Experienced Male Primary School Teacher new job riddled with anxiety

[Guest_9632]

Hello,

So this year my family and I made a sea change and moved to a new coastal town with a new job to boot. After working for 15 years in the same school where I was very comfortable, I’m now struggling to cope with the new surrounds and routines of my new school. I’m now on anti deps, speak with a counselor and booked in for a psych (September was the earliest!)

There is no doubt the big change of moving my family into new surrounds is what’s causing this anxiety and I do acknowledge this. I just can’t help over thinking everything I do and am actually fearful of what my colleagues think. I also now work in a open classroom with 2 other classes which is so foreign to me too. I’m use to my own room with 4 walls where I’m in control and can handle the surrounds. That’s all gone now and I’m at odds with dealing with it.

At the end of the day I’m trying to get help, speak about it, my current school are supportive and I have even taken time off. But I’m still struggling to deal with the anxiety and over think so many things, especially on a Monday morning. I just don’t feel like my older self all. No doubt changing schools at the end of the year is an option but it feels so far off. I just need tips to revive the pressure and constant anxiety now.

Any advice would be invaluable. 🙂

[white knight]

Hi

It appears you might be your own enemy. Second guessing what colleagues think is dangerous to your well being simply because you could be easily wrong. However this line of thought is akin to your current discomfort.

I'm that basis alone I'd suggest you chill and realise you fulfil a role that you are qualified to do. So, you are no less important. Besides that "home" doesn't come overnight.

My daughter was a high school teacher for 4 years. She ended up in psych care and never to work in the teaching field again. I asked her if she would have done things differently had she had her time over. She told me she accepted work from other more senior teachers that she should have not accepted (too kind), she was in a way too dedicated including not enough "me" time when not working and the last thing was that she admitted she was a chronic worrier (like her dad when younger). So her makeup wasn't ideal for the job.

With that last reason, in hindsight a job change and a return when her mind was healthier would have made all the difference.

I hope that helps. Be kind to yourself.

TonyWK

[Petal22]

Hello Guest 9632,

Sorry you are feeling this way...

I can understand with all the changes how your anxiety is higher than usual...... I know when I went through a lot of changes my anxiety hit an all time high.......

I had severe anxiety OCD I have now recovered from it thanks to the help of professionals....

Sorry it is going to take so long for you to see a psychologist? Is there another one in the area you can see sooner?

mindfullness is great and attention training for anxiety

eg with mindfulness..... if you are in class writing on paper... how does the paper and pen feel like? What can you hear? What can you smell? What is on the walls of the classroom... really focus on these things while doing mindfulness...

meditation is also great...

you can try to focus on your breath and slow down your breathing..

exercise is also great for anxiety.... I like to do mindfulness while out walking...

I was also put on an antidepressant to help me manage my anxiety..... these can take up to 6 weeks to work....

keep talking to people, things will improve...... stay positive..

just take it a day at a time

im here if you want to chat 😊

[Guest_9632]

Thanks for your responses.

I do try mindfulness, with meditation. This helps me get to sleep, but I still suffer severely from insomnia, and wake up several times a night.

Im Trying to take things day by day, it’s just I’m so exhausted. A teachers roll is relentless. Can’t switch off, at work especially in this new open space. Then things pile up, day ends, I get home to young family, dinner, then a pile of things to do such I have zero energy for.

Today, being Sunday, I’m actually going into work to try and catch up. This depresses me too though as it’s time I should be having with the family. After another restless night im also afraid of not getting this stuff done and likely to fall asleep at work.

I get that I’m catastrophising atm, I’m just so overwhelmed. I can’t seem to just stop and relax for more then 30mins, without over thinking something. I’ve been on my meds for 2 weeks.

anyway plessse continue to chat, it helps.

[white knight]

Lack of good sleep compounds problems far more than we realise.

The first post of My thread here explains some if it

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/staying-well/a-good-nights-deep-sleep---slee...

And Google this please

YouTube maharaji prem rawat sunset

He has many other videos too.

