Every few years I find myself helplessly stuck - always starts with elevated work/life stress. Once trapped I immerse myself in self help books and try some of the techniques, also take prescribed meds.
The worst part of it now is that my current work situation is causing me constant worry and panic. I didn't exactly love my job before, but I got by OK. But now, because I'm in this weakened state (depressed) - every little problem, every new task, every setback just feel like a nightmare. The average workday brings on several events where I get that "OMG, this is the last straw, I can't do this. . " feeling. And it seems like I'm in a constant cycle of 1) try to justify quiting 2) realize that's not a reasonable option 3) go back to struggling to make the most of it again. I often find myself wishing for a simple, low-paying, mindless job, but I also realize that I would likely regret making that type of decision when I begin to feel like myself again. But right now I just so much wish there was some way to escape and still be OK.
So making a career decision, or any major decision is a bad idea right now. It seems the sensible thing to do is to push forword and hang in there. But at the same time, the work situation was probably the cause of my unhappiness and it is probably prolonging it. I know there are many people who would read this and say "you should be glad you have a job" and I completely understand that, and realize that being unemployed nowadays could turn out to cause me even more worry.
The biggest part of my problem is that I worry too much, especially in my current condition. I spend too much time looking for worry and always find it and then spend too much time dwelling in it. I worry about failure and what people think of me way more than I should. I try to tell myself that I should just do the best I can and if I still fail I have to accept that I'm less than perfect, etc. Instances of failure down the road do seem very likely, so guess I have to find a way to absorb whatever the consequences turn out to be.
Another problem is letting go of my work frustration when I'm away from work. I let it bother me evenings and weekends, so I never really get a break from it and it wears me down. I am hoping that I can somehow find peace and simply accept things the way things are. i want to get back to enjoying my life.