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Mental health

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Original poster

Has your mental health effected your job prospects?

14 replies

Birdie8989 · 15/09/2023 18:08

I have a professional qualification, and so my job / career comes with a level of responsibility. I'm not even high up (couldn't deal with the stress), just working with numbers and budgets etc. I've messed something up, big, and I feel like I'm going to die. My boss and even the client have been really nice about it, but today I've found it's worse than originally thought. I don't think I'd get sacked but I just don't know how mentally I can come back from this. I have a doctors appointment on Monday and think I'm going to ask to get signed off while I hand in my notice. I am having panic attack after panic attack, constantly feeling dizzy and sick. I drive a lot for work so it's not exactly safe.
It's made me think about what I'm going to do next. Can I handle a position with such responsibility? Am I better to go and work a menial job, giving up what I have worked towards so far?

Has anyone given up a profession to take a low stress job? Was it worth it?

OP posts:

Fahbeep · 15/09/2023 18:15

Please don't resign. You need to take some time off and reflect and speak to a GP about your anxiety. You may also have lost perspective of how bad it is. Spoiler alert, if it was bad, they'd be telling you, not saying not to worry about it. We all make mistakes.

Original poster

Birdie8989 · 15/09/2023 18:52

Thank you for the reply. I don't think I can see straight, I feel like I have an elephant sitting on my chest constantly. I have marks on my arm where I've dug my nails into myself. I know I'm not well.........but it's really the wrong time to be taking time off though, we have so much work on. And I love my boss, I don't want to make life difficult for her. I just don't know how to cope. It has completely ruined my confidence to complete my job properly.

OP posts:

PinkTeaForMe · 15/09/2023 18:57

Please do take some time off without guilt. You need space to process what has happened and to reflect. I am very similar to you and often make work matters bigger in my head than they actually are. Once you have some time away from work you'll see that it isn't as all consuming as it feels now. Your boss will appreciate you being well at work rather than in this constant state of stress. All the best and please don't resign x

user1846385927482658 · 15/09/2023 18:58

Hold on, you're not in the right state of mind to be making permanent decisions like resigning.

Take some time. It's just a job, they will cope for a few weeks while you get better. Confidence can be rebuilt.

There's nothing here that is unfixable - don't self-sabotage by resigning over a mistake that your employer isn't concerned by.

user1846385927482658 · 15/09/2023 19:02

Let your doctor sign you off.

See what other support would help - you can self refer for talking therapy (eg cognitive behavioural therapy).

Are panic attacks new to you or do you have any strategies that have helped in the past?

Fahbeep · 15/09/2023 19:06

Let the GP decide if you should be signed off for a bit. Don't fight it if they say you should take 2 weeks. When you are feeling better, ask your work if there is some resilience training that might help you. I am thinking that your issue is anxiety, not your job, and you will take your anxiety with you to the next one unless you address it. CBT might also help. I think you need to reframe what you are seeing as catastrophe as mere set backs. We all have them. I was told this week that I won't be getting the promotion I want this year. Am glum about it. But having a child with ASD and ADHD and big problems with exclusions from school last year helps keep it in perspective. I try to count my blessings, but it isn't always easy! You are obviously doing well, have a professional job, but just need a bit of support.

XelaM · 15/09/2023 19:06

Has anyone given up a profession to take a low stress job? Was it worth it?

I've done it at one point and no, it was not worth it. It was still stressful in a different way and I had no money.

Original poster

Birdie8989 · 15/09/2023 19:22

Thank you all. I'll see what the doctor says on Monday. Is it too much to go to a walk in centre at the weekend with anxiety? I have a history of anxiety but nothing on this level. I feel like I can't breathe and it won't subside.

OP posts:

user1846385927482658 · 15/09/2023 19:32

Of course you can access out of hours care if you need it.

Check what the arrangements are in your area, you might be able to speak to a mental health nurse or get an out of hours appointment by calling 111.

Fahbeep · 15/09/2023 19:43

Try doing some breathing exercises from YouTube. They might help you to calm.

katepilar · 15/09/2023 20:11

Sounds like you are having a bad anxiety after you messed up. The thing is probably not that bad as you feel or think. I find these heavy symptoms go away once the problems are solved and people involved are ok.

Cupofteafortwo · 15/09/2023 21:04

Just want to give you a hand hold. I’ve been in the same position and almost quit. It turned out okay. It wasn’t as bad as my Head had made it out to be.

DRS1970 · 17/09/2023 10:07

I gave up work as my bipolar partly led to my driving license not being renewed. This meant I had to give up my employment as I could not longer get to my place of work some 30 miles away. I began looking for local but found I enjoyed being a house husband, and the lack of work related stress led to an improvement in my overall health. Fortunately, we were lucky to be able to afford for me to continues being a house husband, and I have never looked back. I had been told for a number of years by my consultant and CPN that I should not really be working, but thought I knew better. However, it seems they were right. While losing my job was a shock and a negative experience at fiat, it turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me. Although, I acknowledge that a person's ability to do this is very much dependent on their financial circumstances, and not working in paid employment at all is not everyone's cup of tea. Hope this helps. GL

Geogaddi · 17/09/2023 10:38

The problem with this OP is you're trying to hide from your anxieties. I completely sympathise with you and have the exact same issues with work related issues and it's effected my career journey for sure.

If you leave and start a new job you are going to be carrying that experience with you to the next place. You will become so worried about it happening again that any small error will have you spiralling again, possilby even worse. Do you see what I mean?
The best possible thing you can do is get some help with the anxiety and maybe address how you deal with it in the future.

Honestly, I have waisted so many many times in my life being sick, Sleepless, ill, depressed because of issues that I over worried about and noone else cared that much about. It's been a long and difficult learning experience for me, and I'm still learning, but I do know it stems from very low self esteem and being terrified of being talked about negatively.

Take some deep breaths, maybe take a week off, remember we are all human, we all make mistakes. You are probably excellent at your job you just don't see it .

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