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

rascal Anxiety and Panic Attacks and how it makes us feel....
  • replies: 2

Dealing with anxiety is one of the most difficult barriers i have EVER had to deal with. I had my first panic attack when i was 15 - my mum and i were at a massive sale in a major shopping centre.., We were walking around and looking at clothes, shoe... View more

Dealing with anxiety is one of the most difficult barriers i have EVER had to deal with. I had my first panic attack when i was 15 - my mum and i were at a massive sale in a major shopping centre.., We were walking around and looking at clothes, shoes and the like.., i remember just walking next to my mum there were people everywhere, is was packed. The next thing i know i could here all the people chattering and it seemed like all their voices were inside my head, it was loud and confusing and this strange feeling came upon me.., i began to feel really warm and dizzy. I became confused and scared. I said to my mum; "Mum, i feel really weird, i don't like this any more" - She replied.., "it's ok darling, you are having a little panic attack.. Lets go sit down and have some food and water." After some time, i began to feel a little more relaxed and calmed down. I will never forget the feeling. Ever. Anxiety and panic attacks is the worst feeling for me - it is horrible. Sometimes i feel like im dying. My anxiety stems from a feeling rather than a thought. My body starts to tingle, i begin to feel really warm, then my left arm goes numb and i get tingles in my fingers.. Sometimes, i don't know how to deal with it. Now i am learning breathing techniques. When you suffer from anxiety or panic attacks; Does it begin with a feeling or a thought ??

Bones90 Well here goes nothing.
  • replies: 6

Hello,Right now I'm sitting on my bed trying to figure out where to start. I've always known even from a young age I was different. I've always craved some sort of acceptance. I remember in primary school, I used to do and say things so that other ki... View more

Hello,Right now I'm sitting on my bed trying to figure out where to start. I've always known even from a young age I was different. I've always craved some sort of acceptance. I remember in primary school, I used to do and say things so that other kids could show me some sort of acceptance or what I believed to be acceptance by my own standards.I would never put myself first. I would analyse every single action or comment other kids would say and think about them 1000 times over. It's not easy being someone you're not everyday, than getting home and having all these thoughts running through your head, while acting like everything is fine because you don't want to put a burden on your family.Even in high school I remember doing the same exact thing, although this time I was being bullied even though I used to act like everything was fine at school. I still remember being called "Losty" or be made fun of all the time, and it hurt but I didn't want to show weakness so I never did anything about it. I used to act like I was fine then I would get home and lock myself in my bedroom.I feel like I'm stuck and I've been the same way my whole life. I always try to think about the future and say to myself "Hey, everything is going to get better" But its not I still do the same thing today. I'm too scared to be myself and feel like I'm never going to change. Im grateful to have friends but I feel like me being around them is just bringing them down. I can't speak to my mother because I don't want her to worry about me, she has five other kids to worry about. I don't speak to my dad, he tries but we don't have a connection, and it's sad but he wasn't really around when we were young, always working and trying to provide us with a better life so we never really got to build a relationship.I've been to a psychiatrist and he has diagnosed me with social anxiety disorder and while I understand the concepts behind this disorder It's still so hard to get over. I sometimes look at my friends and ask myself why can't I be like them? Why am I trapped? I've never been in a relationship and feel like I'll never be in one. Who would want someone who can't even be himself? I feel like I'm ugly and hate my reflection in the mirror. You know I have suicidal thoughts but It's too hard to do, because I know how hard it will be for my family and friends so I'll never go through with it. I just honestly can't see myself in the future. I struggle with life everyday.Thank-Youbeyondblue’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.

