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

Avenger Anxiety and/or Depression
  • replies: 3

Hi All, I am new to this forum and looking for support and help. My anxiety attacks started 5 years ago due to extreme stress. Since then i have never felt a 100%. In the beginning i went to various GP's and cardiologists to get examined. It came bac... View more

Hi All, I am new to this forum and looking for support and help. My anxiety attacks started 5 years ago due to extreme stress. Since then i have never felt a 100%. In the beginning i went to various GP's and cardiologists to get examined. It came back good and there were no obvious signs of any physical problems. The panic attacks didn't stop for about 12-18 months and went on daily. Somewhere these feelings were so ugly and not pleasant that i began trying to find ways to avoid the feelings. Over the years not knowing i began to hide from these feelings and started battling the thoughts that came with it. It lead to extreme hopelessness and the anxiety/fear didn't seem to abate. I have gotten to a point where i do continue my daily life but hardly have any enthusiasm in the things in loved doing. I still anxiety attacks almost everyday but not as severe. I got so fed up at one point that i began fighting with the mental thoughts as i couldn't find any other way to relieve myself of anxiety. As anyone would expect it got worse. This year i have started on a journey by eliminating processed sugar from my diet completely. Also i have begun exercising daily. What i struggle with most is the voice in my head going on all day 24/7 and that leads to severe fatigue. I look around at people and i realise people don't focus on their anxiety/panic like i do and live a normal life. I want to do the same but somewhere i get dragged into this as soon as i feel anxiety/panic. Any help/suggestions/guidance anyone can provide will be of great help.

MatildaW Anxiety stopping me from travelling too far
  • replies: 16

Hi, I've always suffered anxiety around travelling too far from home, and at times it's more than manageable, but at others I pull out last minute or avoid. I had been relatively good, until work burnout caused me to collapse in a heap late October a... View more

Hi, I've always suffered anxiety around travelling too far from home, and at times it's more than manageable, but at others I pull out last minute or avoid. I had been relatively good, until work burnout caused me to collapse in a heap late October and I suffered a breakdown. I am supposed to be going away for 5 days with my husband and two children (9 and 12) but I have completely had a meltdown. We are staying in a house with others, friends their age, so I know they'll be fine if I don't go, but it's eating me away that it's gotten to this! I just can't bring myself to go and drive the 3 hours from home. Even with a recent increase in my medication, I'm highly anxious and on the verge of vomiting. If I stay home, (which is what I really want to do), I'm giving into the fear and it escalates. BUT I truly believe I'll be worse if I go. I'll miss my kids terribly, and I feel so guilty, but it's weighing up which is the worse !!! I feel like such a loser. I'm in tears at being without my kids, but in tears about going. Am I the only one that gets like this over what should be a fun time away? thanks

Muggles Intrusive thoughts, worry about my son dying, how can I stop this?
  • replies: 6

Hi, this is my first post here... I have had anxiety for my whole life I think and have gone through many patches of depression. I'm currently on medication and I want off it but I can't seem to do that right now. I have a 1.5year old son and I am fi... View more

Hi, this is my first post here... I have had anxiety for my whole life I think and have gone through many patches of depression. I'm currently on medication and I want off it but I can't seem to do that right now. I have a 1.5year old son and I am finding my anxiety is so enormous lately and I'm so tired of it. At the moment, everything revolves around being scared of bad things happening. Eg my brain finds a way to turn every thought or experience into a story about my death or my son's death. And my body and mind feel like they're truly experiencing it. It's almost like I go into this other world where it's really happening and I feel what I would feel (to some extent). It's constant. Today at work I kept imagining random things like my partner calling to tell me my son is dead, having to do cpr on my mum, people around me hating and accidentally messaging me a bitchy comment about me instead of a colleague, choking, falling down the stairs (like when I was about to go down them), getting cancer and knowing I will die and leave my son... Etc. if I'm at shop with my son I imagine him falling off the escalator or running onto the road or something. And I can't stop these thoughts. They're constant and stupid and they make me feel like it's really happening. I feel like over the years I've done so much counselling. Not doing any right now but what am I meant to do?? I'm still like this. Some days it takes me an hour to make a decision about leaving the house and then I get in the car and then get back out again and go inside. I cancel plans or ignore friends (only occasionally) because I find life so difficult. I need to plan everything and know what's going to happen. What can I do? Is there any point in going back to see a psychologist again?

