DILEMA

[Sandy1710]

Hi guys. I really need some advice. I’m still 100% convinced I have something wrong with my heart despite having an ecg last week but that’s not what I’m here to discuss that’s something I’ve got to get over myself. I been off work for two weeks. Holiday and one week sick. I think it makes me worse because I am not busy and occupied. However, I don’t spend every minute feeling rubbish whilst I’m at home and convinced I am dying. That happens at work. So I think work immediately makes me worse but the longer it goes on it will help me but I don’t know what to do. I honestly can’t put into words how unwell i feel all day at work. When the day is finished I am genuinely shocked to see I am still alive. Work is probably better for me but it’s almost unbearable at times

[Agora1]

Sandy almost sounds like agoraphobia. Fear of the open market place, in your case, work.

But it can also extend to stores, churches, vacation, restaurants, being with friends etc.

As agoraphobia grows so do the places we feel as comfortable in as our own home.

This isn't something that a pill could cure or turn around the fear. It's got to be dealt with through therapy. Changing your thought process. These negative thoughts have been so deeply ingrained that it's about relearning and retraining your brain to think in a different direction.

This is just a thought Sandy coming from my own experience in fearing things outside my home for 5 years. Unless it is something you feel threatened at only while at work, you need to step back and find out what the root of the fear is. Sometimes not having confidence in yourself can bring on the fear of anxiety. Good to see you reaching out to others. You will find the answer one day soon.

[Sandy1710 in reply to Agora1]

It is not agoraphobia as I can go out anywhere except work. Work seems to make me feel so much worse. I’m honestly at a loss at the moment.

[peanutbuttercup]

Yeah I totally get what you are saying about work. It sounds like you have time at work to worry or ruminate which stresses your nervous system which in turn makes you feel bad. I get the same way at work. I’m a work in process, but here’s what seems to help me. Getting out of my office for at least a few, whether to exercise or just walk around in the sunshine. People watching outside is good too. I also set aside 30 minutes a day to meditate. Before I started that, I thought meditation was touchy feely nonsense, but now I really look forward to it every day. So when I go to work, I think at least I get to meditate at some point. At least that’s a start I hope.

[lorianxiety in reply to peanutbuttercup]

im glad meditating helps you,can I ask whilst meditating can you reach a semi-light trance state haven't tried seriously yet,though definitely intend to ;bought a book recently on how to meditate if you think you cant do it,please enlighten me and others ..I know for sure its the mastering of this fairly simple act that can lead to mental and body relaxation-in turn ,pills are not always the answer when plagued with anxiety,depression and all the doom and gloom that accompany it.!

[saturn2k]

Wow, this really sounds mysterious. Are you able to give some more information with regards to your work. What kind of work do you do ? without giving away too much of your privacy. What kind of office is it? Is is a big office, lots of people, lots of pressure to perform. Are you being bullied ? How long have you been there ? Have the symptoms always been there since you started working there ? What is the lighting like ? That might sound like a weird question, but my mum, my sister and me all get very very agitated in shops, that have the long fluorescent lighting strips on the ceiling. For some reason I can feel a sort of pulsating from these lights and it makes me feel ill, and mostly I just stay away from those shops.

Are you really working in a job that you just can't stand ? Do you dream of being somewhere else ? Are you just plain unhappy and its time to maybe chase the dream ?

You are definitely experiencing stress and anxiety. That's why your heart might feel like it's popping out of your chest.

If you want to answer my many questions, I would love to hear back from you.