New to the group

[Ell64]

Hello I am Ell64 and my struggle is with anxiety and depression. My anxiety is mostly work related, and started when I was a young child which was then social anxiety. I still have social anxiety in certain situations. Any way, I'm happy to see there is a support group for such a horrible sickness to suffer from.

[Lostjoy]

Hi Ell64,

I agree it is really good to have a place to come and talk without being judged. I haven’t suffered my whole life, just the last 6 years or so, but it has been brutal.

Where are you from, and what do you do?

[Ell64 in reply to Lostjoy]

I live in Tampa Bay and don't laugh, but I am a mental health counselor and when I work that is about the only time I don't feel any anxiety and I totally focus on the person in front of me. I love my work just not working for other people.

[Lostjoy in reply to Ell64]

Ok I wouldn’t laugh. I think you have a great profession. Anyone can struggle with this.

Is this why you chose that career path?

I always thought I would like to study the brain because my Mom has dealt with schizophrenia my whole life. I never did follow through with studies though. Not because of my struggles with anxiety and depression, but because I had a family really young, and never could take the time or finances to make it happen.

[Ell64 in reply to Lostjoy]

My daughter's behavioral issues and my own depression are what I think drew me to this profession, though as a very young child my first career of choice was a psych nurse. I felt a calling which I continually questioned but had it confirmed when I would ask God if I was doing the right thing. Sadly my anxiety has not improved with my work. I really don't think I can work for an agency or have a direct supervisor. It's too stressful and I absolutely hate office work. Women all around me and they are so horribly caddy and insensitive. And I waited until my youngest was about 5 to start my career. Late in life, but I'm young at heart and I don't regret it. You're never too old...

[jessiejakes in reply to Ell64]

Hi Ell64 welcome to the site and I'm sure you will find everyone helpful most of us have anxiety or depression or both.so we understand how it can make you feel.

[linzi82]

It is tough, but we get through it 😊

[jessiejakes in reply to linzi82]

Yes we always carry on no matter how bad we feel.

[Mimine]

Hi Ell64 and welcome! Hope you can find the support you need on this forum. It is always reassuring to know that we’re not on our own. Anxiety is so debilitating...