TonyWK

[Petal22]

Good morning Guest 9632,

Hang in there....... antidepressants can make our anxiety worse in the beginning but it gets better! Give them time...... they will begin to work just wait it out roughly about 6 weeks...I remember my doctor said to me things will probably get worse before things get better.......

Maybe go back and see your gp if you need to.... even if it’s just to have a chat.......

Anxiety had me waking up through the night aswell......It improves though....

I know it’s hard...... just hang in there and keep talking...... 😊

Don’t work to hard today you can only do what you can..... give your family a hug..... when my anxiety was high just hugging those close to me helped..

min here to chat to you

[Petal22]

Just a little something for you guest 9632,

I am not broken
Ive learned that the struggles
in Life weren’t there to make me weak.

they actually unearthed my strength, and in the places that might have broken me I discovered courage and my heart.

sometimes it takes the challenges to show us just how amazing we already are...

my mental health journey also taught me the above...... you WILL get through this keep persevering... you sound like a very resilient person Guest 9632...... keep going and stay positive... you will grow through what you are going through 💪

here if you want to chat..

[Guest_9632]

Thankyou so much for your replies, they mean the world to me.

So it's Monday morning (hardest part of the week) and I've stumbled out of bed. It's cold out and sleep once again wasn't great. But I'm up and organised myself for the day last night. I tried using some magnesium tablets last night, didn't help much, but will persist. Just need to keep moving and not let my inner thoughts take over. I've also got a headache and need to drink more water.

I'm going to check this thread regularly as I've found it really does help. Getting to sleep isn't much of a problem it's just waking up throughout the night. I so crave a restless free sleep.

Anyway having a cup of tea (have discovered and drank so much of it this last 3 weeks) and then my long drive to work (30mins). Hoping for a good day. Fingers crossed.

Please keep replying. Thankyou all.

[Annas1]

Hello Guest 9632,

I want to add to the supportive thoughts our friends have offered and agree that you are managing this super challenging period in your life with real grace and awareness. Social/performance anxiety and insomnia are also my challenges, and I really feel for you and appreciate the physical and emotional toll they are taking. I hear you and I really understand.

I also think you might be far too hard on yourself (it goes with the territory) and consider that, under the circumstances, performing at your best is unrealistic at the moment. Not because you aren't an experienced, dedicated professional, but you are experiencing a real health crisis. Nonetheless you are doing a terrific job of applying yourself to your role as best as you can, taking measures to care for yourself, and reflecting on how to balance these two important needs. I think you are brave and very admirable.

So the task now is to keep going - whatever shape that takes. Maybe that means seeing your gp again. Maybe it means some more leave or reduced work hours. Maybe you could have an allocated mentor in the teaching group who could help with the new approach to instruction/class management? Being honest about the situation you face is important to empowering you to make the adjustments you need. We don't need to suffer unnecessarily. And kindness, hugs, the encouragement of family and friends all help me.

Stay in touch, I look forward to chatting with you again.

Annas1

[Petal22]

Good morning Guest 9632,

Thats great you were proactive last night and had everything ready to go this morning........

I use to write a list the night before of every thing I wanted to do the next day and cross each thing off the list as I went through my day as I did them, it kept me moving all day and I used it as a challenge... I felt really good for getting those things done while having severe anxiety I was determined not to let it beat me....

some of the things were house work

going for a walk with the family

going out for a coffee with the family

ect

Exercise is great for anxiety aswell even if it’s just a walk or jog around the block.... I like to do mindfulness while out exercising....

yes drink lots of water I think that all helps aswell.....

your sleep will improve just keep persevering...... I too woke during the night while going through anxiety... this does subside and comes back.... hang in there...

Keep looking “ beyond the struggle “ ...... things will get better.... you are doing really well for someone who is dealing with anxiety.. well done

No matter how hard it is or hard it gets you are going to make it! Stay positive and keep moving forward..... 😊

here to support and chat to you 😊