I'm really struggling with my job :(

[Cookiepops40]

My work has been getting progressively worse over the last 18 month. I started in the job 4 years ago and in that time, the area I look after is now 6 times the size and we also lost the other support roles and its just me. In the last year, we were supposed to get more people than it was stopped due to cost and the impact of covid. I had a couple of bosses who I got on really well with and felt like they had my back. They left and I had no manager for a while so was trying to hold all my work up by myself with no guidance or direction. Now I have bosses who I feel are unsympathetic to my situation. But its not just old work, its a lot of new stuff coming in and I feel like I have no support, no manager. I work full time but I've been working around 5 to 6 extra hours every day on top. I've been speaking to manager saying I'm struggling but today I had another 'get it done' and I feel like I went over the edge and I felt sick, dizzy and panicky. Later on I felt like what I think was a panic attack (thanks google) but it felt like I was having a heart attack. Now I feel absolutely shattered and tried to have an early night but can't sleep as my mind is racing, thinking about work and how I'm going to get everything done. I know I need to speak my boss about it but Im not someone who has ever suffered with mental health or anxiety before. Can anyone recommend how I go about this? Also can anyone recommend how I can manage this? I had previously thought I can cope but I now need to do something. Thanks and sorry its a bit long winded.

I think that’s stress op. You’re over worked. You need to book a one to one in with your boss. Outline the key tasks your undertaking and time to do them, and how many hours a day you need to work. Tell him or her you wish to come up with a plan to make this manageable. Don’t get emotional, be calm and professional and give the details clearly.

I was in a similar position last year and ended up having a stroke - speak to HR or if no HR then record your complaint about workload and lack of support in a letter

Work stress is horrible when it becomes all consuming like this. Try to talk to your boss, or get signed off for a while and re-evaluate things. People can cope with stress in the shorter term but when it has gone on a long time, you will just make yourself ill if you don't get some help. I ended up leaving my job but my new one isn't that great either but bearable until I can move on. I think the pandemic has created huge amounts of extra work for some people.

thanks, I thought I could cope for a long time. even after the panic attack last night, I still went to work today and put in 11 hours but Ive been panicky and jittery all day and then been in floods of tears all evening. Im going to speak to my manager (who has nothing to do with my work coincidentally) and depending on what he says/how supportive he is, I might call the doctors. I dont want to push my stress and workload onto others though.

@Cookiepops40

My work has been getting progressively worse over the last 18 month. I started in the job 4 years ago and in that time, the area I look after is now 6 times the size and we also lost the other support roles and its just me. In the last year, we were supposed to get more people than it was stopped due to cost and the impact of covid. I had a couple of bosses who I got on really well with and felt like they had my back. They left and I had no manager for a while so was trying to hold all my work up by myself with no guidance or direction. Now I have bosses who I feel are unsympathetic to my situation. But its not just old work, its a lot of new stuff coming in and I feel like I have no support, no manager. I work full time but I've been working around 5 to 6 extra hours every day on top. I've been speaking to manager saying I'm struggling but today I had another 'get it done' and I feel like I went over the edge and I felt sick, dizzy and panicky. Later on I felt like what I think was a panic attack (thanks google) but it felt like I was having a heart attack. Now I feel absolutely shattered and tried to have an early night but can't sleep as my mind is racing, thinking about work and how I'm going to get everything done. I know I need to speak my boss about it but Im not someone who has ever suffered with mental health or anxiety before. Can anyone recommend how I go about this? Also can anyone recommend how I can manage this? I had previously thought I can cope but I now need to do something. Thanks and sorry its a bit long winded.

I used to feel like this. Please talk to HR and see if they can help you. Also, have you been referred to occupational Health at all? I was referred to them in my last job and found them really helpful and supportive.

I'm a HR student and helping people like you are exactly why I want to go into the profession.

Sending lots of hugs and love to you ❤️