Anxiety out of nowhere

[mabelineandme]

Lately, my anxiety has been overwhelming, and it’s been hitting me harder than it has in a long time. It’s gotten to the point where even the thought of joining Teams calls or talking to colleagues feels terrifying. It’s affecting my sleep, and I’m withdrawing from social situations I don’t even want to meet up with friends or go out. When I do, I feel like I have nothing to say, and I either sit there silently or avoid it altogether by staying home. It’s come out of nowhere, and I’m not sure why.

I’m also really hating work at the moment and dread it every day. Since I work from home, I never have to see anyone, but I'm happy being at home not having to talk to anyone other than my partner. I'm wondering if WFH has been the main cause of this? I've been doing this job two years.

It sounds as if you have good insight into how wfh may have played into this. It isn’t always healthy to be in your own insular bubble all the time.

Also, consider what else may be ‘layering’ on top of your anxiety. What else is worrying you even if it seems small? Deadlines? Politics? Lack of socialising? Work seems to be a big part of this.

Write out these things and work out how you will tackle them one at a time, start with the easier ones first, you’ll soon start to feel freer.

Often, anxiety comes from feeling things are out of control, or over hang constantly. Try to build in ‘breaks’ where you get away/out or treat yourself. Allow times for the anxiety to drain away, rather than building up.

Definitely. I was shielded during covid and I loved it not having to see anyone never having to leave my comfort zone but the reality was my anxiety git significantly worse to when things opened back up I couldn't leave the house every time I tried i would have panic attacks. It's like it happens slowly so you don't realise then out of nowhere you have to do something and it hits you of how bad it's got. I currently work part time out the house and if it wasn't for that I don't think I'd be able to leave the house or be around others