Job anxiety Community Group
For people who suffer anxiety at the work place and fear co-workers, bosses, and who assume the worst will happen
This probably is going to sound really dumb, but I have to be honest if I'm going to get better. I don't like phones; I don't like to hear them ringing (even if it's a musical ringtone), and I always assume it's going to be bad news. I put off making calls myself as much as possible.
A couple hours ago, I talked to someone from my job about a matter pertaining to my upcoming meeting with my shrink. She just got back from vacation, so intellectually I know she probably had a million things to do. But when I said something that I hoped would be responded with with assurance, she didn't seem to take the hint. And then, as the call was ending, I said I hoped she had a nice vacation but she interrupted me to say good-bye. I always get freaked out by abrupt good-byes on the phone, but especially when they are work-related. I'd been having an OK day, but the phone call brought me back into thinking the worst.
In fact, as I think about it, I'm pretty much panicked whenever I'm on the phone, even if it's a good friend and totally friendly.
Thanks for letting me share. If anyone has anything to offer, please feel free to share.
A couple hours ago, I talked to someone from my job about a matter pertaining to my upcoming meeting with my shrink. She just got back from vacation, so intellectually I know she probably had a million things to do. But when I said something that I hoped would be responded with with assurance, she didn't seem to take the hint. And then, as the call was ending, I said I hoped she had a nice vacation but she interrupted me to say good-bye. I always get freaked out by abrupt good-byes on the phone, but especially when they are work-related. I'd been having an OK day, but the phone call brought me back into thinking the worst.
In fact, as I think about it, I'm pretty much panicked whenever I'm on the phone, even if it's a good friend and totally friendly.
Thanks for letting me share. If anyone has anything to offer, please feel free to share.
As for your co-worker, if she is just getting back from vacation, she is probably slammed. Maybe she had something pressing going on in her office, or maybe just stressed from being back at work. Or, maybe something unpleasant had happened on her vacation. Or, maybe she just simply wasn't feeling well. In my previous position, I worked with a number of people who acted odd at times. I just took what they said, and what they did with a grain of salt most of the time. You just never know, and you'll drive yourself crazy going over the infinite possible scenarios. I have to catch myself from automatically thinking the worst as well. I try to replace the negative thoughts with positive thoughts. And, I know it will take me quite some time to get good at this.
If you are really stressed when a call comes in, you can always let it go to voicemail, and make an excuse. I've had to do that before. Hope your meeting with your doctor goes well.