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How do you handle having a Job?

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Posted 1/31/2018 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
I see that people on here have jobs and I want to know how you guys handle having a job. I have, among other things, GAD and social anxiety. Every single task I have to do makes me panic. I instantly feel overwhelmed, like I can't do it. My mind starts racing and I can't concentrate. I'm nauseous, sweating, my heart pounds out of my chest. If it's something that takes multiple days, I can't sleep at night. My panicked state doesn't go down until the task is over. Then, there's another task... Half the time I am so paralyzed by my anxiety that I can't do the things I have to do. It's the reason I had to drop out of school. I can't imagine having an actual job though. How do you guys do it?

Post Edited (Lola12) : 1/31/2018 12:18:04 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/31/2018 8:54 PM (GMT 0)
Having a job is extremely difficult for many with anxiety and panic. I worked with mild anxiety for most of my life and worked at my current job for 10 years and then had my nervous breakdown. My job is high stress and it takes everything I have to get through most days. Besides being on meds, I also meditate, and go to both CBT and Talk Therapy.

Since my breakdown three years ago, it has been a difficult road. There's no easy answer, just don't give up hope.
Posted 1/31/2018 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lola,

I am sorry to hear of this challenge you are currently facing, I know how frustrating anxiety can be when it keeps us from doing the things we want and need to do!

Strangely, I feel really confident/focused at work, and rarely have anxiety there...

...the exception is if I am having physical symptoms...since my job requires me to be constantly exercising.

If this happens, I dig deep and use all my coping skills to push through.

Anxiety has taken enough from me. It will NOT have my career as well.

Have you been, or are you in therapy now? A lot can be managed with coping skills learned there ...

...or you can look up some great tools in our Resources. Practicing the suggested exercises daily will make a big difference in how you feel.

Best to you, and keep us posted.

S.C.
Posted 2/1/2018 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Wow at SC.

sorry you are going through this Lola. I am "fortunate" enough to have my own office so I hole myself up in it or I go for a walk up and down the back stairway to get some water.

For the most part I take a deep breath and focus on the task at hand instead of everything at once. I approach each assignment in steps. Usually, I'll find a groove and won't even think of anxiety until after I am done or until the next one arrives.

Also, I think it is because I have been here for so long that I feel comfortable here.

I hope you find comfort soon!
Posted 2/2/2018 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
I am self-employed with my own biz and like SC I actually do much better while I am working. I don't have to be around anyone or put up a brave front. if I had an office or retail job -it would be very very hard for me. I have done this type work since I was 19 so there are no suprises anymore and I can sleepwalk tru it if need be. add to that that its very physically demanded and being tired takes away atress and anxiety and aids in getting to sleep eaiser.
Posted 2/2/2018 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
It's great that all of you have found solutions that allow you to remain employed! Would you guys mind sharing what your jobs are or what industry you work in? I'm trying to get an idea of the types of jobs others with anxiety have.
Posted 2/2/2018 6:25 AM (GMT 0)
I am a dance teacher/choreographer. I have a medium size studio with an average of around 12 classes a week....and about 120 students depending.

I have been doing this for so long that not much rattles me. I try to keep an open mind about what my expectations of myself are. I avoid the perfection trap...and always have a sense of humor, and a plan 'B' if a particular class is going off the rails (my youngest class for 3 yr. olds is like trying to herd squirrels at times!) I forgive myself for mistakes and always have my coping skills in my back pocket. ;)

Postive Mantras and Breathing Exercises are key for me...especially during big shows when the pressure is on to (literally) perform.

I do believe that with some time, effort in your recovery and finding the right job/environment...that you will be able to successfully work! Be hopeful...it will happen for you.

S.C.
Posted 2/2/2018 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
I am currently a Computer Programmer at a pretty big company. The job is stressful but when I'm coding it's tolerable but it's a constant battle. Meetings are what kill me. CBT was the most useful type of therapy for me. I just had about 2 1/2 years of really doing well and then I have hit a bad patch for about 2 months where I've really had to dig down deep.
Posted 2/3/2018 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
I own and operate a lawn service . lots of fresh air and exercise and low stress usually
Posted 2/3/2018 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
As a bipolar, I have a lot of trouble with jobs, also.

The type of work that I did for some years was home health care. I would go into people's homes and help them with their meds, their meals, etc. There weren't a whole lot of people or bosses around, which made it easier.

Also, there is something called the night shift for that, where there is not a lot of activity going on, and usually not a lot to do. So, you might think about that.

It's good that you're thinking about work. It is very therapeutic. Both helping somebody and a job.
Posted 2/5/2018 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
Does your company have any programs or classes directly related to improving one's mental health/wellbeing? Many places do, and this has helped me drastically.
Posted 2/7/2018 10:12 PM (GMT 0)

Tim Tam said...
As a bipolar, I have a lot of trouble with jobs, also.

The type of work that I did for some years was home health care. I would go into people's homes and help them with their meds, their meals, etc. There weren't a whole lot of people or bosses around, which made it easier.

Also, there is something called the night shift for that, where there is not a lot of activity going on, and usually not a lot to do. So, you might think about that.

It's good that you're thinking about work. It is very therapeutic. Both helping somebody and a job.

I think I might need help in this area Tim Tam as I cannot monitor my eating habits anymore and would qualify for disability.

yeah
Posted 2/9/2018 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
You might can qualify for disability.

It took me awhile to get it, so if you do apply, you might want to start as soon as you can.

I finally had to go through a lawyer. They just don't want to listen to reason.

The lawyer gets a certain percentage of your lump sum. I don't think the percentage is that high.

There might be something called "disability lawyers" in your computer, by typing into the search engine "disability lawyers for your home town." Or by going to the computer yellow pages, or YP, for your home town in the search engine.

I know somebody who got disability through a lawyer and was OK with the percentage that she had to pay her lawyer.

You could apply on your own, maybe look up on the net what it says about applying for disability, both on your own and with a lawyer.

I cannot monitor my eating habits anymore, either, and looked up no or low carb diets, have found it difficult to come up with any sort of solution for losing weight, for I have diabetes, also.

I may put some of what I found in your other post about something to do with that topic.

Also this web site has a diabetes forum, with a Lanie G. who gives very good advice about losing weight.

Post Edited (Tim Tam) : 2/8/2018 5:15:56 PM (GMT-7)

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