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11 years and counting

Timbo637

2024-10-31 6:49 AM

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Feels like hell week all over!!

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2024-10-30 9:38 AM

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Roller Coaster Withdrawal

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2024-10-14 12:28 PM

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Smile....and don't shoot the messenger

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2024-09-27 3:17 PM

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Medical Leave


20 years ago 0 62 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
OBrendie, I know it's easier to say than to live without---but money "ain't" everything. You're right in weighing out the stress of your job vs. the price you pay to keep it. You might find that you're paying far more than your paycheck brings in. We are a society that truly values the wrong things----I'm learning that good health is worth more to me than any job I've ever had. Hope things begin to get better for you! I've been looking at the Linden method too---just curious---do you think it's been helpful or will be helpful to you? Brenda
20 years ago 0 47 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I am currently on Medical leave. I have been away from my job now for 8 weeks and I am suppose to go back October 4th. I have not been able to get this under control yet since this is my first panic attack problem. I also work in a stressfull environment and also I am on my own. I worry all the time if I loose my job I will loose everything but I am currently weighing out the stress of it. There are days when I just can't even think about my job cause it sends me into a panic. Next week I start a two week program with our local mental health facility and hopfully this will get me back on track. This is the hardest thing I have had to go thru in my life but I trust in God that I will get thru it. I did purchase that Linden Method thing but I need support more than anything else at this point. I just used parts of what he said to help me as I will use every bit of information I can get to help me cope with this illness. To add to it.... I make really good money and I am considering giving it up just for my sanity.
20 years ago 0 62 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Sarah, Guess what? I'm currently on medical leave due to a reoccurence of panic disorder. While mine was not brought on---this time---by my work environment, the very first attack I had in 1999 was. I was laid so low by the panic that I had to close my office and completely change careers. I know now that the work I had chosen to do was much too stressful and anxiety filled for my own good. I was embarrassed the first time through and didn't want anyone to know what was happening to me. I was panic free until June of this year. I teach high school and I love my job. But from January until Sept. there have been 6 deaths in my family and my brother was diagnosed with an incurable illness. Add to that the fact I am a perfectionist and you have the makings of a return to panic. I was trying to grieve and do my job perfectly and be a wife and mom. My Dr. suggested an 8 week leave to get my feet back on the ground and to give the panic time to subside. I've had to return to medication because the panic was more than I could control on my own but that's OK. I'm not embarrassed this time around and I feel good that I'm taking care of myself. You should feel good that you're taking care of yourself as well. Definitely start thinking about a new job. Anything has to be better than the apparent stress you're dealing with where you are! You're not Alone!
20 years ago 0 71 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Thanks, Rachele. You're absoultely right.
20 years ago 0 138 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Sarah, my experience would lead me to believe that a new environment would not increase your anxiety because you will be distracted by learning the new job, people, etc. As far as getting into the frying pan, can it really get worse? The way you describe it doesn't sound like it. Sorry. At least go on some interviews and see how you feel. It can't hurt cause you have the time now anyway. Rachele
20 years ago 0 71 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Thank you to everyone for their encouragement and words of advice. You're all absolutely right. It's a terrible environment I'm working in and I've got to leave. I am worried about two things, though. Will I go from the frying pan to the fire? and will my panic increase if I start a new job (new environment, etc).? Argh! Panic is so frustrating!!
20 years ago 0 50 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
You aren't a failure because you need to take care of yourself right now. I worked in very negative and high pressure work environment and I too had to take a leave when I was suffering from depression and anxiety. I was out for about 8 weeks and it really helped me get a handle on things. I ultimately left that job voluntarily and the big city I lived in for a more simple and peaceful life in Hawaii. I realize this is certainly not something everyone would do but finding a better environment for working and living has meant everything to me. Take care of yourself first! Rose
20 years ago 0 138 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Sarah, I COMPLETELY agree with everything that Neil says. I have learned from sad experience that there are times when my panic kicks in to make me get myself out of certain situations. Before I finally broke down and got out of a horrid marriage my panic had escalated to the point I was very seriously thinking about checking myself in to a psychiatric facility. As soon as I left my husband the panic was gone..... almost overnight. I believe this episode I'm experiencing now may have to do with living and working in a place I am very uncomfortable with. My panic seems to come when I feel sort of trapped. For example, I felt I just couldn't leave my husband, I made a vow, what would people say, etc. Now with this situation my mind says, but you just started a new job less than a year ago, you just took that apartment, its too difficult to find work where you want to live. Both of these situations led me to feel stressed, overwhelmed and sad, which led to panic. Sarah, use the time off of work to find a new job, no matter what. I bet you'll feel better, if not completely then a heck of alot. Rachele
20 years ago 0 15 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hello Sarah,I understand what you are going through,having suffered from this debilitating illness I've had to constantly pay heed to what my body is telling me.I think anxiety can sometimes be your subconcious mind telling you something might need attention,eg; people at work are causing you stress and undermining your confidence; it's not a healthy nurturing enviroment.Speaking from personal experience anxiety sufferers are sensitive people,we need abuse like we need a hole in the head!What you are getting at work is a form of abuse,why not use this time to see if you can find work in a better environment? I went through something similar in the past and the stress and it's symptoms were making me feel ill.I went to the doctor and said I feared I was having a break down, he said 'maybe it's a breakthrough'.I asked him what he meant and he said if you did'nt feel uncomfortable with things you would'nt try and change them.He was right ,I changed my job, this in turn began to change my routines and I got away from the toxic people that I was associating with...my life changed. Hope this helps...Neil.
20 years ago 0 71 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Has anyone ever been placed on a medical leave from work because their panic / anxiety has become unmanageable? I'm on one now because I just can't cope with everything that's happening right now. Something had to give, and it sure as heck wasn't going to be my family or my friends, so my doc put me on leave. I'm entering week 4 of it and still don't feel at all like I'm able to go back. I am in an extremely negative work environment, which I'm sure makes the panic / anxiety worse. I am being bullied in my workplace, not obvious shouting or anything, but the subtle nasty stuff girls used to do to each other in grade school. I am ignored. Colleagues say nasty things about me in my hearing. Basically, I am a pariah. Not fun. Has this happened to anyone else before? I need someone else's input / advice besides my husband's. He is a terrific man, but he's incredibly worried about me at the moment and I'd like to give him a break. I speak to my doc about it too, but other thoughts are always welcome. I feel a bit lost and very scared and frustrated. I feel as though I've failed because I cannot work. Sarah :)

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