Needing advice on how to deal with generalized anxiety

KymKymKym · ‎27-09-2015

Hi, I am desperate for any help or advice on how to live with or deal with generalized anxiety. I hate feeling like this, I want to be myself again! I was diganosed with it only a couple months ago, have been seeing a doctor every 2 weeks and have been speaking with a counsellor. My anxiety and depression is caused by my job. I hate it. I hate thinking about it, seeing ads about the company I work for on TV, even washing my uniforms is hard. I have been looking and applying for so many jobs and haven't even got an interview which is making me feel unworthy and depressed. I can't leave as I need my wage to live. I'm not entitled to any financial help. I have not been sleeping properly for months, not eating, I avoid going out as I feel "scared", and everything I loved doing before, I hate now. I feel like my mind and heart is constantly racing, I feel like crying all the time. I'm trying to get professional help, but feel like it isn't working as I do need to go to my job every week. I just want to know if anyone who has been in a similar situation can give me advice or tips on how to not be so anxious all the time. Thank you for reading.

Paul · ‎28-09-2015

Hi KymKymKym

Glad you yelled out for help.

I did a quick search and found a fact sheet on generalised anxiety disorder. "Find resources" at the bottom of this page then I searched for "gad".

Returning to anything that you hate is bound to have and effect that keeps getting worse, then to be reminded all the time must be horrible.

When I have episodes of anxiety I wonder if it's ever going to stop and I feel like there's no way out and i'm being overcome. I've found mindfulness meditations help when I'm like that. If I can't do a meditation because I'm busy I stop, listen to things around me (birds, planes, nature, the city being busy doing its own thing) and have a chat with myself about being OK, that right at the moment I'm OK and even though the situation seems like it will never go away I bring my focus to the next 5 minutes, or 30 minutes or even the next hour. I only allow my brain to work within that timeframe, so I'm not going to be stuck forever and I don't run off projecting doom and gloom.

What is it in particular about your job that you hate?

Paul

KymKymKym · ‎28-09-2015

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your response. I need to research meditating, a few people have told me about it I just wonder if it will help. I feel like I can't stop my mind from racing especially when I am alone. It's also hard as I feel that the closet people to me think it's a "phase" and I also worry about it not getting better when I get a new job. I pretty much hate everything about my job, the sales pressure is full on, I get told that I'm doing doing a good enough job, and have been moved to a different location (not my choice) is what really pushed me over the edge. I am struggling to go to work every day. I feel so mentally and physically exhausted all the time. I wish I could just turn it off. I honestly don't know how long I can keep going to work.

Cherpieus · ‎28-09-2015

Hi KymKymKym,

I have experienced anxiety particularly about work a couple of times in my life. It was so debilitating and scary.

My friends and family thought it was a 'phase' too. I can tell you it wasn't. The first time I had to make the decision to leave my chosen career and go into something less stressful. This did help, although my friends and family weren't to happy because it involved me earning less money. I didn't care because the reduced stress did alleviate some of the anxiety symptoms - along with personal counselling.

The second time I experienced this I was going through a divorce and my job was very stressful too. I'd have panic attacks on the train and sometimes had to cancel client meetings. I started actively looking for another job and eventually got one. The anxiety didn't go away though. I had to go on medication and this really helped. Again my family thought I'd 'lost it' and were not really supportive. It took about 2 years to get through that and I only did with medication.

Keep applying for jobs. Go through all contacts you have and tell them you are looking for a change in job. It's surprising what may be available that's not advertised. If you have some sick or annual leave perhaps you could reduce your hours a little each week. Perhaps drop one shift or half a day whilst you look for something else.

Don't be too hard on yourself. The fact that you are still getting up in the morning is awesome.

You will and can get through this.

Cherpieus