Work?

I have only been suffering panic attacks for a few months and I was signed off work for 3 weeks but that was mainly due to other reasons before the attacks had really gotten hold. Now 6 months on going to work is still really really hard. Everyday I want to get signed off work just so I don't have to leave the house but I make myself go. Does anyone else have this problem, what do you do.

Hi there

I work as well and am having massive difficulties at present and i'm not sure i can hold on much longer. I've been in this position before and i've held out as long as i could but had to quit as the strain was increasing all the more i held out. I had numerous periods where i'd have days off and then couldn't decide when i was ready to go back, this being whilst totally unwilling to go back seeing no sense in what i saw as some sort of self-harm. It's a really screwed situation because on the surface it can only show as failure and set-back and it's really painful because those around you who thought you were recovering, being out there making a living ask/tell you again "are you ever going to recover", "you ought to take medication", "pull yourself together", "what are you going to do now??", when all you want to do is curl up and crawl under the nearest rock.

I'm gonna try and stick it this time because i think i've got the courage and experience to break through this time round.

I've kicked the alcohol binge's which will definitely help because i used to hit it hard and couldn't take the come down. I think the next thing to do is fill the void left from that with something physically/mentally challenging but again this is probably gonna take some time because i'm really apprehensive about making progressive steps. I'm so uncertain on my feet at the moment.

How do i approach things if i want to make the next step?? I don't have a clue because thats new territory.


Where are the people who've recovered, eh?:)

Hi

I lost my job in 2005 and I have been out of work for 2 years now so well done to both of you for persevering with your jobs.

I guess the truth is, if you don't go to work you feel just as crap but you do it at home - and you do it more often because you have more free time to think about anxiety.

A year ago I could have never dreamt of going in a pub but now I do it 2 or 3 nights a week. I often wonder if it would be the same with work. I know there is a huge gulf between thinking you can't do something and physically not being able to do it but it's so hard to take that leap of faith isn't it.

I also found that when I last went back to work in 2005 I was just getting worse and worse all the time. It's hard enough trying to relax your mind and sort your breathing out when you're lying in a quiet room, never mind sitting in a crowded office.

Sorry I haven't offered much hope but I do wish you the best of luck.

Chris x

Yeah, me to am sorry for the little help. It's quite difficult to make suggestions because everyone has there different weaknesse's. Are you generally anxious or is there something in particular that triggers it??

I'm a simple case in that i have free-floating anxiety so i'm used to it and it only gets worse if something exceptional happens or i start slacking with diet and sleep. The only complexity is when i have a setback because that puts me into a higher state for a while and it takes some time to calm down again, to break the negative cycle.


I do think working is hugely beneficial but a difficult step to take. I do sympathise with those who think it's beyond reach because i've been there before and i'm sure if i do have further setback and have to quit again that i'd have difficulty getting back into work. It's a difficult time for anybody if you have doubts whether you have anxiety or not.

In an ideal world it'd be nice to dip your foot in and pull out because i've found that two weeks after quitting being employed, i'd returned to full health and that 3-5 weeks after, i'd be employable again. I'd love to know of someone who done this; coming and going as and when they pleased but with a real commitment to becoming fully employed, not someone who has one shitty day and quits for a few months. I've had alot of shitty days but am definitely riding a wave of confidence because i dealt with it and am reaping the benefits.

Hi there,

I like the idea of being able to 'dip your foot in and pull out' with work, I suppose something like job sharing could be the answer for some people.

As for me, I've been in work since July '07, before that I was unemployed for almost three years. Being long term unemployed wrecks self esteem and confidence big time and doesn't help the anxiety much either as Chris said above, all that free time with nothing positive to occupy the thoughts.

Choosing the right job is important too, my last job had way too much stress and resposiblity attached and it was only a matter of time before I cracked, of course having some horrible, unsympathetic line managers didn't help a lot either.
Now, it seems to have gone full circle and the present job has virtually no responsibility at all. Even so, there are days when the temptation is to pack it in but I've found the answer is to sleep on it, not to jump straight away but to give it some thought, the alternative of not working isn't necessarily the better option.

Hi all

I’m stuck in this dilemma at the moment.

Just coming up to the end of my 5th week off sick. I’m supposed to be returning to work on Tuesday but every time I think about it I start feeling sick and anxious. I know I have to go back soon as I can’t afford to be off much longer and the longer I now leave it, the harder it’s going to continue getting.

In the ideal world I would like to work part-time in the office and part-time at home as there isn’t any reason why I need to physically be at work every day. I know this would help me mentally but my suggestion was pooh-poohed :confused:

Does anyone else have the option of working from home and do you find it helps?

Hi Squatbetty

I am a computer programmer by trade and I begged my company for years to allow me to work at least some of my hours from home but they wouldn't even entertain the idea.

It seems that British employers are stuck in the dark ages and need to see your bum on that seat to know that you are doing your job.

I actually got the impression that as soon as they found out I had anxiety problems they started thinking "this is going to cost us" and in the end I was dismissed for being incapapable of fulfilling my role. I did think about playing the disability discrimination card but they are a multi-billion pound global company and can no doubt afford a better lawyer than I can.

Good luck

Chris x

I'm lucky my work have been really understanding my anxiety makes my IBS worse and sometimes I come it to work just to turn round and head back home. No one has ever complained about it to my face yet but I work in the health care profession. The girls in the office are really good at reading my mood and just let me get on with it. I've had tears, nausea, running back and forward to the toilet, hot flushes and dizzy spells and they never make a big deal which is what I need. Worring about my IBS and that I'm going to be ill makes me panic even if my stomach is fine the worry can send me over the edge, once I honestly felt I was falling apart and didn't stop crying for 24 hours but thankfully that day has never been mentioned again at work.

Things got better for me at work when I was 100% honest with my line manager what I was going through but once again her husband works with people with mental health issues so she couldn''t be anything but understanding.

Hi Chris :)

You're right about a lot of employers being stuck in the last century when it comes to home working. I can understand it not being appropriate for some jobs but it's not necessary for me to be in the office 5 days a week in my current role. Seems so silly when I know I'd be more productive, motivated and happy working some of my hours from home.

Anywho, I'm back at work tomorrow...oh joy. I'm dreading it :(

I hope your day back to work was great! Stay away from the caffeine and the alcohol at night if you use those things and I bet you will be fine!!!

I have been suffering since 2004 I used to work a full time job and had 2 part time jobs at the same time. I deteriotated to working part time only for 5 hrs a day and now none at all. I honestly believe I fed my negative thoughts and deteriorated to where I am now. I have been going now to group therapy and yesterday enrolled in a cna class to test my strength before going back to the workforce. I am starting to feel real positive about myself and have kinda come to grip the idea that I can live and work and lead a normal life with this crap. Its going to be extremely hard but I am going to give it my all. by babysteps

I figure I have nothing to lose. and I hope you all try the same.