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Anxiety about starting new job

PCL
Community Member
Hi, I’ve been suffering from depression & anxiety for past 4 years after I was bullied at work from management after a workplace injury. I’ve been seeing a psychiatrist regarding this & they just seem to put me on pills. My biggest issues are I apply for positions & go to interviews & 90% of the time get the job. I’m always really excited to start but then it all changes on the morning of starting. I can’t move & my anxiety just wont allow me to go in, so I email my new employer & make up excuse after excuse so never end up going. I recently got another position after 3 interviews & really sounds like a great place to work & full time with a reasonably good pay rate. My problem was I was meant to start this morning & again same anxiety set in so I made usual excuse & said I will need to start Monday which new employer has agreed to. I’ve tried taking paxam anxiety tablet befor bed & that still didn’t work. Any advice on how I might be able to get my anxiety in order so I can really get my life back on track & get back working again. I’m 48yo male. Thank you
38 Replies 38

Might
Community Member

its normal to feel anxious about starting a new Job.Must be even harder if you suffer from Anxiety. Acknowledge your feelings first and foremost. tell yourself its okay . Then tell yourself ; i will go for a week ,just one week. thats my goal and if i feel slightly less anxious by weekend i would have succeeded. Think about how you have never actually made it as far as day 1 in the recent past so this will be a great achievement.

It also sounds like you are a very intelligent person who has the potential to achieve a lot, give your self a chance to do that. Dont let what happened in the past take away this opportunity you have. You know those pple who bullied you highly likely have their own big chunk of insecurities .You can do this, but even if you can't its okay...

lilly2016
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member

Hello Guest 9043

I felt like I could of been reading my own Post reading yours. I too have suffered in this way so many times in the past, the exact same situation. I quit my last job and I had close to three months off work due to anxiety /depression issues but I too start my new job next week too! So I know what your going through, I also only went to two interviews so it was sudden and yes I was excited, but now I'm starting to feel the nerves kick in, but we owe it to ourselves to finally succeed, we have the opportunity so why not give it our best shot, get up super early next week before you go to work, focus on positive thoughts if you can and just get out that door, I'm just focusing getting through the day for now and in all seriousness I don't think they would expect too much from you on your first day. It's hard I know, because I am the same, but I really want this to work I'm not going to put too much pressure on myself and either should you. This will be good for you, try eat healthy and try get enough sleep the day before and prepare everything the day before. You can do this!

PCL
Community Member

Thank you Lilly. My nerves tonite are terrible as I start tomorrow morning, but I’m really going to try to not think too much about it. Just having your support & knowing you are feeling the same way makes me want to do this & get through it for both of us.

I will let you know how it goes tomorrow night.

Thank you once again

Paul

PCL
Community Member

Thank you Might, will keep you posted & thank you for your wise words & support.

Paul

Guest_093
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member
I am in agreement with what you say here totally. I have a avatar that I say to myself all the time'whatever they say or do, I am ok" does this make sense and is it believable it is too me, make it believable, you can!

Guest_093
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member
We are all barracking for you PCL, you have this hook line and sinker.

lilly2016
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member
Good luck today, thinking of you, I'm also struggling, starting today. Deep breaths. Let me know how you went. Lily

PCL
Community Member
Thank you Spitfire. I’ve tried talking myself out of it all morning & nearly succeeding but I’m just about to walk out door on my way to work. Fingers crossed I can get there😬

PCL
Community Member
Thank you just about to leave for work after trying everything to talk myself out of it. Also good luck to you Lilly hope you have an awesome day