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

bambi15 Anxiety HALP
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone. Im new to this whole ‘seeking help’ thing so bear with me. Im 25 years old and I suffer from Anxiety. It has been so bad I am taking time off work, and when im at work I spend all day trying t keep myself under control from running out t... View more

Hi everyone. Im new to this whole ‘seeking help’ thing so bear with me. Im 25 years old and I suffer from Anxiety. It has been so bad I am taking time off work, and when im at work I spend all day trying t keep myself under control from running out the door. As a child I had a quite sever heart condition . This has been repaired however I still have some ongoing things that aren’t quite right. Having said that, all is okay, im in good health and I get check ups every 2 years and thus far have had no issues. Over the last few years I have continue to grow and worsen in my anxiety. My main fear is basically dying from a sudden cardiac event or stroke. I have done more damage than good by researching things and have pretty much terrified myself to thinking that any pain, light headedness, fast heart rate, etc is a heart attack and I have to spend quite some time reminding myself its just the anxiety. I am terrified of dying and ive literally considered writing letters to my family just in case I die so they know I love them etc. Many times ive gotten so bad I was worried if my family knew if I should be buried or cremated and how my boyfriend and family would be when I died. I am also trying for a baby with my partner and I know that I need to get this sorted by then. Ive seen a GP who has referred me to a Psych (yet to attend). Im also a student trying to start a business. Basically I want to know how much value people get from their Psych? Have you been able to rid yourself of anxiety? And does anyone else have these issues? My GP (who is amazing) said that its not uncommon to have these after having previous cardiac issues. I just want to go back to being care free and okay!!

Steph Not sure what to do anymore
  • replies: 3

I have suffered from anxiety and depression since I was 16 (Im now 30). I go through highs and lows, however I am in a real low at the moment...probably the worst I have suffered in a long time. I don't want to do anything (cook or clean), I don't wa... View more

I have suffered from anxiety and depression since I was 16 (Im now 30). I go through highs and lows, however I am in a real low at the moment...probably the worst I have suffered in a long time. I don't want to do anything (cook or clean), I don't want to hang out with anyone or even leave the house. I have been taking medication for over a year, and I have just increased to 60mg. I am seeing a psychologist but it's only early days yet so not finding it effective yet. When my anxiety is really bad, I tend to take something codeine based because I feel hopeless and just want the anxiety gone which the codeine does for about 24 hours. The anxiety literally makes me feel like I want to die. I am terribly, terribly sick of living this way. I feel like I'm not even living. I feel like I have black tar pulling me down, making every movement, every activity feel like the biggest effort. I really just feel like I can't deal with this anymore. I feel exhausted. I feel like everyone expects something from me, and that makes me feel resentful in the mood I am in because I just want to be left alone. I really just don't know what to do anymore.

Aleins OCD and Anxiety + Dealing with Depression with a family member/friends?
  • replies: 2

Hi! I'm new to this website, so I've no clue how it works, but I was wondering if I could perhaps get some advice as to how to deal/explain with family members and friends? I was diagnosed with severe anxiety and OCD a few months ago, and also modera... View more

Hi! I'm new to this website, so I've no clue how it works, but I was wondering if I could perhaps get some advice as to how to deal/explain with family members and friends? I was diagnosed with severe anxiety and OCD a few months ago, and also moderate depression. My friends and family have been great, but I feel like they don't understand. My father has OCD, but he was never treated, so he doesn't understand what its like to constantly have to see a therapist and go through taking medication. My siblings are too young to understand and my mother, although she's been greatly supportive and understanding, doesn't realise what it's like . She doesn't understand why I get so frightened of raised voices, or why I'm so stupidly sensitive and why I spend time doing things to deal with my OCD. I feel like I don't deserve anything, and I don't deserve to have such a wonderful family and I just don't like myself in general. I was wondering if there were any steps I could take to ensure that I don't worry my family anymore so I won't burst into tears all the time? I don't want to be a hindrance to them anymore.

gabagool What sensation am I having in my chest?
  • replies: 2

Im a 25 y/o male. I suffer from GAD which has gotten progressively worse im the last year. My problem is that I have a sensation in my chest which happens hundreds of times per day. The feeling has progressively become more frequent in this time. The... View more

Im a 25 y/o male. I suffer from GAD which has gotten progressively worse im the last year. My problem is that I have a sensation in my chest which happens hundreds of times per day. The feeling has progressively become more frequent in this time. The feeling is of my heart "dropping". The feeling one would normally get when they receive a shock, are scared or worrisome. Some describe it as have butterflies in your stomach, but in the chest. Ive read online about what i think to be the sensation. Most say that its the fight or flight reaction where adrenaline is being released and the subsequent increase in blood output is the sensation that one feels in the chest. I get this chest feeling HUNDREDS of times a day. I over react to everything and its gotten to the point of outright lunacy and abject irrationality. Everything i touch, click on my mouse,take a deep breath triggers this response. I know its anxiety. This im sure of. What i really want to understand is the mechanism of what is going on. The problem i feel is that this "fight or flight response" might not be the case because I had a catecholamine blood test to see if my epinephrine and norepinephrine levels were unusually high, but they werent. I had a cortisol blood test and the results came back normal as well.I had a 24 hour holter monitor where i had the sensation many many times and the results didnt show anything. When i get this sensation i dont have any noticeable physiological changes. No increase heart rate, hyperventilation, dilated pupils or any tell tale signs of being in fight or flight. With the sensation, I dont jump like the shock from a loud noise.(Although is already am very sensitive to noise and jump easily) Ive been on an ssri for some time now (which hasnt helped)and my doctor is changing me to something else soon. I do not suffer from PTSD, depression, ruminating thoughts, OCD or any other psychological disorders. What id love is if someone could shed some insight on is : Am i having this flight or fight response? If i am then why are my blood tests clean for the stress hormones? Would the heart sensation associated with fight or flight show up on a holter monitor? Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.Im very desperate to find out what the hell is wrong with me and what i can do to stop it.

