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Original poster

To lie about why I'm not at work??

28 replies

smudgedlipstick · 07/02/2018 06:15

I have been awake for the last few hours having a anxiety attack. I had a bad dream and now I have crippling anxiety. I haven't felt like this for a while and I had been doing so well, I cope and get through every day until this morning. I don't know what to do, I can't believe I will have to feel like this for the rest of my life, every time I think it's going away and I am managing it well I set myself back and now I feel so ill I can't cope. I feel like I have the shits, and I need to be sick, and I have to start getting ready for work in a minute. Work are not aware of my anxiety at the moment as it hasn't affected my work life yet. Wibu to call in sick saying I have the shits but not why? I don't know what to do. I hate feeling this

OP posts:
catwoozle · 07/02/2018 06:18

Flowers Tell work you have a stomach upset and will not be in work today.

Make an emergency appointment and see your GP about the anxiety.

QueenOfGaviscon · 07/02/2018 06:20

Firstly sorry you're feeling like this. I was having panic attacks before Xmas due to work and had to take some time off so I know how crippling it can be.

I'd call in Work saying you've got the shits & see if you can get into the GP.

I told Work in the end as it was work related anxiety. I'm already back at work and with them being aware it's made things so so much better.

Be kind to yourself 💐

jemjemjem50 · 07/02/2018 07:21

Take some time off work.

I can sympathise. I woke up at half 2 this morning and could feel the dread and panic tightening around me slowly. It's a common occurrence for me and I really struggle with it.

Iloveanimals · 07/02/2018 07:25

Take time off 💐 x

Original poster
smudgedlipstick · 07/02/2018 07:26

This is something I have been struggling with for the past few years and have been to counselling and had cbt, and can usually manage on a day to day basis, but this morning I just can't control it, I can't keep it at bay and I keep crying and my partner has tried to help but now I have to take my kid to nursery and go and face work, I am terrified that I will get in trouble if I take time off, I have been here for around 8 months and have had to take a few days off here and there for dd sickness so I really worry about sickness records.

OP posts:
Original poster
smudgedlipstick · 07/02/2018 07:28

Apart from medication, I don't know what else the go could do for me, I hve tried taking different medications before and I really struggled with the sickness feeling hat I couldn't keep taking them. The feeling sick is debilitating for me and literally feel like I am going to die. I know that sounds ridiculous but in my head, that's how it feels

OP posts:
Bizzysocks · 07/02/2018 07:34

Do you know what it is your anxious about? Can you identify it and work through your cbt/relaxing technics?

Believeitornot · 07/02/2018 07:36

I think it’s time to recognise that it is now affecting your work life. Take the day off and get to see a doctor.

Are you looking after yourself? As in proper exercise, good diet and proper time to yourself?

feska5 · 07/02/2018 07:56

You won’t be lying to say that you have an upset stomach. Go to see your GP. Hopefully you can get your anxiety under control again and work won’t need to know. If it persists and you need time off then you can tell work in your own time. Take the pressure off today - be kind to yourself. Feel better soon 💐

Undercoverbanana · 07/02/2018 08:06

I think that if you go into work you are not addressing the underlying problem.

Tell them you have the shits. It is true.

Go to the GP and let them know that you still have the problem and that previous meds have not worked for you.

I am an anxiety sufferer and know that this is going to keep coming back unless you address it head-on. This is not just about your work life, it is your mental health, your physical health, your relationships, your families future .... every aspect of your life. Work should not be your priority.

You may need to tell work about your anxiety. If you are concerned about doing this, speak to your union rep for support.

Undercoverbanana · 07/02/2018 08:07

Apologies for shit grammar. Jeez.

RidingWindhorses · 07/02/2018 08:14

I dunno I've had crippling anxiety in the past and I found that getting myself to work and focusing on something else actually lessened it.

If you stay at home you will brood on your anxiety all day. And you will also let it win.

I would go in and then if you can't cope you can tell them truthfully that you don't feel well and go home.

RidingWindhorses · 07/02/2018 08:16

The feeling you're going to die is panic. Have you had specific therapy for panic?

Fekko · 07/02/2018 08:20

Call in and say that you’ve been up all night, feel dreadful and don’t think you can be too far from the loo today(all true).

It will pass. Give yourself a day of calm and think of there’s something on the back of your mind triggering this anxiety attack.

Speak to a counsellor or therapist. Be kind to yourself.

