Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety and Depression

[brobej15]

Hi all,

I am in need of help. I can't seem to find where I can express this.
I've had anxiety and depression before - through a few cycles in life.
This year alone, I started a new job (moved up into a leadership role) at a new school (I'm a teacher), got married, and currently trying to find a house to buy because we have to move out of the one we have now. On top of all the administration of life (being healthy, managing life).
The older I get the higher the highs and the lower the lows.
I just hope this makes sense. I started reading up on adjustment disorders and anxiety - I have been told I have adjustment issues by a psychologist.

What have people done to manage adjustment issues?
I just don't want to go into depression completely again.

[Learn to Fly]

Hi brobej15,

A very warm welcome to the forum and well done on reaching out here.

I hear you... As I age I also find I am less and less flexible with life changes. I sometimes surprise myself with the intensity of feeling overwhelmed and helpless. There are a few things that help me. I know it might sound trivial but I have learned to learn about myself and lower the expectations I have towards myself and my "performance". I think I have been used to myself always being well organised and having loads of stuff under control. But this has changed over time. I have less energy, not so strong anymore (physically), some regrets about some life decisions etc All of this impacts my mental side, too. I try to limit negativity and focus on today and the resources and strengths available to me like: now. Hope for the best. Also, break my future plans and work into parts. I know that they are going to build a bigger picture but sometimes looking at this bigger picture can be a bit daunting and overwhelming as I know how much work and stress is and will be involved.

[Learn to Fly]

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/personal-best/pillar/supporting-yourself/when-your-inner-critic-is-giving-you-a-tough-time

Not sure, if you find this helpful but I thought you might still like to read it...

Hear to chat more.

[Petal22]

Hi brobej15,

Sorry you are feeling this way.

I experienced a lot of change in my life and with it came a lot of anxiety. I saw my gp in this time and I was put on a antidepressant to help me to manage my anxiety. I also saw a psychologist.

Have you been given any helpful strategies for your anxiety?

Meditation is great have you ever tried it?

[brobej15]

Thanks, Learn to Fly,

I agree! It's nice to know someone is similar to me. I've always tried to be an overachiever - there's that fear that maybe my life won't be good enough if I don't do enough.
This year alone, I've had a few life-changing moments. I'm just tired and having more and more issues adjusting.

It's like all the great things in life are just a blanket for the amount of stress it needs to actually take them.
Like getting married; you have to plan it. Buying a house; you have to plan it.
It's exhausting. Is this really how we're meant to live our lives?
I wish I wasn't so gloomy about it all.

[brobej15]

Thanks Petal22,

Over the last 10 years, I've been on and off depression medication and seen psychs. They are helpful but also I get myself up and then I'm back into mental health issues again. I think I'm so exhausted from it all.
Going to see a doctor and get a mental health plan is on my list, but it's an effort to go to the one I have now.

I haven't tried meditation. My mind wanders from those things, I sometimes go to a sensory deprivation tank but my brain just wires itself up.

[Petal22]

Hi brobej15,

I understand the exhaustion, I had severe anxiety OCD this was a very exhausting condition I’m now recovered thanks to the professional help I received. My mental health journey was a journey it took a lot of perseverance and practice to overcome what I was going through.

When you are on antidepressants do you stay on them?

Have you ever had any real therapy in regards to how to manage your anxiety?

Please see your gp as soon as you can so you can do a mental health plan together this will enable you to see a psychologist…. Please do this for you…..

I highly recommend Meditation, with meditation our mind does wonder but that’s the point of meditation it teaches us to exercise our attention.. our attention is like a muscle and it needs exercising….. doing meditation is like a push up for our minds……… every time we notice our mind has wondered we bring it back to the breath ……. Ect

GYM BOX Mindfullness meditation is a good meditation if your interested in googling it.

[Learn to Fly]

there's that fear that maybe my life won't be good enough if I don't do enough…

Again, I hear you! Where does it start and end? I try to reason with myself and be content with what I have achieved and have presently but every sometimes it is just simply easier said than done.

Still, we just have to remember to be kind to ourselves as giving ourselves “a lecture” on “you should’ve” and “could’ve” is exhausting and leads nowhere.

Let us know how you go, champ.