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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BeyondBlue Hi! Check out this post if you're not sure how to start
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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

Twig How much do I tell my family?
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I have been dealing with social anxiety for as long as I can remember, but I am finding it harder and harder to hide it. Oddly, I am fine around strangers, but it is my extended family and close friends which cause my symptoms. I avoid contact with m... View more

I have been dealing with social anxiety for as long as I can remember, but I am finding it harder and harder to hide it. Oddly, I am fine around strangers, but it is my extended family and close friends which cause my symptoms. I avoid contact with my family and the threat of an unavoidable get together can cause a panic attack. My husband is really trying to be supportive, but he is getting pretty tired of making excuses for me and gets pretty frustrated with my 'I just can't' reasoning. This is making me pull back from him and feel like I am burdening him with my problem. Similarly my two sister in laws ask me for coffee but I fob them off. So my question is, how much can I involve my family in my journey with anxiety without burdening them, or alienating them? And how can I get across just how much I want to see them but that my body just physically won't let it happen.

Zygote Hi
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Hello,I have really awful anxiety. I think it started as a kid, I don't remember ever not having it. It has dominated my life, affected my relationships, my education, my work life. I grew up in a family with 11 children and just my mum. She was a go... View more

Hello,I have really awful anxiety. I think it started as a kid, I don't remember ever not having it. It has dominated my life, affected my relationships, my education, my work life. I grew up in a family with 11 children and just my mum. She was a good mum but we had a really crazy step dad who used to beat my mum up. She would run away from him when he was at work or in the middle of the night, so we were always moving and fearful of him finding us. Because we moved so much I got beaten up a lot at school and had to hide in the library or back of the school at recess and lunch. Most of my brothers and sisters have anxiety and depression too. Most of my brothers and sisters have anxiety and depression too. My oldest sister died by suicide. She suffered from depression. I didn't feel sad about that at all, I had no feelings about it which is odd but it is what it is.I joined up today because I'm at a loss as to what to do. Last year I broke up with my wife and started living in my vehicle. I had just lost my job, my life was falling apart, I had reached the point where it felt like a million different problems were crushing me an unmanageable mess. Right now I'm a complete failure at everything, I can't do anything, I can't find a way out of this enormous hole. I have a ball of fear, stress, sadness, anxiety, tension in my chest. It makes me tired, dreadfully so. I have severe and constant insomnia, sometimes I'm unable to sleep for days, other times I sleep for days. I can't even tell people the truth, my doctor or anyone. You can't even tell people the truth or they'll schedule you and put you in a mental institution for gods sake. I'm angry. I managed to get an appointment with a psychiatrist, she gave me a medical certificate for 3 months, with the idea of allowing me some times to relax, I'm on Newstart allowance which means I have to look for work however I can't even go outside some days and other days I'm so tired from not enough sleep that I feel physically sick. I have some really strong sleeping pills but they make me even more tired.I'm waiting to be seen by the Anxiety Clinic but they have a huge waiting list I guess because its been months since they accepted me. Today I had my payments suspended for the 8th time in 16 weeks. Centrelink keeps booking me appointments, despite having 2 medical certificates and when I don't turn up because of my anxiety and depression they cut me off. Its not that I don't want to turn up its that I can't physically and mentally go there. I panic and awefulise for a week before an appointment. I can't go into the reception area without sweating, shaking, feeling like the whole place is boring their eyes into me. I feel afraid and so self conscious.Last time I went despite that and ended up humiliating myself in front of the entire place. I was so frustrated and anxious I started crying. I'm a big guy, 41 and I was crying in front of all those people, kids, women, teens. It was the most humiliating thing.I asked them why I can't attend, due to my illness, over the telephone but they said they have nothing to accommodate my illness. One of the ladies was really nice and kept calling me sweetie, I think she felt sorry for me but it seems really wrong for this to be happening.I'm wondering if anyone knows what I can do, the last time I rang the participation team they basically told me 'turn up or no money' regardless of my illness. I can't turn up and I have no money, no food, I'm on antidepressants which I have another weeks supply of but once that runs out the withdrawals will be pure hell.I need some advice. Thank you for reading if you read this far.

