Garry is an Operations Manager who has worked in the industry for 10 years.
During COVID Garry worked hard to constantly support his staff across multiple changes with updated rosters, timetables, vaccination status updates and provision of face masks. Now, post COVID lockdowns Garry is constantly short of drivers and HR are unable to tell him when any new recruits may be starting. Garry feels as soon as he solves one problem and finds a driver to cover a shift, he gets another call with a driver unable to complete their shift.
Garry is struggling to fall asleep and wakes throughout the night. He has noticed that when he comes home he is short with his family and irritated. Garry’s children have put their phones on silent. Yesterday when a phone rang over dinner Garry yelled “If that phone rings once more I will flush it down the toilet”. Garry refuses to answer the phone at home. Garry tells everyone he is “just burnt-out”.
Garry has anxiety.
Anxiety is our body’s response to danger. It is normal. Anxiety is not just feeling stressed or worried, it is when these feelings don’t subside and are ongoing without any particular reason or cause.
Anxiety can look different for everyone.
Anxiety Physical Symptoms
- Pounding/racing heart
- Dizziness and vertigo
- Sweating
- Muscle tension, tightness or clenching of the jaw
- Trouble sleeping or insomnia.
- Shortness of breath or feelings of suffocation or tightness across the chest
Anxiety Emotional Symptoms
- Feelings of dread/apprehensive/powerless
- Constant worry that something bad is going to happen
- Feeling in danger
- Difficulty concentrating, finding it hard to think
- Absentmindedness/memory problems
- Irritability and edginess
- Fear of losing control
- Avoidance
- Feelings of anger and disappointment
There are different types of anxiety, and everyone’s experience is a little different – to learn more about the types and treatments for anxiety, please click on our anxiety fact sheet.
DOES ANY OF THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?
Click on the links below to learn more on how you can seek help and support.
It sounds a bit like me – I AM Garry
