Does anyone else struggle with "work phobia"?

[colemanpm]

I struggle with extreme anxiety/fear (phobia?) while even looking for full-time employment (fear of failure, fear of being fired, fear of failure, not good enough, blah blah blah). There is also much shame and guilt attached to this issue for me, which effects my self-esteem, etc.

[Missy_D]

I can relate to this, in fact my work anxiety has got worse since I was forced to resign in March 2018 and despite having had several interviews I remain unemployed. I sadly now view myself as unemployable and have had many guilt trips over my financial state of affairs. It's a vicious cycle and a hard one to break

[colemanpm in reply to Missy_D]

Missy, thanks for your reply. Sorry for my very very very late response. I am still dealing with my "ergophobia" as well, though I have started to feel better in the mornings with a new medication. I still do not have a full time position. I have not looked very hard, either, due to my fears. Now the covid virus may affect my search plans as well. Guilt and shame are very real on this issue for me, and almost every night I have dreams (nightmares?) where the theme is always me alone, jobless, homeless, friendless, powerless, on the outside looking "in", where everyone else is fully employed, has money, 401k, etc.

I don't have any answers for you, not that you have requested any, other than I know what you are feeling and going through, as it sounds very similar to my situation. My prayers will be with us both for help through this valley of the shadow.

If you reply, I promise not to be such an ass and reply much sooner! Thanks again for reaching out to me.

[mjcll41]

I'm 43. I have a Master's Degree. I do not have a job in my chosen field, although I have had several and been fired from most of them. I have not held a position of any kind longer than 4 years. I do not have a 401K. I do not have life insurance, and I was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia 1.5 years ago, so I probably won't get any. I am in an unrelated supervisory job that I got because of my Master's Degree, but the subject is over my head, and I expect to lose my job any day now.

[colemanpm in reply to mjcll41]

MJC, thanks for your reply. Sorry for my very very very late response. I am still dealing with my "ergophobia" as well, though I have started to feel better in the mornings with a new medication. I still do not have a full time position. I have not looked very hard, either, due to my fears. Now the covid virus may affect my search plans as well. Guilt and shame are very real on this issue for me, and almost every night I have dreams (nightmares?) where the theme is always me alone, jobless, homeless, friendless, powerless, on the outside looking "in", where everyone else is fully employed, has money, 401k, etc.

I don't have any answers for you, not that you have requested any, other than I know what you are feeling and going through, as it sounds very similar to my situation. My prayers will be with us both for help through this valley of the shadow.

If you reply, I promise not to be such an ass and reply much sooner! Thanks again for reaching out to me.