Hi, this is new to me

[Andre92]

Hey guys, new here.

I'm a single bloke in my late 20s heading towards my 30s and find myself dealing with the pressures of work and family expectations. This week really triggered my anxiety and stress. Tiring that I have to muster the energy to manage my team at work and tiring that i have to deal with my parents setting up these suitors for me.

I've always been an anxious person and to tend to overthink things. My family and friends tell me its just stress and to relax but they don't understand what i feel all the time.

Its hard for me to explain but there are days where i ask myself what am i doing with my life, what can't I do this or be good enough. And sometimes i just feel empty and tired from all of it.

[Fliptheswitch]

Hi Andre92 and welcome!
Sorry to hear of your current situation. I myself can relate (as many others here will also) to what you are currently experiencing. Great job in reaching out! If I can give one piece of advice it’s listen to what you are feeling and don’t be afraid to seek help. I too am a over thinker and for years dismissed the signs that I needed help. People always told me it’s just stress, work, life etc and I had pretty much convinced myself too until recently it all caught up and I found myself asking the same questions as you. This sparked me into action (after a bit of convincing) to see my gp and to open up about my mental health. This wasn’t easy but it’s nice to know there is help and various options for treatment. I can now say after 6 weeks medication has definitely helped ease my anxiety and depression and therapy is the next step to help equip myself with the tools to manage in the future.

I hope this helps and wishing you all the best on your journey.

[Gabs_]

Hi Andre92,

Welcome to the BB online forum. Please know that you are not alone - you're amongst (anxious) friends here. It sounds like you have a bit of pressure on at the moment - have you thought about speaking to someone, whether it be a friend, GP, psychologist or the Beyond Blue team (1300 22 4636)? You can also check out the anxiety resources on the BB website, which might be of some assistance.

From one anxious person to another, anxious thoughts so often have a way of escalating (and seeming so much worse) when you keep them in your head. For so long, I kept a lot of my thoughts to myself, and only once I started seeing my psychologist regularly, were we able to challenge some of the narrative in my head and be able to stop and question them. Unfortunately, our brains can be pretty good at providing a narrative that isn't true, but it's only once you get them out of your head, that you go "what does the evidence say; is that an accurate representation of what is going on?". You could always trying journaling too - I always rolled my eyes at my psychologist when she suggested it, but then I tried it (reluctantly) and it ACTUALLY helps.

The BB team on the phoneline are great (as are Lifeline), otherwise speaking to your GP and getting a referral to a psychologist might be a good solution for you. Your GP could also consider anxiety medication that could help whilst you are going through this rough patch (in conjunction with doing the work with a psychologist).

It might also be an idea to take a little break (even if you can't go anywhere due to COVID) and have a few days off work to give yourself some self-care; whether it be a bath (baths are life), going for a hike in nature, heading down to the local dog park to watch them be all carefree and silly, or having a good sleep in and sitting down with a book you've been wanting to read. Having rest- ACTUAL proper rest, can be so healing. And being away from being so productive at work and having to deal with staff, is also good for the soul.

Please take care and know that we are here if you want to chat more,

G