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
  • 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

JacintaMarie Need a rant
  • replies: 7

H Just an update, I go back to work tomorrow & I've enjoyed being on holiday & this afternoon had a cry about going back to work, need too as I'm too young to retire. But I feel angry, more about management but don't have reason too & I'm being unfai... View more

H Just an update, I go back to work tomorrow & I've enjoyed being on holiday & this afternoon had a cry about going back to work, need too as I'm too young to retire. But I feel angry, more about management but don't have reason too & I'm being unfair to them, they're learning still, they make mistakes (don't seem to be learning). My next goal is to understand why I have this anger inside me, why can't I live & let live. Why am I annoyed at them. Why does my period make me feel like this, I know, hormones & my serotonin is low. Just tired of not getting it!!! Of my stupid brain not stopping my thoughts. Of not being able to relax.

anonymousmouse I feel so tired
  • replies: 7

Hi everyone, I am still pretty young and have just started my journey into adulthood but it’s so hard. I feel so exhausted and want to give up. Every day feels like a challenge. I feel like I’m in a nightmare and I can’t wake up. Nothing is going to ... View more

Hi everyone, I am still pretty young and have just started my journey into adulthood but it’s so hard. I feel so exhausted and want to give up. Every day feels like a challenge. I feel like I’m in a nightmare and I can’t wake up. Nothing is going to plan. I want someone to wake me up and tell me that I’m going well in my degree and that my friends can like me again. But instead I just keep crying to my mum, it feels like she is my only support. I reach out to coworkers and even after venting, I do not feel any better. I just want to fall asleep forever. If this is what adulthood is going to be like, I feel like I should just leave now

KirSa Nothing I do seems to work
  • replies: 4

I don't know what to do when I'm struggling. Nothing I do seems to work. It just postpones the inevitable... me seeking relief with alcohol and any other depraved hedonism I can find. I feel like a child when I ask for help. The world goes on without... View more

I don't know what to do when I'm struggling. Nothing I do seems to work. It just postpones the inevitable... me seeking relief with alcohol and any other depraved hedonism I can find. I feel like a child when I ask for help. The world goes on without me while I sit and wallow in the memory of the past 48 hours. The busy, hot mess that was my mind before is replaced with the dull, painful silence of regret. It's silence I need... but I don't want to face what's in there. I'm scared. I can't handle the anxiety and pressure of it all, then the 'cure' hurts more than the illness. Recently diagnosed bipolar 1 - does not seem to do anything to help. Nobody to talk to. Infrequent GP visits I have to chase. I can't face my counselor. I'm quite sure I'll break down this time. I hold it together to the world, I can't even talk to my partner... and she's wonderful and understanding. I feel like a fool. I have to be strong. I want to save the world (I know, crazy right?).I want to live forever. We could, you know? But nobody believes me. I know I will die one day. I think I just want to sit outside and wait. Maybe walk on the sand... feel the cool water between my toes. Breath the cool air.

KirSa Bipolar 1 question - elevated mood and anxiety management/prevention
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I've been struggling for many years with what I've recently learned is bipolar disorder. I really need to get a handle on what to do when I start feeling overwhelmed. For some reason, I go from feeling confident and capable (and I am these things), t... View more

I've been struggling for many years with what I've recently learned is bipolar disorder. I really need to get a handle on what to do when I start feeling overwhelmed. For some reason, I go from feeling confident and capable (and I am these things), to feeling stressed, anxious, and losing control. Like there's too much to take in. It builds up over a few days usually. But a disruption or setback... some kind of unexpected news or interruption can bring it on quicker too. I try to fight it off... sit and think it through... get my bearings... or distract myself with music, movies, or another project or hobby. Guitar, rubiks cubes, reading. But usually the result is adding more noise to the existing chaos that's building. I don't know how to stop it and I'm struggling to keep up. My partner knows and is very supportive. But I don't know what she can do to help. I have to get baseline blood tests before I can take the medication. But I'm scared that I'll be a stupid mess taking that stuff too. How do I deal with this feeling when it comes? I'm not doing very well handling it so far.

TDM24 Managing Anxiety at work
  • replies: 3

I've had anxiety since i was little. It has recently made a come back. I used to deny it. But now i cant. For a solid month now i have woken up in panic, panic attack to the point i needed to take a week off work & my better half had to stay home fro... View more