SavageBeauty73 · 07/02/2018 08:25

I take citalopram for panic attacks and anxiety and it works really well for me.

rocketgirl22 · 07/02/2018 08:32

Spend the day getting yourself to the GP and researching quietly ways to deal with this is your best bet.

You do not need to discuss it with anyone if you don't want to, but you owe it to yourself to find support.

I had them too, and it felt like a heart attack and you feel so drained and fragile afterwards. It will pass. Look after yourself.

Hidingtonothing · 07/02/2018 08:36

OP have you ever been prescribed propanolol (beta blockers) for anxiety? Just wondering because some GP's only seem to offer anti depressants and they're not the only option, especially if your anxiety is generally under control and you only need something on odd occasions. With the Propanolol you just take one when you need to rather than a daily dose and they work by suppressing the physical reaction to anxiety so can help avoid panic attacks and the nervous stomach you're suffering with this morning. Just a thought, hope you can get something sorted, anxiety sucks Flowers

Original poster
smudgedlipstick · 07/02/2018 08:50

I have been prescribed citalopram and something else I can't remember the name of before but I was not able to cope with the sickness it gave me. I have had a last final cry in my car after dropping dd off and am now sat at my desk trying to hold it all in. I really worry about my sickness record and that I will face discipline action, I will see if I can call my gp on my lunch break and ask if I can try a different medication, the beta blockers sound a good idea? I am a wallower so when I feel like this I just start thinking about how I don't think I can cope doing this for ever. Is this really what my life is going to be like forever? Sitting at a desk trying my hardest not to burst into tears

OP posts:
Hidingtonothing · 07/02/2018 08:58

I'm a wallower too so completely sympathise there OP, I'm impressed you've even made it to work so don't feel bad if you have to go home.

The only side effects I got with the beta blockers was a slightly dry mouth and cold hands, think they're the most common ones too so hopefully won't make you sick. Hope you can get in to see GP quickly, we're here in the meantime if you need a handhold Flowers

Aquamarine1029 · 07/02/2018 09:00

I know EXACTLY what you are going through. So many of us do. Anxiety is fucking terrible but you absolutely can handle this. Please get this book... "Date: The New Way to End Anxiety and Stop Panic Attacks" by Barry McDonagh. This book has helped me so much and I don't know where I would be without it.

Original poster
smudgedlipstick · 07/02/2018 09:12

I will purchase that right now thankyou, I spend a lot of time trying to ground myself and I practise yoga daily to help and eat well as I am aware that is a trigger for me - and then out of no where I have a bad dream and I feel like I'm going to die. I know it's one of those things I will have to manage for the rest of my life I just don't think I have the energy to do that 😥 I will see if I can try a medication again and maybe that will help this time round, I will call and speak to someone. I don't think I would have got here today without all you so thankyou ❤️

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 07/02/2018 09:30

I have the book thru Kindle, that way it's on my phone so I can have a glance any time I need support. PLEASE realize that there is NOTHING wrong with you. You are not "broken" and you do NOT have to live in fear of anxiety for the rest of your life.

The funny thing about panic attacks (I know, SO not funny), is that they prove your body is actually working really well! Your fight or flight safety system is working at 100% capacity - the only problem is it's doing it when you don't necessarily need it! So then you are left with this surge or cortisol hormone which makes you feel horrible, scared, and out of control. You ARE NOT out of control. If you can, right now, go somewhere private if you're not home and have a good shake. Seriously. Bounce up and down, shake your legs, shake your arms. You need to burn off that damn cortisol!

I will be happy to chat through DM if you have any questions for me or just need support. You can get through this! I promise!

RidingWindhorses · 07/02/2018 09:35

You won't have to manage it for the rest of your life. You just need effective treatment. The feeling that you're going to die is quite easy to get rid of, weirdly.

Onynx · 07/02/2018 09:40

Definitely ask about Beta Blockers - they've really made a huge difference to me. As somebody mentioned you only need to take them when you need them. For me they stop the panicky jittery feeling and calm me to make me think straight.

meandmytinfoilhat · 07/02/2018 09:57

I'm so sorry you're feeling like this Op. I have been there and it's awful.

I bought a book recommended by my CBT counsellor called overcoming low self esteem by Melanie fennel. I didn't think it applied to me but it made sense and it has exercises for you to do, I used this in conjunction with my CBT course and it worked wonders.

I was also medicated but have been off them for over a year. Beta blockers worked for me but they did give me tummy issues but nope t everyone has that side effect. I also took my anti depressant at night as I also felt sick when I took them. It helped.

Please know you're not alone in feeling this way and it WILL get better.

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