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
Categories
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. 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 discussion

MaryG I knew it was coming
  • replies: 4

So here it is again. I knew it was coming. Lurking there in the background while I was feeling so well. Waiting for a chance to attack again. That's what the anxiety was all about, I'm sure of it. This morning I thought oh great the anxiety has gone,... View more

So here it is again. I knew it was coming. Lurking there in the background while I was feeling so well. Waiting for a chance to attack again. That's what the anxiety was all about, I'm sure of it. This morning I thought oh great the anxiety has gone, maybe it's going to be a good week. But now I realise that's not how it's going to play out. I can feel it now changing my behaviour and my outlook. So belligerent and angry and tense. Do not want to engage with anyone. All my spontaneity and joy has gone. I can remember feeling good but I feel powerless to get myself back to that state of mind. It's hard to fight, easy to give in. Struggling today.

Pixie15 I am trying to be ordinary.
  • replies: 4

I went shopping today. This was the first time for a long time that I have tried to do a full shop. I have been buying every day or so by the basket full for quite a while. It is just shopping I should be able to just go in and pick up what I need. B... View more

I went shopping today. This was the first time for a long time that I have tried to do a full shop. I have been buying every day or so by the basket full for quite a while. It is just shopping I should be able to just go in and pick up what I need. But I have to start to worry. Did the pork chop come from a pig that suffered? What chemicals are included in which products? Am I going to destroy the environment by buying an over packaged snack food? Is a child starving in a foreign country because I am eating an imported product? It is exhausting! By the time I get to the check out life seems pretty grim again. So I am wondering if ordinary people think about this stuff.

dan_enough physiological symptoms of anxiety
  • replies: 4

Hi all, I am new to beyond blue so i am still familiarising myself with the site and getting to know the ins and outs. I have only recently acknowledged that I have anxiety issues as well as being prone to panic attacks. My symptoms have scared me a ... View more

Hi all, I am new to beyond blue so i am still familiarising myself with the site and getting to know the ins and outs. I have only recently acknowledged that I have anxiety issues as well as being prone to panic attacks. My symptoms have scared me a little to say the least as I have noticed some of the following and assumed they are a byproduct of anxiety: dull ache over entire body and arms feeling like lead trembling hands twitching muscles constant ringing in my left ear general weakness and lethargy (sore muscles without any exercise) sensitivity to light feelings of being spaced out heart palpitations and dull pulse through upper torso I was wondering if they're are any people out there who have experienced similar symptoms, as i would like to demystify some of these things to know if people do experience such physical symptoms of anxiety, or even such symptoms are associated with something else. any help would be very much appreciated.

yesterday What is happening and what can i do?
  • replies: 6

Hello fellow online communicators, i am brand new here, I am looking for help and also to be helpful to others. I am almost forty years old, english and living on Sydneys lower north shore. I have been undergoing (very mismanaged) treatment for depre... View more

Hello fellow online communicators, i am brand new here, I am looking for help and also to be helpful to others. I am almost forty years old, english and living on Sydneys lower north shore. I have been undergoing (very mismanaged) treatment for depression for probably ten years or more now. lately i have been suffering really persistent anxiety, which isn't usual for me. I just seem to be jumping straight to the most negative conclusions within my thought processes. Half of me thinks just go and get some medication to numb the pain and confusion of this latest instalment of wackiness, the other half of me wants to take on a back to square one approach and fight the whole mental illness thing on a more comprehensive level. The problem is that sometimes i feel strong enough to do that, other times i can't even lift my head off the pillow. Any words of wisdom? Thanks wholeheartedly in advance G

beyondblueold Why don’t my posts appear straight away?
  • replies: 0

This thread is for new community members to answer questions about how our forum moderation system works. What happens after I hit ‘post’ or ‘reply’? Your post goes through a software filter that scans the content for potential breaches of the commun... View more

This thread is for new community members to answer questions about how our forum moderation system works. What happens after I hit ‘post’ or ‘reply’? Your post goes through a software filter that scans the content for potential breaches of the community rules and member terms, particularly with regard to distress and safety. If your post clears the filter, it will appear almost straight away. If it does not, it is held back for moderation before posting. In order to prevent spamming or abuse of the forums, posts by new members are automatically held for moderation until such time your account can be verified by a moderator. This may take up to 12 hours, and depending on forum traffic, up to 24 hours outside of regular business hours. If we are unable to publish your post, or need to edit it, you will be informed by email. Display names and profile pictures are also subject to moderation, so may not appear straight away. Display names rejected by our system will default your display name to 'Guest'. Who reads the posts? All published posts are publicly visible, whether you are logged in as a member or not. The forum is monitored by a team of clinically-trained moderators and an online community manager, who you will see posting in the forums and participating in threads from time to time. All posts are read and monitored by this team. What does the ‘report post’ button do? The ‘report post’ button is a feature for users to report content to moderators that concerns them. When you click the button, a field appears allowing you to send a message to moderators stating why you are reporting the content. The moderators will review your report and come back to you. I’m having technical issues with the forum. What do I do? Please post a topic in the ‘Forum feedback’ section, and your question will be addressed, or send an email to bb@beyondblue.org.au

