Fit for work assessment

[DannyG]

Hello all

i am in need of help. I have been having panic attacks at work recently. Today my HR department have asked me to have my GP fill out a fit for work assessment. It has particular questions that basically ask if I am able to do my job. This frightens me as I think it means that my employer are trying to fire me. Has anyone ever had to have one of these filled out? What did you do? What happened?

[Not_Batman]

Hi DannyG

it is good that you are getting treatment. Im sorry to hear that you are having these thoughts.

Focusing on the threat of losing your job exacerbates the panic and anxiety. Its a vicious cycle where you think the worst, therefore you convince yourself of the worst. And sometimes it can be hard to get out of. But the cycle can be broken, using the tools you learn at therapy.

apply these and maybe soon tou will stand at the door of tour work and tell tourse ‘i’m DannyG, i’m strong, i’ve got this’. Empower yourself to win against the thoughts.

Ask yourself what can you do to change the outcome? Stick with the therapy, and dont worry about work, just focus on yourself. You are number 1.

try to focus on and hold on to the positives in life. These give you strength to carry on.

you can always get another job, you cant get another life.

i hope that each day becomes better for you as tou go through the therapy sessions.

Not_Batman

[DannyG]

Thanks so much for your kind words Not Batman, very much appreciated

[CalmCat]

Hi DannyG,

Your post is so heartfelt, thank you for sharing.

I just wanted to add that health is number one, forgot about work and make yourself number one!

Good luck and please share any updates.

Reagrds,

D

[missep123]

Hi DannyG,

I'm so sorry to hear that things haven't been going well lately.

I'm really glad that you reached out on the forums though!

I can understand that you have put in so much effort to go to work (going two hours each way is a dedication for sure!).

I agree with Not_Batman I can imagine the fear of losing your job would snowball and create a vicious cycle which would make it very challenging with the anxiety.

I personally also have anxiety so I completely can understand what a grip your thoughts can have on you. I once heard a quote though that really resonated with me, 'worrying is suffering twice'. I believe it was from the movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I have always thought about this and tried to apply this to my life, to stop trying to worry about the future (I can completely understand that it is easier said than done).

Please continue to keep us updated, we really are here for you!

[Summer Rose]

Hi DannyG

Like the others who have responded I am very sorry that your anxiety is flaring.

Healing takes time, so please don’t be hard on yourself. One only has to look at the evidence to appreciate how far you’ve come. You got through the stress of the assessment and are now in treatment and that’s amazing. Well done to you.

Your focus now is on getting well. At the same time, I understand that your concern about losing your job is genuine and unhelpful. I can only imagine how hard it is for you to start your journey to work each day. You are brave and strong to persevere.

In a perfect world you’d have time and space to heal without this pressure but we all know our world is far from perfect. But I’m wondering if improvements are possible.

Is there anything practical work could do to help you? I’m thinking of accessing some leave, reduced hours or temporary work from home—if you think it would help.

If not, use your breaks to practice some self-care. Get outside for a walk, call a friend or listen to some soothing sounds (I love listening to a snowstorm), whatever works for you.

It might also help to break your day down into chunks and focus your n what you need to do to get through each chunk. One chunk at a time, one day at a time you can get through this.

Kind thoughts to you

[DannyG]

I wanted to thank everyone for your responses.

i have not been fired yet. My work duties have been modified but I am still having panic attacks daily at work.

I will keep you posted

[Summer Rose]

Hi DannyG

So nice to hear from you.

I’m really sorry to learn that the panic attacks are continuing on a daily basis. I can only imagine that you must be exhausted. How are you feeling?

Modified work duties could help the situation but it really depends on how you feel about it. Do you see this as a genuine attempt by your employer to help you? Do the modified duties help?

No pressure to answer any of these questions but happy to talk it through.

Kind thoughts to you

[missep123]

Hi DannyG,

I'm sorry to hear that you are still having panic attacks, that must be very difficult.

How are you finding the modified work duties? Is it helping at all?

We are here for you! Thank you for keeping us updated!

[DannyG]

Hi Summer Rose

I thought that the modified would help but I’m still anxious.

my duties have been modified to temporarily absent me from the work location where I have my most panic attacks. This was not my decision, it was my employer who decided this.

now i’m Anxious that my colleagues will resent me because I have modified duties.

i honestly do not think my employer wants to help me. I found out today that my manager has been asked to make daily progress reports to HR about me.

this I am not meant to know, I found out by accident.

It just confirms my belief that my employer is gathering evidence to fire me. As I have already been assessed as not fit for work there is nothing that I can do.

i am feeling very hopeless right now. Any advice anyone can give would be very much appreciated.

[DannyG]

Hi missep

thank you for your kind words.

i am now so afraid that I can barely function. I am trying so so hard not to have panic attacks at work.

but the reality is that I am broken and I cannot do my job. So I’m just waiting to get fired.

and when that happens my life is over.

i don’t know what to do except keep trying. But I am so very tired.