It's that time of the year

It's that time of the year. No, not Xmas. The time where people like me really struggle.

Like me? Yeah, like me. If you know me, you know I am a supporter of recognizing mental health in the workplace. Because, well my mental health ain't always so good. 

Let me ask you this:

Do you sometimes freak out for no reason?

Do you obsess over what people say or might think?

Do you have the odd situation where you think, f* it I'm done?

Well welcome to my world. But here's the thing. You are not alone. You are so very not alone.

Before I got help, this time of year really sucked. Why are people so happy? Why do they want me to "loosen up"? Dammit, can't you see I'm about to lose my shit?

Oh, if you know me, I have a tendency to use bad words. There's worse things.

Here's the thing. If you are like me, talk to someone. I went to a shrink, but talk to someone. Anyone. Hell, talk to me. My email is advhall@hotmail.

If you're not like me, then be on the lookout for people like me. We might seem ok, but there are telltale signs.

We obsess over small things.

We avoid conflict. To a severe degree.

We will come to social events but look miserable. (Not because we are but because we want to enjoy but we can't).

I ride bikes, I used to run. Believe me, it's no fun having a panic attack while in the middle of bloody nowhere. But if you know what it is, if you have good people around you, and you trust them to help you, you can cope and you can live. Happily.

If you are like me, put your hand up. If you're not, ask someone you know if they are ok. They will say yes, once. But not twice.

I wish you all good health, and if I can help one person then this post is a win.