topic First time posting anxiety about work in Anxiety

First time posting anxiety about work

Fizz_wizz — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 11:04:15 GMT

Hi everyone

this is my first time posting so I hope I'm doing it right. I have always suffered with anxiety and depression and got help and have been great for 10 years. I have worked in retail In the same place for 7 years and I was happy but recently got the opportunity to move into a different roll in a different store but same company I have totally freaked out with panic attacks vomiting and not eating and just wanting to hide, my anxiety is consuming me I have a choice to stick it out or go back to what I was doing before with the chance I get less hours I'm really confused and don't no which way to go if anyone has any advice I'd really appreciate it.

First time posting anxiety about work

blondguy — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 14:17:45 GMT

Hi Fizz Wizz

Good on you posting a thread about anxiety as there are many people that can relate to what you are going through

I used to be a manager for the huge supermarket chain that isnt Coles and also had bad anxiety too. The biggest mistake I made was not seeing my GP/counselor for help....and my anxiety became worse...ugh!

Can I ask if you are seeing your GP?....They do have a better grasp where anxiety is concerned now compared to when I was trying to get some help

The forums are a safe and non judgemental place for you to post Fizz

By the way.....You have a great attitude....as in proactive...Good1 🙂

When its convenient.....can you please post back

I really feel your pain Fizz.........you are not alone here at all

Paul

First time posting anxiety about work

Astro_Boy — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 19:45:25 GMT

I too have just started a new job and anxiety has been escalating as has my insomnia. I had an unfortunate instance yesterday at work where I thought my team had gone home and I was talking to a colleague about the frustrations of the day and what I was having with my team, and low and behold their were members of my team still there and most possibly overheard the conversation. This has caused me a pretty bad anxiety attack since it occurred including all the physical aspects. Now I need pull myself together and go into work as if nothing happened and behind closed doors seek the workplace support I need so this doesn’t happen again and be ready to address the issue with staff if they raise it. Sometimes leadership is tough and this was all because I made a poor choice of where and when to seek support.

First time posting anxiety about work

Fizz_wizz — Wed, 19 Sep 2018 23:07:51 GMT

Hi blondguy

THanks for your reply. Yeah I'm seeing my GP to get a health care plan in place but the problem is I need to make a decision on my job in the next day and I don't no which way to turn stay in what's causing my anxiety or go back to retail.

First time posting anxiety about work

SammyD100 — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 00:12:00 GMT

Hi FizzWizz

Well done on posting here – that first post must have been pretty confronting to write! I hope the feedback you get is helpful for you.

You talk about experiencing panic attacks in relation to the job opportunity you have been offered. I wonder what it is that may have triggered this response for you? Is it the prospect of changing roles? Changing location/store? Working with new people? Taking a different route to work?

When you think about taking up the job opportunity, what are the thoughts that immediately come into your mind? And then what feelings do you get after that? I guess I’m wondering whether there’s a specific aspect to your anxiety about the new job – if we can get to that exact source of anxiety, we might be able to work out a way to challenge that thought?

SammyD

First time posting anxiety about work

SammyD100 — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 00:21:33 GMT

Hi Astro Boy

That sounds like a really stressful situation! I feel for you as I was once in a similar situation, where I sent an instant message about my boss, which was intended to go to a colleague - but I accidentally sent it to my boss. Not very professional and very embarrassing!

Back to your situation though. You’re right, leadership can be tough, and isolating. For example, sometimes it’s hard for your team to understand the issues you’re facing because you’re doing the job of protecting them from management / bureaucratic issues that they aren’t aware of, but that are sources of stress for you.

Can you remember exactly what you said? Maybe it wasn’t as bad as you think it was? It’s possible that those members of your team didn’t hear what you said and there’s nothing to worry too much about?

Or if they did hear you, is there a chance you could try and use this experience in a constructive way – to frontfoot the issue for example by apologising to the team, explaining the source of your frustration, and collectively trying to work on ways to improve the situation that was causing your frustration?

So how did today go for you?
Sammy

First time posting anxiety about work

Fizz_wizz — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 01:35:02 GMT

Hi sammyD100

Thanks for your post my anxiety is triggered by the change plus the department I'm in is not exactly organized and is not doing the best plus the other staff member I'm working with we don't exactly get along I do like what I'm doing but the anxiety is causing me to hate it.

