Work Anxiety

[GregtheEgg]

Hi,

I have anxiety (specifically panic disorder) and it's particularly apparent in relation to my work, and it's having a very negative impact. I'm so anxious about checking for details that I miss details. I'm so anxious about researching the right area that I end up researching the wrong area. I'm so anxious about doing a good job that I make stupid, easily avoidable mistakes.

I feel like I'm drowning and that I will never get to the place I want to be, careerwise.

It's getting harder to motivate myself to go into the office each day. If anyone has gone through this or has any experience I would love some tips/strategies/advice/anything.

[Icy123]

Hello GreghteEgg, I joined today and Thread you have started seems so relevant to me, the situation I am going through at my work right now. Sorry, I do not have any tips to share to overcome your situation, but my experiences to let you know that you are not alone.

I am a migrant and permanently moved here a couple of years back with my family. My main intention was to establish myself in employment so that I could provide for my family. I was fortunate enough to find good opportunities as well, but the cultural differences in the workplace hit me like a wave over and over during past years causing to trigger my anxiety.

By the nature of my profession, I should have attention to detail, work with colleagues with diverse work backgrounds and be proactive and creative. I found this job opportunity is exciting at first but gradually I felt it hard to deal with the things coming into my way. First I found it's hard to adjust to the work culture and then I started to beat myself on the unintentional mistakes I did while doing the job.

My Manager is also not so helpful and picking things up constantly. This affected my self-confidence really badly and I started doubting myself. And this leads me to panic even for the smallest task I do, do more mistakes, miss more deadlines and I could not concentrate properly. I did well back there in my country, but right now I feel like a not so competent loser. Eating disorders, not getting sufficient sleep, difficulty to pay attention, spending time alone has become a result of this. Luckily my family understands me and there are a couple of colleagues I could share what I feel right now. Finding a new job is the easiest fix, but now I have started to doubt my self badly, that I am afraid this would happen to me again.

Work stress is not so simple as it says. We all need coping mechanisms to get over the blues we are in. I am looking for ways and hope you would too. Peace..

[Litty]

Thanks to everyone who replies to posts. I don't feel quite so alone after reading them. After working hard for my employer for 10years I was recently fired, not because of my work but from struggling with how to deal with fellow workers and the problems that arise from this. I don't have any advice,I just wanted to say thanks everyone for sharing