Anxiety

[alien]

It's something that I've always had, it's new situations rather than a specific job. It started when I was quite young, we moved to Adelaide (dad was in the forces) and I just had this awful feeling for the first couple of months. Of course I didn't know what it was at the time and this was the late 90s so no one really thought much of mental illness. From there every time we moved, or every new job, I felt it ad it's been getting worse as I get older.

I'm studying again with a view to getting a more settled career. It might help.

would you say that you feel better when you have a routine that doesn't change much?

 

[GC_Gladiator]

I am leaving a job because of lifestyle factors that mainly relate to anxiety outside of work.

I am similar to Mr Spock, have lots of midnight wake ups where I lie in bed and just think about all the things that I might have done wrong or worry that I might not have enough time to get a piece of work for a client done. I was also getting a pretty severe case of the work dreads and found myself calling sick just because I couldn't cope with going in, which is something that I've never felt before. I will usually feel ok once at work though.

 

[Bazal]

would you say that you feel better when you have a routine that doesn't change much?

I was definitely much better when I was working in the same place for the long term, yeah

I am leaving a job because of lifestyle factors that mainly relate to anxiety outside of work.

I am similar to Mr Spock, have lots of midnight wake ups where I lie in bed and just think about all the things that I might have done wrong or worry that I might not have enough time to get a piece of work for a client done. I was also getting a pretty severe case of the work dreads and found myself calling sick just because I couldn't cope with going in, which is something that I've never felt before. I will usually feel ok once at work though.

I get woken up by anxiety a few times a week some weeks, it's pretty awful.

 

[JoeD]

Someone close to me also suffers from anxiety. Here are some things I've learned:

You are not alone - there are lots of people out there in a similar situation (this thread is a good illustration)

Don't be afraid to talk about it IRL - friends family workmates. In my experience there is no longer a great deal of stigma and much less people will tell you to "harden up"

Exercise as much as possible, preferably outdoors - cannot stress this one enough (did you see what I did there)

Cut down on alcohol and caffeine as much as possible - especially caffeine.

Eat as healthy as possible

https://www.davidlynchfoundation.org/research.html#veterans works for veterans and helped my friend

Lastly - Accept that this is something that might not be cured. Same as alcoholism or type 1 diabetes or high blood pressure. Accepting highs and lows as something to manage helps.

 

[Dogs Of War]

One of the other things to add is to employ some tools to deal with the anxiety. A book called the Happiness Trap by Dr Russ Harris (an aussie), let me get some tools to stop that cycle of having thoughts just running through my head and working out how to move past them.

Each person is going to have different things that work from them, but it can't hurt to try lots of different things and not give up when something doesn't work.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

Marijuana and people use to set it off for me. I use to smoke weed a lot to relax but then I started feeling anxious and paranoid around people nearly every time I was high. Even around my own family which snapped me right out of getting baked. Weed brings it on for me so, maybe stay away.

You're not alone Baz. No one is never really alone in this world.

 

[Clifferd]

Well how about this, 2 weeks ago life couldn't be going any better and then boom my girlfriend of 3 years breaks up with me. Since then I don't think I've had a proper nights sleep, all this combined with trying to my absolute best to stay motivated working full time (long hours). The only time I don't feel like shit is when I'm with friends and or family but alone it's just utterly shithouse tbh, to the point of not even wanting to go to the shops to buy food or anything

I've been thinking of letting it ride out for a bit see how it goes but it honestly isn't budging

does anybody have any sound advice on how to help a bro out? I would say the anxiety atm is severely crippling my lifestyle

 

[sensesmaybenumbed]

Tough place to be in sir.
I'd recommend that you really continue to make the efforts you've been making - maintain contact with friends and family, avoid withdrawing from the world by and large but you also deserve some mope time, just not too much.

If you exercise, this is essential to continue with. If not, I'd strongly encourage you to begin something, ideally social like a martial art, squash or running (yuck) with a group instead of solo activities.
Have you considered a visit to the GP? If you're on any meds currently, this is also a must. If not, a visit could still be a good idea. The winter blues are also peaking at this time of year, so vitamin D supplements or even a sun light that produces a bit of UV could be helpful to boost vitamin D a bit.

PM me if you feel like it, and good luck!

 

[The Charlatan]

Well how about this, 2 weeks ago life couldn't be going any better and then boom my girlfriend of 3 years breaks up with me. Since then I don't think I've had a proper nights sleep, all this combined with trying to my absolute best to stay motivated working full time (long hours). The only time I don't feel like shit is when I'm with friends and or family but alone it's just utterly shithouse tbh, to the point of not even wanting to go to the shops to buy food or anything

I've been thinking of letting it ride out for a bit see how it goes but it honestly isn't budging

does anybody have any sound advice on how to help a bro out? I would say the anxiety atm is severely crippling my lifestyle

I'd follow Senses advice Cliff.

