Debilitating work anxiety

[lisaobisa]

Hello. I have had severe depression and anxiety throughout my life. I have worked hard to find healthy coping skills for many of the particularly stressful things in my life. Except work. I am smart, educated, and from what people tell me, a capable worker. But my intense anxiety when I start a new job has become crippling. I have only myself to rely on financially. Please help. I have been called a freak, over dramatic, or just plain crazy. I want to learn to cope with this and the best place is to learn from people who can relate to my situation. Please respond....

[Scott1951]

I'm so sorry you are feeling upset about work. When I was working, Sunday nights were always my most anxious times. I always had the fear that this was going to be the week that I would be found out to be an imposter.

Clearly the people around you see you as a capable person. And I bet that they are right. In fact, you are probably overly conscientious because your anxiety tells you it is never enough.

What helped me was medication. I found an anti-depressant that kept the anxiety and depression at manageable levels. It also helped to settle for a career that was less stressful than most - and consequently, which paid less than most. Sometimes I wish that I had accomplished more in my life, done more, made more money. But then I remember those Sunday nights. Depression and anxiety are real and they can impose some limits on what we can accomplish in our lives.

Hang in there. I hope all goes well tomorrow.

[lisaobisa in reply to Scott1951]

Thank you. I have thought that maybe the work I am currently doing again (and did many years ago right out of college) may not be the best fit for me. I haven't worked outside the home for over a year and not full time for 5 years. I will contact my psychiatrist. Thank you for the tip. It's hard to be objective and make good decisions for myself when my thoughts are churning out of control. I think there are some meds that maybe I can take for a while to help with the anxiety (?) at least until I can get settled a little. I really appreciate your response.

[Scott1951 in reply to lisaobisa]

Glad it was helpful. Hope the doctor can prescribe something to help. We all struggle or have struggled around work. You are not alone. Wishing you the best.

[Traveler1]

I suffer from what you describe, I’m self employed too and I’ll put off until it’s almost to late, but lately I’m seeking more help and trying different coping mechanisms, I know once I just do whatever it is I’ve been so bothered about it’s such a relief and I tell myself,”why did I worry so much” but lately what I’m be been doing to help is listening to more music, eating better and drinking plenty of water and vitamins, but the music has helped a lot while I work, medication is one of those two sided things, it has it’s good and bad qualities. But I think for me more exercise and keeping busy and training my brain one step at a time to not worry so much and tell myself just do it and you’ll be happy is what I’m trying to do. Hang in there!