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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    How do I manage my lifelong anxiety and recent events?

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    Anxiety Depression Mental Health
    I have lived with anxiety all my life but only recently realised it is an issue for me. I also have no job, living in my wife's mothers granny flat on her property. My mother recently passed away suddenly and my father's just been diagnosed and had surgery for cancer. I'm now on anti depressants and have realised that I hold in too much and find it difficult to express emotions. It's getting on top of me. I know that it will all be fine in the end I'm just having a tough time at the moment.
    • 1 answer
    • Muriel Cooper
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    Thanks

    Muriel Cooper

    Psychologist

    I specialise in stress, anxiety and depression as well as general psychology. I have been a counsellor and psychologist for nearly 20 years and firmly … View Profile

    Understanding that you have anxiety is no cause for despair, it just means you need skills (in addition to medication), to manage it on an ongoing basis.
    Major events in your life, such as your mother's death and your father's diagnosis, rate very highly on the stress scale and increased stress makes for increased  anxiety.  You need to pay particular attention to stress management.  Take time time each day to do relaxation, breathing/meditation, water or music therapy and also make sure you are getting adequate sleep (around 7 1/2 hours a night) and are eating a balanced diet.
    Your environment (the bungalow) sounds sterssful too.  Try to spend as much time in the open air or in a spacious environment.
    Holding in your emotions is suppressing them and this is not helpful. 
    See a psychologist or other health professional about managing your stress and anxiety and coping with your current, challenging life events and also to learn how express your emeotions appropriately and effectively.  Cost for this can be kept to a minimum by axcccessing support through Medicare via your GP.
    All the best, I'm sorry for your loss and I send good wishes to your father after his surgery.

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