Hello - My First Post

[Hartnell]

Hi All,

Over past two years I have been suffering anxiety and recently things boiled over for me again. I went through some very turbulent times with my teenage son who had some very serious drug problems which led to several physical injuries which still impact me now. I also have an auto immune disease which will require another bout of surgery soon which I am not looking forward to.

Throughout this my wife has been great but I struggle express how I feel and what I am going through which is a cause of concern for her so she gets frustrated with me at times. We are both in the same boat but I feel inadequate when seeing how well she copes with what we are going through. Suppose I am the typical Aussie bloke who struggles to talk these things out.

I have a great GP who now has me on medication to help me balance out and from tipping over again. The medication has helped my sleep as was only getting a several hours a night as just lying there over thinking everything. In the past I have done work EAP which I personally found wishy washy, it might have been the counsellor (or the Aussie bloke in me) but I don’t think it really helped. I then went to a psychologist who certainly helped but I found it very confronting. My GP now wants me to see a psychologist again but don’t want to go through that just yet so thought I would try here first.

Typing this out has helped and glad that I joined.

[PamelaR]

Hi Hartnell and welcome to Beyond Blue

Things are sounding very hard for you. It's really good you've found your way here to the forums. Anxiety can be terrible at times. I've lived with it most of my life - was only diagnosed with it in the last 9-10 years or so.

Not being a health professional, I can't give you any medical advice.Though I am able to share some of my experiences in recovery and staying well. We are all different, what works for one may not work for another. I've found it's a matter of trying - till I find what works.

For instance, talking is essential to help me get to the bottom of what's bothering me. Specifically to find out what has triggered my anxiety. My psychologist is great in this regard and even though she can be a little confronting at times, but for me, I need that. My mind and body has spent a life time of hiding from things that are unpleasant. Over the past 9 - 10 years the shield that's been protecting me has slowly disintegrated. That has left me feel a little vulnerable at times, though, my many scars are healing and recovering.

My heart goest out to you. I can't even begin to imagine what having an auto immune disease and the prospects of another bout of surgery would be like. Though, it is clear it could be a great trigger for your anxiety. That along with having to manage your son's drug use and abuse. Things are not easy for you and being an Aussie male, of course you wouldn't want to let anyone think things aren't going to well for you.

There are many of you Aussie males who write here all the time. When you have anxiety, it is normal to feel pain and angst. It is also normal to be kind to yourself and to learn how to manage anxiety as it arises.

There are many self help tips available through our forums. There is one particular thread you might find interesting (no pressure though). It can be found by searching for the keywords - self help tips for managing anxiety using the search tool at the top of our webpage.

Hope some of this helps Hartnell. Keep reaching out if and when you want to.

Kind regards

PamelaR