Anxiety

Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. Share your own story and learn about other member’s experiences with anxiety.

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Chris_B Forums etiquette: give support to receive support
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newb... View more

Hi everyone, particularly any new members who may be reading. From time to time, we get contacted by members who are unhappy that they haven’t received a lot of replies to their posts. Our community champions work very hard to make sure that all newbies are welcomed when they first post, and we understand that it’s a big step to post for the first time on a forum like this, especially if you aren’t feeling great. It’s important to remember, though, that these forums are a community of real people, just like you, not a one-on-one support environment like going to see your psychologist. To get the best out of being here, one of the best tips we can offer is give support to receive support. Being a good community member means: participating in different threads (not just your own), replying to people who have taken the time to reply to you (even if it’s just to say thank you), and... posting words of emotional support and encouragement when you see others who are hurting and reaching out. You don’t have to feel obliged to solve the problems of others: that’s not what we’re here for. But you can offer empathy and what you’ve learned from your own life experiences, even if it’s just a line or two, eg. “I don't know what to say, but I want to give you my support and tell you I care about what is happening to you and hope life will get better soon.” Try to develop an interest in the journeys of others here on the forums. You may be surprised at how good being an active, caring member here can make you feel. For those of you who have had good experiences giving support here on the forums, please post in this thread here and let us know how it has helped you on your journey.

All discussions

Amino Anxiety newbie
  • replies: 6

Hi all! Took me quite a while but I've finally dragged myself to say hi to you all. I'm suffering from anxiety for the last 5 months now but the problems may have started earlier than that. It's just that this time the anxiety decided to stay and set... View more

Hi all! Took me quite a while but I've finally dragged myself to say hi to you all. I'm suffering from anxiety for the last 5 months now but the problems may have started earlier than that. It's just that this time the anxiety decided to stay and set up shop in my head. I was a mess until my doctor put me on a 6 month prescription antidepressant. It's been good since, able to sleep coz insomnia was a big problem when my anxiety strikes. Now I can sleep peacefully most nights because of the antidepressant . Still gets relapses every now and then but never as bad as when I first had it 5 months ago. I have one month to go with the antidepressants but not sure what would happen after that. I may have to take up another prescription for another 6 months, see how I go first. anyway thanks for listening to my rant, sure to talk to everyone individually soon. See ya

KP24 Anxiety & Relationships
  • replies: 4

Hi, I am new to this online forum and was hoping to find out some strategies or idea's of how to deal with my anxiety. I have always been a worrier, but these unaddressed issues have seen my relationship suffering and are also impacting my work. At t... View more

Hi, I am new to this online forum and was hoping to find out some strategies or idea's of how to deal with my anxiety. I have always been a worrier, but these unaddressed issues have seen my relationship suffering and are also impacting my work. At the moment I see a counsellor who said I am your Type A personality one that strives to excel yet these simple life functioning skills around my anxiety are non existent. I want to save my relationship, I also what to learn as much as I can about how other's have coped as I do not see the bright light when I am in the midst of it all. I am now living in the house by myself and I am struggling with handling everything and I don't want to resort to drinking which is something I have done in the past to slow my brain down. Any idea's?

Guest_5809 Fear of men
  • replies: 9

As crazy as it might sound. I fear males. I have since I was in late primary or early high school. I have a huge blank in my childhood I don't understand. I am petrified of talking to walking towards a relationship with men. Even writing this creates... View more

As crazy as it might sound. I fear males. I have since I was in late primary or early high school. I have a huge blank in my childhood I don't understand. I am petrified of talking to walking towards a relationship with men. Even writing this creates major anxiety. Today I told a male mental health clinician about my fear. It makes me sick to my stomach that I have let this information out. I can't stop trembling and feeling sick. I hate feeling like this

Stormgrl101 fear of people/talking?
  • replies: 10

HelloI have always been a shy quiet (anxious) person, even as a child. IN high school I started struggling with depression although I did not understand what it was at the time. As I got older I hoped things would change but I dont know what else to ... View more

HelloI have always been a shy quiet (anxious) person, even as a child. IN high school I started struggling with depression although I did not understand what it was at the time. As I got older I hoped things would change but I dont know what else to do. Had a family dinner last night and I became painfully aware of how silent I am. With family, friends, strangers, I just don't have anything to say, apart from "hello". I feel disconnected from the world, unsure of how I am meant to live. Its depressing seeing people around me living their lives, having a job/career, getting married, having kids etc. I dont feel like there is a place in this world for a person like me. I guess the point of writing this is to see if there is someone who can give me some sort of hope, see if anyone has overcome something like this. I don't know. I feel strange.beyondblue’s clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

KatieNZ Health anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I'm new here and no offence but it's almost like a resort I'm here.. I feel like I am at the end of a long dark tunnel with no light.. I've been told I have health anxiety, sometimes I believe it and other times I think I have symptoms i... View more

Hi everyone, I'm new here and no offence but it's almost like a resort I'm here.. I feel like I am at the end of a long dark tunnel with no light.. I've been told I have health anxiety, sometimes I believe it and other times I think I have symptoms indicating that I'm so unwell with some kind of pending health issue which will kill me any minute or day. The hard part is my symptoms change so I always have a reason to see the doctor.. He has prescribed me an anti-depressant but I'm terrified to take it as he handed it to me and said "the first few days will be hell and your anxiety will be magnified" but after that you'll be fine. So I'm scared like hell to go through anything worse than what I already endure. My anxiety is not an everyday thing but it seems to hit me a couple times a week now and I struggle to keep up the front so nobody knows what I'm going through inside my head. My main symptoms are chest discomfort, upset stomach, light head and of course they all mean I'm about to die. I don't believe I have panick attacks but I suffer silently. Anyway can anyone relate? Is there a light at the end of this dark tunnel? Should I take an antidepressant?