Get out with your mates as much as you can. That always helped during a couple of rough break ups I had, they definitely take your mind off things as in my experience my mates wouldn't let me dwell on it while I was around them.

 

[ZEROMISSTACKLES]

Well how about this, 2 weeks ago life couldn't be going any better and then boom my girlfriend of 3 years breaks up with me. Since then I don't think I've had a proper nights sleep, all this combined with trying to my absolute best to stay motivated working full time (long hours). The only time I don't feel like shit is when I'm with friends and or family but alone it's just utterly shithouse tbh, to the point of not even wanting to go to the shops to buy food or anything

I've been thinking of letting it ride out for a bit see how it goes but it honestly isn't budging

does anybody have any sound advice on how to help a bro out? I would say the anxiety atm is severely crippling my lifestyle

I'd follow Senses advice Cliff.

Get out with your mates as much as you can. That always helped during a couple of rough break ups I had, they definitely take your mind off things as in my experience my mates wouldn't let me dwell on it while I was around them.

Agreed with Charlatan, get out with the boys. Time to yourself is good but not too much. If you're good at league perhaps play that or just exercise or a project anything to get your brain focused on something else.

I've been heartbroken too and it doesn't really go away. New chick will help big time but you'll still think about her and you gotta lessen that by doing something you can be proud of and that doesn't include trying to win her back.

All the best brother.

 

[Bazal]

Well how about this, 2 weeks ago life couldn't be going any better and then boom my girlfriend of 3 years breaks up with me. Since then I don't think I've had a proper nights sleep, all this combined with trying to my absolute best to stay motivated working full time (long hours). The only time I don't feel like shit is when I'm with friends and or family but alone it's just utterly shithouse tbh, to the point of not even wanting to go to the shops to buy food or anything

I've been thinking of letting it ride out for a bit see how it goes but it honestly isn't budging

does anybody have any sound advice on how to help a bro out? I would say the anxiety atm is severely crippling my lifestyle

Doing stuff to take your mind off it will help. Going out with mates is good, but try not to drink too much otherwise you can start relying on it. Don't work too hard if you can avoid it, don't do extra hours to avoid going home and struggling to sleep.

I find playing sport really helps, so much so that I've taken to playing extra LMS games when I can, so if something like that is an option it's worthwhile. Otherwise just try and be normal as best you can. Maybe get something to help you sleep, try some relaxation exercises (you can find them online). If you can't sleep, go for a run, play some Playstation, read a book...just get out of bed, otherwise you can lock into a pattern of lying in bed and not sleeping.

Lots of people get depression or anxiety when something like this happens...if it carries on, definitely see a doctor

 

[drago brelli]

All very helpful advice. In times like this have have to think outside the square and try a range of strategies. Here's one, I highly recommend you read the Souths forum, especially after a loss, you'll be in fits.

 

[sensesmaybenumbed]

Especially this year after round 9 and round 14....

 

[alien]

Especially this year after round 9 and round 14....

don't go there!

 

[maccattack]

Delete

 

[maccattack]

The thing that most helped me was this book by Bev Aisbett. Living with it.

Yeah I know, a book. But believe it or not it helped a lot with the self talk. It helped to name up the problem and recognise it for what it is. Reading this little book took away a lot of "Its" power.

Gove it a try if you havent already. Its a very short and easy read.

 

[maccattack]

Baz
You have a way out.
Drop the notion that your book is "rubbish and won't see the light of day".

Set a goal to have it published. Mo matter what. Thats the goal.

If its not good enough. Make it better. If it gets rejected. Improve it. Self publish if you have to.

I have qualifications in art therapy. Writing and publishing your book will be your own form of art therapy.

I did the same thing with music. Spent years thinking im not good enough but put effort into making an album and releasing it.

It can be done.

 

[lingard]

I was definitely much better when I was working in the same place for the long term, yeah



I get woken up by anxiety a few times a week some weeks, it's pretty awful.