Looney Struggling
  • replies: 4

I was diagnosed with anxiety 3 months ago and have tried everything I thought things were getting better until Friday as I had lasted 2 whole weeks at work during that time mum had a major op and also my daughter had an op too which my husband took h... View more

I was diagnosed with anxiety 3 months ago and have tried everything I thought things were getting better until Friday as I had lasted 2 whole weeks at work during that time mum had a major op and also my daughter had an op too which my husband took her. The symptoms I exoerience are hot flushes, jittery, tingling in legs and arms, head goes funny and most of all feeling like I have a lump in my throat and feel like I'm not going to be able to breathe. I have been put on an antidepressant and I also take vitamin B6 and milk thistle. I don't feel like going out I feel safe in my own bed and sleep a lot. This is driving my family crazy. Has anyone else experienced the same symptoms? If so how did you get past it?

starmeg68 Seeking information about 'Frozen emotion syndrome'
  • replies: 2

I am putting this under anxiety because I do suffer anxiety attacks but that is not what I need help with - I am learning to deal with that. I used to also suffer depression - but that was probably more to do with being an alcoholic than anything els... View more

I am putting this under anxiety because I do suffer anxiety attacks but that is not what I need help with - I am learning to deal with that. I used to also suffer depression - but that was probably more to do with being an alcoholic than anything else. The difference with me was instead of drinking to not feel anything - I drank in ORDER to feel. This numbness has been present since childhood. I have two children and I noticed after the birth of my daughter 22 years ago that I was actually just behaving the way I knew society expected mothers to behave. I changed nappies, I cuddled, I told her I loved her but I didn't actually feel it. The day I knew something was very wrong with me and had been for a long time, was the day when I thought 'I bet my baby will die from SIDS' and I didn't get upset, I just started thinking about what I would have to organise for a funeral. There is so many more instances of me not feeling anything at all about people I know I should feel love and concern for. This morning, my mother who is 76 yrs old and visiting - fell. And being on anticoagulant she has some nasty bruises coming up. And all I could say was oh well these things happen and we'll just keep an eye out for internal bleeding, and went back to watching my tv show. I don't think that is what mentally and emotionally healthy people would do. Even while I am writing this - I am detached. I don't care if I get answers or not - I am just intensely curious about what treatments there are. I already see a counsellor, in fact I have an appointment today and I will also ask her about this. As I said - just curious if someone has come across this before. I am pretty sure I am not a psychopath or sociopath. I love animals - more than humans. It seems to be only human beings I can't feel anything for. Anyway, thats all from me.

Jules2511 Need some help with Anxiety leading up to a big overseas trip! Please help/share your strategies!
  • replies: 8

Hi everyone, I'm set to go to Europe in 9 days and recently my anxiety has become really bad with all my thoughts about the flight. The background is that I'm someone who loves to travel, however starting about 7 years ago I've been really anxious wh... View more

Hi everyone, I'm set to go to Europe in 9 days and recently my anxiety has become really bad with all my thoughts about the flight. The background is that I'm someone who loves to travel, however starting about 7 years ago I've been really anxious when I'm flying. I've made several big overseas trips during this time, however I've always had my girlfriend with me and just having someone to talk to has made it that much easier to overcome the anxiety. This time however she's already gone overseas a week ago and I will be meeting her over there as soon as I land. I've managed to break my fear down to one main thing, which is just being afraid of being afraid and not being able to calm myself down. Once the plane is in the air I'm usually ok, but its just the anticipation that is freaking me out! If someone has a similar experience and has any tips, please please let me know as I need some strategies for dealing with the panic that I feel in those situations. I know that everything will be ok, and I am so excited to go, but the feelings of anxiety are really overpowering me at the moment. Thanks everyone!

Lildia Student with Anxiety: my fail-safes are breaking
  • replies: 1

Help!! Does anyone have advise on what to do when things start breaking down?? I know the typical approaches to help with anxiety and depression. meditate, calm music, having support from family and friends. Spoken to a psychologist and doctors.... I... View more