First time posting anxiety about work

SammyD100 — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 01:53:46 GMT

Hi Fizz wizz

Great to hear back from you!

It sounds like the prospect of any change is triggering these thoughts for you?

And it also sounds like things aren't great in your current role? If I have understood correctly, in your current role there are some not-so-great things happening - disorganised department, underperformance issues, and issues with another staff member? But you do like what you're doing, which is great!

I wonder if it might be helpful to write down all the good and not-so-good things about your current role, and do the same for the role you've been offered? Would that help you to make a decision about what the right choice might be for you? Then once you've made that decision - to stay or to leave - you might be able to look at tackling the anxiety related to that decision?

I help out on the forums on Thursday mornings only, so unfortunately may not be able to respond to you for another week after this post. Good luck making a decision that feels right for you!

SammyD

First time posting anxiety about work

Fizz_wizz — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 03:18:17 GMT

Hey sammyD100

I've decided to go back to what I was doing before as the environment is just not right for me I'm going to struggle money wise but it's better then burning myself out I'm also going to the doctors to get help and hopefully work on my anxiety. Thanks

First time posting anxiety about work

Astro_Boy — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 11:29:47 GMT

Hi SammyD

thanks for sharing your experience. I was pretty racked with anxiety this morning but made myself go into work. It was a relevantly normal day. All trying to get the work done. I just checked in with everyone about pieces of work. I met with mentor and discussed an approach which I have put in place. I also went to my GP to get some help sleeping. I still have the low buzz of anxiety so will need to ride it out a little longer.

First time posting anxiety about work

Fizz_wizz — Thu, 20 Sep 2018 13:22:43 GMT

Hi Astro boy

Good on you for pushing through your anxiety, you should feel so proud of yourself. Well done for going to your GP that can be a big step in its self your heading in the right direction. Don't let your anxiety control your life.

First time posting anxiety about work

Fizz_wizz — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 14:51:20 GMT

Thank you for everyone reply to my post I really appreciate the support and advice its comforting knowing that I'm not alone. I've ending up work out that a particular staff member was the root cause of my anxiety as there's only the two of us Iand i was getting left to do all the work and i couldn't go to the manager as they are both mates so I've decide to go back to my original role I feel a lot less anxiety it's just a shame because I liked what I was doing and now I'm on less money but it's not worth making myself sick over it as health is more important and another opportunity I'm sure will arise. It just goes to show how controlling anxiety is. Thanks again everyone.

First time posting anxiety about work

blondguy — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 09:44:03 GMT

Hi Fizz

Thankyou for taking the time to post back to everyone (even though you dont have to)

You have made a sound decision Fizz as the reason (or trigger) for the anxiety is not an immediate priority.....the symptoms are....Once a GP/counselor can treat the symptoms then you can have a better quality of life......and then the 'triggers' can be sorted out.

Good on you for making the effort to see your GP 🙂 Your immediate health is a priority.....the reasons why can be left until later...I understand that the money isnt as good for sure.

Great stuff Fizz and Astro Boy for treating the anxiety symptoms as a priority! If we didnt have new members then there would be no forums to post on.....Thankyou heaps 🙂

Fizz mentioned "but it's not worth making myself sick over it as health is more important" Good1

Your thread is always open.....I hope you can post back when its convenient for you

my kind thoughts

Paul

First time posting anxiety about work

Fizz_wizz — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 11:12:42 GMT

Hi blondguy

Thanks heaps for the support and your posts. I made a very hard decision and felt good about it for a few days but now I'm right back where I started I'm stressing about money now as I've only been given 12hours so I'm worried I won't be able to pay my Bill's I'm not sure if there is any financial support for someone in my situation or even who to ask. I also worry I wont ever be the person I use to be as I don't enjoy much at the moment and find it very hard to get out of bed in the mornings. I hope eventually I'll see the light at the end of the tunnel.

First time posting anxiety about work

SammyD100 — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 01:39:23 GMT

Hi Astro Boy

Well done on making it into work last week, despite feeling incredibly anxious! And also for going to see your GP for some assistance with sleeping.

