What job do you do?

[ama]

Hi Guys,

Without being too personal, I wondered what jobs people with anxiety have in here. I'm just curious because I'm finding things a little bit difficult, as we all do now and again and I wondered if your job environment could be a factor of anxiety.

I work in an office of about 10 people. Five of which are in the same open plan and spacious office as me. I do is Web site, email and CMS based work, assisting my productions manager. Often the office is quiet and I find myself anxious a lot of the time. Lunch is the hardest. Most people eat at their desks but I find I have to get out of the office or sit in the break room because I get so anxious. I feel stupid because I'm the only one who uses the break room.

I feel like the quiet atmosphere in the office drives me a little bit nuts. It's so quiet, and I start thinking, then panicking. I mean, you can only disappear to the loo so many times in one day to get yourself sorted you know.

I'm wondering if a job that involves a bit more moving around might help. Like a supermarket job or volunteer. Where I'm moving around and doing things.

Thanks :)

[blueangel]

I work for the NHS, and have done for 20 years. Within that, I've done a number of jobs, including a secondment on to a national pay restructuring project, and for a hospital pharmacy and pharmaceutical laboratory. I work in risk management now, and do a specialised job which includes writing policies and procedures for the trust that I work for.

I'm also a senior trade union official and represent the interests of 1,200 members here. This includes sitting on committees and also being a rep for individuals for need support. I love doing the trade union work, and have done it for nearly 14 years now.

I share an office with one other person, but she's out a lot of the time, so in effect I pretty much have the space to myself. I enjoy this as I'm quite anti-social at work and like to be able to listen to the radio and get on with what I'm doing. I hate working in open-plan offices as I find it really intrusive, so can sympathise with the people who find it hard work.

[Groundhog]

Hmm I don’t think it matters what job you do, whether it be a jet setting executive for ICI or street cleaner, the job can make you anxious, even a job you enjoy can be made unbearable by, say, a bad boss or nasty work colleagues. I actually work , in what is considered, a high stress environment but I find the job relatively fulfilling and it really gives me no issues. On a day to day basis I operate with no anxiety in fact some of my work associates think I’m very laid back and unfazable (is that a word?) My anxiety can be sparked by the most mundane thing, to such an extent in fact that after the event I question why I let it affect me – but then I guess I’m not alone in that.

I know this is easier said than done but it always disturbs me when people say they are in jobs that they hate but do it as a means to an end. I have had four changes of career in my life (I’m fifty) and would not hesitate to change again if I became remotely dissatisfied with my current leaning.:)

[musicaldave]

I find it almost impossible to work with other people now. I need to feel that I can just walk away from any potentially "threatening" situations that are beyond my control.My solution has been to go busking.I play solo fingerstyle guitar and no singing.Also no need to talk to anyone etc. Works well, some days.........
Have you considered working for yourself?

[geejaybee]

I'm an IT engineer for a company that supplies xray services to the NHS. I am based at home and often work from home. I'm pretty sure it's contributing to my illness because I don't have much contact with other people most days.
I miss working with and around other people.

[PoppyC]

I now work from home again, running my own vintage/antique online business.
I find that not being around people in the day, makes my anxiety worse, however I can't cope being around others in an office or any busy enviroment, and working from home suits me as I have agoraphobia. I do miss the social side of work though. Working from home can make me feel really lonely but then I don't like being social either! :unsure:
I used to work in really large busy offices and was often one of the louder ones in them. It is strange that I am now totally different and exactly the opposite.

[Hazel B]

I'm a senior product manager in Marketing. I vary my location during the week and travel in the SE a lot, my work is in busy head office environments & I also work from home when I can. I've adapted to both and enjoy the balance of busy office and home alone!

I've been back at work for 4 months now and can honestly say that my job does not contribute to the anxiety I had. It gets stressful but I can cope with that if I prioritise my workload. I had to take sick leave with anxiety and health issues last year as I could not disguise my condition and behave as normal, it's much better now. Some people I know carry on working as they find work a solace from anxiety; keeps the mind busy and distracted.

[allergyphobia]

I currently work in an office for a big organisation, but i work in a little building next to the main one! there are 4 of us (all women) in the building. I sit in the middle room on my own but every one has their doors open and people walk past me all the time to get around and to the kitchen etc.

