Stress Center Peer Support

I quit my nursing job 3 years ago due to have a debilitating panic attack at work. I then bought the program and did pretty good with it. I can't say that I am panic free but much better. My problem is that I lost my job at an in home daycare center and now are trying to go back to nursing. I had an interview today and was so nervous about driving the 10 miles to it that my husband drove me. I did fine it the interview. What I want to know is how do I shake this anxiety about work? Just thinking about it makes me nervous and somewhat shaky. I can't just stay home. My phone will be cut off soon and my daughter wants new school clothes. Please give me advise on how to leave this panic behind. I feel like he is on my back.

Sad that no one bothered to reply to my question. Anyway I am feeling better. I guess I will just have to push through my anxiety and hope that I can make it. And if I die I guess I will just die. Although we all know from the Cd's DVDs and books we won't die just feel that way. (still not totally convinced of that).

It seems like I posted to you...not sure if this is where it was. Paislee

I have been reading your posts and can definitely relate to the stress over job search. Insecurity while going to the interview - being unemployed. For me I have lost 4 jobs in the last eight years so my resume is a mess. I lost 2 due to layoffs. I lost one because they promised something and didn't deliver and I self-sabotaged and was eventually fired. 4th job I was let go 89 days into my probationary period before my health benefits were to begin. I feel scarred, went into a downward spiral; checked into a mental health facility (2008) for a few days have worked several temp jobs. I'm afraid of being a failure, afraid I'll never work again, afraid of rejection, afraid my unemployment will run out and spend all day in bed. So I have money issues, it is effecting my marriage and my life. I suffer from Major depression, panic and anxiety disorder. I have an unhealthy realization that my job/career defines me. I fear rejection. I self-analyze and know my moving forward has been difficult.

I started the program several weeks ago and I have no motivation to listen. I listen as I drift off to sleep. I do take medications . . . see a psychiatrist and therapist. I'm not feeling better. Does anyone see help with the cds?

Thanks for sharing your personal stories and I realize that I am not the only one who feels anxious about interviews. I have managed a few interviews but tend to be desperate. I am in my 50's and feel washed up. I wanted to share my story and again thank you for your insight and again if I proceed--will I see help with the cd's?? I am seeking to climb out of my deep dark hole of despair!

Yes, Yes, Yes, you will get help by listening to the CDs! I had to wait to get mine from my sister, but in the meantime I read, posted and responded on here. I also had already gone through Dr David Burns 10 Steps to Self Esteem with a former Psychologist and by doing that I had weaned off my antidepressants.

When I got the CDs. I listened to them everywhere, while taking a bath, in my vehicle, doing the dishes, etc. I don't need to listen to them as much anymore, and I didn't listen to the relaxation CD until I got a portable CD player months later and it was a different relaxation CD that is very helpful. I will later try Lucinda's.

My main thing that helped was eating food high in protein, fish, seafood, beef, chicken, nuts, eggs. Omega 3's really helped to calm me down. I stayed away from chocolate and never was a coffee or coca cola drinker. Not much of soda pop either. So that helped to keep sugar levels down as well. I really sacrificed on drinking hot chocolate, as I could tell this was reving me up.

Take care...Paislee

I guess you can try and control your panic by not overreacting to it. It's VERY normal to experience some nerves when starting a new job, everyone does! I still on occasion and I've been in this position for over a year. What you're experiencing now is anticipatory anxiety, which is always worse than the actual event. I bet you anything when you do start a new job, you'll come back here and tell us it wasn't so bad!

Hi all,

Just an update to 'stress over job search' and my addition to the thread. My moods go up and down and rely heavily on my job search. I've been searching for a position for over a year but not always vigorously. My unemployment has brought a lot of stress to my marriage as well.

Today I received a rejection from another position. I have lowered my expectations regarding rate of pay and also want a position with less stress. I still can't get a job.

I am working with an agency that has helped me secure several positions in the past. It is difficult to forge on; get up or do anything.

My mind is a mess. I push people away; my marriage is on a thread; I spend most of my day in bed; I talk to no one; and I try to control any rash decision that I want to make. I really don't have the energy to read the book or listen to the cds. I don't know what to do any more. I see a therapist, psychiatrist and am on medication. (And I have to push myself to go to see therapists).

i just complete my graduation.I desperately need job. I would like to choose some part time job and study something. is it possible?

depressed58, you really need to listen to the CDs if you are lying in bed. What kind of anti-depressants are you on? Some can make you tired and others give you energy. Remeron made me tired...Wellbutrin works great. I'm not on any now, I hope that you will be able to at least get out in the sunshine, even if it is to sit with your spouse. P

hello there fellow nurse,
I understand the stress with nursing trust me on that one. But is it the type of nursing that is stressing you out? For example, I would sometimes help in other departments and when they told me that I needed to go help in a Dr.'s office I got really stressed and almost a panic like I needed to run out the door feeling. I am a hospital nurse, what was I going to do in a Dr. office? I had no idea what it would be like. I learned that part of it was fear of the unknown and part of it was that it just was not my cup of tea. With nursing there is so much we can do. Find what makes you at ease and comfortable. Getting back into a stressful situation just to get through will again lead to upsetting yourself. Try and take care of you. Hope things are getting better