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...
Hello I am new to this board, and my first time posting on one.
Do any of you miss work frequently due to panic? I did take a medical leave which was helpful, but now the panic is back. I have found that I have to leave work for the day several times a month because of it. I know I am on thin ice at work for this. I did apply for a program called intermittent leave which allows protection from them holding this against you, however, I have not received confirmation that i have been accepted. I am so afraid people think I am a slacker, and I know my boss is NOT happy (he is a bully and completely insensitive). How do others handle such things. Not many of my colleagues understand panic, so I brush it off as being sick. People don't understand the severity of the attacks, they render me completely incapacitated and unable to concentrate. I vomit, get chills, cry...you know the drill.
In addition, I so wish my attacks were like "most people", lasting 10 minutes, a half hour. My attacks will last ALL DAY or all night. I will wake up with one in the morning or the middle of the night. So I can't have that feeling at work "oh this will be over in 10 minutes, I can just go take a walk."...I am on medication and seeing a counselor. I feel the stress of my job, especially is causing this, in addition to single parent syndrome and financial worries. I could only dream of a time when these evil attacks go away or at least shorten their duration. Does anyone have long panic attacks like I do.
I'd appreciate any help- thanks!!
Posted on 01/07/14, 11:46 am
Do any of you miss work frequently due to panic? I did take a medical leave which was helpful, but now the panic is back. I have found that I have to leave work for the day several times a month because of it. I know I am on thin ice at work for this. I did apply for a program called intermittent leave which allows protection from them holding this against you, however, I have not received confirmation that i have been accepted. I am so afraid people think I am a slacker, and I know my boss is NOT happy (he is a bully and completely insensitive). How do others handle such things. Not many of my colleagues understand panic, so I brush it off as being sick. People don't understand the severity of the attacks, they render me completely incapacitated and unable to concentrate. I vomit, get chills, cry...you know the drill.
In addition, I so wish my attacks were like "most people", lasting 10 minutes, a half hour. My attacks will last ALL DAY or all night. I will wake up with one in the morning or the middle of the night. So I can't have that feeling at work "oh this will be over in 10 minutes, I can just go take a walk."...I am on medication and seeing a counselor. I feel the stress of my job, especially is causing this, in addition to single parent syndrome and financial worries. I could only dream of a time when these evil attacks go away or at least shorten their duration. Does anyone have long panic attacks like I do.
I'd appreciate any help- thanks!!
Posted on 01/07/14, 11:46 am
Hi Becca. Welcome to the forum.
I have missed work due to anxiety and panic as well. One thing I learned early on was that you have to power through the anxiety and panic in order to stop it. I would white knuckle it to work every day. And when I got to work I would have to run to the bathroom because of IBS. Eventually, I learned that nothing bad was going to happen during the commute so I started to have less and less anxiety during it.
My panic attacks would last about 20 minutes and I would have several a day. Between attacks I had bad anxiety. I wonder if what you are experiencing is generalized anxiety or actual panic attacks. If they are panic attacks and lasting that long I would recommend that you try some meds that will keep you stable all day. I took Paxil and it worked for me. Others are on Celexa and Xanax. There are lots of meds you can take. You may not have to take them forever. Just long enough to get your life back on track.
I do hope you feel better soon.
Take care "
It's amazing how physically painful anxiety can be.
Just my 2 little cents.
I wish you all the very best...including peace filled moments!!!
You may want to consider what you need to feel safe and comfortable. Would working from home be a better fit? Working in an office with a supportive boss and team? Think about what would work for you and begin to work towards that.
I thought I was an anxious person but went to the Highly Sensitive People group and was like "OMG that's me!" And I've been SO much happier since I realized I just need to be in a quiet, cooperative, friendly, slower pace environment. Fun for me is reading a book or watching a movie - I have NO desire to go to a concert or bar...and that's okay. I prefer a gentle stretch to a crazy aerobics class. And the anxiety has gotten a lot better since I've changed things.
Another thing that helped was standing up for myself and saying what I need - even to myself.. Just paying attention to what I need - water, tea, a rest, etc. and doing what I need to do tto take care of myself.
There are answers and you'll find the ones that work for you.
I definitely know the drill, (you were talking about the severity of your panic attacks). I get sick to my stomach as well. My attacks can last all day too. I even have nightmares related to all my problems.
I take Lorazepam for my anxiety. The sort of helps sedate me a little bit, but it's still not quite enough.