TJTJ Anxiety that I will become anxious and escalate to panic
  • replies: 7

Hello everyone. I've been suffering with anxiety this year. I have been diagnosed with OCD also. It all started when I got a new job. i have previously been a shift worker but now I'm required to start at 7am. I am obsessed with sleep and whether I w... View more

Hello everyone. I've been suffering with anxiety this year. I have been diagnosed with OCD also. It all started when I got a new job. i have previously been a shift worker but now I'm required to start at 7am. I am obsessed with sleep and whether I will get any. I've had nights where I have been up all night with panic attacks with no sleep whatsoever. I will then go to work. I am now in a position where I am anxious daily. I get anxious that I will have a panic attack. So now I am having panic attacks more regularly. I am very concerned about what this will do to my job. I had some CBT about honestly I didn't benefit from the sessions as they were too far apart and I believe I would need something more intense. Does anyone have strategies on how to stop intense fear of a panic attack? I am getting more unwell and desperate.

GS Hi. Am I developing a panic disorder / claustorophobia??
  • replies: 3

Hi. Just after some advice. I'd had a Restless Leg Syndrome for years and this has worsened to the point that about twice per week I am awakened during the night and need to get out of bed to stretch my legs. Normally I can return to sleep pretty eas... View more

Hi. Just after some advice. I'd had a Restless Leg Syndrome for years and this has worsened to the point that about twice per week I am awakened during the night and need to get out of bed to stretch my legs. Normally I can return to sleep pretty easily so I guess I can't complain too much. I was prescribed medication, though a few times I awoke with really low blood pressure so I rarely take it now. Just recently I seem to be developing claustrophobia/ panic attacks. One year ago a dentist was measuring me up for a dental splint. I've had plenty of dental work in the past without any panic problems. This time, he left the mold in for what seemed like ages, and with my mouth filled (and a slightly blocked nose) I was having trouble breathing. A panic set in and when he finally removed the mold I refused to continue and had to leave. Then last week I was in an elevator alone (I've never had a problem with lifts before) when the lift became stuck. I felt a surge of panic and began to pace around the elevator, feeling an overwhelming sense of panic. The relief was palpable when, after I rang the emergency button, the hotel staff had the lift moving and open within perhaps 2 minutes. Flying home yesterday, when the plane landed and all the passengers had stood up awaiting the flight crew to open the exist door, I again felt this surge of panic, albeit slight, as we stood waiting in the crowded plane for perhaps 10 minutes. I managed to control it quickly, though was surprised by this new trend (again I've flown many times). As I try to make sense of this apparently new situation, I guess I can recall always hating the idea of being trapped in a small underground tunnel (like an escaping criminal in a movie). Guess I've just never thought it to be much of a problem before, or even considered it claustrophobia. Not really complaining, just a little surprised / confused by it all- am I developing a phobia / anxiety, or have I always had a sub-clinical version? Any thoughts appreciated. Cheers

Guest_3072 FEELING SOCIAL ANXIETY FOR AN UPCOMING BBQ
  • replies: 3

Hello everyone, So I've been invited to go to a birthday BBQ next weekend and where I won't know that many people and I am feeling anxious because there is expected to be about 30-40 people attending and it takes me a while to warm to people. I'm a l... View more

Hello everyone, So I've been invited to go to a birthday BBQ next weekend and where I won't know that many people and I am feeling anxious because there is expected to be about 30-40 people attending and it takes me a while to warm to people. I'm a little bit anxious of coming across as socially awkward and don't want to just hang around the few people that I know for the whole time that I am there. Do you guys have any suggestions for me. I'm feeling a little bit overwhelmed even with what outfit to wear and what-not. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks guys!

