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. 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

calli_the_abnormality I can't control my emotions and it's worrying.
  • replies: 3

Good morning/afternoon/evening. I'm writing because I've been having unreasonably sudden spikes in my anxiety. I've been diagnosed with severe anxiety/depression and I've been on medication for the past 5-6 years. As of writing this, I've just been c... View more

Good morning/afternoon/evening. I'm writing because I've been having unreasonably sudden spikes in my anxiety. I've been diagnosed with severe anxiety/depression and I've been on medication for the past 5-6 years. As of writing this, I've just been crying over a normal interaction with a teacher that normally, wouldn't result in me crying. My emotions have always been difficult to regulate and coupled with my lackluster social skills and 'strange' interests and behaviors have led me to believe I may be high-functioning autistic. How well I'm functioning is up for debate. I have no idea what to do with myself. I'm supposed to be graduating this year and going to university the next. Yet I can't compose myself at all.The interaction in question was just the teacher asking me to close my laptop. I immediately felt fearful, a pit in my throat. My eyes went sore and tearful and my friend noticed. I couldn't speak, I knew I'd cry if I did. I think it was the teacher's tone. See, I'm trying harder than usual to pick up social cues and tones of voice due to the suspected autism. So when I realised that the teacher was potentially ticked off, it shook me. I'd like advice, how do I regulate my emotions? How do I tell my parents without being undermined or told to just 'grow up?' (a common occurrence.) Can I seek help, preferably for free and without my parent's knowledge? Is there some other potential diagnosis in the mix? Please.

Loula Withdraws
  • replies: 3

I’m coming of an antipsychotic with doctors help. I’m starting to get irrational. I have a fear that someone is trying to kill me. I’m scared of people and being by myself. I know this is why though not true and it’s due to withdrawals as it’s a symp... View more

I’m coming of an antipsychotic with doctors help. I’m starting to get irrational. I have a fear that someone is trying to kill me. I’m scared of people and being by myself. I know this is why though not true and it’s due to withdrawals as it’s a symptom and no one is after me. but I feel scared that trying to go down on my medication was a bad idea. we have been planning this for 6 months till I was ready and to slowly take me off which os happening but the withdrawals are scaring me. im full of anxiety and very irritated. anyone relate to this or am I alone?

theo-m significant phobia
  • replies: 4

Hi all!I have had a phobia of a certain thing for over 10 years, and it has steadily been getting worse. It is related to medical procedures,and I become quite violent, so the only way I can have them done is if several people are holding be down, or... View more

Hi all!I have had a phobia of a certain thing for over 10 years, and it has steadily been getting worse. It is related to medical procedures,and I become quite violent, so the only way I can have them done is if several people are holding be down, or if I get knocked out.Mostly I've been able to avoid it, however it's been getting worse to the point where I'm having 2 panic attacks a week even without the trigger being present (ie. nobody around, in my own home).In the past (5 years ago), I attempted phobia therapy, however they requested I stop after 3 sessions, because we'd only covered about half an hour of the first session's material, and I was having multiple panic attacks a day.I do have an ongoing therapist that I see, however I'm hesitant to do phobia therapy with her, because it will transform herself and her office into a place of threat. I'm also worried about physically hurting her.Ideally I'd do it with a different therapist, however that means I'd go without ongoing therapy for my trauma and bipolar.I'm not sure what to do.Are there any specific support groups about this, either online or in person?(I've tried doing little bits of exposure, but even seeing the word sends my heart-rate rocketing and knocks me back for the rest of the day, let alone seeing a picture...)I feel lost and scared.

Fathiyma Used freak out when do things
  • replies: 2

I used have anxiety issues I was never offered proper medication but honestly it never helped, it eventually went away with only help from myself, the Mental health place I was receiving help in the community I was offered counselling but I started t... View more

I used have anxiety issues I was never offered proper medication but honestly it never helped, it eventually went away with only help from myself, the Mental health place I was receiving help in the community I was offered counselling but I started too late I already helped my self because I used wave my hands it went away because I had children so I had no choice to do things, I actually developed waving my hands after staying so long in the hospital when I came back home it was weird you would think I wouldn't forgot how to do easy every day things like cooking basic things, I remember I was too scared take hot food out of the oven, doing dishes was hard, just boiling needles in water was difficult it was like I was young again and learning basic things again. I know it's difficult how can we know how get better from Mental Illiness my best advice make it up as you go,try different things to cope, just doing something like even going to the beach do more for yourself, you can google free activities to do in city you live in.I treat my self that's the way go about it.Go hard, dream hard.Good luck

