Advice on getting help, I feel lost and ashamed

[Aresisal]

Hi 

I don't know where to start but here goes. I'm not 100% sure but I think I'm suffering from anxiety. Somedays I feel like I doubt every decision I make and am constantly been judged. Wether it be driving and feeling other drivers are looking at me going what an idiot, fearing the worst outcome from a decision I make at work or home. I went on a work trip for training and was with people I have never met before and found it hard to interact for the first couple of days, even when we were doing the training and we were asked questions as a group I would doubt my answer and wouldn't respond. The trainer would go round trying to get the correct answer out of the group, and finally explain the answer and I would be sitting there thinking that's what I was going to say why didnt I. 

I've decided that I want to get help, as it feels like the weight on my mind is starting to bring me down, my problem is I don't have a gp and am unsure of the best way to find one, I'm not exactly in a great financial situation and am not sure if gp acess can help get me started. I want to try and talk to my family about it but feel ashamed. I know if I don't this downward spiral will continue though. I hope I have posted this in the right spot and any advice is greatly appreciated. 

[Ggrand]

Hello Dear Aresisal,

A very warm and caring welcome to our forums…

By your description it looks like it could be possible that you have anxiety…Myself and no one here are professionals at all….We are people going through our own mental health journeys…and trying to help people with our lived experience….

I am so sorry that you’re going through this…Please can I gently urge you to seek out a Dr in your local area and talk honestly and open to him/her about what you’re going through…Your  Dr, can then diagnose you and hopefully can set you up with a mental health care plan, which gets you 10 free visits with a professional psychologist who could help you manage your anxiety….

Please dear Aresisal, if you can..please speak to your family about what you’re going through…and never ever be ashamed of what you’re going through, with trusted and loving family members knowing how much you’re struggling they could be a great help for you….especially when you feel overwhelmed with anxiety and need someone to talk to….you are very welcome at anytime to talk here, you are not alone with your thoughts and feelings as many beautiful community members are also struggling with anxiety…I am also one of them….but with help from my Dr, then psychologist and some meds…(meds are not for everyone) but for me they are helping me to take the edge of my anxiety…..also with the help of a counsellor/psychologist, I have learned a lot of coping strategies to help me live a relative normal life….(if a normal life is what it’s called)….

Here if you feel up to talking….

Thinking of you with kind and caring thoughts dear Aresisal,

Grandy..

[Guest_9141]

Hey im sorry to hear you are feeling anxious at the moment and hope things improve soon for you. You could try to use the healthengine site on google to find bulk billing GP in your area and they usually will bulk bill for a phone appointment, face to face, most charge a fee. Your GP can do you a mental health plan for access to 10 psychology sessions but you have to pay for these psychology sessions unfortunately. You can try Someone Health which do online psychology totally bulk billed!! Also i noticed that beyond Blue are doing free brief sessions with mental health coach.. Take care x

[bene22]

Corporate work and finances can be a big stressor as it relates to our safety net. I would suggest a couple of things. First to talk it out with someone you are comfortable sharing it. Your company may have an employee assistance program which provides free phone consultations. Look after yourself, your mind and your body. Do some form of physical exercise everyday to release dopamine and serotonin and will improve your mood. Eliminate coffee and alcohol or at least greatly reduce it as it worsens the anxiety symptoms. Ensure you sleep well by using relaxing music, drinking chamomille tea, having a warm shower, reading a book. You need to do this daily and consistently. Look at taking natural supplements which can boost your dopamine and serotonin levels to combat the anxiety mood. Try to meditate daily for 10 min or at least pause to inhale and exhale slowly slowly for 2 min. Eat lots of vegetables and fruits based on their nutritious value and avoid any processed foods. The usual response to ailments or conditions is to go to your GP but there is a lot you can do yourself. the hardest part is the self-discipline but do that for 15 days then stretch it to 2 months and then a year and so on and you will feel the benefits. The anxiety may not go completely away depending on its causes like genetics, traumatic past experiences or stressful environment but you will start coping better and better and effectively manage your anxiety and control its impacts on your daily life. I hope it helps. Having an anxiety disorder does not mean you cannot live happily and succeed at your goals.