Starting a New Job After 3 Years Out Of Work!

[PokerFace]

Hey!

My extreme anxiety started in 2010 while I was in between jobs and me being me, I just decided to hide in my house for nearly 3 years wishing the anxiety away. Bad move!!

I've got a lot better over the last year so when I was offered a job I jumped at the chance but now it's all official and I start next week I'm getting all the bubbly anxious feelings, tension headaches, all the nasty stuff that comes with high anxiety levels and I nearly had my first panic attack in 8 months last night just from thinking about it!

It's just been so long, I haven't had to socialise with any people apart from my family, boyfriend and my close group of friends for 3 years I think I've forgotten how to make friends!

I'm just really worried about starting my job, I'm scared I'll panic at work, I'm scared I'll die at work (good old health anxiety rearing it's head lol), scared no one will like me, worried that I won't be able to do my job right or well, just ugh! Everything!

So, just wondering if anyone else with anxiety was out of work for a long time then went back to it suddenly? Was it hard? I've never worked with panic attacks and anxiety, I know it's not impossible because a lot of people here have jobs! Idk, maybe I'm making this out to be a huge deal in my head when in reality I'm gonna be fine?

x

[Supersal1984]

I have not been out of work long, but thinking of throwing the towel in as my anxiety is so bad!

Wishing you all the luck in the world. Everyone feels anxiety in this circumstance, so don't think you are back to square number one! You are lovely and everyone will love you! Believe it xxxxx

[Smallie]

Starting a new job makes my anxiety go sky high. I know how anxious it is. Easier said than done but just keep remembering that as it will be your first day, not much will be expected of you and people are likely to be nice to you as they will know that you are new.

I am only working part-time at the moment and have been putting off finding full time work for almost a year. I just hate starting a new job and all that comes with it - meeting new people, getting used to a new environment, learning new things etc. So I should take my own advice lol

But i'm sure you'll be fine and it's just a job at the end of the day. Just say to yourself that you're just going to do the best you can. Good luck!

[shaunb]

hay , good luck with the new job , i wanted to start work for myself , was forced out of old job and not worked properly for 4 month now , never been out of work in my life , and now im climbing walls at home as im single , have no one at home with me and my so called mates dont understand how depression and anxiety can take over my life and ways of thinking

[Laura123]

Hey, what's the worst that could happen, if you hate it. You quit. But just si

[loopylu86]

Starting a new job is one of the most nerve racking things to do for even a non-anxious person...this panic feeling is normal...So identify these feelings as just that..normal. You will feel so much better once you have been there an hour or so. These kind of things are never as bad as what you build them up in your head to be! Just remember your breathing and if you do have any shaky moments during the day just go to the loo and take a few more deep breaths and get your thoughts together. I think you will enjoy it! Well done for taking that step!! I have been in my current job for just over 2 years and have been off now for 4 weeks. I really need to go back soon but the thought makes me feel queasy at the moment. xx

[simms]

I've Been off work for the last month or so and am due back in a week. Luckily I have the option to work from home for the first week back but they want me to build up to working back in the office. I'm nervous about starting back only a few people know I'm off with anxiety. Like what has been said try to be positive and don't think of the what if's, being a new person has its advantages as your not expected to know everything as everyone needs time to learn new systems etc. You'll be fine, just do your best as that's all anyone can ask of you.

[Supersal1984]

Good enough is good enough. Remember that x

[PokerFace]

Thanks guys, means a lot!

You're all right that anyone would feel anxious in this situation, I'm just being over sensitive to it! I'll be fine after my first week.

You've all made me feel soooooo much better about this, thanks millions for your kind words and advice, I'm gonna take note of all of it! :)

xxx

[Supersal1984]

Good! Keep us posted on how you get on x

[PokerFace]

I will Supersal :) I start on Tuesday instead of Monday so I'll update this thread Tuesday night with how I got on, thanks xx

[Supersal1984]

Good luck. I will look out to see how you are getting on xxxxx

[BasilCat]

Hi there, I have suffered with anxiety, panic and agoraphobia over the years. So I know just how it all feels. I have also started a new job about 3 months ago and I've not worked for the best part of 20 years! Scary stuff. I think that after all those years of not working and having suffered with anxiety too, I am extremely sensitive to all that going to work entails too. I could have given the job up just to get rid of the anxiety but so far I haven't done. I am in work tomorrow. All I want is to feel ok whilst I'm there. It's not easy at all is it. I "know" how you feel. You are not alone. Good luck for Tuesday. :)

[Sparkle1984]

Good luck! :) I know how nerve-racking it can be to start a new job, but once the first day is over you should be fine. The first day is always the worst as you have to get used to the new workplace, the people and the tasks. On the second day I always find it much easier as I've already met my colleagues so I have less to worry about.

[PokerFace]

Thanks guys x

If you can do it BasilCat, I can! That's really given me hope you've been going to work for 3 months, my Mum and sister keep saying if I hate it, just walk out but I wanna stay in work and stick it out for myself, I'm tired of running away from my anxiety!

It won't be easy for us to feel ok at work because of our sensitivity to anxiety but hopefully after a while we'll both get there and we'll feel fine. :)

Thank you all, your experiences and advice have been a massive help xxxx

[PokerFace]

Had first day today, was a long day 6am -6pm! Feet hurt and had one panic attack at 10am but got through it and nobody noticed, just carried on doing my job and fought through the panic, didn't even rush to toilet to calm down, just fought it!! So proud of myself :)

You were all right, after 12pm I was settled completely and didn't panic again and even managed some food.

Feel really proud of myself! Thank you all for replying and offering reassurance, really helped! xx

[Sparkle1984]

Well done PokerFace, I'm glad your first day went well! :) That is a long day, I don't think I could handle that!

[Smallie]

Well done! And that is a really long day. I didn't think companies are allowed to make people work 12 hours. What type of work does it involve if you don't mind me asking?

[PokerFace]

Thanks guys xx

We get an hour break so we work 11 hours but are there for 12, we can't do overtime though because any more hours is illegal!

It's just a job in a warehouse packing and stuff at the moment because I could get straight in without an interview and my confidence is too bad to do interviews at the moment so I just wanted to go straight into work to get back into the swing of things, get my confidence up!

It's hard though because I'm on my feet for the whole 11 hours!! Really really painful but hopefully I'll have bones of steel after a few weeks there haha :( Need to get back into work though and this was a safe easy way to do it and everyones lovely and we have a laugh so hopefully it's worth it in the end. :) xx

[Sparkle1984]

It sounds like you are doing well. I would hate to have to stand up for 11 hours a day! I remember when I went to a concert last year I had to stand up for about 8 hours and by the end of the day my feet ached really badly. I couldn't face doing that sort of thing every day!

[PokerFace]

Yea it's hard. I was the same when I went to see Lady GaGa and that was only 8 hours so before I started I was like omg there's no way I'm gonna be able to do this! But I just take it an hour at a time and somehow I survived :D

I've never had to do anything with my anxiety so getting the job is something I felt I needed to do, expose myself to stuff that worries me and stuff I think I can't do with anxiety. Hopefully this job will make my whole life easier in the long run cuz if I've done it once, I can do it again!.

Thanks Sparkle xx