Hello and help.

[Daniel44]

Hello my names Daniel. 

I will try to keep my story as short as possible.

I have been suffering depression/anxiety for around 10 years. When I was about 19 (5years ago) I finally went and got some help. I started on anti depressants and seeing a phycologist. When I turned 21 I don't know how but I had enough confidence in myself to leave my job as a plumber in Melbourne and leave all my friends behind and head interstate. I first worked at a couple of cattle stations in Queensland but only lasted a few months there.

I somehow ended up with a job at a remote resort in central Australia as a plumber. I ended up becoming the maintenance supervisor. I loved my job there and my life while I worked there. 

After two and a half years I left with my partner and headed to a job in kakadu. This was about a year ago and when things started to head downhill.

I started to feel sad all the time, frustrated, angry and anxious. I tried new medication but no luck.

In January this year I landed my dream job. Maintenance supervisor at a resort in the Kimberly. I lasted six weeks. I was so anxious for no reason what so ever.

I went back to Melbourne (currently still here). I'm doing plumbing again, and absolutely hate it, my friends that I had here are no longer my friends and I don't really feel like I want to be with my partner any more.

Im trying to save some money so that I can head back to the NT in the coming months but I don't know what to do for work as I hate plumbing.

I don't know why but my depression and anxiety feels so much worse now then it has ever been. I cry a lot, especially at work. I'm anxious about every little thing. I can't think strait and I don't know what to do. I have no friends here at all but I am seeing a phycologist again which I enjoy.

I just want to be normal and have a little bit of confidence. 

[white knight]

Hi Daniel, welcome

I have a ex step son that at 19yo got his endorsed license then coach license. He worked driving buses from the Alice to Uluru and return. Then other places as he moved around following "the dream". Just a suggestion.

There are many people that hate their trained job. They often switch careers. There's no shame in that. Is there a trade you are naturally good at?  Think about this. Also some professions are unusual. For example- have you ever heard a child say he wanted to be a private investigator when he grew up? Not likely, yet I became one. I had a security background and got basic equipment and knocked on doors to get work.

Confidence is a time and experience thing. The good news is you will improve on this. Keep up the sessions, you are doing everything right. And on your down days remember- you will feel better soon.

Tony WK

[Neil_1]

Hi there Daniel

Welcome to Beyond Blue and thank you for your post.

White Knight has provided a really caring and helpful response and I just wanted to back his post up.

Also to say that even though you were suffering depression and anxiety, you were able to build enough confidence within yourself to go and do things that so many of us would never even consider – let alone going to do those kinds of things with a mental health condition, so I say mega kudos to you Daniel, for getting out there and giving it a red-hot go.    You would no doubt have come across so many different places and people and the memories you’ll have obtained from those years away and doing that will be with your forever.

It’s obviously a place that holds very dear to you, as you say you care currently in the process of saving up enough to head back;  which again is a great idea and goal to have.

Keep on with the psych and it’s very pleasing to hear that you’ve found someone who you feel is a good match for you – that can be such an important step, to be able to find that kind of repour with a psych, so very important.   Together the two of you can work through your issues and contemplate goals that you need to set up in order to progress forward.

Would be great to hear back from you.

Neil

[Daniel44]

Thanks for the support guys, I really appreciate it.

I guess at the moment I'm struggeling to find any real positives. I wake up at 5am, go to a job that makes me miserable, come home and go for a bike ride, have dinner and do the same the next day.

What is/has anybody found a helpful way to find a new career? My head is so all over the place with what to do with my life at the moment.

Im trying to find some new friends while I'm down in Melbourne and maybe some support. Does any body have an idea how I can do this?

[white knight]

Hi Daniel,

Sports and hobbies. Dance and song.

eg volleyball, badmitton, line dancing, singing.

Look at your local area for these things. Wont be long and you'll have friends.

Tony WK

[Neil_1]

Hi Daniel

Great to hear back from you.

Yes, that can be an issue – the old four letter word that begins with “w” and rhymes with irk.  And it can be a big issue when you consider that for some of our jobs we do spend so many hours out of our day, our week doing this.  

I’ve written up a manuscript about my life, my own battles and so much more;  and in one section of it, I refer to work and the struggle that it can be and wonder how many people are truly happy in their own jobs – and yet, we must work in order to earn that other thing that is so important in our lives, starts with ‘m’ and rhymes with honey.

Perhaps between yourself and your psych you might be able to try to investigate alternative work choices – but I guess at the end of it all, is that you have a job;  which is also a massive positive – as I know there’s so many others out there who are searching for their own work, so it can be like a two-edged sword at times, can’t it.

It’s great to hear that you get on the bike and go out for a ride – are you a big cyclist?   As in, do you take in many km’s in a session?   I enjoy it very much, but need to get myself a much newer bike;  the one I have is away over 20 years old;  possibly more and the left pedal clunks when it goes around and has caused me an injury in my left knee – not good.

Oh and not sure what other interests you have;   but outside of cycling, there’s clubs to join, possible runners groups and not to mention the footy that is on down there and not only the AFL, but rugby league and soccer.

Hope to hear from you again.

Neil

[Mares73]

Hi Daniel I just wondered given you only left the joy at the resort in the Kimberlys 6 weeks ago whether there was any chance of contacting them & explaining that you had to leave for health reasons but are still highly interested in the position. Given it would take them weeks to recruit any chance this is a possibility?

You have more strength & courage than you realize.  I hope you will stay in touch. Take care X Mares