Hi...new here!

[MidnightCoffee]

My therapist turned me on to this great site...Actually last weeks assignment was to make my first post and my next session is tomorrow...Procrastination is one of my problems!

Long story short, I'm a 40 year old dude that's finally come to terms with his anxiety and depression. There wasn't much of anything like this, as a kid and the mental health stigma was terrible/frowned upon etc. as Im sure many can relate...

A panic attack a year ago, is what it took to finally get me on this new path.

Anxiety and Depression has stolen so much from me. At my age, Ive yet to hold a job, build a career, move out on my own, travel,...

Hoping to learn from you all, and help out where I can!

Thanx

[CL3V3R-G1RL]

welcome to the forum! Hope you find your stay here pleasant and we will do our best to share our coping techniques and thoughts about anxiety and depression. We also here if you need to vent or advice. 🤗

[Dolphin14]

Welcome

Great work, you completed your first assignment

You are far from an " old dude" at 40.

You have plenty of time to work through your issues. The key is don't give up

🐬

[Renizzle2023]

hey dude! Welcome to the group. My situation was similar when I initially joined a couple years ago. I was 30 and had never worked or moved out on my own. Since then I have made a lot of progress and so can you!

[MidnightCoffee in reply to Renizzle2023]

Interesting similarity....What were your first steps?

Thanx!

[Renizzle2023 in reply to MidnightCoffee]

I guess the first step was when I started interviewing and found a part time stockroom job. My main struggle is social anxiety so interviewing was very difficult but I forced myself to do my research on how to interview well, got my brothers to do practice interviews with me, etc.

After that I gave myself some time to get used to having a job and interacting with coworkers, which I found out can be a lot of fun if you have good coworkers! I love teamwork!

After a few months of that I moved out of my parent’s house and relocated. One of my brothers kindly let me live with him for a few months. That was hard because it was a very small town and he lived on Main Street so I felt like I was living in a fishbowl. It forced me to deal with my social anxiety (spotlight effect) on a daily basis. But during my stay with him I got to practice how to live by myself, doing all my own chores and activities independently of anyone else.

The next step was to relocate again, find a full time job and apartment. I was very fortunate to find both in the space of a week.

None of this was easy but it didn’t happen all at once either. Small steps, one day at a time. And believe me, if I can do it, anyone can. Hope you find some of this helpful. 🙂

[MidnightCoffee in reply to Renizzle2023]

appreciate the reply! Sounds a lot like me,...social anxiety with the interview process etc.

[Settling]

Welcome, I am new to the group too!!

[MidnightCoffee]

Thanks all! Appreciate the warm welcome!

[Nothingnoted]

Welcome midnight coffee this is a great website great support group I'm glad he referred you here