Hoping things have settled down a bit more for you at work this week,

SammyD

First time posting anxiety about work

SammyD100 — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 01:50:09 GMT

Hi Fizz Wizz

As I was reading through the posts on this thread again I realised I had misinterpreted your initial situation at work. I had mistakenly assumed you hadn't yet started the new role, and were trying to figure out whether to take the job offer or not. Obviously I got that wrong so I wanted to apologise that my advice hadn't quite hit the mark!

I was so relieved when I read that you'd decided to go back to the old role, and that you felt confident that this was the right decision for you. I was really heartened to read that you were wanting to prioritise your mental health, and you wanted to ensure that your anxiety didn't control you. I loved that this was the conclusion you had come to.

Then in your most recent post you mentioned that you felt like you were right back where you started, and were feeling really stressed about money as your hours had been reduced. Have you been able to talk to your boss about increasing your hours, if that is what you need at the moment?

I'm not sure what your age or situation is, but is there a chance that you could access Centrelink support to help you out while you hopefully get support for your anxiety?

I love that you still could see there might be hope at the end of the tunnel. I hope so too,

SammyD

First time posting anxiety about work

Fizz_wizz — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 08:16:17 GMT

Hi sammyD

Thanks for the reply. It's ok if you didnt fully understand I probably wasnt making much sense as I've not been thinking straight. Unfortunately at this stage I cant get anymore hours as there are none available. I'm 27 and me and my partner are still living with my parents at the moment but I've just got Bill's i have to pay and I'm not sure if there is anything available for me at centerlink but that's something I can ask my doctor about when I see her next. Thanks for all your support.

Its nice to know I'm not alone.

First time posting anxiety about work

Croix — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 10:31:49 GMT

Dear Fizz Wizz~

I read elsewhere you had been to the doctors and had been offered a Mental Health Plan.The most obvious downside is that it can cost money, and I know you are stretched at the moment. The provider may bulk bill, in which case you pay nothing, or may charge more, in which case you have to pay the gap.

On the upside it is an opportunity to help learn how to handle your anxiety and depression. This has been so limiting for you that anything you can do to lessen its effect on you has to be good. I think we would all really like to know if you can take the offer up.

Having the next day looming up of an evening is horrible, and as you say makes getting rest and sleep very hard indeed. It's quite understandable to put off going to bed, it does make the next day seem closer.

I guess there are two separate things to try to do. The first is to try to make the tomorrows less daunting. While I suspect it might be your work or bills that's the trouble I don't know for sure - would you like to say?

If it is work do you have any ideas to make it less stressful? With bills can your partner help?

The other thing of course is to lay the groundwork for more coping skills. here that MH plan could be good, treatment for the underlying problems would seem pretty sensible.

I'd like to mention a couple of places to have a look:

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/staying-well/sleeping-well

and also

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/anxiety/self-help-tips-for-managing-anxiety

That last one is pretty long but I've found a lot in it to help. (Copy the links and paste into your browser)

Croix

First time posting anxiety about work

Fizz_wizz — Sun, 30 Sep 2018 15:32:51 GMT

Hi croix

Thank you for your post.

I guess it is the money side that is stopping me from going to the doctors to get the mental health plan and I have seen a psychologist before but apart from the medication I didnt find that seeing them really did much at all so I guess I'm doubting it about. I'm not actually anxious about work its self I guess I'm anxious about leaving the house and whether I'll be the same person again I dont want to hurt myself or anything I think I'm just confused as to how everything with myself has changed so much. I do recall dealing with my anxiety better when I was a teenager but I guess for years I wasnt put in a situation where i felt trapped. For all those years I thought I didnt have anxiety anymore.

First time posting anxiety about work

Astro_Boy — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 10:21:55 GMT

I'm so glad I found this thread again. I re-read all the comments to remind myself that I can get through the tough times of anxiety triggered by work and still show leadership.

I had another instance at work were I was having a confidential conversation, unintentally I might add, when after the conversation and agreeing to a course of action, that this was a mistake. Another case of a long high pressured day, lack of sleep and seeking support in an area that should have been safe to do so. Now I need to go ensure action isn't taken first thing in the morning. I wish I could learn my lesson and get better support that is safe and confidential.

thanks for listening