Work anxiety - feel like giving up

[HelpMeChill]

It's a busy period at work and even though the work itself is fine, it's triggering a lot of anxiety and I am barely coping.

I usually work from home but the next few weeks involve some travelling and a lot of social contact and as I've been so deprived of it it now feels like a huge deal. I'm worried about plane crashing, children missing me, catching illnesses from being in crowds, being social without making a fool of myself. I didn't realise how bad it had become.

It's using up so much of my mental space that I'm starting to make mistakes at work as I have no brain space left to stay on top of my game.

I'm now catastrophosing massively that everyone will think I'm rubbish and/ or I'll get fired.

I feel such pressure in my chest and just want to burst into tears. I think I may just have to give up and quit, it isn't sustainable.

Any advice or if someone can talk me down it would be much appreciated. I used to be so good at my job ;(

Sorry to hear you’re having a tough time at the moment. I can go in cycles of this. Everything can get too much between the kids, house, work and I start catastrophising at work and getting overwhelmed.
I find I need to address the high level of stress in my body before I can rationalise things - for example go for a walk outside without phone, do a fast walk on the running machine, have a bath, listen to a relaxing meditation/ do breathing exercises etc. Then work out what I am missing that’s causing me to get overwhelmed - usually its because I am tired.
In terms of work itself, would it help to list your achievements, or think about times you’ve been praised? When I am having a hard time just going into work or doing a particular meeting I kind of coach myself through it step by step and also plan in some rejuvenating alone time to look forward to.
Does your work have counselling/ coaching/ mentoring available - could help?
Best of luck - you can do this!

I’d love to be able to talk you down and give you the confidence to get out there and do these things. I feel exactly the same, have spent so long WFH that going out into situations I’m not familiar with is a massive deal.

At the least, I can reassure you that your feelings are very normal and very valid. I also think these things are worse in our minds than in real life. If for some reason it does turn out to be awful, you do have the right to walk away and come home, that is always an option - even if you have to make something up.

I took Bach’s rescue remedy spray for something I had to do recently that makes me anxious. It really helped me.