Crippling work anxiety

[arthurjames]

Bit of a rant here.

Just over a year ago I moved from Melbourne to Hobart through a transfer at work. My partner came with me and we moved in with my parents in order to save up for a house deposit. I went from a workplace I didn't mind that had some friends to one that I completely despise. I have gone though periods of okayness over the last year however I have started to lose control of my anxiety and depression. I was away from my workplace for a month as I worked remotely and upon returning I have felt so horrible and completely overrun with fear. The reason is I just can't stand the people I work with. It is a small workplace of 20 people and they are incredibly negative and regularly talk people down. The ones that aren't so bad are just mute and put up with. I do not know if it is just paranoia or not but I feel like I have been targeted and that they alway talk about me. I have always suffered from low self esteem and I am incredibly sensitive to people thinking bad of me. I have managed to get sent away again for another month or so but that has not helped my anxiety as now it is all I can think about. I am considering quitting to find another job or transfer to another workplace with the same employer. This still stresses me out however as I am terrified I will go to a new workplace just to find the same problems with colleagues. I feel like moving back to Melbourne with my partner and the move has stressed her out massively and I think that is contributing to my anxiety. We both feel like we don't fit in here however I can't even imagine how we would actually move back. I feel lost with no purpose and no direction. I never liked my job that much and now with bad colleagues I just can't stand it. I constantly feel panicked and wake up in the morning with near panic attacks. I feel like I am always going to have these problems and that I will never get better.

[Soberlicious96]

Dear AurthurJames,

I can't help but admire you for making such a large move!

However, I too once changed for working with a challenging colleague, to working for a bully of a boss. In fact I've had a number of bosses who could do with some people skills, let me tell you.

But no-one should have to put up with dreadful behaviour in the workplace, and although I, not any of us can tell you what to do, what I would like to say is that if you want to put in for another transfer, then perhaps you could discuss the idea with your partner.

And if you're not happy in your career overall, maybe you could do some research into doing something entirely different!

If I was on my computer rather than my phone, I could paste a link to a careers quiz thing that would help you choose which career is right for you!

Anyway, I hope I'm not coming across as patronizing in any way. The ideas above are simply things that have worked for me before.

I do hope that whatever happens and whatever you decide to do will bring you to a better place soon.

Take care. I'll be thinking of you. Xo