To be hit by crippling anxiety when starting a new job

[itsmehere1]

I have 10 years of experience. This is my third job.. It's a new position, which means there are hopes and expectations about my capability to deliver.

I just finished my first week at work, and I'm feeling extremely inadequate and perhaps even starting to crumble under that expectations.

Instead of feeling excited, I'm feeling overwhelmed and stressed out, and I spent my Saturday in bed and having no appetite because I was so stressed out. This was made worse by my hiring managers' announcement that they're hoping to call people back to work soon and there’s considerable attention towards delivery of performance.

Is it normal to feel experience such levels of stress and anxiety?

Part of me feels like I should be running away to another job (previous) that I am much more comfortable with. My rational mind says to distract myself when I get these feelings and just focus one day at a time.

I had exactly the same situation a could weeks ago. Step back and write out a plan for everything that needs your time - I now have a spreadsheet that demonstrates where I am in all the processes. You can do this or they wouldn’t have hired you - wobbles in first week are normal and you just need a little time to get your head around new company and new processes. Head down and believe in yourself - you can do this!

I have anxiety issues and struggle a lot with job changes.

If the anxiety makes it harder for you to focus and feel OK at work and/or rest when off work, would try the usual mental health self help advice (sleep, exercise, nutrition etc). Or if it persists and that stuff doesn’t help, you could seek professional advice. I’ve done this a couple of times when was overwhelmed at work and ineffective because of mental health.

Thank you @Loopytiles and @Backtoreality1 both valuable comments. I will try the spreadsheet idea as I’m a planner by nature and would like to see where I am and tick off progress. Also yes I know I need to prioritise my mental health but for the first time feel scared inside (embarrassing I know)