Mares73 Can't even leave house, selfesteem zero
  • replies: 2

Hi all i have not ventured outside my house for two weeks. I have so much self hate that getting dressed feels like a major ordeal. I have extreme anxiety which I think is largely due to my psych putting me on a stimulant medication to augment my ant... View more

Hi all i have not ventured outside my house for two weeks. I have so much self hate that getting dressed feels like a major ordeal. I have extreme anxiety which I think is largely due to my psych putting me on a stimulant medication to augment my anti depression-and all it's doing is making me a nervous wreck. I'm treated for anxiety & depression and the antidepressant (SNRI) is already augmented with an antipsychotic & benzodiazepines. I truly feel alone, I used to manage such high stress situations and now I can barely get dressed. The antipsychotic is meant to help me feel happier but all it's doing is making me panic. My husband said last night that he couldn't stand me like this anymore & wants me to stop medication. I'm hoping for a miracle. How do others face the day when they wake with anxiety and start off with a feeling of fear and dread that stops them achieving anything?

TheMT Anxiety and not being able to eat properly
  • replies: 3

I am finding a strong link between anxiety and eating issues. I tend to get very anxious when I start to get hungry, which I think I have developed from my bodybuilding days (I would get it into my mind that getting too hungry would mean losing progr... View more

I am finding a strong link between anxiety and eating issues. I tend to get very anxious when I start to get hungry, which I think I have developed from my bodybuilding days (I would get it into my mind that getting too hungry would mean losing progress at the gym). I am finding that If I am eating and do not have a distraction, I will tend to start feeling sick but never end up being sick at all. I am scared to death of sickness and vomiting. I am beginning to think I have created this fear in my head and its what ends up reducing my appetite to nothing. I was diagnosed with gastritis a while back which I recovered from but I am relapsing again but only during a panic attack. I do not think I have gastritis at all. Can anxiety cause severe eating issues like this? I have a history of anxiety and depression in my past (a big episode that lasted for months), but have only recently began getting anxiety when I eat.

Hanginginthere Help
  • replies: 1

I am lost out of my mind I keep having wondering thoughts, being lied to, mind games, condescending o want turn all that around for me amd focus on the positive like my real close friend but have lit tu le contact, myself perserverong,and trying not ... View more

I am lost out of my mind I keep having wondering thoughts, being lied to, mind games, condescending o want turn all that around for me amd focus on the positive like my real close friend but have lit tu le contact, myself perserverong,and trying not to fall back that is a mental drai ing What can motovate you to get outside withput feeling you have to hold your breath and thinking you have to start all over again

lilolemehf Anxiety coming in waves
  • replies: 1

Not sure where to begin... I guess with what I'm dealing with at the moment. I'm getting a type of anxiety that I've never experienced in my 20 years of dealing with it. I'm getting wave after wave of that feeling of dread in my stomach and a racing ... View more

Not sure where to begin... I guess with what I'm dealing with at the moment. I'm getting a type of anxiety that I've never experienced in my 20 years of dealing with it. I'm getting wave after wave of that feeling of dread in my stomach and a racing heart, every few hours and lasting for 1-3 hours. Nothing I do helps. I take a few deep breaths and it helps for a few seconds, but then the next wave comes. This is the second full day of it happening and I've never had anything like this before and its not getting better. It hasn't gone into full panic mode for a couple days, but feels just on the edge of it. Some other factors going on are that I'm on vacation very far from home, recovering from severe jet lag. I guess that my biggest concern is that its something physical, and I'm not exactly super close to any major medical facilities. Just really scared... Thanks, Heather

Linden Panic Attacks or OCD Solutions Please
  • replies: 1

I have suffered attacks where my chest hurts and I get a headache. In the past lots of these have been created by jobs I hate, Religion and close friends who lost my trust. However The Trigger for these panic attacks can be as small as me having to s... View more

I have suffered attacks where my chest hurts and I get a headache. In the past lots of these have been created by jobs I hate, Religion and close friends who lost my trust. However The Trigger for these panic attacks can be as small as me having to stay back at work for 30 mins. Despite me telling myself its not true and finding things i enjoy to keep my mind off it, the symptoms stay for hours. Tonight I am having the same problem, and I just cant stop thinking, analyzing, critiquing, obsessing and panicking about it. I tried the 5 sec breathing technique, stretched, exercised and went for a swim. But its 3:45 am and I am no way near ready to sleep. My Granny developed epilepsy from her stress and blood pressure, she has been on medication for a long time now. It works for her. I need an effective method to get over this, or should I just go and get meds. Thank you

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