Work and Anxiety Problem

[Daaanz]

Hi Everyone,

 

I feel I am in a little bit of a dilemma and I would really like some advice!

 

I've been struggling with panic attacks and anxiety very badly for the last 8 months at work. I usually have very bad anxiety before work, sometimes I'll have a panic attack if I'm really dreading going. The anxiety carries on very badly throughout the day and often I'll have a panic attack at least 3 times a week.

 

I don't get panic attacks very often outside of work, the only other time I've had them is in very busy shopping centres. However I know that work is the cause of my anxiety, this is where it started and where it continues to happen. The people I work with are so nasty towards each other, everyone is always discussing how much they hate the work and the management are very rude and give no support. Being there I always feel on edge and most days I feel like I just cannot carry on any more, as much as I wish I could just quit, I know I can't.

 

Now my dilemma is, I've been looking for new jobs as like I have already mentioned, I believe that workplace is the main cause, I never suffered previously and I just want it to stop. I've got a couple of interviews coming up - I know I don't already have a new job to go to but I've been thinking... My team leader is also my best friend, she knows all about my anxiety and she will do whatever she can (management allowing) to help me. I've discussed leaving with her and she does not want me to go, but she has also said that she knows I need to do what is best for myself. My problem is that, if I leave and go somewhere else, will I just feel exactly the same? If that were to happen, I wouldn't have my team leaders support and that scares me quite a bit, that I would be totally on my own. But I could go somewhere else and be perfectly fine? I know I will probably never find the perfect job, where everyone is totally happy - but surely I can find somewhere better than where I am and be happy myself?

 

Has anyone else experienced anxiety in the same way that I have? If you have, I would love to hear your stories/advice as I don't know what to do!

 

Thank you all so much in advance.

[jen_r]

I'm actually going through this right now. My work place has become so negative and it's mentally exhausting dealing with everyone talking crap about each other all day long. I want to quit so badly, but my anxiety keeps me from going on interviews and starting the whole process over again. I hate being the new person and learning the ropes. I like my hours @ my job now...but there are days that I wake up and just DON'T want to go in and I feel like it's showing in my work.

 

If your anxiety has only surfaced since being at this job - I would say the job is causing it. I have anxiety all the time so I know any job will have some anxiousness surrounding it.

[addictedtoyoga]

I'm another one who is going through this right now, so I empathize and I'm sorry that you have to deal with this. I'm *thisclose* to quitting my job because I know it will make a huge difference in my anxiety/panic attacks, but because we're in a bad economy right now, I'm trying to hold off for as long as I can.

 

I did go through this about 11 years ago, again it was job stress (and I was a student), and when I quit the toxic job it was like I got 100% better overnight.

[whichwayisup]

Mental health is so important, and right now your body and soul is screaming at you to make a change. The anxiety and panic attacks (oh I know about those all too well!!) are red flags. Your gut is telling you to quit your job, you know you're unhappy so do it. Quit. Much of your anxiety will lessen but I suggest you go talk to someone, try CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) and learn to cope with anxiety and not be scared of it. A good trained therapist in CBT will guide you, give you the tools you need to handle anxiety and panic attacks, you control it instead of it controlling you.

[acrosstheuniverse]

Have you had any therapy? I second the recommendation for CBT. There is a lot you can do to manage/lessen your anxiety and panic attacks. Although you can run from the situation, you may find your anxiety and panic follow you. Much better would be to at least try and cope with your mental health issues while remaining in your current job. For some there comes a point where the job really is genuinely so damaging to your emotional wellbeing that you can't do anything further to make it manageable, which would be a good point at which to find something new. But without even trying any therapy, you'll never know.

 

CBT looks at relaxation techniques, education around the nature of anxiety/panic (knowing is half the battle when it comes to anxiety disorders), thought restructuring and exposure therapy. Once you learn how to cope with your anxiety and minimise the effect it has on your life, you may find work is much more tolerable. There is a lot you can do to cope with and tackle anxiety, before you go straight to quitting a job.

[HeartDesires]

Exercise is a good method to reduce stress, anxiety and panic attacks....

[newmoon]

i have not had panic attacks, but 2 of my friends suffer from them. they seem to come up here and there and are not situation-specific. i would bet that you;d experience them regardless of where you worked. you might be wrong in assuming it's the work - it could be something entirely different that is causing them. seek some assistance, and do further reading on panic attacks and what triggers them. and yes, have a work-friend nearby to help you if you have one

[BrokenManAgain]

Headphones. Good music selection. Drown out the world. If others want you, they can tap you on your shoulders.