I've had anxiety since i was little. It has recently made a come back. I used to deny it. But now i cant. For a solid month now i have woken up in panic, panic attack to the point i needed to take a week off work & my better half had to stay home from work with me also. I know where my anxiety has stemmed from this time, however i do not know where it began from a young age. I am in the process of waiting for my first appointment with a physiologist - 2 1/2 month wait I guess my main frustration is being anywhere but home. I live on a farm, which i adore. I have the most loving and supportive partner, my furbabies are the best comfort blanket. I am not depressed. i love my life, my job etc But i have never struggled this much to get up in the morning and go to work where i know my comfort place is home. It is where i feel safe, and less anxiety. The moment i step into work or a place where i cant focus on myself and my breathing is where my anxiety heightens more. I need to work. No doubt. We all do in order to pay for day to day life. But in my head - I DONT WANT TO WORK I work 40 hour weeks- 8:30 - 5pm everyday and its the last thing i want to do right now. I struggle to get up out of bed at the thought i have to go to work and put on an act of how im really feeling, push my own thoughts aside and deal with other people's issues at work. When all i want to do is focus on myself, my farm animals and be productive at home as i know that is what helps me. My boss is supportive with what is happening, however i cant help but feel so much guilt at even the thought of taking another mental health day. Something has to give. I cannot hide at home forever. This is my first thread and im probably doing it all wrong. But there is only so many times i can talk to my family & partner as i feel like i bring them down and im draining to the point i feel im a burden as i know i am repetitive in my thoughts. i guess im just trying to find some ease while i wait to see a psychologist in 2 1/2 months time, but its just so hard. Ive never been one to struggle to get up out of bed when i know im needed to feed the animals, water the vegetable garden, let the chooks out etc before i head to work. But as of late - i cant do any of that because i know in the back of my head i have to go to work where i dont want to be. I dont know exactly what i want to get out of this thread, but it feels good to just say it. Even if its only a fraction of my thoughts. Thanks T

JacintaMarie Hi
  • replies: 20

HiHow are you? Back again, had a break through this morning, realised a part of my anxiety. Have had some rants (by myself at home) about work people being stupid. Realised why I did it.Felt better when it was out, but ashamed for calling them that! ... View more

HiHow are you? Back again, had a break through this morning, realised a part of my anxiety. Have had some rants (by myself at home) about work people being stupid. Realised why I did it.Felt better when it was out, but ashamed for calling them that! I ended up getting sweaty & hot. Then today, deep inside me I think I'm a bad person, I am aren't I for calling people that.That's what I feel deep down, that I'm bad. To call someone stupid, I may be being condescending & judgemental. I asked someone what is stupid & true stupid is maybe when your closed minded & don't listen to people. And with that, I have & been stupid, but everyone can learn to be more open minded, but it takes time.Thank you Beyond Blue & I hope I haven't offended anyone.

Ferry Keene Chronic pain, anxiety and relationships
  • replies: 4

I'm on the Gold Coast and looking for professional help.My wife has chronic pain (fibro&cfs - mainly stomach, nervous system, fatigue) going on for almost 2 decades. She is a little better than house-bound, but not by much.Neither of us have a suppor... View more

I'm on the Gold Coast and looking for professional help.My wife has chronic pain (fibro&cfs - mainly stomach, nervous system, fatigue) going on for almost 2 decades. She is a little better than house-bound, but not by much.Neither of us have a support network. She needed to separate from her family. My family are not supportive people. She can become very anxious and often feels hopeless.She has undertaken ~8 of psychology sessions recently that has helped with reframing her pain and looking for hope (RAIN)Sometimes our dynamic causes breakdowns. I put in a lot of effort to get this right, but it's too complex and too big.I am looking for a psychology recommendation to work with chronic pain and couples. Gold Coast, if possible. She doesn't like CBT and says it does nothing for her. Thank you

Bellanana Summer and winter fear
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I get anxiety during summer and depression during winter. Are there any tips or tricks I can do?

I get anxiety during summer and depression during winter. Are there any tips or tricks I can do?

SolZeus Health Anxiety - I can no longer function
  • replies: 1

Hi all, I've had a long history of anxiety. Received treatment in the past for other anxiety disorders. However, over the last two years I have been preoccupied with my health. To the point where my anxiety has led to panic attacks and SEVERE drop in... View more

Hi all, I've had a long history of anxiety. Received treatment in the past for other anxiety disorders. However, over the last two years I have been preoccupied with my health. To the point where my anxiety has led to panic attacks and SEVERE drop in work and parenting performance. I can't stop. I had some tests done last year which sparked it all off. I was worried about cancer, have done a whole battery of tests and each and everytime, the anxiety gets too much. I am currently freaking out about oral cancer and am seeing an ENT to get some mouth issues sorted. I keep Googling. I keep reading up on symptoms, I keep panicking and it just never ends. I am so overwhelmed. My work has SIGNIFICANTLY suffered, as has my parenting. People tell me not to stress, but as a father of a young child, I am petrified of having cancer and no longer being there for her. Everytime I think of it, get completely overwhelmed. I don't want to leave her, I don't want to be sick. That's all I keep thinking. My GP has put me on medications, but that's caused its own issues (insomnia, sexual dysfunction, apathy). I have tried some therapy, but it just gets too expensive (psychologists are now charging over $200!). I don't want to be like this anymore. Test after test, checking on medical symptoms...it's too much.