the past 10 years related to a very specific senario; feelings/fears of isolation when my friends/partner are away traveling. I believe it's related to an event that happened about 10 years ago when I was living in a country that had a summer vacation shut down in August...everyone goes on vacation and businesses, shops, restaurants close for 3-4 weeks. I decided I would stay in the city and work from home in that period and vacation in another period. My office was closed, friends away, neighbors gone, gym closed, etc... I thought it would be relaxing but instead felt like I was trapped in a Stephen King novel! I'd go days without talking to or seeing anyone I new. I was single at the time and had no family in the country to turn to. I started getting serve anxiety and panic attacks which I had never really experienced before. I lasted about a week and I couldn't take it anymore; I booked a flight and went back to my home country to stay with family until the summer holiday season was over. When I did go back the anxiety was still there for a few weeks but less intense and no panic attacks. Problem is that now everytime I'm in a similar situation the anxiety and panic attacks come back. If I'm going to be on my own for a few days or weeks I start to get anxiety leading up to the event. I some cases I've avoided the event by going away but other times I've just needed to suffer through it. It is getting better, now it's mainly the anxiety before the event and once I'm on my own I start to calm down...but I'm always afraid this will be the time I won't calm down and it will be bad again. My partner is going away for 3 weeks and I'm been a wreck the last week leading up to it. I'm not sure if it's better to push myself through it or avoid it by going away myself. Strangely I can travel on my own with no problem . I'd like to get rid of this anxiety once and for all. Just wondering if anyone else has a similar experience?

integrityguy "Nocturnal" panic attacks and sleep anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi forum posters I haven't seen much literature on this particular topic, but I'm interested to know if anyone has had similar experiences. I've been suffering from irregular panic attacks since last year, and most seem to happen in the middle of the... View more

Hi forum posters I haven't seen much literature on this particular topic, but I'm interested to know if anyone has had similar experiences. I've been suffering from irregular panic attacks since last year, and most seem to happen in the middle of the night. Typically it will be after a bad anxiety day/week when something is weighing heavily on my mind. Strangely enough I can usually calm myself enough to fall asleep, but then my body jerks me awake in the middle of the night or at about 6am in the morning - the heartrate escalates, etc. My coping strategy is to concentrate on the symptoms (rather than the thoughts causing the attack), tell myself it will pass, and let it run its course. I also tell myself it's annoying and uncomfortable, but not devastating or catastrophic. My psychologist says the subconscious is still active when we sleep and our minds are still processing everything. Sometimes I wake up and I'm hit by a stream of unwanted thoughts, which brings on the attack. I also suffer from sleep anxiety i.e. if I know that I need to be alert and active the following day (e.g. for a long road trip), I put too much pressure on myself to get a good sleep. The end result - I don't sleep well. Usually I will wake up, be aware that I've only slept for a few hours, and panic that I won't get a good sleep quota. In these cases, I try to resign myself to the fact that I'm awake and not getting back to sleep, or remind myself that people can function on less sleep. Has anyone been through this? Any thoughts or coping strategies?

Sunflowerrs Any recommendations?
  • replies: 4

Can anyone recommend any mentoring programs? im strugglign to find help throughout the week, I dont want to lean on friends who dont really understand.. Im seeing a professional once every 2 weeks, but it doesnt feel like its enough. I feel like I st... View more

Can anyone recommend any mentoring programs? im strugglign to find help throughout the week, I dont want to lean on friends who dont really understand.. Im seeing a professional once every 2 weeks, but it doesnt feel like its enough. I feel like I still need more support...

DassaJassa Don't seem to be making progress anymore
  • replies: 2

Hello All I've had daily anxiety for coming on 8 months now, I see a psychologist on a monthly basis however his usefulness seems to have come to an end and I just don't feel like I'm getting any better. Everyday I wake up and get ready for work, fee... View more

Hello All I've had daily anxiety for coming on 8 months now, I see a psychologist on a monthly basis however his usefulness seems to have come to an end and I just don't feel like I'm getting any better. Everyday I wake up and get ready for work, feeling like I'm a bomb that could go off at any moment, I quickly prepare myself and head off for the 40 minute drive to work, as soon as i get on the freeway, I feel isolated, like if something serious happened, nobody could help me and that the ambulance is too far away to get to me in time, I practice the method of challeging this thought, sometimes helps but still maintain the tight chest and thoughts of impending doom but I manage, I get to work and seem to get through the day okay as I'm generally distracted working. The end of my shift comes near and is followed by further anxiety about the drive home, will I have a panic attack while driving? how will i cope? what if something else happens? I make it home and feel at ease for a moment, then feel on edge while in an empty house, nervously waiting for my dad to finish his shift, I try to keep distracted until he gets home but now have formed a dependance of other people to make me feel safe, so if something terrible did happen, they could help me. I can't seem to shake the constant chest pains, the changing symptoms on a daily basis, constantly finding peace and making slight progress, then having it all crash down when one day is worse then the other, I just don't see myself ever feeling myself again, no matter what techniques i practice, no matter what ways to use to change my thinking, it always seems to just come back again...

Nervybella Lousy friends or my fault?
  • replies: 2

I've mentioned this previously in another thread but I thought it might warrant a thread if it's own. So today I'm feeling really disappointed in my friends. To give some background: my best friend has been overseas for a few weeks and is just back. ... View more

I've mentioned this previously in another thread but I thought it might warrant a thread if it's own. So today I'm feeling really disappointed in my friends. To give some background: my best friend has been overseas for a few weeks and is just back. I'm starting a new full time job this week so today was meant to be the day we spent together to catch up. We haven't seen each other for a while, however we have texted. So two days ago I messaged her to organise this catch up and all was good. This morning I messaged her to try and finalise details and tell her I had an afternoon appointment so would have to be home by then. She says that should be fine, she has to do something this morning then we could catch up. Next thing I know I get a text to say she's just too busy and can't catch up anymore. Dont get me wrong, I understand that people are busy, but this happens regularly. And always cancelling at the last moment. Its really getting me down and makes me feel like no one likes me. I'm lucky that my family are very supportive but I need (and want) to have people outside of my household that I can go to and rely on. Has anyone else experienced this? How did you deal with it? I'm not one for confrontation and I'm starting to think it's my fault for never speaking up so my friends think I don't mind their lack of catching up etc Thanks for listening Bella

As an organisation that supports people from across Australia, Beyond Blue acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present.

First Nations Peoples are advised that this website may include reference to and images of deceased persons.

Beyond Blue is committed to safe inclusive spaces, policies and services for people of LGBTIQ+ communities and their families.

Helpful information

Stay in touch

Sign up below for regular emails from Beyond Blue, filled with information, advice and support for you or your loved ones.

Stay in touch

Talk it through with us, we'll point you in the right direction.

Call 1300 224 636

24 hours / 7 days a week

Chat Online

24 hours / 7 days a week

Email us

Get a reply in 24 hours

Copyright � 2026 Beyond Blue Ltd

All rights reserved

Contact us Terms of use Privacy policy Site map