Hi im new here

[SV6]

Hi im new here, I have been suffering with poor mental health for years. It has effected my marriage and my home life immensely, i have absolutely no friends in the world.

Yesterday I finally took the plunge and saw my GP, who has referred me to a psychiatrist. Im anxious that a diagnosis could spell the end of my 10 year career. In my line of work they dont take kindly to mental health issues (its a safety/liability thing). I have only ever had one job and the thought of leaving petrifies me.

I only have one hobbie and that is road cycling. But because of a workplace injury to my knee, i can no longer go for group rides. I still struggle to climb stairs and ramps. A few times I have tried to go out riding on a normal bike but i just get run off the road or abused by drivers.

So i guess that is why I am here... I have no friends, no hobbies and Im scared of what the future holds for me.

Thanks for reading.

[Feeling_Lonely]

Hi SV6 and welcome.

It is incredibly brave of you to post your first post here and I know how daunting that can be.

It is also super brave that you have consulted your GP and have recognised that you need help to get through what you’re going through. Although seeing a psychiatrist can be scary, it doesn’t have to be. It is a conversation, you are still in control and you are taking steps in the right direction to address what you are going through.

I’m not sure about the work implications other than mental health issues can be managed, so do they need to know about what you’re going through? I understand if it is impacting your work, but perhaps it might not be?

I’m so sorry to hear that you can’t get out and ride like you used to. Is it likely that with rehab you’ll get back out on the road? Maybe taking nice walks or other activities like yoga (don’t knock it till you try it) may be helpful.

Stay strong and feel free to keep sharing here. It’s a non judgemental place where you can just be you 🙂

[Croix]

Dear SV6~

Dealing with your mental health really is the right thing, as you have discovered such illness does permeate our whole lives. I can only imaging the difficulties it must have created for you to seek medical help considering your fear of consequences. I soldiered on in my occupation for a long time until I could not keep going. It was a mistake and made things much harder to deal with, unfortunately they are still not 100%.

There is a strong temptation to put career before health - for me that did not work in the end.

I can't really comment on your occupation except to say medical treatments are supposed to be confidential and the onus may be on you to disclose or withhold information about your treatment. That being said many people from doctors to police have continued in their employment whilst being treated.

Group cycling is a world of its own, with exercise, fellowship and an ever changing landscape. I can't imaging simply going out on a road bike by yourself as even coming close. Is being the support vehicle for a while an idea?

Alternatively do you think it might be wise to look for some alternative sport that has the same sort of advantages, or else a bike club for the less strenuous. I've no idea what opportunities are close to you, are canoeing, equestrian events, archery or swimming a possibility? There are just off the top of my head and probably very silly. I'm not trying to offer reasonable alternatives, just maybe get you thinking.

You would be in the position to select something within your limits that has some appeal. True, joining a new sport, full of new faces, can be pretty daunting but could work out well.

Do you mind if I ask what sort of support you have? You did say you were married, is your husband or anyone else there for you?

Please let us know how you get on

Croix

[blondguy]

Hello SV6

Welcome and good on you for having the courage to post...Its not easy

I understand your pain as I used to have chronic anxiety for a long time. The good news is that the symptoms do decrease in severity with frequent counseling.

You have done really well by consulting your GP SV6. The GP's have better training where mental health is concerned compared to the 1980's when I was reaching out for help......there was very little

Its admirable that you are proactive with your career as I have also been the same too. It is unfortunate that some employers dont want to understand anxiety or depression as it effects their bottom line and their workcover insurance if anyone made a claim

Just out of respect to you this is my 34th year with mental illness. It took me a long time to treat my health as paramount and my senior career role as secondary

There are many gentle people on the forums that can be here for you SV6. The forums are a safe and judgement free place for you to post. Your privacy is paramount as respected here.

I hope you can continue to be a part of the forum family SV6 🙂

My kind thoughts for you

Paul

[SV6]

Thank you for your kind replies, it feels silly now but I was very anxious about my first post. Also thank you for the suggestions about my hobby.

Despite my fear of unemployment, there are the bad days like today where I know that I cant keep going on like this.

My partner is away on work for at least the next half of the year, so it is just me and my daughter at home. She is only a toddler, so in between work and looking after her, the house work and preparing for the next day, there is very little time for me.

My in-laws are the nearest relatives at just over an hour away. I am very reluctant to see them because they dont think I can cope by myself. They check up on my every few days and text my partner daily about how they are worried about my daughter because they are convinced I am a mess.

As for sports, I do not know about what other else is available in my area. Im not really good at anything else but cycling. It makes me quite anxious thinking about starting something new. Driving the support car is a good idea Croix, I might ask if I can help with something like that.

Thanks again everyone I really appreciate your replies.

[SV6]

Hey again, just an update to finish off my introduction thread... Mostly because I realise how frustrating it is searching through all the introduction threads and being left with the whole "what happened?!" sort of thing...

My meeting with the Psychiatrist went well. He said because of my troubled childhood that I have not developed an adult capacity to deal with my emotions; and that this is causing a chronic Dysthymia.

I have been forewarned that there are many years of therapy ahead of me before I get to a better place. In the meantime I have been prescribed medication to "assist" with my road to recovery.

[Croix]

Dear SV6~

Thanks for coming back and letting us know what's happening, there are often times when we wonder how people are going.

I'm pleased the visit to the psychiatrist went well, finding one to have confidence in is pretty good. Just in passing while you may have therapy ahead of you that does not necessarily mean life does not improve as you go. Mine certainly has.

Do you mind if I ask if the work situation is OK?

Croix

[Feeling_Lonely]

Hey SV6, great to hear from you!

Im glad that you have been for your appointment and now have some insight into what is going on. Therapy is an incredibly helpful way to work through underlying issues. I too had a somewhat traumatic childhood which has impacted my adult life and ability to process certain emotions. It can be very confronting at times, but it is a process.

I wish you all the best on your journey and remember that Beyond Blue is always here if you need to talk, vent, seek advice or just drop by for some company. 😊

[SV6]

Thanks for your support. Job is OK but not great... I have been barred from driving work vehicles because the insurance won't cover me and my promotion has been put off for a few years until i get this "sorted" but i haven't been fired which is good news.

The medication messed with me a bit at first but now it has leveled out. Just waiting for my next psych appointment in a months time because they're fully booked.