Chronic Anxiety

[Cold1369]

Hi long time reader first time poster.
I have been suffering with mild anxiety for about 15 years personally I think it's career related initially however almost 4yrs ago , it has become a chronic problem. I have taken medication for the anxiety and in some ways it helps in the short term. However it just sits in the background waiting to attack me again. My last major issue started over a year ago. It started with brain fog and slowly over the next 4 months just got worse. I struggled to properly function. I finally went back to my GP and three different meds later I felt stronger however I was short tempered and agitated. This has been slowly getting worse and I only realized how bad things were when I blasted my son for no reason. I think the meds I'm on made me worse.
I am presently extremely anxious and am worried that this my agitated state etc is affecting my employment. I'm FIFO and desperately looking forward to getting back to my GP to change my meds back to one I took back in 2016.
Anxiety has changed my life and I'm sick of it ,it has cost me promotion ,affected relationships, made me agitated, fearful and now I'm concerned it effecting my career.
I really want to get myself right. I know I need more time , I would like to take an extended break but fear , telling my employer about my condition will make things worse being fifo doesn't help. The loneliness makes it worse

[White_Rose]

Dear Cold1369

Hello and welcome to the forum. I am sorry to learn you have having such a hard time. Anxiety can be hard to live with, especially when it reappears when least expected.

The difficulty with medication is that it does not usually 'cure' anyone. This is my personal view. In my opinion meds can be a tremendous help to keep us on an even keel and allow us to focus on the problem and more importantly learn how to manage and control the anxiety, or other mental health problem. It seems to me if doctors prescribe these meds when someone first becomes anxious they often work because the patient feels better quite soon and can work out management processes. Your anxiety has been bothering you for a long time, going up and down in line with your life events.

I have tried a number of meds for depression. None of them worked or had horrendous side effects until a few years ago I tried a completely different medication, prescribed by my doctor. At the same time I had to work through my issues to understand the hows and whys of my depression. It took a while. I also had to change my ideas about mental health meds. I don't know if anyone else thinks or thought as I did initially. I believed the meds would 'cure me' in the same manner as taking an antibiotic for an infection. Hmmm.

What is your goal for this anxiety? It is worthwhile to think what you want to happen. It may involve meds and/or therapy. Both can be touchy topics. Many people refuse meds because they believe it will cause other problems. Therapy can be regarded with suspicion because 'I'm not crazy'. Well of course neither statement is correct.

Have you thought of seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist? I put both therapists as there are more financial consequences to see a psychologist. Medicare will give rebates for only ten visits per year whereas all psychiatrist visits have a Medicare rebate. Good idea to talk to your GP about this. The second advantage with a psychiatrist is that they can prescribe meds and often have a greater knowledge of them than a GP.

I understand your dilemma with FIFO. Is this a fortnightly rotation? You can see the therapist when you are home.

Love to know what you think.

Mary

[Cold1369]

Thank you Mary,

I do month on, month off.
I have seen a psychologist this year and to be honest didn't get alot out of it.
You are correct it's not cheap, nor are the meds I'm presently taking. No doubt these meds have affected me, just not the same person although they did help with the anxiety. But I think lost their zing. I am prepared to see anyone to improve. I'm not quite sure how an extended period off ,my rights to privacy etc.

[White_Rose]

Hello Cold

Just about to log off but saw your reply and thought I would answer.

Therapists, of whatever type, are all individuals. You 'click' with some and not others. My main objection is the very limited time you get without paying a lot of money to a psychologist.

I'm not sure about meds losing their zing but this is something to discuss with the psych. I know some people feel their meds are no longer working efficiently but there is not the contrast in mood between taking meds or not.It can be the meds have done their job and you are less stressed etc but still think of yourself as unwell. Getting some insight into your moods and feelings is a good way to look at this. Gradual changes need a good look before saying the meds don't work.

I cannot see why you would need to have time off work to see a psych. I know a month can seem a long time but on your month off there is the opportunity to see the psych several times. Sometimes a psych will talk via Skype. You could ask about this.

This would take the pressure off disclosing the reason you want time off. I suggest you get on to your state's Industrial Relations people to find out when or if you need to disclose information about any illness. I think you only need a medical certificate which can say you have 'a medical condition'.

If the psych feels you need time off he/she can give you the medical certificate as above. It may be you need to disclose your medical condition if it is likely to make your workplace unsafe. e.g. working with machinery but subject to seizures. Again it depends on your state legislation. However your employer should give you a different job where you will be safe. It's a long time since I worked in this area and I know the legislation has changed. You can read the appropriate Acts on line which may help.

I hope this has given you something to consider.

Mary