Help!! Does anyone have advise on what to do when things start breaking down?? I know the typical approaches to help with anxiety and depression. meditate, calm music, having support from family and friends. Spoken to a psychologist and doctors.... I even have mental mantras that help me through the day... 8 years of diagnosed depression, the last two I finally took charge with medication and counselling after the death of my brother, parents divorce leaving my mother dependant on me, and leaving my ex husband for domestic violence issues... I was back on track, life was feeling lighter and happier! i found out I was pregnant!! So happy... My child was developing healthy, but in the wrong place. My filopian tube had partially ruptured and within 8 hours of find out something was wrong, I lost a child, a filopian tube and left with a note of caution that this will highly likely happen again.... coming back to uni, mid semesters, I thought I was pulling myself together... But I wasnt, every day was getting harder, I thought I was being lazy and pushed myself, then I started waking up feeling nauseous ... Pushed myself as much as I could, then I started vomiting at the thought of studying. Knowing something is wrong, I applied for extensions.... i have submitted hospital discharge summaries, 3 doctors certificates, a letter of declaration, a letter from my psychologist and 2 different application forms... Because I am being pushed around. The response I got was "I should have approached student services about assistant services before I started studying" my argument is that my depression was being handled recent events have exacerbated it. Furthermore the way I am being treated makes me feel worthless. Anxiety through the roof, before I lost my pregnancy my GPA was 6, and now will be tainted with three failed subjects. I won't get into research at the end of the year, and probably hampered my chances for the post grad I was aiming for. does anyone have any advice? Or help? Dealing with the uni and dealing with the anxiety?

Bzamilly Anxious about moving on
  • replies: 2

I'm brand new to online forums, or even speaking about my anxiety to people. im not really sure what to write or expect, but assuming it's good just to vent in the hopes that someone understands. i have had anxiety since I was about 16. I took an ove... View more

I'm brand new to online forums, or even speaking about my anxiety to people. im not really sure what to write or expect, but assuming it's good just to vent in the hopes that someone understands. i have had anxiety since I was about 16. I took an overseas trip alone and it has been the most debilertating part of my life ever since! i have always been the type of person who becomes very attached to friendships and people in my life and tend to focus all my energy on these relationships, to the point where I'm overrun by anxiety at the thought of change or loss of these people. It's something I don't ever talk about because I find it embarrassing. i really could go on and on about all the things that make me anxious - job changes, pending holidays, even a shift at work.

Frankee Overthinking Overthinking
  • replies: 1

I guess I should start at the beginning. August 2012 - consider donating my eggs to a women who can not have children - find out I have a low egg count. I start talking children with my husband September 2012 - my mother in law passes away November 2... View more

I guess I should start at the beginning. August 2012 - consider donating my eggs to a women who can not have children - find out I have a low egg count. I start talking children with my husband September 2012 - my mother in law passes away November 2012 - my grandmother passes away January 2013 - my husband tells me he does not want children. and I need to decide if I stay with him (no children), or leave him (chance for children) - I left him April 2013 - I do not give my previous 6 year relationship the respect and time it deserves, I start dating because I WILL find love again, I will get married again, I will have children and I will be happy June 2013 - my anxiety starts November 2013 - my new boyfriend (T) cheats on me, it takes me two more months before I'm strong enough to break up with him. Its hard to explain how it started and what I go through. At its worst I would spend hours trying to decide if I should be with T or not, even before I knew he was cheating. I would question his faithfulness on a hourly bases. I would break up with him weekly and then beg him to take me back. I thought if I could just make our relationship perfect everything would be okay. If I could get him to react to situations the way I expect then everything would be okay. 12 months on and I'm a bit better. I have a new boyfriend D, but I still over think everything. He has't messaged me for 4 hours - he does't like me any more he's going to break up with me. He hasn't introduced me to his family yet - he doesn't like me any more he's going to break up with me. I made a big deal out of nothing - I've ruined it, he's going to break up with me. D didn't hold my hand at the shops today - he doesn't like me any more, he's going to break up with me. We don't have enough in common - he's going to break up with me. I have a through - it takes control and I accept it for the truth - no questions asked. Everyday I over think every interaction we have and wait for him to break up with me. Its been a long road. And with counselling I am slowly learning my need for control, knowing 100% that the relationship I am in is the right one, is causing me unrest because I will never know. I know my anxiety is situational based. I was caught off guard by my ex-husband's decision not to have children and I don't want to let myself be caught off guard again. I won't let myself be caught off guard again (hello anxiety). And that is my story. I feel good for putting it out there.

