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
Jump to
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. Remeber, this is anonymous and the Beyond Blue team are here to help if you need it This section is for people who are experiencing anixiety 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 you 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 worthile 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

Apollonia Work Anxiety
  • replies: 3

I made a mistake at work 2 days a go.I'm due back at work in 2 days time.I may have sent something containing sensitive information incorrectly.Is it a dismissals offense, no?At worst, it gets lost in the mail and there's no tracking of it or it fall... View more

I made a mistake at work 2 days a go.I'm due back at work in 2 days time.I may have sent something containing sensitive information incorrectly.Is it a dismissals offense, no?At worst, it gets lost in the mail and there's no tracking of it or it falls into the wrong hands.I've been sick all weekend. I even took an antidepressant I haven't taken in over a year and it's heightened my paranoia and made me nauseous.I feel like I've burned a bridge with my direct manager when I was open about how a coworker made me feel. Her approach was that I needed to help myself my self-regulating my emotions and that I was a valued employee and yo carry on with what I'm doing with more positivity.Of course, my only take away from that I'd that I'm too emotional, overreacting and dramatic.Part of me wants to address the issue tomorrow, the only part just hopes the mail reaches where it's meant to go and I don't have to think about it again.But right now...that's all I'm doing thinking of all the could've/would've/should've. I've cancelled plans to go out, I've thrown up, passed out....I know people have made worse mistakes. I know I'm not the most incompetent person on the planet. I know I'm a good person who trues hard and like to help anyone. But once that Self Critic in my head gets feed, I'm trapped in a war with myself. Even if I do get called in and reprimanded - nothing they can say is worse than what's being said in my headrighg now. I just want to rest and cut myself some slack but the self loathing is relentless. I have booked an appt with a psycologist I was seeing post surgery a couple years back but that's not till Sept 4th. On top of all that, we're juggling family issues regarding the appropriate care for elder members in our family. It's just a lot, all at once. And I can't wind down. No mindfulness apps are working. I'm just you wired in panic mode. I hate that I've come as far as I have come...and still recognize the downward spiral. And I'm spiraling....

marls- Sour stomach
  • replies: 3

Hi there, my anxiety is spiraling, in the past few days I am struggling to get through daily tasks, I’ve had a medication change and the side effects feel like they are making my anxiety worse, I suffer from health anxiety and it’s being amplified at... View more

Hi there, my anxiety is spiraling, in the past few days I am struggling to get through daily tasks, I’ve had a medication change and the side effects feel like they are making my anxiety worse, I suffer from health anxiety and it’s being amplified at the moment, my stomach is so sour and I feel so nauseous all I want to do is lay in bed, has anyone else experienced this? What did you do/eat to help?

Guest_1282 Dealing with AD HD symptoms, rolled into depression and anxiety massively so
  • replies: 3

Not getting any help with this, feeling like people are starting to be cynical about my mental health again. But is incredibly difficult when some of these same people are just "suppressive" and "dont care", then also "want me to speak out". People c... View more

Not getting any help with this, feeling like people are starting to be cynical about my mental health again. But is incredibly difficult when some of these same people are just "suppressive" and "dont care", then also "want me to speak out". People cant manipulate what you say, if it comes to feelings I just think the only reasonable thing would be is not swearing and trying not to be harsh, rude. Otherwise negative things, negativity is just becoming a part of my life again. Just how it is, anyone else here agree with this? Let me know and your thoughts on how you'd improve yourself. In this situation

Wagtail84 The slow battle
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I’m here tonite because sometimes - not all the time- but sometimes I feel like it is all very hopeless. It feels like- if I have a great therapy session then I’ll have a physical hiccup, if I get through a week of elevated panic attacks... View more

Hi everyone, I’m here tonite because sometimes - not all the time- but sometimes I feel like it is all very hopeless. It feels like- if I have a great therapy session then I’ll have a physical hiccup, if I get through a week of elevated panic attacks and get some respite then my insomnia will kick back in to exacerbate the cycle. If my daily anxiety disappears for a whole day or two then life admin will exhaust me while I try and tick boxes social or family or obligations otherwise. and so it begins again. The spiral back and forth between what feels like juggling multiple mental health issues and the affiliated crap your body processes alongside all that too. it feels… never ending it feels … tortuous and I feel like… a solution will never be forthcoming or available. And as I’m sure anyone here knows or on some level understands, it feels lonely. And I’m tired of the pain. But I’m just here to vent, needed to get that out. It seems to get worse at night? Anyone else find that? Any symptoms or flare ups after dark? I do know tomoro is another day. wag x

Elephant86 The true magical power of the healing heart
  • replies: 0

There are many different ways you can come back to healing and coming back to peace. The journey that each of us have to walk is different and unique and no one pathway in life is the same so we all need different guidance and support on our journey.... View more

