Anxiety and the Workplace

This is such a familiar sounding story Kimberly. I sometimes wonder that if I could draw a workforce to a halt and ask just how many people are experiencing the kind of sensations you so vividly describe, just how many hands would go up. The things people do in order to mask their anxiety from others and cope themselves has made me feel exhausted just listening to the stories. What it must feel like going through these experiences day after day I can only imagine. I think this posting might be really helpful for readers going through the same as you. It's great that you found some way of resolving the issues so that your life is more fulfilling.

Reading this story is like seeing myself. I am bi-polar, and have struggled throughout  my career. Every job ends up in a major near-suicidal event. So I keep moving from job to job in search of a place where I can function without driving into a brick wall. During the years I was on medication I did a little better but after putting on 75 pounds, I recently stopped taking them in favor of exercise and more natural remedies. They also disguised a lot of other issues, and I just thought I was being "difficult". I was doing really well unril I started a new job and then I immediately went right back to square one. As I sit at my desk right now, my stomach is churning and I can't breathe. When I hear the little email chime I feel faint. The thing is, I know the source of my anxiety, my direct manager.When I hear her voice I want to run home. Sunday is the worst, I literally cry all day. She seems to know exactly what to say to send my anxiety soaring.Talking to her is no use, she's a right fighter, I say black she says white, can never be wrong...Just my luck.But, if it wasn't her it would be something else, no doubt.It always is, never fails. The only thing that works is to stay home alone.Yes, I'm considering working for myself, but I'm not sure I have those types of marketable skills or the motivation. It seems everyone out there is looking to sell something no-one wants. Right now I'd settle fpr bag lady living on the streets.

The pain is unbearable, I'll do anything to make it stop. Right now I've gone back to alcohol, not ideal but effective in the short term. The one thing I have to look forward to is I'm ten years away from retirement. THANK GOD.