New and struggling

[Katey1]

Hi i am now at a point where I need to talk but don't know who to talk too. So my husband has depression and has good days and bad. he then starts drinking to much which is hard to deal with when I work full-time. I then have a sister who has attempted suicide and also gone missing on a few occasions but will not get help this puts stress on my mother who doesn't know what to do so she calls me and I try to help her. Then there is me my anxiety is impacting my health I am sad and going to work is a nightmare due to being spoken to like dirt with no respect. I am feeling sad teary and anxious on edge at work and now I don't know what to do.. I don't know how to cope. I am on medication for anxiety but have had 2 panic attacks recently

[Doolhof]

Hi Katey

Welcome to the community here at Beyond Blue. Thanks for sharing what you are going through right now. It must be tough trying to find the strength and effort to carry on working with everything that is happening in your life right now.

I am so pleased that you have found your way to this forum and hope you gain understanding, help and assistance to deal with all the issues you have right now.

If you look at this site, you will find different sections relating to depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts as well. I am not sure if it will help you right now to read any of those posts, but reading the information provided on this site will be very beneficial.

There is a section telling you where you can get support, information on how to support people who are suffering from mental health issues and so much more.

I would also like to suggest that you try the telephone help line on 1300 22 4636 or Life Line. I have used these numbers a few times and find the people answering the phone to be very helpful.

Some of the information you find here might help your Mum, husband and sister as well.

Please know that the people who respond here, like me, are usually fellow sufferers of mental health. We are not experts, but we understand and we care.

Do you have a Dr whom you can go and talk to? You may be able to book a double appointment so you have time to talk about how you are feeling.

Regarding the issues at your work, is there a Human Resource person or a supervisor whom you can talk to regarding how you are being treated?

I certainly know that when you are depressed and stressed it is hard to find pleasant things to do, but if you can find three things to be thankful for each day, it might help you to see a little bit of good in a world that appears so hard for you at present.

This is a long post! Just wanting to try to help and encourage you. You are not alone.

Please feel free to share more of how you are feeling and maybe try to add one nice thing that happened today.

Not always easy I know!

Cheers for now from Mrs. Dools

[white knight]

Hi Katey, welcome

Seems to me you are the backbone of your family. Everyone depends on you and that's fine, except you are living on the brink and that isn't sustainable. Prevention is better than cure, so avoidance of any worsening of your mental health is really important at this time. If not and your mind collapses you wont be any good for anyone and yourself.

You need to find a remedy and it is my own opinion based on several situations like yours over many years. Being radical with your life isn't easy but sometimes chugging along the same old way with fingers crossed has no future.

The first thing to do is to talk to your mum. She likely has friends and other family members she can lean on, tell her you are not well and need to step back for some self preservation.

Your husbands drinking problem is more difficult. I will leave that to a few of our other champions or members that are more experienced than I. This one might help a little (google) "Topic: talking to men, some tips- beyondblue"

I wrote an article that might help- google this "Topic: when all else fails what can you do?- be radical- beyondblue"  That thread depicts the radical change you might need to undertake to save your lifestyle and find new energy in changes.

Your anxiety. I've written and other here have written many articles on this annoying condition that can lead to many other health problems. There are these threads- "Topic: the balance of your life- beyondblue" , "Topic: the best praise you'll ever get- beyondblue" 

As far as your work issues are concerned try these- "Topic: Depression and toxic people- beyondblue" , "Topic: Wit- the only answer for torment- beyondblue"

Hope they help. Glad you are here.

Tony WK