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Getting back to work?

LochlynContributor15 Nov 2016, 3:44 am AEDT

Getting back to work?

Hi all, I'm new to this and only about 5 months ago accepted and opened up about my problems with anxiety and depression issues. I've had been off work for nearly a year after a mental break down which had blown my anxiety and depression out of control. After traveling and spending most days and nights sleeping, I believe it is time to get back to work. Im curious as to how some of you approach this? And did it help with your MI? Your input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

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In response to: Getting back to work?

LochlynContributor16 Nov 2016, 7:51 am AEDT

Re: Getting back to work?

@Former-Member thank you! Yes I am very lucky to be in the position I am with work. My guess my colleagues suspected it after the chain of major invents occurring in a very short time frame. Once I accepted my MI and became more opened about it. I'm amazed how many people I know also go through it or has someone close who is.

Thank you for the links (they are certainly some topics I would love to look into) and introducing me with @Renstar.

" elevated anxiety. Going blank, feeling confused, procrastinating etc - all can be quite frustrating "

You're spot on! After frustration, I'm mentally exhausted. Then I just go to sleep.

"I wonder whether things like making the kids lunches and cleaning the house - while super important jobs! - don't induce the same sense of anxiety for you as being in a work environment and having to "perform" in a way. What do you think?"

I think the anxiety that comes from work is the potential to failing the tasks at hand. Where's at home preparing lunches, dinner and cleaning I can't fail because starting it is already a win regardless of the end results... because there will always be someone there to help if I needed it.... I think I've just answered my own question. I might organise someone to team up with me and get back to work. As long as I keep on trying i will only move forward. I can only fail if I stop trying.

You guys are incredible! lol

Thank you thank you thank you

In response to: Getting back to work?

LochlynContributor16 Nov 2016, 7:52 am AEDT

Re: Getting back to work?

@Renstar I'm definitely keen and looking forward to it. Thank you

In response to: Getting back to work?

LochlynContributor16 Nov 2016, 7:52 am AEDT

Re: Getting back to work?

Hi @Former-Member I'll let you in on abit about myself. In my years as an apprentice (electrician), while working on live switchboards our instructors would occasionally sneak up and bang on the doors to try scare us. Apparently the purpose of that is to prepare us to be in control if something does occur in real life (Safe to say that is now banned). I work with high voltage and often at heights with no problems at all.

But just under a year ago I find myself terrified to take out the rubbish because I had to step out my front door. I too was embarrassed and ashamed. However I've noticed most of what I ASSUMED others may be thinking are exactly that,... assumptions. And if it's not, it isn't our problem they don't understand it.

What I'm trying say is, you are more brave then you may think. Definitely more brave then I am. It's been a year and only now I've built up the courage to try. Don't be so hard on yourself.

Thank you for your time and honesty.

In response to: Getting back to work?

LochlynContributor16 Nov 2016, 7:54 am AEDT

Re: Getting back to work?

In response to: Getting back to work?

KurraSenior Contributor16 Nov 2016, 8:19 am AEDT

Re: Getting back to work?

Hi @Lochlyn
Like you I have always been open and honest about my MI at work and I believe that it has been the best thing for me to do. It's amazing how many people will open up about their own experiences. I have mainly found that most people have a lot more respect for me.

You have good feelings about your work and I suspect that your fears at the moment are related more to assumptions that it's going to be harder than it will be. Negatively anticipating the worst is rarely the case in irl.

I can see you returning to work with your head held high and finding yourself back in your comfort zone. Go for it. You can do this! Is there any possibility of returning to your old workplace? Why don't you give them a call?
Best of luck with re-entering the workforce. 😀

In response to: Re: Getting back to work?

Change123Senior Contributor16 Nov 2016, 8:59 am AEDT

Re: Getting back to work?

Hi @Lochlyn

You sound so ready to do this!

One of the things I learnt is basically to really slow down your speech when saying a particular excercise which I have pasted below. I have also pasted a link to the same place where you can hear how people say this so you know how slow it is. At first you stretch it out as long as possible (almost like singing), until you dont stutter then you slowly get faster and faster until you can master it. Once you have done that you transfer to other speech (start reading from a book in the same style) my problem is you need to practice this daily and I do maybe a couple times a week but when I start stuttering I remember and revert back to this style but not as axaggerated to get me through. The pathologist said to me I cant expect to get rid of as I'm 48 now, this should have been doen for me when I was a child.

Anyway good luck and see if this helps. (this sounds silly but in is a good mix of different vowels etc)

Anacondas The largest snake in the world is the anaconda. Anacondas belong to the boa constrictor family and are found in the Amazon Jungle. They usually live near rivers or lakes as they like to lie in muddy waters. They are not aggressive and will usually disappear into the water when confronted.

http://sydney.edu.au/health-sciences/asrc/videos/adult_m_1.mp4

In response to: Re: Getting back to work?

Unknown userMember16 Nov 2016, 10:53 am AEDT

Re: Getting back to work?

Thanks Lochlyn,
It's been 4 years out of the workforce for me...and the longer you are out the harder it is to get back in so congrats on your return.Im not brave,I have let life experiences condition me to retreat to my "safe"places because I got the strong message that the world didn't want me.Yes I had elevated anxiety and didn't know it ,didn't know what was wrong with me for a long time before I left the workplace .The workplace wasn't a good environment,so you are lucky if you have one that is.The "chaos"in my head was and always very strong.Yes I realise my paranoia gets the better of me,but when you worked in a small town for a long time I know what they are like.My psychologist is always challenging this but it is contributed by my life experiences.I was a very overweight child/teen/early adult where I suffered taunts and people's comments.I took it then but now I avoid people to avoid them asking questions where I have to answer about my life like"and what are you doing now?".I cannot take any invasion of my privacy and it triggers my distress and depression.The only difference now is I tell people off .Avoiding people is a exercise in itself I say "Hello"and that's it.Yes I'm not in a great place,sounds like you are however.Thanks for your insight and wish you the best.

In response to: Getting back to work?

LochlynContributor20 Nov 2016, 2:27 am AEDT

Re: Getting back to work?

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