Anxiety; past, present and future

[edroz]

Hi all,

 My case is quite complex not based on a single moment of my life or issue. I came to Australia looking for a better future, my country has no opportunities for young people and I had to pack up and find a place to settle and be happy. I landed in Melbourne and after few tough moments  a company sponsored my visa to work in a small town and I worked over there for 4 years.

 The anxiety started very early when I found myself in a small place and a manager who was "juicing me" using the pretext "work hard or you lose your job and your visa". Luckily this person was gone after 12 months and I also met my current partner. Over these 4 years my company started to make redundancies which cause me a lot of stress, if I lose my job I lose my visa and I've been almost 3 years with this around my head. At the same time I started to work almost FIFO to supervise overseas projects and I did not have enough time to socialize and have a normal lifestyle.

 At the end of the day I got my residency (it was a very challenging process with my company, it took them 8 months to take the decision) and I even got a promotion and a payrise but the started to cut more people and resources and I ended in a loop of 50-60 hours a week work plus traveling. My job is quite technical, stressful and mistakes cost a lot of money and it can kill people and they put on my shoulder 3 people work load with the stress associated.

 Around 4 months ago I had a panic attack at work, I collapsed and I was unwilling to tackle a very easy problem and I just left the office and went home. The company decided to put me on psychological treatment, reduce the traveling but they did not reduce the workload. After an extensive assessment with my partner I did resign and found a total different job in hospitality. Working in a different industry like hospitality or services are highly exposed to people and I might feel better I thought and I was correct, I worked in a local pub just next home for few weeks and I really felt awesome. 

Just 2 weeks after this new job, a client who knew that I left referred me for a position in his company and I got the job and I start the 1st of February. Why I feel with anxiety now is mainly for three reasons; moving is always troublesome, my contract is for a permanent position but 6 months probationary period and my partner is moving with me which is awesome but it put a little bit of extra pressure on me. 

[edroz]

Sorry I did not finish above.

I went to the GP Today seeking for help and what he recommend it is to take it easy, seek for help in my new company and request the local GP in Melbourne for a mental health support if required. My partner is doing a great job supporting me and also few of my closest friends are on top of that but yesterday I started packing and it did have a little bit of up and downs emotions.

I would love to know any tips or support to stop thinking always in the worst scenario. Example, I have always in my mind that I will not pass the 6 months period or that my partner gets sick home. That is always around my head and it is quite stressful.

Thank you

[Mummybee]

Hi Edroz,

Always thinking the worst case scenario is a classic sign of anxiety and GAD.

Have a look at some of the great information here on Beyond Blue about anxiety and Generalised Anxiety Disorder, There are heaps of tips and advice about self talk and how you can help yourself on a day to day basis. Get in touch with a GP when you move and if youre still having problems, ask for a mental health care plan that will give you access to a mental health professional to help you further.

Good Luck, and keep us posted.

Mummybee

[edroz]

Thank you very much for your support, apologies for my late response but I've been with no internet. I used to be a very positive person but the last 4 years experience has been a nightmare and I ended in this negative loop, I've seen very talented people losing their job and I couldn't manage that at all probably because where I come from losing your job means 12 to 20 months unemployment.

I've followed your recommendations and I installed the app Breathe in my phone, it is a powerful free tool which really helped me yesterday during a small crisis. It was so good that I even felt sleep with the phone next to me. Another thing that I did yesterday was to talk openly to my new employee who really supported me, they understand that I am moving interstate and there is an "ups and down" emotional process but they really told me that they have a 12 weeks plan for me to start with very easy work to ensure that I can take some time off to adapt to new city and spend time with my partner.

 Work and new city looks okay, I think that the most worry thing is about starting a family soon. I do want to have a kid with my partner but I want to ensure that a baby grows in a positive environment and I think that I am too negative.

As soon as I am fully set up over there I will visit the GP for extra support.

[Neil_1]

Hi there Edroz

Welcome to Beyond Blue and thank you for providing your post.

It’s been awesome that you’ve had Mummybee come by and provide you with a very helpful and excellent response to you.

I’m hearing you say the word negative, but from so much of what I read, I’m pulling many positives from your post – which is something to really draw on.

It’s been great that you’ve been able to speak to your new employer about your situation and that they are being very supportive of you.

On this particular site, at the top of the column, you’ll also see a thread which was started by AGrace with the topic of “Self-help tips for managing anxiety”.  I think if you can scroll your way through this thread, it could give you a lot of different and helpful techniques that you may be able to use.

Kind regards

Neil