Needing time out: Feeling overwhelmed by work and having anxiety attacks

sam_ — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 04:54:28 GMT

I suffered from major burnout in 2021 after the passing away of my mother and suffered from overwork (60+ hours a week) and a very toxic management structure (I work in tech). In 2022 I took about 6 months off to reset and went back into the workforce on a short contract to get my confidence back.

Late last year I spent much time looking for the right permanents role and was excited to start at a new organisation. I explained my burnout openly and what I was looking for an organization and the interview process was really positive and a match in values and culture. After I started they needed someone to help out on another tech project with the promise of hiring people to support me and then I would eventually go back to my regular job (the one I was hired to do). However, none of this has eventuated and I have been working in 3 roles with little support from my manager.

I thought I was doing ok from a point of view of managing my stress levels, but as we get closer and closer to launch the work is piling on and I have all levels of the organization literally hounding me. My peers have all come to me asking me how I can be doing all of this by myself. I keep raising these issues with my manager and it was acknowledged each time "you have a lot to do" and "Tell me how I can support". - support hasn't come.

Last week I started having anxiety attacks, something I hadn't experienced since my first burnout and when my mother passed away. Along with that, not sleeping and a constant headache. The thought of work tomorrow has me in fear and dread, I've already cried a few times and had an anxiety attack. I was supposed to catch up on work today and I couldn't even face it.

I want to take some time off, but I am literally a single point of failure and me not being there is a major blow, I am feeling guilt but also knowing my mental health is a real issue. My partner has suggested I just go to work and do the bare minimum, the issue is I have no control over these anxiety attacks and when they come. I have presentations across every team in the organisation, plus working with the delivery team to launch....I am so scared I'll literally collapse in front of them.

I am not even sure what I am asking here. I just feel so trapped. I also know taking time off won't solve the issue. I can take a week but when I come back it's the same workload. I need them to change something... Help!?

Re: Needing time out: Feeling overwhelmed by work and having anxiety attacks

blues23 — Sun, 09 Jul 2023 07:30:59 GMT

Quit or go to worksafe they are not providing a safe work place go to fair work as well complain to HR if your manager is not helping you . I’ve found companies including HR look after companies not the individual. Fight for what you need for your own health it’s not worth it they may be better less stressful jobs

topic Re: Needing time out: Feeling overwhelmed by work and having anxiety attacks in Anxiety

Needing time out: Feeling overwhelmed by work and having anxiety attacks

Re: Needing time out: Feeling overwhelmed by work and having anxiety attacks