How do I manage severe anxiety? Going through a workers comp claim

[fire]

I have decided to join the forum to learn how you guys manage severe anxiety.  I am going through a workers comp claim and finding I am getting confused about dates, months - when things happened, when they didn't.  I have kept a diary but this only includes dates and remarks about appts, results etc.  I thought I had clarity of mind starting out to remember pain issues, but as time goes on, the weeks and months are getting muddled leading to confusion in reports, which is hard for the insurance company and others to understand.

I guess I am not as strong as I thought.  One thing for sure, I can't do this on my own any more.  I am tired and I can't come up with the answers to cover my errors.  I like to be upfront with things and honest, but my mind does not seem to want to play that game at times. My psych is on holidays and I am really missing her.  She is coming back in a couple of weeks.

I scare myself with what I have quoted as happening, as I can see I am losing a grip on the situation.  I have not verbalised this before to health professionals, but I feel from this point on I will need to.  It is one thing to read psychiatric issues in a report, it is a whole different ball game to say yes, I have chronic depression and anxiety which I am being treated for and it is shadowing my version of reality.  How frightening is this?

Reading posts from other people with mental health issues, and what they have been through with WC claims is really touching and makes me feel very humble. 

Kisses to you all - I will close wishing you a happy pleasant week ahead, and I will now start reading thoughts from those who have walked the hard road ahead of me.

[Jacko777]

Hi fire,

I am glad you have posted, I am sure many on this site will have support and advice. I am sorry to hear you are going through this challenging time.

I am glad you are reading other posts that relate to this, many of us have similar experiences and we can learn from each other. I'm not sure what expectations have been placed on you but I think you could wait until your psych gets back to move forward on this claim. Please know that you will work this out, it may take time and definitely support, but you will get through this. Don't be rushed, give yourself time, write your thoughts down even if they are muddled, like pieces in a jigsaw you can rearrange them once they are on the table.

Do you meditate? I hope that you might find at least half an hour each day to relax, focus on something positive, focus on things that make you happy and calm, exercise, spend some time in nature, these things will help to slow down your mind and bring you some calmness in the rest of your day. 

Work on one small bit of your claim at a time, separate the issues, focus on each bit with calmness rather than the whole consuming process. Love to you.

Jack

[Neil_1]

Hi there Fire

Welcome to Beyond Blue and thank you for being able to provide your post.

You’ve been able to come on here and provide your post, right?   You can instantly cull out any thought of you not being strong – because it can take courage and strength to even come here and post;  which you have, so I think you’re stronger than you think.

You’ve mentioned that you cannot do this on your own – and that’s probably right – because having to go through something like this (though I haven’t), I would imagine you’d need to have a very good support network behind you.   We can be that for you on this site, but I hope that you’ve got either a partner, or sibling or close friend who you can call on during this upcoming part of your life.

Are you able to defer any issues regarding the W.C. till at least your psych gets back?   Do you think she’d be a source for providing helpful advice to you?

It may not be shadowing your version of reality, but might be causing you to have self doubt about your ability to perform the job?  Hmmm, perhaps a bit of both.

I hope that another poster can come along, someone who’s been through this or who is going through this to give you some different aspects to your post.

I know on the Employment area on these forums, there’s been a number of posts with WorkCover issues;  perhaps you could go there and have a squiz through some, and may get some advice on responses there that may also be useful.

Keep posting though – we’ll be here.

Neil

[Taash33]

Hi, my names Natasha, I'm nearly 21 and I've battled severe separation anxiety for 16 years now due to a troubled childhood.

Ive always tried using natural stuff to help with my anxiety, for example, counsellors, breathing, relaxation therapy and changing a way of thinking. 

I've never believed in medication I always told myself I can beat this! Until now I have finally seen my GP and been prescribed anti depressants. I haven't started taken them yet as I only got them 2 days ago but I'm still unsure to take them. But I've battled for so long and tried so many different things that this was my last option and I'm taking it. 

its hard dealing with severe anxiety, it really stops you from living your life and being your true self. It's something I will always have and deal with but sometime you need that helping hand. I will only be on the anti depressants for 6 months to help the chemicals in my brain to level out then go back to physiologist. There's so many people that deal with anxiety in so many different ways but the one that's helped me the most is positive thinking and changing the way I think. Breathing is another one that has help. Trying to relax my body. I have a fear from being alone and something happening to me, so another thing I do is keep busy around the house and walking my dog. Light walking also helped me clear my mind and puts my energy into something better then working myself up. 

The main thing is, recognising what anxiety is and figuring out what triggers it. The more understanding I had when I was younger of anxiety then better I could understand how to control it. 

i hope I was helpful to you. 🙂

[fire]

Thank you Jack your advice is exellent

[fire]

Taash after reading an article in Perth Now about a lady who has had severe anxiety all her life, and has found Activated Vitamin Bs with selenium sold from behind the chemist counter to have really helped her, I tried this.  It is sensational.  Vitamin B is absorbed very easily into the system.  I was expecting this to take a couple of weeks to work but found a significant difference in 24 hours in mood and anxiety level.  Please Google MTHFR gene and you will see there is even a support group who have a deletion on this gene and have found these vitamins very helpful.  I didn't worry about testing for the deletion, just decided to go ahead.  Have discussed with doctors and they said it is safe to take and no long term damage.  Highly recommended for anxiety.