Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

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Calling off Work

emotionsbylinds
emotionsbylinds

I'm freaking out. I just cannot go to work today. The depression and anxiety are too intense and I know I'm not going to be able to function well at work. I'll probably just start crying uncontrollably. Problem is, it's not as easy as taking a day off. I JUST started this job and already took a sick day last week. I'm at a rough patch right now and I am confident that I will get through this soon and won't need to take weekly sick days, but I don't know if I can convince my employer of this. I'm a minimum wage, hourly employee, so I don't get "sick days." They could fire me at a moment's notice. Also incredibly anxious because I work for the same company as my dad. It's a huge company and we are in different departments, but I am scared word will get out to him that I have been calling off work. He will be so mad and will no longer support me financially with college. Which means, no more college for me. I hate everything. I'm so frustrated and depressed and everything's going wrong. I'd probably be okay if I got a doctor's note, but I can't get into my psychologist at a moment's notice, because it's not technically an "emergency." I also can't go to my GP because their office is closed today, and there isn't anything they can do for me anyway. I know how to help myself but I just need time and the ability to stay home today to help me.


Update: Explained the situation to my boss and she was so totally understanding!!!

ConnieRLS
ConnieRLS
I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way. I completely understand just needing the time to feel in control and everything else just seems to add to the anxiety. I’ve learned that I sometimes just need to tell myself it’s ok, no matter what it is. You can find another job, your dad won’t be mad forever and loves you - cut yourself some slack. It took me years of therapy, medication, and accepting that not everyone can understand the pain you’re in. Nobody is better than you, you’re not weak, you’re just wired differently. It may just be finding the right medications that work best for you. There is help and light at the end of this tunnel. Deep breaths - you got this!
arfie
arfie
I'm just-a-patient wondering how big a change the job is for you. When I go through major changes, such as a long period of unemployment to a sudden burst of activity or vice versa, I get a thing my shrinks called, "Transition Anxiety." I use psychotherapy tools to manage it.

Just wondering. . .

Gentle support while you figure out what it is for you.
emotionsbylinds
emotionsbylinds
I haven't been working for over a year. I also took a year off of school due to my illnesses, though I started back in January. I've never both worked and done school at the same time, so after having to take a year off, it's a little overwhelming. I also get extreme anxiety about working because one time, I worked for a sandwich shop and the manager on duty told me I could go home. I was in the back getting my stuff, but he thought I had already left, and I heard him say to a coworker "That stupid, f---ing b---h doesn't know how to do anything!" And that literally scarred me for life. I'm severely afraid of being incompetent at any job.
arfie
arfie
Transitions, including that very normal fear of failure, are hard, but the expanded horizons that come of learning how are pretty awesome. It's an amazing world we live in. Keep your eye on the prize.

There are tons of discussions on how to manage Transition Anxiety on the internet. It's definitely worth a surf.

A father who calls his daughter a stupid fucking bitch might be better left for a different discussion. Ouch. It's a good thing he works in a different department.
djchurn
djchurn
thank you for including the last comment, you had me worrying. We always imagine things as more difficult than they turn out to be.
Reek
Reek
With this being a pre-existing condition you need to talk to your HR dept and find out if they have intermittent FMLA. I have it at my job and am allowed 2 days per week where I can call off and not have to worry about losing my job. My therapist filled out the paperwork for me and HR approved it. So I would suggest that you look into that because your stress load is very heavy and until you can learn how to balance work and school it is definitely needed. I hope all works out for you.
emotionsbylinds
emotionsbylinds
Reek- that’s a great idea!!! Will look into it.

Arfie- oh no, it wasn’t my dad who called me that. It was my manager at an old job. Sorry for the confusion!
arfie
arfie
Thanks for clarifying. I'm breathing better now. Doesn't say much for the manager, either, but a huge improvement over the way I read it.
Male0113
Male0113
How did you approach your boss about your issue? I ask because I go back and forth about approaching mind about anxiety and depression. I too take the occasional day. I tell them I'm getting these painful headaches that is keeping me from focusing and that I'm working on getting it looked at....
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