Working while suffering

Keeping the Faith · Post by **Keeping the Faith** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 1:51 am

For those of you who hold jobs out of the home, how do you get through the day while going through this?

I'm going to be "brave" and drag myself in today...I missed most of last week from having a stomach infection. But I sit here and worry about how to get through the day in one piece.

Help! Any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated!

Faith

aliengal24 · Post by **aliengal24** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 2:57 am

Faith,

I struggled for a really long time keeping a job. I would get so anxious and nervous about going in that I would make myself physically sick. I would get really bad stomach problems and just generally feel horrible and anxious. I missed work a lot and ended up not working there anymore. But now I work on my own teaching piano. I'm much more relaxed. Although sometimes I do find myself getting anxious and I just start concentrating on my breathe and telling myself I'm OK and I'm going to be fine and there's nothing to worry about. I also found that when I have something to look forward to when I get out of work my work day doesn't seem as bad cause I'm thinking about the fun thing(s) I get to do afterwards.
I hope this helps, even a little bit. I know how you feel though, believe me. I hope things get better for you. I'd love to hear more

Keeping the Faith · Post by **Keeping the Faith** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 3:45 am

Thank you Aliengal!

I'm here at work and you are right; I keep reminding myself it's just anxiety and I've been through it before and will get through it again. I did have to quit my job once over it about 10 years ago, but that was before I knew what was going on with me.

I'm experiencing some personal issues right now that caused all this anxiety and I wasn't on my meds. I started taking them again so hopefully they will work to kick in soon (aside from making me tired) and help me cope a bit better. I figured better here with stuff to occupy my brain than at home worrying.

Pauly J · Post by **Pauly J** » Fri Dec 24, 2010 2:43 am

Congrats on you that can continue to work and have a job in spite of your anxiety issues! I have been unable to work for a little over a month due to what i feel is an extreme anxiety case for me. It started when i would get really anxious at work with all the symptoms. I then one day got this dizziness that would not go away! That one scared me, and thought to myself how can i drive, work, and deal with people with the dizziness. I took some time off and stayed home, hoping it would pass, but it didnt! That opened up alot of floodgates to fear for me! New fears that i never had before! Fear of driving, fear of the dark, fear of the shower, fear of being home alone, and then some! Most of the fears has gone away, or at least reduced dramatically! I am still concerned if i can return to work and function properly without getting overly anxious from anxiety to panic attacks! I work in direct sales, where i would have to drive alot and deal with customers directly, explaining products and benefits, and doing lots of paperwork, which has been another big issue in creating anxiety...that was a new one that i couldnt understand why i wss getting anxiety attacks from doing paperwork with customer after successfully placing an order for them? I had tried on a couple of occassions to to go on an appointment and found that i was very impatient, nervous, spacey, heart pounding, and felt as though i just had to leave the situation! Thus, I worry if i can even function appropriately at the job or do I have to consider working another job, not dealing with people? This has been to depressing for me, cause my wife works so hard at two jobs and i really want to contribute as i once done before! Is there anyone that can relate or advise, please?

cj20520 · Post by **cj20520** » Fri Dec 24, 2010 3:20 am

Oh Pauly - i was right there in the same situation. Work used to be my safe place. I never had a panic attack or got over anxious. I work mgmt retail and in direct contact with customers all day. I had a bad panic attack one morning when i got to work and eventually left. That was my first mistake. I tried going back and got myself so worked up before even getting there that of course i had another attack and left. Eventually i took time off and went onto a different med. I was happy to not be working during that time, because going off the Paxil was horrible, but when i finally went back to work i had to start from scratch. It helps to have the self talk embedded in my brain even if i am repeating the same things over and over. Breathing is extremely important, doing the 2/4.

As i look back over the three months that i was off i see nothing but the same day, the pacing the anxiety, the doctor. I dont want to do that everyday. I want to fight for my life back. When i have a breakthrough like going to a movie, i celebrate and let myself feel really good about it. It has taken us a long time of training to get to this point in our lives, we must remember it is baby steps to undo all of it. And it can be done - You can do it. Your wife sounds like a very supportive person, talk to her too. Not as a crutch, but just so she knows whats going on - the good stuff too.

I am sending you all kinds of Christmas blessings - have a great holiday!
cj

Pauly J · Post by **Pauly J** » Fri Dec 24, 2010 4:08 pm

THANK YOU FOR THE KIND WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT CJ! HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON, AND MAY ALL YOUR NEW YEARS RESOLUTION COME TRUE!