An_Li New here - Agoraphobic - Help
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Hi, this is my first post. I wanted to connect with other sufferers of panic attacks with or without agoraphobia (I have agoraphobia)I'm in my 30's and a mum of 2 and have had anxiety issues since I was 20. I have recovered many times (to an extent, ... View more

Hi, this is my first post. I wanted to connect with other sufferers of panic attacks with or without agoraphobia (I have agoraphobia)I'm in my 30's and a mum of 2 and have had anxiety issues since I was 20. I have recovered many times (to an extent, obviously not fully), I have tried medications over the years (though not for a long time) and have done cbt and other such therapies in the past. This stint of agoraphobia has lasted over 2 years now and it's taking it's toll on me, I'm finding it very difficult to overcome the agoraphobia this time around. I'm very very lonely, frustrated and desperately want to recover, I need to for my kids.I have a psychiatrist I see on Skype occasionally and I have a pscychologist willing to work with me although I haven't called him yet to organise an appointment (a very common theme) I was also offered a place in a clinic outreach program, but couldn't even get through the initial consultation. I get panic attacks being in a room with people and the anticipation of these appointment was overwhelming, even being in my home I just couldn't face it. I've put myself in the 'too hard basket' although my psychiatrist hasn't given up on me. I think I'm just scared of failing, sick of facing it, the last time I recovered from agoraphobia I didn't think I would ever be here again and when I did fall back into it, it completely shattered my confidence. And it was sooooooo hard recovering from agoraphobia, like it literally took me years, and knowing how hard it's going to be and the thought of falling back into it so easily. I think I've just given up Anyway, I'm rambling I'd love to connect with anyone out there who gets what I'm thinking and going through.

CaptainCab I want to be ME all the time!
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Hi everyone, I find myself acting different around different people, the better I know them the more comfortable I am to be who I really am but if I don't know someone too well or on a professional level I feel the need to be more serious, respectful... View more

Hi everyone, I find myself acting different around different people, the better I know them the more comfortable I am to be who I really am but if I don't know someone too well or on a professional level I feel the need to be more serious, respectful and concerned with what people think of me. I struggle in large groups to socialise and at times if my personal life mixes with my professional life I am caught in the middle and feel very uncomfortable and respond by being nervous and sweaty. If some people I don't know don't get my sense of humour or give me the cold shoulder I automatically freak out and feel like a turtle going back into it's shell, I have always respected anyone I have met and I can't help but worry what people think of me. How can I be ME all the time? and feel comfortable in doing so. Thank you in advance everyone

Fuzzy80 New to the Group but not New to aniexty!
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Hi everyone , I'm new to this forum. I've suffered from anxiety from a young age. And it has been a trigger on and off for years . So over it. Is there a way to truly ever overcome it , like forever?

Hi everyone , I'm new to this forum. I've suffered from anxiety from a young age. And it has been a trigger on and off for years . So over it. Is there a way to truly ever overcome it , like forever?

leo232 Does it ever stop?
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I'm proud of myself for how far I've come in regards to battling anxiety. I am tenacious and I wont ever give up...but they always said it would get easier. That I'd learn to live with it. but its not easier, I'm just stronger. I just want a break. I... View more

I'm proud of myself for how far I've come in regards to battling anxiety. I am tenacious and I wont ever give up...but they always said it would get easier. That I'd learn to live with it. but its not easier, I'm just stronger. I just want a break. I just want one day, just one, where I can relax. Where I can put my feet up and say "ahh what a lovely relaxing day". But i can't. I can't relax. It's so draining. I have no energy, no peace, no sleep, I cant' eat because I'm constantly nauseous, I can't be in social settings without using every bit of my energy to keep me from throwing up. I can't get on buses or trains and yet I can't pass my driving test because I get horrible test anxiety. I have no job because every time i get one I end up having a massive panic attack in the backroom and then Im told I need to take some "personal time". Im sleep deprived, bored, house ridden and broke. I just want it to stop. just ONE day then i promise I'll keep going. Like I always have, just let me have one day. I feel like there's no one else in the world who knows this, but there has to be. Is there anyone that can tell me theyve been here and eventually you get your day of rest?!

