New job anxiety

[Angel34]

I have just started a new job a couple weeks ago, a totally new career for me, no previous experience. I had a really bad day with another worker and how they treated me. Ever since that day its been such a struggle to get out of bed to go to work everyday. My anxiety has never been this bad ever, I've already taken so many sick days just because i physically and mentally can't handle it.

I rushed into this job very quickly as i wanted to quit my old job as soon as possible so i applied for anything and everything. I'm starting to think i rushed too quickly and this job isn't for me at all. I have panic attacks regularly now, i start to feel very dizzy/faint and start to throw up. I sweat constantly, shake, pick at my skin. I'm stuck on what to do, i hate this new job so much and want to quit already, but its only been a couple weeks. My anxiety just takes over my whole body and i can't control it. I think it's also to do with my self confidence, i am always putting myself down and overthink everything. I work fulltime and haven't even had a full week yet because i keep taking days off because i physically can't go into work. I don't want my new workplace to hate me if i quit because i just started but i also need to think about myself and my mental heath/well being. Every time i think about it, it always triggers a panic attack. It's never been this bad before.

I've never spoken to anyone about this and i probably need to but, i just need help on what to do.

[Learn to Fly]

Hi Angel34

Well done on reaching out. You said you had never done this before. It takes a lot of courage so really, well done.

I would like to check with you on two things:

Have you had a chance to visit your GP? The symptoms you are describing are pretty full on and it’s certainly wouldn’t hurt to run them by a PG who might assess you physical and mental sides and guide you in the right direction.

Secondly, I realise this is a new job but do you think you could have a chat to your manager and explain your situation? This might help them to understand your situation, see the reason why you take some time off, and possibly rearrange things and responsibilities to accommodate them to your needs.

Look after yourself there.

[yggdrasil]

Hi Angel34,

Huge courage to comment on here and disclose your challenges to strangers, so well done! The BB hotline (1300 22 4636) can also be helpful to get you used to talking about these things with others. I've called it many times. There are also other lines, like Lifeline (13 11 14) which can help when you're in the middle of a panic attack. I've called that one many times too.

I want to echo what Learn to Fly has said. If you have a GP you trust you can explain this stuff to them, and they may help you set up a Mental Health Care Plan, which provides up to 20 free sessions a year with a psychologist or social worker. If for whatever reason you're not comfortable talking about mental health with your GP, you can call around nearby clinics and ask if they have a GP with experience in mental health. Sometimes psychiatrists become GPs etc. All the GPs I've spoken to about depression and anxiety have been really good however.

I understand those intense panic attacks at work, I've had them many times. Feeling like you're not competent, that this is a catastrophe, making you feel really ashamed, and so on... it's easy for this to escalate into a really serious panic attack - this has happened to me many times. I've found with work it's essential to remember you can only do what you can do. If your mental/physical health prevents you from working on a given day, there's no point pretending otherwise, or just trying to "make it happen", as for me this makes things much worse. You have to just really accept whatever state your in.

Like Learn to Fly said, if you trust your manager you could explain the situation to them, as many workplaces have good mental health policies now. BB also has some great resources around mental health and work (https://www.headsup.org.au/) and strategies for raising issues (like being treated poorly by a colleague) with your employer, as well as creating a strategy you can all live with.

If it doesn't work out with your current job, there are lots of more flexible jobs you can try while you build up your mental health. For example, I did food courier work for many years. While not glamourous, it can be great because you can often pick your own hours, listen to music while you drive, and interactions with customers are almost always really positive (everyone is happy to get their food!) I've also done volunteering on community farms etc when I've needed a break from work. All the best,

yygdrasil

[Adalaide]

Hi angel34,

Reaching out is so commendable and you should be very proud of yourself for being able to do that!

Work anxiety is such a difficult thing to experience as it feels like there is no viable escape but I promise you there are options with coping with this job.

First, seeking help from a professional is a really great way to get some strategies for coping with your feelings. No matter how big or small your feelings might seem, you can get some really good advice for coping and healing.

Second, try to have a conversation with your supervisor to see if they can make some accommodations for you while you’re working things out.

Hope this helps!!