Believe01 24/7 Anxiety post anesthetic - antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication - big life changes in such a short time....???
  • replies: 1

Hi,I am a 42yr old married Mother of 3 boys (6,8 &10). I recently had an anesthetic for a medical procedure. I awoke to a new world of 24/7 Anxiety post my surgery that I had never experience before. My symptoms 24/7 body tingling, vomiting, body tre... View more

Hi,I am a 42yr old married Mother of 3 boys (6,8 &10). I recently had an anesthetic for a medical procedure. I awoke to a new world of 24/7 Anxiety post my surgery that I had never experience before. My symptoms 24/7 body tingling, vomiting, body tremors, CNS aggitition, tight chest, dry mouth, fever, diahreoa, flushing, numbness on my face and in my ears and insomnia, complete lose of appetite or ability to eat/drink) terrifying. my family confused and unable to understand the sudden change took me to the GP. They thought I may be dehydrated told to drink Hydralyte, no change. Symptoms persisted - very distressed new symptom red throat. Dr referred me to a general physician. I couldn't wait now 7 days of no sleep and symptoms - presented to an emergency department ??t drug reaction but unsure sent back to GP. GP prescribed medication to stop anxiety .05mg as needed 4-6hrs to see if symptoms abated. Anxitey did abate only for 2 hrs the up and downs on that drug were horrific.- was not told accurate information and how addictive it is. I don't drink, smoke, drink coffee and always been health focused individual. GP made me stay on it for 2wks - I crashed after 2wks, lost 8kg, back in ambulance to hospital dehydrated very ill. My family contacted a specialist psychiatrist took over my care, weaned off this medication onto another He said he would never prescribe the medication my GP gave me and only helped people come off it. My Psychiatrist helping me cease this new anti-anxiety medication on a strict plan. His opinion I experienced extreme drug interaction between the medications given to me under my anesthetic - mild serotonin syndrome (undiagnosised earlier so put on anti-anxiety medication). He recommended ceasing anti-anxiety medication in adjunct with anti-depressant Anti-anxiety medication can themselves cause depression. 8 week nightmare now need to find strength to cope weaning off anti-anxiety medication I do not crave it or give in when the anxiety starts to build I stick to my plan. Struggling with my background anxiety feelings while withdrawalling and introduction of antidepressant.Any experience ceasing anti-anxiety while starting ant-idepresent?? have read withdrawal can induce rebound anxiety for weeks after your last dose. This frightens me.Missing my old life, Need find strength to get through. .Stuck until life starts again.

LLMat Anxiety and starting something new / big
  • replies: 4

Hi everyone, I am so grateful for this forum, just reading others posts is a little comforting in that I can get through my struggles like you all. I have been focusing on being a parent for 4 years now - I suffered quite badly with post natal anxiet... View more

Hi everyone, I am so grateful for this forum, just reading others posts is a little comforting in that I can get through my struggles like you all. I have been focusing on being a parent for 4 years now - I suffered quite badly with post natal anxiety, was medicated and recovered quite well. I have had minor bouts of anxiety since, related to stressful events (stressful in my view). After being made redundant from part time work a few years back and needing something stimulating, I started studying teaching to become a teacher. Well, this week i started teaching rounds.. It's only been 3 days so far, but the anxiety has been getting worse and worse with everyday - and I am not even required to do much!! iunderstand and accept it is normal to feel nervous when starting something new, different, challenging... But I feel this is beyond a 'normal' reaction - this morning I felt glimpses of what I did back after I gave birth - nausea, shaking, unable to eat. I am constantly worried/thinking about the rest of week, the next round of experience, when I have to do my huge final block and then when I am teaching. Nagging, constant self doubt, always thinking "I can't do this" "I don't want to do this" I am trying to be mindful and narrowing my focus to what just this day brings, but I always end up back there. During the day it subsides somewhat, I am guessing via distraction...and I can put on a brave face at the school. I am worried this will effect my little one (I am a single parent) as I really have to be able to focus to enjoy spending time with her while trying not to shake, or think about everything. is it time to visit a gp? I am quite time poor and impatient with this at the moment. Thanks everyone.

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