I am starting to feel like piggy in the middle here..

[axegrinder]

First Doctor tells me I need to go to work to speak to the work's own assistance programme for stress, so i do, the assistance programme tell me after a very long chat that I need to have a lot more time off work to de-stress and learn to deal with stress better before I go back, so to go back to the Doctor, so I see the doctor (a different one) and that doctor again sends me off with a very short sick note telling me that I am not suited to the job, he can't do much and referrs me back to work and work's own occupational health.

Before long it will be more than just anxiety, stress and panic attacks.

grrrrrrrr

[axegrinder]

That was unlike me to post a short rant...!! I am remaining calm but I am now starting to worry about the financial implications of if I have to leave my job because of my head, which could also lead to depression. I am wondering if I should just go back to work and just try to suffer the panic attacks and stress, but I have tried that.

[BriarRose]

Hi Axegrinder - sorry you're getting such confusing "messages" from the people who are meant to be helping you!

Ummmm - this may not be what you want to hear, but have you considered looking for another job? Know it's not easy atm (thank God I'm retired!) - but as i remember, you work in a call centre, and that IS stressful - people can be horribly rude over the phone, far more than they would be face to face I know i couldn't do it, I'd probably tell them to f**** off, and lose my job! Perhaps a few months of, if nothing better is around, stacking shelves in a supermarket would give you time to regroup and get your head back together?

Just a thought, please don't hate me if it's not what you want to hear!

Good luck and love

Rose

xxxx

[Hidden]

Hi. axe. It's called 'shunting'. The idea is to 'shunt' you around until they lose you. A bit like kicking you into the long grass so that no one has to take responsibility. Rose may be right. A change of scene may be what you need but it is difficult in view of the job situation. Can they offer you a less stressful job? In the meantime it may be a case of 'sod the lot of them'. Can you have a good rest. It sounds as if you could take advantage of the sick note and try and relax a bit. Whatever you do, good luck. Keep us posted. jonathan.

[axegrinder]

I have thought about other jobs but I know that I can do this one - I have worked in a call centre for a long time, and this particular role for over 3 years, and it is only the last few months really that the stress has built up to such a level that I am getting the anxiety and panic attacks, due to the changes, workload and targets. I have never been an under-performer at work, until maybe the last couple of months. I think the doctor's remarks were over simplistic. If 50 people can deal with it, and I can't, then I would rather challenge myself to overcome what I am going through so I can carry on in my role. It is almost like the doctor telling someone with a broken leg who wants to play football, to do something else where he doesn't have to use his leg, rather than fix the leg.

Stress happens, so I am not going to run away from a stressful job, and find another job perceived as stress free. I can't run away from me. I left my last job 8 years ago because I couldn't cope with the stress, and I was in a financial position where it was possible. I am not in that same position, so I can't run away from a normal human condition. I need to learn how to deal with it. Of course I would consider a change, but I would prefer to see a change as a new challenge, rather than a cop-out!