new here, so bare with me...

[Scotty_H]

Hi All, this is my first time to this forum, I have put up with anxiety all my life (just did'nt realize it until recently & far too embarrassed to tell anyone). I'm 54 years old and thought all this stuff happended to other people. To cut a long story short I have been sent home from work due to a bit of (what i guess is an anxiety attack). My Manager has managed anxiety himself (lucky bloke) and made me feel like even worse being sent home! I have far too much to do and will fall even further behind!!!  Sure I know that my heart feels like its going to jump out of my chest and I get uncontrollably shakey, but I can still get the job done! I live in a small south coast town of NSW and doubt if there is medical help I could really get. I cant put up with this any longer. I'm no weak willed baby but enough is enough!! 

Scotty.

[Guest_1055]

Hey Scotty

There is a lot of people on here that have anxiety issues, tons in fact. So you are not alone. There is factual information on this Beyond Blue site, about anxiety. If you haven't already found it, I believe you just scroll down the page.

Anyway I just wanted to thankyou, for your determination that seemed to pop out from your words into my own heart. Especially your words" I'm no weak willed baby, but enough is enough".

In appreciation to you, with a hug

Shelley xx

[Kazzl]

Hi Scotty, welcome. Oh I do love the south coast!😀

I don't know where you are of course, but I can tell you local help is at hand. You could see you GP, and there are services in Bega if that helps. Bega Valley Council has a 24-hour crisis service and counselling and support services listed on their website. There is also an anxiety support group in Bega run by the Mental Health Association of NSW, ph 1300 794 992. If that's not the right part of the coast, just google anxiety support service and the name of the nearest town. 

Otherwise, you could call the BB helpline 1300 22 4636.

I hope that helps mate, and please keep talking to us here, as Shelly said, you're not alone. getting help is so important, so please try till you find what's right for you.

[Paul]

Hey Scotty,

I get the feeling from your post that the embarrassment comes from feeling like you *should* be able to control this and because you can't it means you might be weak willed.

Please please please know that anxiety is not about willpower and it's not about control. It's a genuine illness (a bit like getting the flu) that needs the right treatment. When was someone last embarrassed about having the flu - it wasn't their fault they got sick.

One thing that is very well known about anxiety is that it can be brought on by being anxious about having anxiety! Anxiety attacks can hang around because of the anxiety about having another attack or about being embarrassed about an attack. It's like a bloody whirlpool!

Be kind to yourself, it really isn't your fault.

Please let us know how you go with finding assistance and if you need a hand with some more resources. 

Lastly, we love to listen. If you feel like telling us about your day or some anxiety, please do. As mentioned, we understand because a lot of us have anxiety as well.

Take care Scotty.

Paul

[Scotty_H]

Thank you Shelley, Kazzle & Paul for your comments. It's good to know I'm not going through this alone. Paul, you hit the nail on the head about the embarrassment of it all. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and not being "in contorl" as it were is not pleasant. So this forum has been a very helpful place to find. 🙂 

I come from the old "drink some concrete and toughen up" school, so I never thought I would be so affected by this as I have been. No matter how much I try to keep this under control does'nt seem to work and it frustrates me no end!  I'm trying to get a good G.P. at the moment, my doctor is a fantastic man but very much in need and booking him is like a lottery these days (Country clinics are very limited).

I still cant tell anyone of my family what's gone wrong with me, as I still have to see the Doc first, as for friends, they all live a long way away (so does the family come to mention it). I live alone here so it's better to keep this "under-wraps" until I know exactly what's causing this. 

I have a very lovely step daughter that's getting married in early February and I have to walk her down the isle, so i hope I can get this fixed before hand. I've mainly come to this forum to get options on treatment for her sake as she lost her Mum (my wife) to Cancer 7 years ago and the last thing she needs is for me to blow a gasket now, it would break her heart! 

You all have been a great help folks, thank's and great health to you all...

Scotty.