work making me ill with anxiety

[redpinkpurple]

i got made redundant at the end of the summer, i applied for 40+ jobs, had about 12 interviews. i got rejected from all of them apart from one, which is the job i am in now

the job is a similar job title to what i had previously (and same thing i've been doing for 5+ years) however the work is completely different - i am completely out of my depth, have no idea what i am doing. my manager is aware that i am not getting the hang of it very quickly, which is stressing me out more as i worry she feels like she is babysitting me. i feel like i've started from the bottom all over again, i literally feel like this is my first job - i feel useless. i feel like an absolute fraud

i am constantly anxious, i find myself shaking some days because i feel so nervous/stressed about the work, i've had to go back on antidepressants for the first time in 6 years just to try and ease it

i just feel so stuck, i can't afford to not work so i cant quit but i have never felt like this before, my weekends are spent dreading monday. i applied for something else and had an interview last week but got rejected - i just feel stuck, and it's 10x worse because of the current situation.

not really sure why i am posting really but i'm just venting - hoping to see if anyone else is feeling the same at the moment and we can maybe help eachother?

just to add... i have been working from home since i started, and the thought of having to start going into the office at some point next year is adding another layer of anxiety

Can you describe a little about why you're feeling so overwhelmed? Is your manager being supportive? Are you asking questions and taking notes? Trying to understand whether it's the fact that the role is new to you, or whether it's that PLUS you're lacking in support from your manager and wider team.

Google "imposter syndrome" - it's incredibly common.

www.getselfhelp.co.uk/anxiety.htm is also a great guide to understanding and combatting anxiety.

Starting a new job when working from home is so hard. All those little questions and checks you need to ask feel like a bigger issue as your having to call and make contact rather than naturally finding a good moment.
Be kind to yourself - it’s a new job. Ask your manager is there any support to help you with the new role or anyone you can shadow. Templates or examples you can refer to etc

It is their job to support you in the new role, you are clearly capable so try and focus on what you can do whilst building your knowledge on tasks so your not sure of

It’s always, always hard starting a new job. Even when it’s in your field, similar role, everything else is different. And you’re trying to learn and managed all these things remotely. I’m sure you are in no way doing as bad a job as you think

Can you give a bit more info about the sort of job it is and some of the specific issues? There are a lot of really helpful people on here who might be able to give some specific pointers.

When I accepted my last job, the interviewer actually said to me "if you don't feel out of your depth for the first 6m you've taken the wrong job".

What he meant was, a new job is supposed to stretch us, if it's easy from day 1, we should have aimed higher.

For my own new staff, I expect to have to give a high level of support for at least the first 6m.

I'm sure what you are doing is exactly what they were expecting.

Things to focus on
They wouldn’t have offered you the job if they didn’t think you could do it
It’s the environment that’s has changed - not you. You still have all the skills and experience you had when you applied.
Use you manager. Work together on a plan of action that will make things better fir the both of you.
You are new and learning..that’s ok
Make a note at the end of each week on your achievements and you,l be su how quickly they add up!

Have you spoken to your manager about your feelings? I’m a manager and have had someone approach me this week saying they feel similar to you. It’s really good to know that because now we can support them and help build their confidence.

It’s a new job, so most people will be understanding that it’s overwhelming. I’m sure your manager would appreciate you being pro-active and approaching them about it (and no doubt they’ll be able to reassure you that you’re not doing badly like you think!)

Agree with pp, first 6 months-year in a job is tough anyway, even beyond the actual tasks to do the job there is getting to know people, understand the company, etc on top and to do this in 2020 is even harder, especially when working from home.

I started a new internal job just before lockdown, and I’m finding it hard, even though I already know the company etc. I found it difficult to ask questions as my manager is quite aloof and most people have been doing the job for a long time so know everything inside out. I mentioned to him that I thought I asked too many questions and needed help too often with particular things and I was so surprised when he said “hangry, you’re new that’s ok and to be expected”.

As your manager is aware, could you try to talk to her about it? A self-aware employee is much better than one who doesn’t know they are struggling or won’t acknowledge it. You could frame it positively, as figuring out how to address the bits you struggle with and how to prioritise what to focus on accomplishing first. Suggest some things which you think could help and ask if they have any suggestions too, that way you are seen to be proactive and trying to improve.
Also try to focus on what you have learnt and what has gone well, maybe make a plan of what you want to learn by a certain date, e.g. by end of January handle process x independently, by end of Feb understand xyz, etc.

Does anyone else suffer from severe anxiety? Battled it all my life, but the current situation and working from home & home schooling means it's gone off the scale. I've made a couple of mistakes at work & not dealt with a situation as well as I could and was ready to resign today just to get myself out of the situation. Financially I need my job but I can't cope with this long term. I've registered for counselling through work but it will take a few weeks. Can anyone suggest any coping strategies?