Mental health and work

ska_lover

IMO it is always best to be honest with employers with mental health

Anything else, is adding to the stigma that surrounds mental health issues

I always used to lie...but not these days.

I think you need a few days off to re-evaluate what you want.

High stress jobs are NOT for everyone, and in human terms, being in a high stress high paid job won't make you any more valuable a human.

3 months ish, ago, I left a very well paid, and very stressful job - it was so stressful, trying to manage multiple sites miles apart. I earned a great wage and squandered it on un-necessary things to make myself feel better about how consuming the job had become

I now work for a 'not for profit' for minimum wage. Life has more meaning and I am not stressed. I am very fortunate to have got into this situation

So many people I speak to, seem to think that I am doing this to recover and at some point I am going to re-enter my previous career - there is no way . Rats to that

It is just a job, OP.

It is just a job

Have some breathing space and have a think without the added pressure.

OldMusicGuy

I've had two work-related stress incidents where a stressful job just got too much for me. The first time I was quite young, didn't have any responsibilities (apart from a mortgage) so I just quit and found another job. My girlfriend and family were very supportive, encouraged me to make a break and do something else. It turned out very well in the long run.

Second time was a couple of years ago. I had been in a very high stress job that I enjoyed (and was successful at) for quite a long time. However, as I got older (late 50s) and the requirements of work were gradually ratcheted up, I reached breaking point one weekend. Simply could not take it any more. However, I couldn't walk away as I had too many financial responsibilities and was coming up to retirement.

I blurted all of this out to my boss on the Monday after my meltdown and the response was great. They immediately reduced my workload and worked with me to make it possible for me to carry on. My boss was very sympathetic. Turns out that was all I needed and I was able to carry on until I retired last year. I could've had time off work if needed but once my workload was reduced I was able to cope.

So my advice is speak to your boss at work, or your HR department. Most big companies know that stress and burnout is an issue and are set up pretty well to deal with it. Maybe check the corporate internal HR policies and procedures and see if there is anything specific about this issue.

Also, does your company provide health cover like BUPA? Mine did and that entitled me to free consultations over the phone about mental health issues like stress. So check that out as well.

If your boss and HR team are unhelpful and unsympathetic, you know it's not the place for you and you will have to think about moving on unless you can find a way to tolerate the situation. But I think that will be hard without help from work once you have reached this point.

Primrose

Try to analyse why the job is starting to get on top of you and make yiu anxious. I,e

Do you feel you don't the skills to be on top of your game yet?
Has your trqining and induction been adequate?
Is the workload too heavy?
Are there certain people you have to work with who are making the job relarionships difficult?

If you can try and analyse specifically what it is about the job which is causing you anxiety you might be in a better position to try and address your fears.

Don't forget your employers will want yiu to succeed so if you need help, talk to your HR department about your concerns. The other emoloyees have been doing this for years. You haven,t so you need to ease yourself in gradually. Is there another employee doing a similar role who you could shadow for a brief period to see how they tackle the role? An anxious employee is not a productive employee and many companies these days are better educated on mental health issues. Do you have a company doctor with whom an appointment might be helpful?

Meanwhile when not at work try to develop some calming relaxation techniques like deep breathing. Some gentle exercise might help even if it is some of those Walk at home YouTube videos by Lesley Sanson if you are feeling unsociable at the moment and dont want to go out and join an exercise class. And go to bed In good time and try to get some quality sleep every night.

I hope this passes. Sometimes you just have to recognise that if you are the sort of person who suffers from depression or anxiety you need to do things differently or look for ways and means of making your life less stressful. And sometimes that might mean a job with less pressure and responsibility. But don,t give up on yourself yet. It is early days and with a little help you will probably get over this difficult patch. Just don,t be frightened to ask for the help you need. Remember that is a sign of strength and good self perception, not a sign of weakness.