Workplace Anxiety

[MontanaR]

Hi All,

This is my first time posting. I'm seriously struggling with my anxiety and would like to share my experience to see if anyone has had a similar situation.

I work at a marketing agency that had 2 people leave the first week I joined (should have been a warning sign). It was going ok for a while but as more people left I took on more responsibility that I wasn't trained or supported in.

We had a new manager promoted and things got worse. Every time I made a mistake he was so disappointed and mad at me. I developed severe anxiety around this and ended up having to go back on medication and seek counselling.

I told work and they were very understanding and without me saying anything, had sensed the tension and said I no longer reported to my manager. Which was great as a new very supportive manager had come on who I really clicked with.

Unfortunately the new manager didn't like the environment and left after a month, leaving me with no manager.

Over the past few months I have become extremely anxious and unhappy. Yesterday, I found out I had made two mistakes. I told my first manager about one and then found out about the second and got too scared to say anything. Once I left work I was having a panic attack waking down the street.

I know I need to take time out and focus on my mental health. My friend in the same role is also quitting this week. If she wasnt, I'd 100% put in my notice.

I'm so scared about doing it at the same time as her and everyone being mad but my anxiety is so crippling I don't even want to go back.

I know this was super long winded sorry. I am just in a very awkward situation!

Any advice or story sharing is much appreciated.

Thank you

[Doolhof]

Hi MontanaR,

Thanks for sharing your story. I am sure there are a lot of people here who can relate to what you have written.

Have you spoken to a Dr about how you are feeling?

Is it possible for you to take a few days off work? Is it possible for you to leave altogether?

As your health is being affected in such a way, I feel you need to look after yourself and not the work place. It sounds like it is a tough environment to work in.

Can you seek help from anyone at work if you stay there?

Do you have ways to calm down and destress when the anxiety hits you? Finding coping skills and strategies to calm down again may help.

If you feel like you need to leave, maybe that is what you have to do. Do yo have friends and family you can talk this through with?

Hope you are able to get help for your anxiety nd work out what you need to do.

Cheers from Dools

[MontanaR]

Hi Dools,

Thank you for your reply! I've spoken to a doctor before, three times over the last few months and have another appt today. I'm also seeing a psychiatrist.

I do really want to leave and I think it's the best option but with no other job lined up and my friend quitting too I'm in a horrible position. Which doesn't help my anxiety because now I feel trapped

I feel like I do alot of things like excercise, meditate and art but I never stick to it for too long.

Yesterday when I had a panic attack I could have used the tools I've learnt to calm down but I didn't. I just got so wound up and wanted to almost as punishment for my failures. I'm at the point that I want it to get bad so I don't have to return to work. It's so messed up.

There's only one manager who I can kind of talk to about it but at the end of the day I'm just staying in a toxic environment.

[Greg61]

Hi Montana,

reading your posts, I think you already know the answer, or at least part of it. You are working n a toxic environment. You need to leave that environment.

and yes, I know it's not that simple. Start planning for the change - apply for similar positions with other employers. Or maybe something completely new.

while you're doing that, talk to that manager you connected with. Talking about it with someone in the same nfironment helps so much - it's debriefing!

It sounds a bit like bullying too. There are laws, yes laws, against that in the workplace. Do you have a Health and Safety Representative? A committee? Talk to them. Psychological injury is a real thing in a workplace and it can do real harm.

Also talk to your GP. I'll never forget my GPs first words when I told him what I was feeling. He said "that's the last time you'll feel this way, you have depression and anxiety, along with a large part of the population, and so you're not alone". That felt so good to hear!

put yourself first!

I hope this doesn't come across as cliche or cheesy or flippant. Take care!