Cameragirl Anxity and hiatus hernia
  • replies: 6

Hi everyone. Hope everyone is looking after themselves. I have a question for anyone who has a hiatus hernia. I'm off to my doctors appointment tomorrow for a test to see if I have a hiatus hernia. I seem to have all the symptoms. The reading I've do... View more

Hi everyone. Hope everyone is looking after themselves. I have a question for anyone who has a hiatus hernia. I'm off to my doctors appointment tomorrow for a test to see if I have a hiatus hernia. I seem to have all the symptoms. The reading I've done so far is telling me that the hiatus hernia is great at mimicking the symptoms of Anxiety because it affects the vagus nerve. Any thoughts.?

Lazykh Phobias you have known...
  • replies: 4

I'm on the search for the most obscure phobia you guys have ever run into... Basically when I got into psychotherapy my first step was to rid myself of my own phobias... I found it challenging and rewarding. Since, I've helped a few counselling clien... View more

I'm on the search for the most obscure phobia you guys have ever run into... Basically when I got into psychotherapy my first step was to rid myself of my own phobias... I found it challenging and rewarding. Since, I've helped a few counselling clients with phobias too and also heard from other professionals of different phobias they have treated. These are the most obscure ones I have seen/ heard of, what can you contribute to the list? -False teeth (a lady who was wasting away in hospital because she had no teeth and had to combat the phobia to get dentures and survive) -Balloons (old, sticky decomposing ones only) -Feathers (led to a woman's agoraphobia, on a 60 minutes show) -Bogong Moths

Jess_164 Anxiety attack?
  • replies: 3

I've always felt stressed out and it's happened before but the other day it got worse. It was Sunday night and my friend texted be about some homework due. My cheeks got super red and hot, my heart raced and I breathed like I was crying. is anyone ex... View more

I've always felt stressed out and it's happened before but the other day it got worse. It was Sunday night and my friend texted be about some homework due. My cheeks got super red and hot, my heart raced and I breathed like I was crying. is anyone expiriencing the same thing?

Garymac Constant worry
  • replies: 3

Hi guys I am 45 and have suffered from chronic anxiety for as long as I can remember. I do go through ok periods where my anxieties are just low level background noise in my head,lets face it there are things that are genuine to worry about in life t... View more

Hi guys I am 45 and have suffered from chronic anxiety for as long as I can remember. I do go through ok periods where my anxieties are just low level background noise in my head,lets face it there are things that are genuine to worry about in life that we need to process and act on. My problem seems to be I either take a problem, or what I percieve to be a problem , and it becomes an obsession. If I become obsessive I will look at the problem in a million different ways , and play each outcome in my head over and over. When I reach this stage I am not fit to deal with anything. This without doubt is a family issue as my father, and his mother before him, were both deeply anxious and this had a very negative effect on their lives. I have had numerous sessions with a councelor, which went well and I learned a lot from it, but that was a few years ago. I realise that this condition is part of me and always will be,but I know with the right methods I can learn to control it. I just havent ever found the right method. I do take medication, but I know atleast at the dosage I am on it seems to have little effect when things get bad. I do not wish to up the dosage as I found the side effects prohibative. I was wondering if anyone with similar anxiety issues that have had some success in managing this could share their experiences or offer some advice ? Thanks Gary

MiaBella Flu-like symptoms - Anxiety?
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum, I am a relatively healthy 37 year old female with a history of anxiety/panic attacks. Just when I think I have it all under control it seems to manifest itself in a new way. I just wanted to ask if anyone else out... View more

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum, I am a relatively healthy 37 year old female with a history of anxiety/panic attacks. Just when I think I have it all under control it seems to manifest itself in a new way. I just wanted to ask if anyone else out there has experienced the following. Flu-like achy feelings through out your body, fatigue, very very sluggish, just cannot seem to get moving, this in turn causes more anxiety. I have had a very thorough check by my doctor, full blood count done, all normal, checks for any auto-immune diseases, all negative but anti-bodies present for Glandular Fever and Cytomegalovirus but doc says all from a past illness, I didn't even know I had CMV. Traces of blood in my urine, renal/bladder ultrasound all clear and Urine cytology negative so doc is at a loss, I just cannot shake this achyness, it's also effecting my sleep at times, I cannot stay asleep due to feeling so ill, it's like a cursing wired feeling going through my body and my mind constantly races which prevents me from sleeping and I feel very thirsty all night, during the day I could be feeling fine one minute and the next completely crash with the flu like feelings again. I just can't seem to accept that this could all be anxiety related??! My husband says YES most definitely, I am over thinking everything and always thinking something is wrong with my health but nothing ever shows up in tests. So hoping someone shares my symptoms and can shed some light on it all because it is driving me crazy, some days I am bed ridden because it literally feels like I have the flu, never have fever though. I also suffer with IBS. Thank you for anyone advice.

Jasper_J Self help
  • replies: 4

I'm sure this has been asked many many times. But I'd like to know what everyone does to help with their anxiety. I refuse to take anti depressants. I know exercise helps. What else can everyone suggest? I'd love to hear your opinions.

I'm sure this has been asked many many times. But I'd like to know what everyone does to help with their anxiety. I refuse to take anti depressants. I know exercise helps. What else can everyone suggest? I'd love to hear your opinions.

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