Riss Anxiety and dating
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Hi every one I hsve had anxiety for years now and im on meds for it. I got out of a relationship that tough me appart about 4 years ago and have just started to curiously date a guy again. And my Anxiety about it all is so high im going to distroy th... View more

Hi every one I hsve had anxiety for years now and im on meds for it. I got out of a relationship that tough me appart about 4 years ago and have just started to curiously date a guy again. And my Anxiety about it all is so high im going to distroy the relationship befoe it starts. Hes very ill atm. And has gon quieton me , and though I know he is unwell the fact I have heard nothing from him is making me feel terrible. Has any one ells had this kind of problem before with anxiety and a new relationship???

Mel... The Vicious Cycle
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Where do I start...? I have depression, anxiety and PTSD. I have been on anti depressants for approx. 5 years now and have had to change them once before. The process was treacherous; dizziness, withdrawals, fevers. I couldn't go to work. I haven't h... View more

Where do I start...? I have depression, anxiety and PTSD. I have been on anti depressants for approx. 5 years now and have had to change them once before. The process was treacherous; dizziness, withdrawals, fevers. I couldn't go to work. I haven't had a panic attack in years until this week. They seem to last for days. I cant eat properly due to the nausea, I feel like I am constantly shaking. Perfectly rational situations make me a sobbing mess and I cant seem to get out of my head. I get anxious that I might have a panic attack which then causes a panic attack and I can't tell if it was because I was actually anxious or not - the vicious cycle. Im seeing a uni counsellor and my doctor, they both seem to think my medication has stopped working. This upsets me as I felt like I was getting better and now I feel like I am back where I started. I don't want to have to go through the process of changing my medication again and I don't understand why they just stop working. Im so tired, I just want to feel normal. I just want my normal life back.

Shan41 too scared
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Every month or so I seem to be getting worse and worse, and I'm really worried my schooling is going to be affected by it all. Every time I talk myself into going to talk to someone, I then get too scared and back out. What should I do?

Every month or so I seem to be getting worse and worse, and I'm really worried my schooling is going to be affected by it all. Every time I talk myself into going to talk to someone, I then get too scared and back out. What should I do?

Ellie86 Hello, new here.
  • replies: 9

Hi, I have been tinkering around this forum and have been reading posts endlessly. And from everyone's personal and inspiring words, I feel ready to reach out, share bits and pieces about me and perhaps gain some insights from others. So a bit about ... View more

Hi, I have been tinkering around this forum and have been reading posts endlessly. And from everyone's personal and inspiring words, I feel ready to reach out, share bits and pieces about me and perhaps gain some insights from others. So a bit about me, I have had anxiety for what seems like forever (since 13 yrs old), have battled depression but have overcome that aspect slowly. I do suffer OCD and negative body image. I have seeked various treatments for my conditions, but always end up back to the start especially with anxiety. I'm now 27, mother of 3 and also a full time uni student. I left my "baby daddy", who heightened everything with depression, anxiety and OCD (not a nice human) but have been more than blessed and lucky to have met 'my person'. I feel my life is in a positive place, I got accepted into a highly academic and difficult course to get into at uni, my children are happy and healthy, my fiancé' is just so beautiful and has so much patience with my mental health issues. But I just feel my anxiety is becoming out of control and consuming me, I don't know why. There is only so many times I can vent to my dearest friends who are simply gorgeous but they have their own lives. I'm trying so hard to be "normal", it's so exhausting. I have finally accepted the fact that I have mental health issues that I need to address now, for me firstly, my person and my children. I have reached out to local anxiety and OCD support groups, which is so terrifying for me to go to, but I must, I want to start healing and manage that part of my life. After over a decade, I feel ready to address mental health illness in my world. I want to feel mentally sound and not alone. The hardest part for me when I have a "moment", I feel so alone, out of control with being irrational and question myself with anxiety. I don't want to be a shell of myself any more, I want to start living, I feel so awkward with having a few issues especially body image which fuels anxiety hugely for me, it consumes me so much, I feel like a 14 year old girl always comparing all aspects of herself to others. I wish I could put a sign up for my life saying back in 10 minutes, so I can have the time to work through all that I need to, without the pressures of motherhood and uni. (Perhaps I could just slip out the back door for a while and nobody notices.) Does anyone go to support groups? If so, how was that experience? Thank you kindly, sending all love and light. x