Hi, Bazal. How are things going now?
Some well-meaning advice in this thread.
My two bob's worth. I'm a Clinical Nurse Consultant in Mental Health - so I know a little bit about it. CBT, DBT, counselling, therapy - they're all good. The problem is, when you're right in the middle of a period of high anxiety or deep depression, you can't do any of that stuff. That stuff is really good maintenance therapy - but not so good in the acute phase.
Don't be afraid of medication. I always reckon if you can get away with not taking medication then absolutely don't take it. But sometimes there's no alternative.
You mentioned anti-psychotics (and, specifically, Olanzapine). Olanzapine is an effective medication for a number of things - but it has some unfortunate side-effects; the most common being significant weight gain. I have seldom met anyone taking Olanzapine who hasn't put on a considerable amount of weight.
Personally, from what I've observed, a better medication would be Seroquel. In a dose range from 25mg up to 200mg at night. It was originally designed to treat schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder (same as Olanzapine), but has been found to be extremely effective in treating anxiety as well. Start low and go slow (start at 25mg at night and gradually increase until you reach the dose that suits you). No need to stay on it for a lengthy period - just while the anxiety is at its worst. And don't stop your anti-depressant/anxiolitic, even if you don't think it's doing much.
Anyway, don't forget, you are the expert on your condition, and any advice you get from anybody should be carefully weighed up against that. Mine included.

 

[Houdini]

I too have had anxiety my entire life.
As a kid I just couldn't sleep. Doctor put it down too "an overactive imagination "
This past year I have been severely sleep deprived. I don't get to bed until around midnight because I fear going to bed & worrying about stuff. Once I get to sleep I continually wake up.
This went on for months, then the pounding heart & racing pulse started happening There is no way in the world you can sleep when you feel like you have just run a marathon. I find it impossible to relax.
Now i dread going to work, dread going out & just want to stay in bed all day.
I have seen my GP a few times about it and last week was put on some medication. They are supposed to help me sleep and the first night they did, although it was hard to get up the next day.
The 2nd night worked well too, and on Sat I felt better than I have in such a long, long time. Sat night sleep was an issue & last night I barely got 3hours. Ifelt on the verge of a panic attack which is a new symptom.
And now I have called in another sickie at work because I just could not function without sleep.

I have another appointment with the doctor this week so will have to see if we can sort out a better dosage for the medication I guess.
I know my job & pre-existing illness are the main culprits, but even things like going to my sister's wedding last year freaked me out, cause I did not want to deal with talking to people I was unfamiliar with.
And being type 1 diabetic, I'm over the strain of taking all the steps to care for myself in the simplest of situations.
Even walking the dog involves testing sugars levels. Depending on the result,, I may need to snack first so my levels don't drop too low. Then I fill my pockets with sugary items incase the exercise of walking makes them drop too low and I have a "hypo". Then I tell my boyfriend what route I will take, my estimate of how long it will be & take my phone. All in case something goes wrong & aI need to call for help or he can come find me if I don't come home when expected.
Now times that by everything you do every day for the last 36 years it's just too much to bear sometimes....

 

[Bazal]

Hi, Bazal. How are things going now?
Some well-meaning advice in this thread.
My two bob's worth. I'm a Clinical Nurse Consultant in Mental Health - so I know a little bit about it. CBT, DBT, counselling, therapy - they're all good. The problem is, when you're right in the middle of a period of high anxiety or deep depression, you can't do any of that stuff. That stuff is really good maintenance therapy - but not so good in the acute phase.
Don't be afraid of medication. I always reckon if you can get away with not taking medication then absolutely don't take it. But sometimes there's no alternative.
You mentioned anti-psychotics (and, specifically, Olanzapine). Olanzapine is an effective medication for a number of things - but it has some unfortunate side-effects; the most common being significant weight gain. I have seldom met anyone taking Olanzapine who hasn't put on a considerable amount of weight.
Personally, from what I've observed, a better medication would be Seroquel. In a dose range from 25mg up to 200mg at night. It was originally designed to treat schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder (same as Olanzapine), but has been found to be extremely effective in treating anxiety as well. Start low and go slow (start at 25mg at night and gradually increase until you reach the dose that suits you). No need to stay on it for a lengthy period - just while the anxiety is at its worst. And don't stop your anti-depressant/anxiolitic, even if you don't think it's doing much.
Anyway, don't forget, you are the expert on your condition, and any advice you get from anybody should be carefully weighed up against that. Mine included.

Hey mate....haven't visited this thread in a bit!

All things considered I'm doing a lot better this year. I'm basically down to using the olanzipine as a sleeping pill of sorts when needed, it calms me down enough to get a good night's sleep (and makes me drowsy to boot). I did gain some weight but it's hard to tell if that was the olanzipine or just because I could barely function and therefore let my gym regime basically go out the window. Back to 88-odd kg now though having dropped to the high 70s through not eating right and then gone up to 100kg thanks to erratic and unhealthy eating patterns (I'd have one meal a day for a few days, and then on days I felt ok basically smash fast food because I was starving), almost zero excercise (having been a six times a week guy previously) and potentially olanzipine.

The therapist did a lot of EMDR with me and that seems to have helped for now at least. The big test will come when I next find myself in a situation that has set me off before, be it a new job or whatever. I'm also on the lookout for a new GP that I feel comfortable with because mine retired on me, lol.