Anxiety Skyrocketing!!!!

[Anxiety Sux!]

Hi all,

I'm finding atm that my Anxiety has blown thru the roof, I would call it a G.A.D but it definitely relates to work, in the last 5 years I've had a lot of trouble in work with keeping it(6 jobs in 5 years) and putting up with a lot of bullying at these places, being put down and made to feel fairly worthless(Im a Cook and I know I can work well but due to all the negativity ive experienced Im starting to believe that I can't do my job).

I have just started a job in a kitchen which the people im working with on a regular basis seem good and supportive, but due to my anxiety im finding it so difficult(almost impossible) to do my job well. Im so worried im just going to bounce out of this job and I realy dont know what to do about work, I just keep seeming to stuff up!!!

Im on my split atm so any advice work be great, Ive seen a GP and got back onto anti anxiety meds(month for them to kick in) and seeing my reg GP to get some counceling, trying to self calm but dosnt realy work. I just feel so pent up with tension!!!!! and I wish I coud just get this anxiety to go away!!!!

[PatT]

Hi there,

I've worked in hospitality most of my adult life and even as a waiter I've found it very stressful, and seen it especially affects the chefs. They seem to be constantly berated and put down, blamed for things that aren't their fault and often held to unrealistic standards. I'm just thinking on your behalf here but is being a chef what you really want to do? It seems as though it will continue to be a stressful career choice and if you're not dealing with it well now, is it something you want to remain in for the rest of your life?

There are lots of things available to help you potentially move past it e.g. psychotherapy, meds etc. but careers make up such a large portion of our lives it's worth asking yourself if you want to stay there. Otherwise keep up the meds and psychotherapy and find ways to destress yourself at work.

[Touille]

Hi AS,

Welcome to the forum.

I'm really sorry that you have been bullied so much. It's nice you are a cook, my younger sister is a Chef.

My sister left her upper class restaurant job due to bullying, the people complained about how many pieces of tomato they got in a salad, it was pathetic, my sis now works as a Chef at a beautiful golf course, she loves it there.

I was harassed in a job 8 years ago for 18months, I left a mental wreck, never trust my colleagues in my new job for a year, I had to have counselling due to bad anxiety, so I know how you feel, more so in your situation as a cook, it would be difficult.

Your job is in a different place, you seem to have a keeper, don't let the anxiety stop you, this job seems like the right mix of people for you to work with.It's great you are getting counselling, give yourself time to trust people again as you have been traumatized in the past. Try not anticipate bad things happening or imagining negative thoughts, this job will have its odd challenges, approach them the best you can.:)

I hope my message helped you.

Take Care

Touille

[Anxiety Sux!]

Hi PaT,

Thanks for the response, and as u know how our indusrtry goes it can be quite stressful! And you are quite right about Careers and our working life being 'so important' to us. I would love to go out and do somthing else(which I have quite a few times but always end up back in a kitchen), I think reskilling and retaining is a good idea as I constanlty think about it and as I get older(40 now) my stamina and Health isnt what it was when I was 20 and Kitchen work is getting a lot harder, my problem is I have to build up my self esteem and confidence to tell myself'I can do this' instead of thinking 'Im not smart enough, I wont succeed) , but hopefully meds and counciling will end this horrid merry go round of anxiety and depression.

Thanks again 🙂

Send me good thoughts for tommorow as We have a Race meet and goig to get SLAMMED!!!!

[Anxiety Sux!]

Hi Touille,

Thanks for ur comments, your sisters plight seems like what I(and a lot of Chefs) go through, a harsh industry indeed! Its great she is in a good enviroment now and from what I can see I think I am in a good enviroment, its just my anxiety that keeps reminding me about past experiences even though I try to keep the positive self talk going at work, and u are so right this is a new place, new people and my immediate boss seems like a great guy. I did reach out and let one of the senior chefs know I did suffer anxiety, her response firstly was to load me up with yummy deserts(hehe wont say no) and since them she always asks me sincerly how I am today. And totaly true about anticipating bad things happening, my last counciler and I went thru that quite a lot!

Im sorry to hear about ur harrasment, and I hope that you feel a lot better now and its good to hear your councling helped. A I said to Pat I think my time in kitchens is comming to an end but forst I have to reskill and retrain, it will take a while but in the end if i do what I realy want it will be a blessing.

Once again thank you, send me good thought for tommorow as we have a race meeting and will be TOTALY slammed 🙂

[Touille]

Hi AS,

It's great to hear your boss is understanding, so that's a positive sign. You just have to control your anxiety best you can.

I knew a Chef who changed jobs, he use to cook for 250 people at one time. He is happy not cooking now.

Wow, sounds like you gonna have a full house tomorrow, well make sure you get some good rest, be prepared well, that's gonna be a busy kitchen, try and focus with your colleagues on getting the dishes prepared well and cooked good so no complaints.

All the best mate, you will do well and feel great especially after satisfying all the customers. Be positive and if it helps, listen to some nice music before you start work to calm your nerves.

Goodnight from here.

Touille.

P.S. I have more to say, but I'm getting tired, so I better hit the hay, try and sleep. 🙂

[Anxiety Sux!]

Wish things were better, 6 months later I think things are worse! Talking to a Phycologist but soooooo anxious, causing depression, stuck in a loop of self talk that tells me I am terrible at this and everything I do.

Supporting partner helps, thank god for her

Dont know what to do?!?

[Anxiety Sux!]

ok so just had a webchat to a great councler on the site, that has helped! still not in a good place but i pointed in the right direction

[Anxiety Sux!]

One year on, things 100 times worse! Gp tommorow who will probably do nothing, dont care if im negitive! this just is immposable, cant do this anymore, no real help!

[blondguy]

Hey Anxiety Sux

You are not alone here as you know and good to see you again

I had chronic debilitating anxiety from when I was 23 till my mid 30's

The severity of the anxiety has reduced by about 90% even though I have depression now (as you mentioned)

I dont care if you are negative either. Anxiety can last a long time........unless we have take up regular counseling to reduce the anxiety itself. I had weekly therapy when I was in my late 20's and couldnt stand the thought of going...........until this cool counselor made me cry about all the crap that I was angry about

I understand your pain no worries at all. It does take a huge mega effort including accepting any help you can get from your GP. I have been taking meds for 21 years so I could rebuild my foundations and heal properly

Thanks heaps for posting again...I hope some of this has been a help to you

My Kind thoughts

Paul