Getting fired due to underperformance at work / Anxiety

[Em_-_-_-]

Hello,

My Dad (an electrician - worked for 40 years) has been suffering from Anxiety and has recently received a warning from his employer due to under-performance and making mistakes. Since then his confidence seems to have been shattered and is now making more and more mistakes at work, he says he is unable to make decisions and his boss says that customers feel as though he doesn't know what he is doing anymore. His employer knows that Dad has anxiety and is being medicated for it but doesn't understand why Dad isn't able to do his job - and saying things like "You've done this for years, why can't you do this now" and "I don't see what the problem is, stop making customers nervous".

He has been asked to reply to his 2nd warning letter, I think he is going to loose his job. Whenever he goes to a dr - they just change his medication levels but he hasn't received any advice or medical certs to have a break from re his work. I don't know how to support him.

I'm starting to loose sleep over this worrying about him 😞

[Rumples]

Hi Em,

Thanks so much for reaching out to BB today, it's very courageous of you. Please know that we're hear to help :0)

I'm so sorry to hear dad's having a rough time of it. Being older has it pitfalls.

I'm no doctor, but is it possible that dad may be experiencing memory loss due to age or even at the extreme, early Alzheimer's? Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behaviour. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks that were once second nature. It certainly fits the bill in regards to his behaviour your relaying.

Have you discussed this possibility with his GP?

Back to you

Rumples :0)

[Em_-_-_-]

Thanks, we haven't discussed that as a possibility. I'll see if he has asked his dr about it.

He said that when he goes to work - he just turns to 'jelly'

[blondguy]

Hi Em - - -

Good on you for posting for your dad! You are a very caring person 🙂

I used to have bad anxiety for a long time and I am probably around your dads age....You mentioned that the doctors keep changing his medication..There may be various reasons for the doctors doing so. Medication for anxiety is never really a fix all....The meds do provide us with a solid platform on which we can heal using ongoing frequent counselling though

Can I ask if your dad has any counselling/therapy for his anxiety? Even seeing a GP on a frequent basis can be a huge help towards recovery

I remember when I used to turn to 'jelly' when I went to work....Its not a nice place to be in...

any questions are always welcome...and my best for your dad

my kind thoughts

Paul

[Em_-_-_-]

He has had one or two counselling sessions for his anxiety. But has been very irrigular with seeeing his GP. Work seems to take up all his time and energy. I am strongly encouraging him to see someone but its hard to get him to actually go

[blondguy]

Hi Em----'s

I used to have chronic anxiety with the same symptoms as your dad....and its not a good place to be in..My work also took up all my energy as well... yet if we dont seek ongoing counselling we may not have a job to go to

You are an amazing person for caring the way you do......and good on you 🙂

There is only so much you can do at this time. I am sorry that your dad hasnt engaged frequent counselling as he would feel so much better after a few appointments talking about his pain/anxiety

we are here and listening Em. I hope your dad is doing reasonably okay

Paul

[Carrie_B]

Hi Em. It’s really tough seeing someone you love change. My daughter watched me go though something similar. I am getting better but it is taking a long time.

your dad needs pressure removed from him. A good supportive doctor would give him time off work. It is also understanding why he has anxiety getting to the reason will help. It took me 5 years. I am just now beginning to recover. Something causes the anxiety. Mine was victimisation at work. It was so subtle I did not realise how destructive it was. We think we can overcome and men are taught to be tough etc so they do not seek help. There is also a lack of good doctors. So finding a good doctor who is gentle and kind will be a big step forward.

[SapereAude]

Hi Em,

Well done on reaching out. Sorry to hear of your Dad's tough times. Did he manage to get some time off work to seek help, relax, refocus and take some of the pressure off? I'm not sure that if your Dad's employer knows he has anxiety, that giving him formal warnings is terribly supportive or helpful. Sounds like his employer could be more empathetic and doesn't have a great deal of experience dealing with mental health issues.

Take care.

[SapereAude]

Also check out Heads Up www.headsup.org.au which is in conjunction with Beyond Blue and aims to improve mental health in the workplace.