New to all this

[gremlinrx7]

Hello everyone. I’ve been scrolling through the newbie posts trying to work out what to write here but then realised its best just to jump in and see what happens. So here I am.

Im 43, never married, live alone and no kids but im happy with that and have 2 kitties that make me happier than any kids would. I’ve always been a very optimistic person until this last month when I got sick with a severe sinus infection and then everything went downhill. I had to take time of work and found myself alone at home and worrying about my health and this seems to have brought on anxiety and a couple panic attacks.

Ive been seeing a doctor for the sinus and he suggested anxiety but because I think I can handle everything myself I told him I thought I was ok when I saw him last week. Since then I’ve had another panic attack and constantly feel on edge so last night when talking to my parents Dad told me to go back and ask for the help I need. Dad has anxiety and depression so he knows what he’s talking about.

So off to the doctor I go tomorrow. I’m scared and feeling weepy about going but also a little hopeful but mostly scared because I don’t know what this might be the start of. I fear losing the life I’ve built, my job, my house, partner etc etc. I found this forum and decided it was worth joining. I don’t know how active I want to be here but I think having a group of people going through the same things as me will make me feel safer.

[james1]

Hey Gremlin,

Welcome to the forums. It sounds pretty scary to be in your position at the moment and I totally understand that you might feel a bit unsure about not only your future, but how you can use these forums to help guide that future towards something a bit better as well.

It sounds like this is the first time you've been to a doctor about this kind of stuff? I find it just helps to be honest and upfront about everything. Since your doctor mentioned anxiety already, it sounds like they're familiar with mental health which is very good news.

I don't have anxiety but I have had panic attacks before and they're really not much fun. The good thing though is that given time and support, they will lessen and feel less scary. And when we feel more in control of our emotions, we can get control back over our lives again.

Anyway, let us know how you go with the doctor. I'd also suggest having a read of what others have posted, perhaps in the anxiety section, and you can even just drop in the social area to have a chat if you like.

James

[gremlinrx7]

Hello James.

Thank you for replying. Yes first time speaking to a doctor about this. Luckily he makes me feel very comfortable and seems to have an interest in mental health.

Sitting here looking at the other threads and yes I think I’m going to pop over to the social area. A chat to others sounds exactly what I need right now

[james1]

Hey gremlin,

Great to hear he makes you feel comfortable. That sounds like a very useful person to have around.

One of the things we say on the forums is that giving help is often as useful to ourselves as it is to the other person. I'm sure you have a lot of of experiences to share which would be beneficial as well. When you feel comfortable of course, but I just wanted to reassure you that we're all going through similar things and value input from anybody.

James

[geoff]

hello Gremlinrx, I'm also sorry for what you are going through and not knowing what lays ahead is very scary, just as the unknown is frightening.
Before you go to your doctor's appointment, can I suggest that you google K-10 test, it's a test which will determine whether or not you are also are suffering from depression because with anxiety comes depression they come together.
It will give you a score out of 10 the higher the score the worse you maybe feeling, but please do the test several times and at different stages, not straight after one another, then take these scores with you when you see the doctor. Geoff.