Don't know where to start

[trs86]

Hi there,

I'm new to this whole anxiety thing.

Late last year (2019) I started having some health issues which I feel triggered anxiety. At first I didn't realise that it was anxiety. (I'm still not 100% sure tbh) this last few days has been tough and I've felt so mentally and physically low. My thoughts spiral and I get the physical symptoms, short of breath, rapid hr, shakes, sometimes nausia, sweaty palms etc... It doesn't help that these symptoms are quite similar to my health issues.

I'm 34, married with 4 kids (10, 8, 5, 2) we've had a lot of change this year, including my wife starting a new job which requires her to work away from us 4 to 5 days a week. Which means I'm solo dad most of the time. Due to Covid, I have dropped from full time to 3 days a week, now working completely from home. I don't have many friends and I spend a lot of time Infront of screens for my job and also my hobby as a gamer.

If what I have is anxiety I'm not sure what to do about it. I just feel terrible all the time and regularly find my thoughts drifting to worst case scenario. This is something that I never thought would be an issue for me, I don't normally worry about things and I'm normally very laid back and easy going so it has taken me completely by surprise.

Any advice on what I should do would be greatly appreciated. Thankyou for taking the time to read this.

T

[Sophie_M]

Hey trs86, Welcome to the Beyond Blue Forums. We're glad to have you join us here. It sounds like you're going through a lot at the moment and we understand it must be really frightening to be feeling this way and be unsure of to why. Please know that you are not alone in this. Many in our community have had similar feelings and understand. Hopefully, a few of them will pop by and offer you some words of kindness and advice.  Can we ask if you are you currently receiving mental health support, or have you in the past? If not, we would urge that you do seek professional support to help you work through these feelings. If you are not sure of how to access mental health support, please contact the Beyond Blue Support Service anytime on 1300 22 4636 or get in touch with us on Webchat 3pm-12am AEST here: www.beyondblue.org.au/getsupport If you feel up to it, we'd also recommend reaching out to our Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service. The website will be regularly updated with information, advice and strategies to help you manage your wellbeing and mental health during this time. You can also call our dedicated support line, staffed by mental health professionals, which is available 24/7 on 1800 512 348.

We hope that you keep checking in to let us know how you're going, whenever you feel up to it. 
 

[trs86]

I have never had any kind of mental health support in the past, I talked to my GP a couple of weeks ago about it who wants to check-in monthly, it wasn't as bad when I spoke to her though. She suggested trying some breathing exercises and seeing a physio to check my neck and shoulders for tension.

[Aphador]

Hi T,

Welcome to the forum! 🙂

Firstly I'd just like to say well done on having the courage to come here and post! Recognising and admitting that you may have an issue is a hard but remarkable first step!

Understandably, it seems like you are going through a rough period.

Know that you are not alone- anxiety is extremely common. 1/4 Australians experience anxiety at one point in their lives. On these forums you will find many others that describe similar symptoms to you (I myself have gone through anxiety)- I hope that we are able to provide a network of support in this challenging time. If you feel you are unable to talk to your friends and family about these things, there are many people on here who can help you to understand what you are going through.

I hope I was able to help!
Great to meet you!
A 🙂