I am working..but just found out that my boss will no longer be my boss. I have to go through someone else (who is the executive assistant to the dean of our school). Which means..that he will be hearing about every little time off. Before it was easy..we kind of came and went as we pleased. Things are going to be different. I got a little sick to the stomach..having a new boss. But then someone said that this new boss is not so bad. Regardless, it's a change...and I will just have to deal with it. It's tough. I hear you all.

I am terrified to look for work, and it is driving me crazy. I just cannot get over the fear, and I need to find a way to get past this ! You are definitely not alone. I have not worked in years, and even with my medication, I still am frightened beyond words. We will find a way - I trust that God will help me through this. Best of luck to you.

Remember...you are not working. You are scaring yourself with the thoughts that you are telling yourself. Easier said than done, I know. However, the anticipation can be worse than the actual event.
Can you practice? Instead of pressuring yourself to find the job that you have to stay with...can you practice getting resumes out or filling out applications? When an interview comes about, take it. Just practice. You can get up and leave at any time. You don't even have to do the interview. Look at it all as practice...not perfection.

Even those without anxiety disorders get very anxious before an interview. You are in control of the situation. Practice.

it\'s hard, that i don\'t need to tell you. i am not working right now (surprise surprise) and it is sooo hard. i had to get on the welfare program, something i swore i would never ever do, yet here i am. i just got a notice that my monthly allowance will go down to 251.00 a month. wow! i am forced to get a job now and just thinking about it makes me anxious, but you know what? i see it like this, it helped me out for all these months, thank god and the government fore the help and now somebody needs it more than me. when i first got it, i was lower than low. in a very dark hole and at least now i am peeping. i shall crawl out of this and begin to live as "normal" as possible. just one day at a time.

I just cant do it. I have worked in care for 22yrs and i can no longer do the phisical work mainly due to narcolepsy but its my anxietys stopping me from moving forward. i would need to train...which seems a nightmare in its self. But is it worth it as soon as i mention narcolepsy to people they will run a mile. My main problem is that i am scared to do anything different to what i am used to, i dont do change very well. My previous job totally wrecked my head and i dont think i have got over that yet.

Vonnyzzz,
you are so wonderful here on DS and helped so many with your words of wisdom, I can only believe that God will find you a job when you are ready, it will be there. Before anxiety I was terrified to go to interviews so I can imagine how it could be with anxiety but that what we fear, stays with us, so get going slowly and it will be there.... promise xxxxx

Yes, I am self employed so I can stay home and let the guys work, one Grateful guy here for that....

I have been looking for a job for 10 months now. This really bad job market is making my anxiety feel alot worse. I have always managed it pretty well. But I now feel tired and stressed all the time. I don\'t like not moving forward. I\'m going to volunteer a few times this summer at the library. I need something....

I SOOO hear you!

I spent 30 years at a job I didn\'t like and wasn\'t really very good at. At first, I wanted to quit but my then-husband would yell at me every time I said anything about it, so I eventually quit complaining but never stopped hating the job.

Eventually we were divorced, but I stayed with the job because I had to support myself. I wasn\'t really trained for anything else.

After 30 years, I was able to retire and get a fairly decent pension now.

I toyed with the idea of looking for part-time work, just for something to do and a little extra money, but I find the idea of being a trainee all over again so terrifying that I can\'t bring myself to do it. Not even volunteer work.

I am so grateful that I don\'t HAVE to work if I don\'t want to.

I was so comforted by your responses. I just don't know what to say. I'm supposed to be off to a job information session. That's all it is, but my heart is pounding. Whether I make it or not isn't even the issue. I have worked with this feeling. The issue is the feeling that never goes away.

I can't do it. I'm all dressed and ready, resume printed and everything, but glued to my chair.

oopsiedoop dont beat yourself up over it. you took a step at doing the resume and getting dressed. next time maybe you will be able to go. do you any to support you and help calm you down before you have to do this? It will help if you have a support person. hang in there and dont give up. hugs

I can totally understand what you are going through. I know the feeling of wanting to work but finding the whole thing terrifying at the same time. I have learnt that for someone to employ me they would need to know of my anxiety disorder as it effects my abilities every day. There is a comfort in working for people who know, and it is so much easier when everything is up front and in the open. I found working part-time with sick, depressed and disabled people really great as they can easily understand if you aren't feeling to good also. They really appreciate your helping them, and everything little thing you do for them they will often thank you. This really helps your self esteem. I think after suffering yourself you have a natural empathy for helping others in a situation so you end up being brilliant at this type of work. Finding like minded people to work for, in a caring environment makes all the difference in the world. Sometimes I will turn up to a client late after being stuck on the toilet with anxiety, if I tell them the truth, they are really sympathetic and understanding. The biggest problem and fear I have with working is getting there and turning up on time, so starting a job later in the day really helps also.

This was working with children, but it's the supervisors that make me quake.

Now I have post-interview shame.

I thought of working with children also. This sounds great. Last time I went to an interview the employer wanted to throw me into a nanny job working from 6 in the morning until 6 at night. I knew this would not work for me, and I would not get to work on time with such an early start. I wanted to let her no why I had to turn that job down, but didn't know how to say I thought that role would be too much. It's hard to judge how an employer will react to you, I guess some are understanding and some are plain rotten and demanding. The fear of getting turned down is awful, and when you are feeling incredibly nervous with them, I can understand how it feels when you end up embarrassed. Often one of the biggest fears of having panic attacks and anxiety is the shame of people seeing you like this. Don't feel shame, I think you are really brave and I don't think I would have the courage you have to do this. I hope you get the result that you are looking for.