Anxiety

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is more than just feeling stressed or worried. Stress and anxious feelings are a common response when we feel under pressure. These feelings usually pass once the stressful situation has passed. 

Anxiety is when anxious feelings don’t go away and may not have a clear cause. If you’re living with anxiety, the anxious feelings may not be easily managed. Anxiety is a serious condition that makes it hard for a person to cope with daily life. 

3 million Australians are living with anxiety. Anxiety is the most common mental health condition in Australia. 1 in 4 people will experience anxiety at some stage in their life. 

Anxiety signs and symptoms

Anxiety symptoms can develop over time. Because we all experience anxious feelings, it can be hard to know when to seek support.

Signs and symptoms of anxiety can include:

• feeling very worried or anxious most of the time
• finding it difficult to calm down
• unable to control your anxious thoughts or worries
• feeling tired easily
• difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
• muscle tension
• sleep disturbances.

Learn about the Signs and symptoms of anxiety.

Types of anxiety

There are several types of anxiety disorders. Each type has different symptoms and is treated differently.

Common types of anxiety include social anxiety disorder and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).

Learn about types of anxiety

I internalised so much of the trauma that there was no way for those around me to really understand why I was moody or feeling anxious. 

Read and watch Nicole’s coping strategies for anxiety and trauma

Do I have anxiety?

You may be feeling unsure about whether you should seek support.

Our anonymous Anxiety and Depression Test (K10) can help you understand whether your anxious feelings are the kind of worries that will go away on their own, or whether it’s time to get more support to help you feel better.

It’s an evidence-based test that asks 10 questions about how you've been feeling over the past 4 weeks. Australian doctors and mental health professionals use this test, known as the K10. They sometimes ask you to take the K10 and talk about it with you.

Start the K10 test

Anxiety treatments and support

There are many evidence-based treatments for anxiety, including therapy and medication. Taking the first step in the journey to recovery can be hard. 

We’ve got resources to help you if you’re having anxious feelings, have been diagnosed with anxiety or are supporting someone with anxiety. 

Treatments for anxiety

Proven anxiety treatments include medication and therapy. Finding the right treatment and support can help you learn how to manage your anxiety. 

Learn about treatments for anxiety

Finding mental health support

Your GP can be a good place to start the conversation about your mental health.  

We can also help you find other support that’s right for you. This could include talking to our counsellors or helping you find a mental health professional near you. 

Get mental health support

Connect with our online peer support community 

Anonymously read, share and learn from people who are also living with anxiety.  

The Beyond Blue Forums is a welcoming peer support community.

Visit the Beyond Blue Forum anxiety discussions

10 anxiety management strategies to try

There’s a range of strategies you can try by yourself to manage anxiety.

These include relaxation techniques, spending time with family and friends, eating well and staying active.

Learn about anxiety management strategies

Working with anxiety

If you’re recovering from or managing poor mental health, work can help you to get better and stay well. There are things you and your employer can do to help.

Learn about working with poor mental health

Anxiety in children and young people

Like adults, children and young people can experience mental health conditions such as anxiety. As a parent or carer, it can help to know:

• what the signs of anxiety might be in a child or young person
• how to have a conversation with them about your concerns
• what support is available.  

Learn about anxiety in children and young people

Supporting someone else

If you’re worried about someone close to you, there are things you can do to support them.

• Talking to someone you’re worried about

• Supporting someone with a mental health condition