Gribbley
29-11-06, 10:24
Hi. Just joined and it said to say hello...
I'm 34, a new (ish) father (10 months old son) and have recently started returning to work after 8 weeks signed off with stress / anxiety. Various triggers as far as my counsellor and I have worked out:
Work: Workload, increased pressure on deadlines, lack of resources, inability of me (and management) to realise that having a new family means I cannot continue to work the long hours required to hit previously achieved targets.
Home: Suffering from IBS for the past 3-4 years, new baby, just moved house, partner forced to change jobs just as we were exchanging contracts (eep).
Personality: Type A/B. I seem to want to take responsibility for other people's problems. I find it extremely hard to say no at work when I'm already snowed under. Conflict avoidance. Assertiveness issues. Naturally prone to wanting to help other people rather than myself etc. etc.
Things came to a head in early September, just after moving house when my son and wife were both ill (nursery bugs, dontcha just love 'em?) and I hit a very low point believing that I couldn't cope with my son (but he's a little angel, so what's going to happen when he hits the terrible twos, etc etc...), work was freaking me out, anxiety attacks before (and during) every meeting, looming deadlines, not enough time etc.
So I spoke to my GP, who was fantastic. Signed me off work immediately (the HR dept at work were also fabulous - although nobody saw it coming etc etc.). After a couple of weeks spent mostly asleep whilst coming down from the adrenaline high I had been on I was still suffering from anxiety attacks at the slightest thing, so my GP put me on Citalopram and referred me to a weekly Stress Management (CBT) Workshop. I've been improving ever since.
Recently started returning to work, and taking it slowly. A slight setback over the past few weeks as my father was admitted to hospital with a large subdural haematoma (more stress, anyone?). I spent most of my time holding my mother together, but coped a lot better myself than I would have a few months ago. He's out now and OK, so stress levels reducing again.
Anyhoo, hark at me rambling on. I'll shut up now. I know I still have a way to go, but the happy tablets, counselling and CBT are helping, and as one of the best things I've found is listening and talking to folk who are or have experienced the same thing, I thought I'd join this place.
Anyone still awake?
I'm 34, a new (ish) father (10 months old son) and have recently started returning to work after 8 weeks signed off with stress / anxiety. Various triggers as far as my counsellor and I have worked out:
Work: Workload, increased pressure on deadlines, lack of resources, inability of me (and management) to realise that having a new family means I cannot continue to work the long hours required to hit previously achieved targets.
Home: Suffering from IBS for the past 3-4 years, new baby, just moved house, partner forced to change jobs just as we were exchanging contracts (eep).
Personality: Type A/B. I seem to want to take responsibility for other people's problems. I find it extremely hard to say no at work when I'm already snowed under. Conflict avoidance. Assertiveness issues. Naturally prone to wanting to help other people rather than myself etc. etc.
Things came to a head in early September, just after moving house when my son and wife were both ill (nursery bugs, dontcha just love 'em?) and I hit a very low point believing that I couldn't cope with my son (but he's a little angel, so what's going to happen when he hits the terrible twos, etc etc...), work was freaking me out, anxiety attacks before (and during) every meeting, looming deadlines, not enough time etc.
So I spoke to my GP, who was fantastic. Signed me off work immediately (the HR dept at work were also fabulous - although nobody saw it coming etc etc.). After a couple of weeks spent mostly asleep whilst coming down from the adrenaline high I had been on I was still suffering from anxiety attacks at the slightest thing, so my GP put me on Citalopram and referred me to a weekly Stress Management (CBT) Workshop. I've been improving ever since.
Recently started returning to work, and taking it slowly. A slight setback over the past few weeks as my father was admitted to hospital with a large subdural haematoma (more stress, anyone?). I spent most of my time holding my mother together, but coped a lot better myself than I would have a few months ago. He's out now and OK, so stress levels reducing again.
Anyhoo, hark at me rambling on. I'll shut up now. I know I still have a way to go, but the happy tablets, counselling and CBT are helping, and as one of the best things I've found is listening and talking to folk who are or have experienced the same thing, I thought I'd join this place.
Anyone still awake?