Managing Anxiety with Work

[Wingnut 13]

Hi! I’ve been suffering from anxiety since I was 10 years old. I am now 22. Through the years I have gone through probably 6 jobs and lost all of them due to anxiety! I now have a once in a lifetime job opportunity working for the county with a good job, and benefits. 

However, most of the time I will be outside either on a boat, or actively moving in South Florida heat. (Summers 90-110 degrees and 80% humidity). My anxiety usually ALWAYS gets worse in the heat, and I’m afraid I’ll panic badly on the job....what are some techniques I can do to keep calm? 

[BrokenArrow 52]

The best advice for any panic related thing is "don't think about it" and I know how dumb that must sound but it's honestly the truth. You have to retrain your brain to not go into things in a negative light. For example my big fear is vomiting. Don't even really know why but I know it scares the hell out of me. I work in the food industry, and every single time I eat at work I think "Oh my God I shouldn't be doing this because it's going to make me throw up" and right after I get done eating I get gassy and have all the feelings of needing to vomit. Ofcourse it never happens because its all in my head, but it still makes for quite the crappy work day. 

The best advice I can really give you is to try to distract yourself. Avoid known triggers and try to just submerge yourself in the job. Focus on things you see, things you hear, things you smell. Anything to make yourself think about something else. If you are on a boat then look at the water, see if you can spot any fish or look at the sky and count the birds. As long as your mind is not thinking about the panic monster then it loses its power. 

[Pistol Star 18]

You have to feel the fear and do it anyway.

I recommend this book : Dare by Barry McDonagh.

It's true that it is hard, really hard to work through anxiety, I cannot count how many night with anxiety and insomnia and having to go to work feeling so bad. I quit a job and almost lost one too but now I go to work and dont try to avoid situation no matter how crappy I feel. Avoidance is not good.

Good luck, give us news.

         

[davide.h 26]

I'm currently experiencing an anxiety attack at work. I'm not sure why. My life's pretty good at the moment but I just feel an overwhelming sense of dread. 

[Ethansmom 39]

I had an anxiety attack in the shower this morning (of all places). I take Klonopin daily because my anxiety is bad. I see a therapist and also take Lexepro, but i'm just so scared of what im feeling. How do you go about your day with this feeling. I guess i'll try to just dig into my work and go with it?? It's so hard. I know how you feel wingnut.