Dealing with work induced anxiety and depression?

[Jack2021]

Hi guys, brand new to the forums here ,and haven't really used any online forums since the old yahoo ones from around 2006-09 if anyone remembers them..lol...hoping I don't make any huge online ettiqette blunders here 😂

Anyway I'm finally at a point where Iv'e decided to try and get as much help as possible, and as well finally admit I have been, and am still, suffering from what has been pretty much the worst depression of my life so far,

Basically it started out really slowly and gradually mid last year, mostly with anxiety, grumpyness, and general irritability in a job that had sadly "turned bad" after about 2 years in, finally threw in the towel and around the same time I had started counselling (though compared to now, my condition was quite mild)
Fast forward a few months, been through several casual short term jobs, each one seeming to harm me more than help me, the worst of which was a heavy labouring job which I left last week after it reaggravated an old abdominal strain injury (resulting in a constant dull pain..so yeah that never helps)

The other major factor that's made me a lot worse I think since Xmas/new years has been that my councillor/therapist has been on leave so I haven't really had anyone to talk to openly

So I guess the endgame out of this thread is has anyone else been here before?? Since quitting my job last week, to be honest my mood has improved quite a bit from "crisis" to "manageable", though I'm not kidding myself that I'm out of the woods yet...no idea what I want to do realistically yet, but really not wanting to work in warehousing anymore....lol

Also especially last week, there was a lot of talk of the possibility of trying "anti depressant medication", but I'm pretty against the idea, since I know there are side effects, and I know it won't actually fix the problems I have.....because when I really look into myself, I know this depression does have a cause and reason, the main one being "lost " career wise, and not enjoying work at all...also wanting to talk with my counsellor before going on any medication...the GP's I have seen so far have all been pretty indifferent and emotionless when it comes to anything with mental health...in my experience at least....

Anyway I'm looking forward to meeting you all and participating here 😊😊

[Guest_342]

Hi Jack2021,

Well done reaching out!

It sounds like a lot of things have been piling up, not giving you much space to focus on your well being.

I don't experience depression but have had severe anxiety. I am generally pretty good now but occasionally have setbacks - as our friends on this forum have seen 🙂

It's great to hear that you see a counsellor. I know the feeling of needing them and finding they are on leave. I was in a particularly bad place a number of years ago and had an appointment with my GP - who I still see to this day because she's so wonderful - but she had to call in sick. I was devastated because I had to go a few more days without her help. Just trying to say, I know how you feel in that regard.

You mentioned your GPs haven't seemed very interested - I think that's a sign that you should perhaps look around for someone else - perhaps read some bios of medical clinic websites and look for those GPs who have mental health focuses. You could even talk to the reception staff about the doctor to inquire about the doctor's key focuses. I have found it so valuable to find a GP that I click with and who has compassion and appropriate responses for my situation. I also went to a range of different doctors - some because they were local and convenient and others because they bulk billed. By seeing a few different ones, I wasn't able to develop a relationship with my doctor and I felt there was less care and interest in me. I've now been seeing the same GP for 8 years.

I know what you mean about medication - I felt that for me it felt like a cop-out and I also was worried about side effects or that it would change who I am. However, a discussion about my fears relating to this with my GP was really valuable. I won't get into specifics of medication or tell you you should do it, but it's definitely worthwhile telling a trusted GP (once you find one) about your worries in this regard. They may be able to address your concerns or explain how it works and decide - with your agreement - what is the best course of action.

[Jack2021]

Hi gelati 😊

Thanks sooooo much for that 😊😊😊 to be honest reaching out has been harder that I thought, because for so long I kept thinking what I had "wasn't really depression", but the worse I got, the more unhappier I felt, almost all of the time every second of the day, becoming debilitating pretty much...

But ahh that sucks 😞 I get anxiety a lot too (and actually had anxiety before my depression, but I would say the anxiety I get is mostly manageable compared to the depression which can be severe...though I definately get major setbacks with anxiety too

Damn that sucks...yeah I don't think I've seen my psychologist since before Xmas, which after Xmas and new years I had some things come up which made my depression just unbearable....made me think maybe counselling was silently helping me after all...

Ohhh alright that's an interesting viewpoint, someone else in my life actually was telling me the same thing (though it was just their advice with health, they hadn't really had mental health issues they told me) , but what can "good GP's" do for me that the iffy ones can't?
I mean I'd love to have a friendly and recognisable face to talk to about medical issues, but at the same time in the past for me its been just sooo convenient to go to my local doctors and ask for the "next available doctor" so I can just get booked right in as quick as an hour or two from the call....but I suppose I might have to change that.

With medication, I don't think I think it's a cop out, but I do worry a lot about the side effects , and yeah like previously mentioned, past GP's I've talked to are more than happy to just prescribe it to me right off the bat...wouldn't it be better to talk about this sort of thing with a psychologist?? Maybe I jusg need different doctors...lol

[Guest_342]

Hi Jack2021,

Yes, it is very tempting to just rock up to your local clinic and see the next available doctor. While i make no negative judgement or implication about their professionalism - I simply think that there are some things that benefit from a more developed relationship with a doctor, and sometimes it's important (for me, at least) to be able to book in an extended appointment at times to take the time you need to talk things through.

I had many an appointment where things just piled up and I was overwhelmed to the point where I spent a whole 15-20 min appointment in tears. I was initially embarrassed to tell someone about my experience and for being a 'cry baby' but, you know what, that's what they're there for.

If I can recommend just one thing, it's to invest in your mental wellbeing by 'shopping around' for the right 'team' to help you. While, as I said earlier, it's tempting to go with convenience and piecemeal approach, you're so much more important than that. Do what you need to do to start loving life again sooner. Life's exciting!

Also, if there's only a few good things COVID-19 has brought, one is the availability of telehealth appointments. My regular doctor is near my work in the city, 25 kms from my home, where I have been working from home since last March. I can still have appointments with them from afar! And I needed to get a prescription for hayfever last month - they sent the script via QR code to my phone - how cool is that!

Anyway, the choice is yours - hope this has helped in some way. Wishing you a happy week. :)))))

[Jack2021]

Hmmmm yeah I see your point here, but can GP's actually talk to you much about mental health issues?? (As in is it part of their job?)

I feel like with most if not all GP's I have seen the past 6 months regarding mental health, they almost go rigid and freeze up just at the mention of mental health, and just follow the script of things to ask for regarding it... Then straight away its either "go see a psychologist, or prescribe medication"...it's not always a bad experience, it's an indifferent one...which I guess is bad in itself because it makes me feel like the care isn't there...I'd much rather talk to my psychologist, even though after Medicare it's still a bit expensive at $60 a session, but I don't know of much other options....

If I was to go shopping around, would that mean registering my personal details with every new doctors clinic I visited?? To be honest before my mental health became an issue, I went to the doctors maybe once or twice a year, so that's really why I never tried to get a regular doctor I guess...

Hmmmm telehealth sounds great and convenient for things you know what the issue could be , like hayfever and coughs and colds I guess, but is it any good for mental health stuff?? For me I find chatting over the phone about that sort of thing a tad impersonal, I'd only want to do it if in person wasn't available I guess...but sounds cool still 😊

Thanks so much for the help and advice gelati 😊 wishing you a happy week too for sure 😊😊