Is there anyone free to listen/help me

[Stressedout1980]

I can't do this anymore but I don't know how to change things

Hello

Can you tell us a bit about what needs to change Stressed? Happy to hold your hand

hey whats wrong, if it helps to talk

Always here to listen and hand hold if you want to talk xx

I had my first 'break down' Friday - at least I don't know what else to call it at work. Panic attacks, mistakes and worrying I am going to be in trouble. I can't stop crying, I can't eat or sleep

Was it out of the blue Stressed or were you already struggling? Have you spoken to your GP? As far as work is concerned ime there's very little that can't be sorted out mistakes-wise and your health is far more important. Do you want to tell us a bit more about what led up to the panic attacks and how you've been feeling?

I've always been a perfectionist, an anxious person but it hit me out of the blue - pain in my chest, pins and needles and butterflies. I feel embarrassed that I can't cope and have met things slide

Thank you for listening I don't express myself very well.

Don't be embarrassed if your mental health isn't what it normally is.
You need to make a GP appointment.

Hi stressed glad you posted - don't struggle through this alone thinking you're overreacting or feeling embarrassed.
Everyone makes mistakes at work - I've made some real whoppers! But it's horrible for you that it's triggered this horrible panicked anxiety for you.

I agree with other posters - I think you should make an appointment with your GP, and really don't feel stupid about it - get the help and support you need. Is there anyone else you can talk to IRL? Sometimes bottling things up and replaying them over and over when you're already anxious/a perfectionist can make things ten times worse than they already feel.

Keep talking to us, it might help..

I don't think it's work that caused it - I think it's the tipping point. My dads unwell, my uncles dying my daughter has something going on and I'm a single parent trying to hold it all together

I think you're right in that case, it sounds like you have a lot going on right now so I definitely think you need some support.
Will you book a GP appointment do you think?

I'm sorry to hear you're having a tough time on all fronts :(

That sounds really tough. I'm so sorry. You do need help and support though.

If you're anything like me that embarrassed feeling will start to ease the second you manage to tell the appropriate people how you're feeling and what problems it's caused. ^Thinking^ about telling the GP and whoever you will need to speak to at work will undoubtedly be worse than actually doing it and worrying about it will only be magnifying and prolonging that horrible embarrassed feeling.

My advice fwiw is to screw up all the courage you can muster and ^tell^ people, as soon as is humanly possible. Don't torture yourself thinking about it, get it over with and start getting the help you need both health wise and at work. That anxious, 'not coping' feeling is all too familiar to me and telling someone is always like a weight has been lifted, just taking that first step really is half the battle for me. Be brave Stressed, people will want to help and support you once they know you're struggling

Hadn't seen your last post, no wonder you're struggling with all that on your plate! My advice remains the same though, see your GP and see what they can offer to help you through everything that's going on. Speak to work and see what measures they can put in place to support you and maybe lighten your load a little. What about friends and family, do you have people you can talk to?

Hiding that's great advice and your right, I'm so scared. My GP may help I don't know but I feel my manager won't, I'm in a senior position and don't get support generally. Thank you for responding, it's stopped the crying for a sec

Thank you woolfie

Could you take any time off Stressed?

I'm sure if you are honest with your GP, they will be able to help you. It's tough being senior at work - I used to be a team leader and couldn't deal with it actually, and will probably never go back to that again. But if your manager can't or won't help, is there other support where you work, eg occupational health, someone in HR for example?

Don't worry about the physical symptoms too much. It's frightening but not dangerous. You have too much on your plate and your mind is saying enough! Contact your gp in the morning and contact iapt too. If you can't access them then find some numbers for some counsellors and ring around in the morning. I think counselling is a real life saver. Have you thought about getting signed off work for a while? Obviously your manager won't like it but they can't actually stop you. It sounds like you need some time out.

I have called the employee help line for counselling. They are trying to match me with a counsellor in the area. I do need some time off but I can't relax till I sort out this mistake, ironically to do with not following a sick policy. I just want to scream but no sound comes out. I'm scared of medication and feel that I am boring the few friends I have told bits. I've been told my normal is most people's manic so when the anxiety hits, I can't bring myself down.

I've been through similar recently and am still going through it. My gp said categorically no drugs for anxiety, it's all about counselling, mindfulness, relaxation, exercise. Being not doing. It's so shit.

What is the actual mistake? It can't be that bad.

Also it really really helps to just cry. It's such a release.

I had medication for anxiety and it did me the world of good! I don't take it anymore but was on it for around 6 years. I now no longer have anxious feelings, panic attacks etc if I hadn't had medication I'm not sure how I would be now. Talk to your GP

Sorrel did your GP refer you for those things and how long was the wait? I just didn't follow the steps in the policy at the right time so just another thing to worry about. There's never any time, .

Minting what did the GP give you if you don't mind me asking and what side effects did it have?