Anxiety is winning

[FionaMac]

Hi everyone. 22 years after being diagnosed with acute anxiety syndrome I hit the wall last night. I got to the point where I had to ring Lifeline - never even considered it before. The person I talked to was fantastic and stayed with me for almost 2 hours. Feeling frustrated and ashamed. I've tried to deal with it every way I know how. Tried medication years ago but it only worked for a short time - maybe the drugs are better now - I don't know. I also got sacked for admitting to my employer that I was on medication for it. Not sure where to go from here.

[Zeal]

Hi Fiona,

Welcome to the forum!

I'm sorry to hear that the acute anxiety has reached a peak and is so debilitating. I'm glad you rang Lifeline, and that the phone support person stayed with you for as long as you needed them. Your situation is not shameful at all; but I realise that this doesn't mean you won't feel ashamed, unfortunately. Shame can be an unwelcome emotion that just arrives and doesn't want to leave!

Being sacked due to disclosing that you are taking medication for your mental health is rough. Basing employability on whether someone has a mental illness or not is unfair. This doesn't sound like an inclusive and supportive place to work anyway. I hope you were treated with respect up until this point, at least.

Are you currently receiving any professional help for the acute anxiety, or have done so recently? It seems as though you have been coping somewhat independently, and that your mental health has recently taken a nosedive? This is distressing. Though no one really experiences anxiety in exactly the same way (or feels the same way), I can relate to being overwhelmed by anxiety.

In addition to seeing a mental health professional (getting a referral from a GP), having social support from family and close friends is crucial. Without the support of my parents and my closest friend, I would not be as healthy and happy as I am now. Just having one comforting person in your life can make such a difference.

If you want to know about medication options, ask your GP. If you start on medication, it's often important to learn psychological coping mechanisms too, so that you learn ways of managing unpleasant thoughts, feelings and emotions.

If you would like a resource to refer to, I highly recommend this one on anxiety: http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/infopax.cfm?Info_ID=46

This resource is about generalised anxiety and is not tailored to the individual, so definitely still see your GP.

If you'd like to talk further, you can post back here any time 🙂

Best wishes,

Zeal

[blondguy]

Hi Fiona

Welcome and good on you for having the courage to post too!

Anxiety is a vile feeling especially when it is strong as we have. My first mega attack was when I was 22

Anxiety is so common....there are many people here on the forums that have this blasted disorder

Please dont be ashamed at all. Anxiety is similar to a physical illness as its partially chemically based. Treat it as a physical illness. If your quality of life is suffering meds can be a huge help and bring you some peace.

I had anxiety for nearly 15 years....It is an awful feeling

* Firstly see your GP as soon as you can to start the healing process

* It does take time, patience and a strong determination to succeed.

*If possible dont 'fight' the anxiety, this will only intensify the feelings...

*Have rest and physical activity that suits you. Avoid being 'busy'

* Anxiety is like a tired mind....it needs to slow down...

* Dump Caffeine and avoid cellphones/ipads a couple of hours before bed..they only stimulate brain activity

I hope you can make a double appointment with your GP Fiona. This is a crucial first step

there are many gentle and non judgmental people on the forums that can be here for you too, no worries 🙂

you are not alone here in any way

please let us know how you go Fiona

Please be gentle with yourself

Paul

[Starwolf]

Good to meet you Fiona, welcome to the forums.

Kudos to you for reaching out and calling Lifeline. No need to be ashamed of something happening to you but not caused by you. Anxiety is a medical condition, just like diabetes or heart trouble. Because it affects the mind, people often think it has something to do with weakness or a flawed personality. Nothing could be further from the truth. The mind depends on good functioning of the brain and the brain is just another body part. When its mechanism is out of whack, it sends the wrong signals to the mind. You are in no way to blame.

I once suffered anxiety so am aware how crippling and scary it can be. I have found mindfulness to be a terrific antidote but...persistent practice is hard work. Western cultures don't tell us that the mind can actually be tamed and trained. It demands patience and perseverance. Downloading the Smiling Mind app could be a good start. It has helped many.

We're all different so react differently to medication. Often, meds work for a while but become ineffective later. There is no way a prescribing doctor would know what is happening if not told. It often takes time and several attempts to find what type and dosage suit you best. Dosage may need to be tweaked. Booking a long GP appointment to openly discuss your feelings and concerns would be a wise decision. No need to struggle alone. You may need to go on a mental health plan, including subsidized counseling sessions.

Your safety is the priority. Please take good care of yourself. With the right help and support, the situation can be managed. You deserve to reclaim some measure of control over it.

As for being sacked, if being on medication didn't affect the quality of your work, it could be unfair dismissal. It would be worth checking with your doctor whether your mental condition requires you too stay off work for a while. Taking time out could take some of the pressure off.

Meanwhile, please feel free to keep talking with us. The more we get to know your situation, the better we can help.

Kindest thoughts.

[Rhu]

Hi Fiona,

Sorry to hear you lost your job because of your meds. Please don't feel ashamed about your condition - we know what it's like to go through it. I've been having some severe anxiety attacks myself lately and I know how awful it can be.

Have a chat to your GP about it - there are many effective medications that can help you manage your anxiety. It can be a trial and error process but hopefully you'll find one that works for you. Talk to a counsellor or a psychologist as well and they can help you figure out some coping techniques.

Do you have any hobbies or something you love doing like music or reading? Try using them as a distraction when you feel the anxiety coming on. And have a positive attitude too! I know it can be hard, but don't give up, and keep believing that you can get better. Talk to yourself and tell yourself you can overcome your anxiety. When I feel an anxiety attack coming on I like to stand in front of the mirror and tell myself "I'm strong, I can get through this."

Remember you're not alone in this. Being able to talk to others about your fear can often help lessen the anxiety. Keep us updated and we'll continue to support you through this.

All the best to you!