Is there nobody else who gets VERY anxious from working?

[PerkyParsnip]

I drive myself mad. Am job hunting but already so anxious. I have got to the next step of an interview process (for something I'd love) and need to do a test.

How does everybody manage the stress of working? How do you keep reassuring yourself that your work is consistently good enough? How do you not just panic?

I always feel so embarrassed and shit about myself over the workplace and need some kind of therapy, but not sure what one.

It sounds like maybe you are suffering from anxiety and / or low self esteem. Can you speak to your GP for a referral? They might offer counselling or CBT or something.

Yes I used to, it was anxiety. Very low dose of citalopram helped me immensely. In fact I’d say it’s changed my life

Thank you, I did wonder if CBT might be the thing to try. I think my self esteem is otherwise fine, it's literally just the stress and worry of working, about not measuring up.

Still haven't done this test they have sent the link for if I don't do it then I can't fail it and be disappointed...

@gingganggooleywotsit

Yes I used to, it was anxiety. Very low dose of citalopram helped me immensely. In fact I’d say it’s changed my life

Wow, that sounds amazing. In what way did it help if you don't mind me asking? Did you just sort of feel overall more relaxed which allowed you to get a better perspective?

PerkyParsnip, I hear you. I do. And I got my dream job. And I had a breakdown three months after getting it, and lost my job.

I'm now doing CBT, and am on anti-anxiety/anti-depressants. I'd suggest addressing the anxiety before getting the dream job, now I can see things a little bit more clearly!

Yes I get quite anxious, it’s manageable now I’m working from home though and have a great boss.

I have a little girl and I’m due twins in the summer, I want to stay with my employer where possible after maternity leave- as I know if I give up work completely the stress of interviews/ getting back into the workplace will probably be quite overwhelming!

Saying that, you’d might be surprised how even quite a low dose of AD’s might help, I haven’t had any for years but it’s improved things loads in the past. Please talk to your GP!

Also too much info right here... but when I’m anxious I get terrible symptoms like ibs! So another plus about working from home.

I get this, to a point, but it is an anxiety problem I’m working on.
Although the application part is stressful and you have to prove your skills, once in a job, you just get on and do it the best you can and everyone else is the same. “Good enough” becomes the baseline. Also, the world is not split into perfect people performing perfectly at their jobs on the one hand, and you on the other hand trying to measure up. Everybody is human, nobody is perfect, everybody messes up sometimes, there is no expectation that you get things right all the time. Most of the time is okay. Give yourself some slack

@mbosnz I'm sorry to hear about your breakdown, and I can grimly imagine it only too well I hope you are feeling better.

I wonder why we are like this?

yes, I get really anxious about work and have done for years. I don't mind it so much now we're working from home though - for me it's partly the office environment that stresses me out - too hot, too bright, too noisy. I actually dread going back. I also worry how my work appears to others as well even after having been in the same job for years!

@Littlegirlplustwo

Also too much info right here... but when I’m anxious I get terrible symptoms like ibs! So another plus about working from home.

yes this is me too. I have to get up so much earlier on work days so I have time to go and dread using work bathrooms. Totally anxiety related as working from home just totally takes that pressure off and I don't have those symptoms!

Oh, I know why I'm like this (she says grimly). I'm getting there, thank you for your kindness. You might want to also think about some talking therapy if you can afford it, to help you work through why you are how you are.

My GP has been a wonder, he's been marvellous. He also referred me to talking therapies, for CBT, and that's very helpful. I didn't realise how bad I was. I woke up one morning, I had a panic attack in the shower, got down to my pc's, had to go up again to throw up, burst out bawling, and couldn't bring myself to sit down. I loved my work, I loved my colleagues, I loved the company, but it was the straw that broke the camel's back.

I had post natal anxiety/ depression and it was pretty much reversed with sertraline. Don't assume this is not treatable.

Yup, gods bless sertraline for me.

CBT for generalized anxiety disorder - chronic worry with lots if 'what if' thinking. Some good self help available at Centre for Clinical Interventions which is Australian - they have a workbook on GAD which is great.

@homesickinscotland yes that was me! No one talks about it do they? It can be so isolating and embarrassing. Looking back I wish I’d took my own advice and tried some sort of medication. Going dairy free helped but at the end of the day it was just work anxiety causing it. When I’m not stressed I can eat whatever I want and get no ins symptoms at all.

I used to get to extremely stressed and anxious as my last office job forced all staff to suddenly switch to call centre work which was something I couldn't get to to grips with and hated.

I would say try to find a job doing something you're comfortable with, including hours you're comfortable with.

I am over qualified for my current job and whilst it's not a dream job, I'm much more comfortable and have none of the dread I had with previous job. I was honest in the interview stating what hours I can do.

Good luck.

I do sometimes but when that happens I remind myself that no body is consistently good. People perform brilliantly sometimes, averagely most of the time and poorly some of the time. That's fine. You must be able to think of a few times when colleagues haven't done great work. Do you seem them as failures? Do you think they should lose their jobs?

When it was really bad citalopram did save me. And massively lowering my expectations. I'm good at some things, I'm less good at others. That's fine and normal.

@Littlegirlplustwo yep so true, I'm thinking of looking into meds when I eventually have to go back.

I have this. Had a panic attack ending with vomiting last night, and no sleep.
I've just been promoted to director at my company and need to do something before I stop functioning altogether I think, so interesting to hear how others are dealing with it

Yes this is me too

I just keep on repeating to myself that I am doing things to the best of my ability and and seeking to improve every day. Nobody can ask for more than that.

This is me too 😣

It's awful and I need to do something about it. It's crippling at times as it's all consuming. Constantly worrying about what I've done wrong, checking and double checking my work. It's so time consuming which then makes me stress more as I feel I'm getting behind and people will judge me for it. Interesting to hear medication has helped some people.

This is me too 😣

It's awful and I need to do something about it. It's crippling at times as it's all consuming. Constantly worrying about what I've done wrong, checking and double checking my work. It's so time consuming which then makes me stress more as I feel I'm getting behind and people will judge me for it. Interesting to hear medication has helped some people.

I also get very anxious about work. I cut my hours down to part time and started low dose of sertraline.

It helps a lot.