Can't face new job.: My depression has... - Anxiety Support

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Can't face new job.

formidible profile image
15 Replies

My depression has become worse recently. Anxiety levels vary from day to day but panic attacks at least seem to have subsided. I started a new job as a Support Worker on Monday and its not going well at all..feel so depressed and lack of energy all the time but have hidden it all. I feel like I am putting on some kind of show all the time I am there.To make things worse I feel I am not fitting in and immediately get feelings of rejection which just makes things worse. I have decided I am not going back there. I need proper help with my depression/anxiety. How I can I support others when its me who needs the support? I have a GP appointment on Friday and I am going to ask him to change my medication amongst other things. I am currently on 15mg of Mirtazapine only. I am having to take my own stock of Zopiclone some nights just to calm down and sleep. Its not good enough.

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formidible
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15 Replies
seyi profile image
seyi

Hi so sorry to hear your having a setback with anxiety can fully appreciate and understand how your feeling. Wish i had a magic wand for all the people here who's life is affected by these conditions. I was off work 5 months with anxiety and panic attacks and thought i could never cope. I kept thinking and talking negative before i had even given it a go. I was phased back into work and although i have returned it is not easy. I struggle and my energy is zapped maybe because of the medication i am taking.

I can relate to you thinking of how can you help others when you need support yourself but you know something. Sometimes we are able to help people more have a better understanding because we have been down that road.

Going to see your GP is advisable and maybe he/she can suggest an alternative medication to help you.

Perhaps you can do some breathing exercises or take up a hobby to help distract you from these feelings. Small steps with positive attitude can help. This gives you some determination to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I hope all goes well with the Doctor and let us know how you got on.

I wish you Luck and pray you get some peace and rest tonight.

Hugs

Love Seyi xxx

I think we all try and hide our illnesses, because for me it is embarrassing although it shouldn't be. We wouldn't be ashamed if we had a physical illness. I hope your doctor can suggest an alternative medication. I am sorry about your job but obviously the job wasn't helping your anxiety. Look after yourself. A lot of us are in the same position.

formidible profile image
formidible

Thanks so much for the replies Seyi and Holly. I had a chat with an advisor on the phone today. They were very helpful. I rang in sick for next few days rather than resigning the job straight away. I will see how I feel by the end of the weekend and may take more time off before deciding whether to go back and see how things are or not. I need to get more support before deciding the way forward. At the end of the day my health is more important than anything else. I am fortunate in that I live somewhere where I can access several services if needs be, but also realise that it may take some time before I feel much better. Just taking each day as it comes for now. Thanks again.

seyi profile image
seyi in reply to formidible

Great news formidible :)

Before you make a decision think about the positive sides of getting yourself motivated and challenge the day. I know how your feeling because i was going to resign from my job because of the panic attacks not going out. I went to see the Doctor who seemed very understand not my usual GP. She put me on a mild medication which took around 5 weeks to kick in but it helps me. I still am not over this and take one day at a time and keep telling me for years i have managed to get to work. What has changed apart from me allowing the demon to take over. I agree your health is more important than a job but give yourself time regardless how long it takes as you cannot be dismissed if your ill. I was off work for 5 months.

I hope you find a solution and glad you have not acted hasty as later when you feel fine you may regret it. Good Luck.

Let us know how your doing Big hugs and again well done :)

Love Seyi xxx

in reply to seyi

Sorry seyi I have to disagree with you. Employers can and often do sack people due to illness. My last ones did it to me. There is nothing in law to stop them. Also if you have been at a job less than 2 years (used to be 1 but the tories changed it) they don't have to give a reason for dismissal. You only get full rights after 2 years but they can still sack you for illness even then!

Bev x

Think you are doing the right thing by not rushing into anything. Take care we are here if you need us

Hi, I've been off since April, I'm a support worker to with parents and their children. I must admit I was finding it very hard to support them when I couldn't even support myself! So I can totally understand your issue. You have done the right thing by going off sick and not leaving straight away.

Take care xxx

seyi profile image
seyi

Good morning Hypercat.

Regarding the company dismissing you my union said while medical certificates and evidence is being put through they cannot dismiss me.

I was getting full pay for the first six months and if i had remained off sick i would have been entitled to half pay.

If long term the company could then review that the fact i am not mentally and physically capable of doing my job. This would result in a payoff or redundancy of incapable of work.

Perhaps different companies have different policies but that is how my contract would have worked.

Take care and good luck

Love Seyi xxx

formidible profile image
formidible

Yes seyi, different companies have different policies. My company offer no sick pay at all, so all I will get is statutary sick pay of £86.70 a week. This hardly helps ones mental health. I would be better off resigning. I'm taking each day as it comes right now. This morning was very difficult but I got to see my CBT therapist and told her I want counselling support instead as the CBT is not helping much right now. I've registered for this but may have to wait weeks before I get to see anyone. I am going to plan things to do over next few days, taking each day as it comes. For me I cannot stay in my home when I'm feeling really low - I have to get out so i need things to aim to do. I have a GP appointment later this afternoon, so hope that goes well. I am starting to realise that it will take a while to settle and for the depression/anxiety to hopefully lift to a point where I can make a rational decision about work and way forward. I am very grateful for all the helpful messages of support.

I always think making big decisions when we are under a lot of stress is not always the right time. I thought about quitting work but was told by the person who was doing CBT to wait until I was thinking more rationally. It can be hard working when you feel like this. She advised me to go off sick, but I want to carry on as long as I can. Hope this helps, look after yourself

formidible profile image
formidible

Yesterday my doctor doubled my Mirtazapine to 30mg and said if I want a new CBT course that would be easy to refer me again. I've also got myself on a counseling waiting list. I feel a bit better today and more relaxed. I'm already thinking of trying again at work maybe by the end of next week. We'll see how things go.

celest profile image
celest

im in the same position, right now, ive given my notice in today, and then i panic, hoping that ive done the right thing. ive been in the job 3 months, my boss is a bully so ive quit. i darent think about it too much, even though im starting another job, which im not sure of. cleaning in a pub eek..all of it drives me crazy. so i think the advice on here is a good help, and probaby being off sick is right, at least it gives you a little buffer knowing that you can go back to work when you feel ready.xx

formidible profile image
formidible

Thanks Celest - I really hope your new job goes ok. You are brave to have resigned from your last job, but you have probably done the right thing. There is nothing worse for anxiety if someone is bullying you or not treating you right. You can do without that. Hope you keep posting.

Marie313 profile image
Marie313

Hi! I'm 19 and just started a new job at a grocery store. I have always known that I had anxiety especially in social situations but have never reached out for help until recently. I still haven't received any help but I'm finally going to find a doctor on my own. Anyway this job has just seemed to make the anxiety worse and even on my days off it's all I can think about. I only started about a week ago but I already feel like I can't handle it anymore. I have told my mom that I wanted and need I leave the job but she doesn't understand and said that if I do they will stop paying for my car insurance and threatened to kick me out. I'm so stressed out and don't really know what to do at this point. Is there any advice?

formidible profile image
formidible

Don't be bullied. Threats are not going to solve anything. You could take some time off to reflect on things and try to get some help. Thankfully I did this and eventually went back to my job after telling my line manager about not being treated well on my first few days there. I have now been working for the same company but a different project for nearly a year now and the job has helped me overcome my depression and anxiety. I am now off medication completely and don't want to look back. Take small steps and listen to your inner voice. If the job really isn't for you then it won't be the end of the world in any case. Good luck.

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