Cailin Anxiety overload
  • replies: 2

Just had 4 weeks off work due to depression and anxiety Returning to work tomorrow and terrified All my colleagues know im scared of driving and everything and can't sleep been like this for 32 years and it's so lonely and hell. I'm good at putting o... View more

Just had 4 weeks off work due to depression and anxiety Returning to work tomorrow and terrified All my colleagues know im scared of driving and everything and can't sleep been like this for 32 years and it's so lonely and hell. I'm good at putting on a good front but inside I'm dying How do you cope with wanting to stay in bed and being so anxious Cailin

Hardy524 New symptoms?
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I'm not really new here but I haven't even looked at this site in just over 3 years. I have suffered anxiety, OCD and depression on and off for 20 years. I have been absoloutley fine for 3 years but unfortunately I'm back here (no offenc... View more

Hi everyone, I'm not really new here but I haven't even looked at this site in just over 3 years. I have suffered anxiety, OCD and depression on and off for 20 years. I have been absoloutley fine for 3 years but unfortunately I'm back here (no offence) and dealing with anxiety/panic attacks again. Anxiety used to cause symptoms like headaches, heartburn and nausea, however this time around my problem seems to be acid reflux, mild stomach pain and occasional diarrhea. I should say that my whole anxiety thing revolves around health, especially vomiting and diarrhea.I'm not sure if the physical symptoms started the anxiety or if the anxiety started the physical symptoms but it feels like I'm going insane trying to work it out. I talked to my doctor but she was more concerned with my anxiety (as I was in tears) so didn't really address the bowel issue. Can physical symptoms change over time or with age?

LeaderDman How I Beat Anxiety
  • replies: 2

Hey everyone I know when I was going through anxiety that one of the things that helped me the most was seeing a success story. It was comforting to know that you can indeed beat anxiety. So here is mine. Part 1 It all began when I had a bad reaction... View more

Hey everyone I know when I was going through anxiety that one of the things that helped me the most was seeing a success story. It was comforting to know that you can indeed beat anxiety. So here is mine. Part 1 It all began when I had a bad reaction to weed though I used to worry, over think and was anxious in social situations before this event. The reaction to weed is a story in itself, but essentially I suffered extreme pain. After this event I suffered from depersonalization for a week, which means everything felt like it was a dream. I also had this pain in my chest that would have been caused by my constant worrying, this caused me to have my first panic attack. Any pain I felt would cause my anxiety to get worse as I would fear getting the pain that I had from the weed. The extra worry would just make the pains worse and give me more symptoms. I saw the doctor many times and even a therapist, but it didn't really help. I tried to work at my job in a grocery store, but nearly had a panic attack at work and my back would get extremely sore very quickly. I also had to take time off uni as I was too anxious to go. My life had been taken away from me and all I wanted to do was get better though I didn’t feel like it was possible. I suffered from nearly every symptom that can be associated with anxiety. Here is a list of some of these:Numbness and tingling, dizziness, chest pain, feeling like throwing up, feeling my heartbeat constantly, brain/body zaps, flushed/burning skin sensations, cold flashes, fear of impending doom, heart palpitations, panic attacks, more depersonalization, feeling like i would go crazy or hurt myself/others, scared of talking to people, choking feeling in throat and hypersensitivity.There were even more symptoms, though I think that gives a good idea on the severity so someone with a similar level of anxiety knows that it’s possible to beat. All I felt for those couple of months were fear and pain. I got to the point where I decided to try medication to help deal with it so it would be easier to get better. I was on medication for a week and it was the worst week of my life. I had heard it can get worse before it gets better, but it was too severe. I suffered from extreme insomnia where i would only be able to sleep for an hour a day, I also started getting hot flashes and all of the symptoms got worse especially the fear of impending doom. So I made the decision to stop the medication and beat anxiety medication free.

Kate_S I am so sick of being afraid there is something wrong
  • replies: 7

I had my first anxiety attack about 7 weeks ago. I was terrified I was having a heart attack. Since that time I have had blood tests and an ecg - all came back fine and my chest pains (in various areas) and shortness of breath were put down to acid r... View more

I had my first anxiety attack about 7 weeks ago. I was terrified I was having a heart attack. Since that time I have had blood tests and an ecg - all came back fine and my chest pains (in various areas) and shortness of breath were put down to acid reflux and anxiety. The last couple of weeks I have been having very bad symptoms that seemingly come out of no where. I know when I am having panic attack because I go very tingly and i just have to calm myself down, but what scares me if that I get chest discomfort in my upper left chest that just feels wrong. I get heartburn and muscle tension everywhere. My left and right are will take turns hurting. My upper back hurts, I get bad pains on the left side of my abdomen, nausea, diarrheas, weakness. Sometimes I get a tickling sensation in oesophagus. It and the fear are always worse in the evening... Can anybody relate to this - the doctors keep saying it is just anxiety but it just makes no sense to me. Thanking you

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