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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Work Struggle

Chris.Kilg
Chris.Kilg

Hi all,


I'm fairly new to the group, and have had anxiety for years but this became much more problematic a few years back. At that time, I began experiencing more somatic manifestations (heart palpitations, vertigo, etc.). After therapy and medication, i feel like this has been more or less manageable since, but recently became much worse at work. I'm a mental health professional, and a client that I worked very closely with for the past 2 years died by suicide. Aside from grieving this loss, I am also naturally asking myself if there is anything I could have done to prevent this. I know logically that I did all I could for her, but logic doesn't always cut it. I've been highly anxious at work lately and even borderline overreactive about other clients who express depressive symptoms. Not entirely sure what I'm hoping to get from this post..I guess any type of reassurance or similar experience would help. Thanks.

jewells1
jewells1
You know the reasons for attempting suicide differ with each person. A small percentage will do it regardless of what is said or done for them, they were already decided, But they went through the motions of therapy to relieve any "what if" guilt's to their family, friends and sometimes therapist. If they have tried before therapy, and decide to try again, they are even more likely to succeed.
There will always be a small percentage that were decided to begin with, and rarely call out for help once their plan is started. You would not have been able to stop them in that case.

That you do try to help and see your own therapist is good. Now practice acceptance and letting go when they will not let you hold on.

I am sorry for your loss because you work so hard to help. Taking that same care of you is just as important. Remembering that most people choose to do so because they have a loss of hope. Which they would swing from even if it were a thread as long as needed until reinforcements arrived. You and all the other mental health care prof' are that reinforcement of hope existing.

Edwin Schneidman
http://www.suicidology-online.com/pdf/SOL-2010-1-5-18.pdf
Chris.Kilg
Chris.Kilg
I appreciate the support from both of you. It makes it very difficult because she never expressed suicidality--I would have done something about it. Always said the right things. In the end, obviously that's not really consolation--the point is, it happened. I appreciate the kind words, and will take these things in as I move forward.
nightingale77
nightingale77
Hi there, sorry that you are going through so much. Areyou getting any supervision at this moment?? Is it possible for you to take a break from work for a while? I salute mental health professionals. You guys carry so much for others and sometimes neglect your own mental health. Please take care of yourself. The world needs you guys around to help other. But before you can do that, you have to take care of yourself first. Be well and take care. Praying for you. God bless you and your work.