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Posted 6/23/2009 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
My anxiety is so much better than it was a little over a year ago - at that time I was hospitalized for a week due to "bipolar (I or II, I can never remember), with psychotic aspects". Now my anxiety seems to be 100% connected to my work. I feel the "kicked in the stomach" feeling every single day. The only day I don't really have this feeling is on Saturday. Sunday I have anticipatory anxiety.

I am now seeing my therapist again (just started back yesterday) and she helped me with some guided imagery to minimize the adverse impact of a couple of difficult people in my workplace.

I take Celexa, Wellbutrin, Lamictal and an omega supplement (which my doc agrees with). I also take Zyprexa when my anxiety is particulary bad.

I have one and one half years until I can retire. I have no choice but to continue working until then.

Don't know why I am posting, not looking for answers, guess I just wanted to express what I'm feeling right now.
Posted 6/23/2009 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, girlfriend! I can totally relate to work anxiety. But I'm not a good one to discuss it with. I've quit jobs because of the anxiety.

I do have a few suggestions. Remember that it's not the workplace that is causing the anxiety. It's your body's response to being there. Now, I don't know if this has become a habit for you? You think about going into work and WHAM! The anxiety kicks in. Is there something going on at work that is causing these feelings? If so, get to the bottom of it. There's no reason you should suffer until you retire.

You are certainly covered in the medication area. Do you think it's time to increase the dose on any of your meds? Let us know how you're doiing!
Posted 6/23/2009 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry you're having a tough time. A year and a half sounds like a long time, but does it help to focus on the fact that there's a light at the end of the tunnel?

Hang in there.
Posted 6/23/2009 8:25 PM (GMT 0)

Aries8 said...

Oh, girlfriend! I can totally relate to work anxiety. But I'm not a good one to discuss it with. I've quit jobs because of the anxiety.

I do have a few suggestions. Remember that it's not the workplace that is causing the anxiety. It's your body's response to being there. Now, I don't know if this has become a habit for you? You think about going into work and WHAM! The anxiety kicks in. Is there something going on at work that is causing these feelings? If so, get to the bottom of it. There's no reason you should suffer until you retire.

You are certainly covered in the medication area. Do you think it's time to increase the dose on any of your meds? Let us know how you're doiing!


I am seeing my therapist again and she said exactly the same thing - I have conditioned myself to react this way.



Nothing specific going at work but I have a highly stressful job - the Human Resources Officer for an Air Force installation. I have also been in this job for nearly 16 years, so am probably suffering from burnout.



Thanks for your comments and encouragement.

Posted 6/25/2009 5:09 AM (GMT 0)
I think I've conditioned myself to wake up to a racing heart every morning. It's getting better but I can relate to what that's like. Once you're conditioned to do something, it's a little difficult to change it back around. But we can do it. I just stay calm, I use positive self statements and I write in my journal.

You can and will get through this. Any vacation time coming?
Posted 6/25/2009 2:09 PM (GMT 0)

Georgie,

Hey there, I was in the very same boat as you and took early retirement and used my pension plan early.........but how dumb was I? confused    confused

Do you have long term and short term disability............if you do it is a thought as you can take some time off and with your history I am sure your physician would do the necessary paper work and you could collect on your disability insurance?  You would still have income and you could reduce your stress.

Just an idea.  No one mentioned this to me as an option and I was not thinking clearly at the time so it did not come to me until it was to late.  I had 26 years in with a perfect attendance record. 

Let us hear how you are doing.

Hugs

Kitt

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