Katyonthehamsterwheel So emotional - I cry at the drop of a hat
  • replies: 18

I don't even know if it's anxiety related or not. I didn't used to cry when anxious, and I've had anxiety for over a decade, but now when I'm anxious I cry. But even sometimes when I'm not. Today I cried twice when people were talking to me. I've bee... View more

I don't even know if it's anxiety related or not. I didn't used to cry when anxious, and I've had anxiety for over a decade, but now when I'm anxious I cry. But even sometimes when I'm not. Today I cried twice when people were talking to me. I've been stressed a bit lately, but I thought I was feeling fine today, so it was unexpected. Anyone else have any experience of this that they want to share. Sharing can help normalise our experiences, but also if you have any techniques to stop it, or ways to handle it, that would be cool to hear too. Thanks

alexis123 unsure of what to do in life?
  • replies: 4

Due to my anxiety I struggle with everyday normal jobs/work, I don’t know what job to do from home that I’m interested in or that i can do, any suggestions for jobs working from home ( my dream was to be an author but for the meantime i need a realis... View more

Due to my anxiety I struggle with everyday normal jobs/work, I don’t know what job to do from home that I’m interested in or that i can do, any suggestions for jobs working from home ( my dream was to be an author but for the meantime i need a realistic goal/job) and also don’t want a job as I don’t want to let down my coworkers and job as my anxiety can be unpredictable,and i also don’t drive, any advice and help would be appreciated! Thankyou

GingerMegs IM Leaving the abuse
  • replies: 1

Hi it's GingerMegs I wanted to say thank you for all your support I have finally built the courage to leave the my partners house, I'm going my own place and be doing co parenting because things are still bad she did hit me once and made my mouth ble... View more

Hi it's GingerMegs I wanted to say thank you for all your support I have finally built the courage to leave the my partners house, I'm going my own place and be doing co parenting because things are still bad she did hit me once and made my mouth bleed I should have took a photo but I didn't I was in flight or fight mode, my health has declined so it was a wake up call for me to get out of there, my mental health declined aswell which what really woke me up I'm fight for my rights and my son's future, she is not treating me properly and like being listen to that basic level anyone I will tell more soon

Benb Anxiety and eye problems
  • replies: 13

Hi All I hope I can get some help please ??? I had been very very stress and super high anxiety for the last 4 weeks, which I am working through but my eyes have been playing up. I have been see eye floaters, finding it hard to focus in a bright room... View more

Hi All I hope I can get some help please ??? I had been very very stress and super high anxiety for the last 4 weeks, which I am working through but my eyes have been playing up. I have been see eye floaters, finding it hard to focus in a bright room at night, bright lights (shopping centre, work, in front of the Tv) are hurting my eyes and I my Finding hard to focus on sometimes but if I drive a car day or night it goes away instantly ??? Or if my stress and anxiety are low I can see as normal, ( it is like a cloud has lifted) ??? I have seen my GP and had all the check and test for the last month and all good. I had a eye test and I do need reading glasses which I should get next week. Just see if anyone else has had this ???

Mild1 Mild Anxiety ?
  • replies: 3

Hi All. I have been suffering with what I would call mild anxiety on and off since I lost my elderly mum late last year. At the same time my sister who suffers from mayor depression was admitted to a mental unit again. I feel like I have shouldered a... View more

Hi All. I have been suffering with what I would call mild anxiety on and off since I lost my elderly mum late last year. At the same time my sister who suffers from mayor depression was admitted to a mental unit again. I feel like I have shouldered all the problems on my own and now I get worried/anxious at the littlest things and can’t seem to settle myself back down into my “normal” life again. I work casually and also look after my grandkids, 1 aged 2 1/2 years the other 4months old once a week. I have now started to get anxious doing this because the younger one cries continuously. I don’t want to tell anybody close to me how I’m feeling for fear they think I might be “crazy” like my sister. I suppose I’m posting in hope that someone has or is feeling a bit like me and how you cope.

worriedandlost New relationship
  • replies: 5

Hi i sufferered from anxiety when my 23 year marriage ended , its taken me 6 years to find someone that i want to spend the rest of my life with . Trouble is she had a previous hard marriage and wants to take it slow which is fine she has always been... View more

Hi i sufferered from anxiety when my 23 year marriage ended , its taken me 6 years to find someone that i want to spend the rest of my life with . Trouble is she had a previous hard marriage and wants to take it slow which is fine she has always been open honest and upfront about her feelings and we are in a good place but i find myself being overwhelmed with anxiety and wondering if she will just leave (even though she has never said anything to give me that impression) i find myself waiting on her next text or call and get anxious when she doesnt , i spend a great portion of my day constantly thinking about her and its now affecting my work and friends i dont know what to do or how to get back to being relaxed me that i was would love some help as i dont want to lose this amazing lady