Tsarism Anxiety and Self Esteem - Feels Impossible to Switch off
  • replies: 7

Hello to anyone who is kind enough to take a minute and read this - it's appreciated whether or not it is responded to. I've never posted on here before, but feel the urge to voice some thoughts and concerns to people who may understand without being... View more

Hello to anyone who is kind enough to take a minute and read this - it's appreciated whether or not it is responded to. I've never posted on here before, but feel the urge to voice some thoughts and concerns to people who may understand without being judgemental or insincere. Social anxiety and a deep feeling of loneliness has recently taken control of my world, which is constantly exacerbated by low self esteem. It's a cliche, but the mixture has become almost completely overwhelming, and my thoughts are inundated with these feelings from the moment I wake to the moment I fall asleep. One of the most irritating issues here is that I feel as if it is literally impossible to take my mind elsewhere. I can't shake the feelings no matter how hard I try, and my brain honestly can't switch off and relax... Any thoughts or real tips/tricks that have helped others escape from such thoughts (even for a short while) are welcomed. Thanks

Help_ 28yr old alcoholic in need of HELP ASAP
  • replies: 6

Hi guys. I will write this as quick and easy as possible.I turned to the drink about 2 years ago after my anxiety hit the roof.pills were not working for me.my long term bf left me and now I cannot leave the house without the drink.I have come to roc... View more

Hi guys. I will write this as quick and easy as possible.I turned to the drink about 2 years ago after my anxiety hit the roof.pills were not working for me.my long term bf left me and now I cannot leave the house without the drink.I have come to rock bottom and drinking about a bottle of vodka a day.sipping at work and helping me sleep.I'm fed up and want a change.DR'S just say to me stop.no help at all.if I try slow down my body goes into shock and shakes and I'm scared for seizures.any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!! beyondblue's clinically-trained moderators often work offline (invisible to you) on issues relating to suicide or self-harm. At the same time, general supportive comments from the community are encouraged. If you have concerns around suicide or self-harm, please phone our support service on 1300 22 4636.

Daisycqt Are panic attacks seperate to depression
  • replies: 4

I just wondered wether the panic attacks I've started to have are related to my depression or are they a seperate anxiety issue? I've coped fairly well with stress up to now but one little thing can set me off into a full blown panic attack. I'm seei... View more

I just wondered wether the panic attacks I've started to have are related to my depression or are they a seperate anxiety issue? I've coped fairly well with stress up to now but one little thing can set me off into a full blown panic attack. I'm seeing my doctor in about a week but in the mean time what does everyone think?

Discovery77 Increasing anxiety
  • replies: 3

Hi this is my first time posting so here goes. I have had anxiety for years. I saw a great psychologist about 15 years ago and worked hard to get back to better, I was also prescribed anti depressants at the time . I've since hit the wall again ten t... View more

Hi this is my first time posting so here goes. I have had anxiety for years. I saw a great psychologist about 15 years ago and worked hard to get back to better, I was also prescribed anti depressants at the time . I've since hit the wall again ten times whose then I could have imagined. I have burn out from working in the human services industry on top of my pre existing anxiety disorder. I saw my gp who put me on anti depressants and I started seeing the same psychologist again. I feel like I'm getting worse not better. I've had to quit my job and I haven't really left the house for two weeks, prior to that I only left the house to see the psychologist. I'm so anxious I can't sit down thought the day. My partner has had to take on the majority of the care for our three year old. My dad is currently in hospital and my anxiety is so high I've only been able to visit him for half and hour every second day and that has made me feel so ashamed. My partner looks exhausted from my anxiety and has on occasion had to come home early because I've had a panic attack and felt like I was going to go crazy. I need to have a medication review with my gp but I feel too anxious to attend an appointment. I try to use some tools my psychologist has helped me develop but in the last two weeks I find these don't help. I feel like every day is ground hog day and worry I will not get back to better again. Has anyone one else felt this bad and managed to get back to better ?

Rain81 Anxiety & depression 18 years
  • replies: 5

I am new to this forum, my anxiety and depression started quite young, I was about 15 and in high school when I first started feeling anxious and it just engulfed me from there on. I cannot leave my house without having someone I know and trust with ... View more

I am new to this forum, my anxiety and depression started quite young, I was about 15 and in high school when I first started feeling anxious and it just engulfed me from there on. I cannot leave my house without having someone I know and trust with me. Having been on a myriad of different medications and seeing many psychologists and psychiatrists , Centrelink granted me the disability pension 2 years ago, it is now currently " under review" because of new rules. I should be able to go have a psych evaluation with it only causing me great anxiety, but last August my grandpa whom I was very close with passed away, and things like this Centrelink business not only cause anxiety but I find myself breaking down with an unbearable feeling of not being able to cope. I hope this made sense, it's 3 am. also hopefully right place for this thread