There are many different ways you can come back to healing and coming back to peace. The journey that each of us have to walk is different and unique and no one pathway in life is the same so we all need different guidance and support on our journey. It is like your going on a journey like harry potter or even cinderalla. Cinderalla didn't become cinderalla with out challengers. The adversity you face can be difficult but it is how you rise through it that defines your inner strength a and fortitude. There will be times on your journey you will want to turn around and walk in the other derection and give up but the hero didn't become the hero with out looking inside themselves and finding the magical powers to stand up to there demons. saying to yourself I more powerful then merlin and I beleive that I will not let this mountain in the front of me defeat me I choose to realise my true power by not letting my disability define who I am and who I will become. You must look into your magical heart and realise you have power with in you and every one has this magical power with in. Your self belief in your magical powers that you have more power then you realise. You have to realise your true purpose in life. What am I truly meant to acheive and I mustn't give up? There are many things you can do to heal for example there might be a sport you would like to play to help you. You might love cooking for the family it is important you do what you find helps you to heal with the guidance of your family. In the land of magic there are dragons but no these dragons are great healers and protectors of the realm. If you beleive magic exists in your heart it does. Many times I was scared that my illness was going to defeat me but many times but I beleived my dragon was protecting me. You must beleive in the good whit magic within and remember you are nver alone.

Water_baby Dealing with ongoing anxiety due to childhood issues and domestic violence issues with ex partner
  • replies: 1

I was diagnosed with anxiety 6 years ago (as well as PTSD). This was partially due to having a mother that was in and out of my life from the time I was 3 weeks old (brought up by my grandparents), did not know who my father was (found out in 2018) a... View more

I was diagnosed with anxiety 6 years ago (as well as PTSD). This was partially due to having a mother that was in and out of my life from the time I was 3 weeks old (brought up by my grandparents), did not know who my father was (found out in 2018) and an abusive ex partner. My grandmother was a very controlling person who dominated my life, she used me as a method of trying to control my mother (who was 21 and a single mother when I was born), this was the main cause of my anxiety. My ex partner was a lovely person until he smoked weed and drank at the same time, this would lead to him getting very violent, the first time was just after we had bought our house. The problem is now at the slightest hint of any stressors I spiral into anxiety very quickly, I have been given strategies by psychologists to deal with this, however it seems like my brain just short circuits. This is now causing major issues with my husband who is on the receiving end of this behavour. He has a really hard time understanding (although he does know my situation). I don't want to lose this relationship but I am worried that if I cannot get this under control I will. I also have a big problem showing any type of affection, I feel like I've tried to deal with these issues but being a bit of a people pleaser when talking to psychologists, have just not dealt with things as I should have. Not sure what I'm looking to get out of this, just want to get off the treadmill I seem to be on

Sisyphus666 Pushing that same boulder
  • replies: 2

I’m first time writing on here. I am unsure if I’m in the right place. you see I’ve been pushing that same boulder up the hill, I’m Sisyphus,I did the right thing I helped someone and all it did was allow me to have everything taken from me. I’m not ... View more

I’m first time writing on here. I am unsure if I’m in the right place. you see I’ve been pushing that same boulder up the hill, I’m Sisyphus,I did the right thing I helped someone and all it did was allow me to have everything taken from me. I’m not feeling sorry for myself, I’ve been given a task. I’ve been doing that task and it’s been horrible but familiar. Now I don’t have to do that task anymore and I’m trying to work out what I’m here for and why it’s still hurting so badly if I’m not doing it anymore?I’ve read all the books i know all the answers, I mean anyone on here willing to talk does. (Let me give anyone advice and a diagnosis).That’s not what I’m after. I want to know how do you do it? Where do you start?what exactly is the answer?I’ve checked the back of all of those books, it’s not in there. Now that I can move in any direction I can’t move. I’m not having trouble taking steps I’m having trouble making any sense of my steps, they don’t have meaning. I don’t have direction. I used to be strong and powerful with direction, now who am I?who is Sisyphus without a hill?

blues23 Is it ever helpful to run away
  • replies: 3

As above is it ? im having struggles same issues as b4 sometimes I want to run away just run never come back , Is it possible to restart your life elsewhere be a nomad while I realise this is impossible I have a young child I want to pick up roots an... View more

As above is it ? im having struggles same issues as b4 sometimes I want to run away just run never come back , Is it possible to restart your life elsewhere be a nomad while I realise this is impossible I have a young child I want to pick up roots and run it’s been calling to me that feeling of restarting my life but also feel stuck and afraid to do so but it still calls to me the solution is to leave and restart elsewhere, but is it really the answer or will it create more problems? If I run away

Sue_ Opinions about "This Way Up" Online Anxiety Treatment?
  • replies: 4

I tried to search for "this way up" in search box, but it didn't pay attention to the quotes and returned too many irrelevant matches. But what I am wondering is if anyone has worked with the anxiety programs on that site, and what your experience wa... View more

I tried to search for "this way up" in search box, but it didn't pay attention to the quotes and returned too many irrelevant matches. But what I am wondering is if anyone has worked with the anxiety programs on that site, and what your experience was like? Or if you want to share a different (moodgym, mindspot, etc) site that you used and liked that would be helpful too!

redaire59 Severe anxiety
  • replies: 1

Hi new here suffered anxiety constantly8 yrs I'm in the fear of fear cycle I can't help think this will harm me need someone to talk to

Hi new here suffered anxiety constantly8 yrs I'm in the fear of fear cycle I can't help think this will harm me need someone to talk to