I feel quite isolated sometimes as i am the support for the 3 writers, and so sometimes can be left out. but what i love is the constant chitter chatter between us, this keeps my mind occupied. in my old job it was open plan about 13 of us and people would look at you crossly for talking - it was horrible, and i really suffered with anxiety and panic attacks there.

i don't think for me personally being stuck behind a desk is any good my anxiety, as at times i can't concentrate. this is why now i am looking at changing career and getting more on the front-line and being involved with people (actually in mental health!) cause i will prefer to ENJOY my work and will be too busy to notice any anx!

x

[Lizziesaurus]

I envy anyone who works in a quiet office, I'd kill for that from time to time. I personally do find my anxiety can kick in at work more so than anywhere else because it's a stressful environment and I come across so many differenct scenarios.
I'll point out my anxieties not my main problem as many of you know but my job does my no favours, especially at the moment!

I work as a passenger service agent at Manchester airport, check-in, boarding etc think of airline on tv, then imagine hell and put the 2 together and you get the idea :doh: Working with so many different people can be a nightmare, half I love, the other half I hate, and the rest just irritate me.

[Lola-Lee]

I work part time in a Womens Shelter,I also am studying to be a Social Worker at Uni.
Lola-Lee :)

[cymraig_chris]

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[ama]

Thank you to everyone who has got involved in this thread. I really didn't expect to hear from so many of you so thank you again. It's very interesting to hear about other peoples situations so keep them coming. :)

Please excuse my ignorance here, but we're all very different aren't we and I don't think I expected that to be honest.



I know this is easier said than done but it always disturbs me when people say they are in jobs that they hate but do it as a means to an end. I have had four changes of career in my life (I’m fifty) and would not hesitate to change again if I became remotely dissatisfied with my current leaning.:)

Groundhog, your post in particular made me think. It made me ask myself the question, 'Is it just my anxiety that is making me feel this way or is it in fact the job itself?' Something I need to think about I think.

I think, perhaps, deep down inside I want to move forward, onto something new, but I'm scared to make that step.

Anyone have any inspirational words?

[karlwirral]

Im currently unemployed for the first time since i left school 8 years ago!

My lost role was Manager of an online retail company selling camping equipment unfortunatly due to relocation i had to be made redundant

[Hazel B]

Ama, I would advise you to get on top of your anxiety before making big decisions on your job. Leaving a job and/or trying to find a new one is a major stress in itself and could add to your issues.

[ama]

Ama, I would advise you to get on top of your anxiety before making big decisions on your job. Leaving a job and/or trying to find a new one is a major stress in itself and could add to your issues.

Thank you Hazel B. Don't worry, I don't intend to just quit my job. :) I'm going to give it a lot of thought and asses how I'm feeling when I'm anxious and think about if it is work causing it. If I do leave, I will defiantly make sure I have something suitable lined up first.

Thank you for very much for the advice though. It is very much appreciated. :)

[Hazel B]

No probs, happy to help.

See if you can identify what has triggered your anxiety. For me, it was a health scare (7 months to diagnose something!), bereavement, a car crash that shook me up & other stuff over the years that I had blocked. It was all pent up inside me and needed to escape somehow. In this case, work had nothing to do with my issues though in the past workload pressure gave me sleepless nights and worry.

Take care.

[ElizabethJane]

I work part- time in a specialist music shop. I really love my job and I have been doing it for seven years. We sell sheet music and instruments. We have to do a fair bit of research for customers which I enjoy. The business has been built up over 150 years and has suffered from the recession badly and the internet. Our shop is on three floors and is rather like a tardis! I compile school orders too and take phone/fax/email orders. EJ.

[Nattyburt]

Hey All,

I work for a magaziine company, in the picture department. I have been doing this job since i left school.

I don't find that the job itself contributes to my anxiety, but the travel into London definitely does. I have quite a few toilet trips at work when i need to calm down and reassure myself im not dying, but that's just my mind talking not the stress of the job. If i didn't go to work i think i would become almost house bound, as i push myself to get up and go out because i know i have to go to work. It gives my crazy existance structure, and everyday i go in i give myself another pat on the back!

xx

[dabrucru]

hi all...i am a soldier, i work in an office though. this post has showed me that people from all walk of life can suffer from anxiety...

[Deepest Blue]

I work in IT as an Operations Analyst, I've actually been promoted recently (in December). I went for this job thinking it would help with my anxiety as part of the job spec was that I would be required to work alone for long periods due to having to research and analyse however this job has been more customer focused, I am in meetings virtually every day. This has made me feel anxious because as I said what attracted me to go for this job was the thought of being able to work alone and away from people. I am hoping to speak to HR about this and address this problem because they have not honoured what's written in my job description.