Aa
Real problems vs anxiety disorder
Where do you draw the line?
I hate my job and it is about 80% of my problem. My boss stresses me out like no other boss I have ever had. I try the best I can with what I have. I come home to take care of my dying mother. She is in congestive heart failure with dire heart disease and kidney failure while on dialysis. She also has depression and anxiety. I have a wonderful daughter and she is going through a lot with a 3rd "father-figure" in her life. My drugs (prozac and (when needed) clorazepate) are not helping but I am not sure ANYTHING would help me now. Any advice?
I hate my job and it is about 80% of my problem. My boss stresses me out like no other boss I have ever had. I try the best I can with what I have. I come home to take care of my dying mother. She is in congestive heart failure with dire heart disease and kidney failure while on dialysis. She also has depression and anxiety. I have a wonderful daughter and she is going through a lot with a 3rd "father-figure" in her life. My drugs (prozac and (when needed) clorazepate) are not helping but I am not sure ANYTHING would help me now. Any advice?
Please don't take this as a pity party, but I don't have any friends. I don't have anyone to vent to. I cannot vent to my 7 yr old daughter nor my dying mother.
You are always the best at advice. My fellow workers know what kind of employee my boss is, and I would figure it would have been addressed by now but it hasn't. I have searched and searched for jobs, even jobs not in my field, but I cannot move off because of my wonderful girl. She is my stress reliever and I cannot live without her. I work on computers and on any given week I could make $400 on the side, but then I could go 5 weeks with nothing. Computer Science sure was the thing to get into over 10 years ago but nowadays it doesn't pay much.
Hi again hon!
You've asked the million dollar question...how much anxiety is situational, and how much of it is related to your anxiety disorder? We all have those struggles, for sure.
That's the thing with having anxiety, we are always overly focused on how we feel, we analyze everything to death, and sometimes, we're our own worst enemy.
Stress is a normal human reaction, and NO doubt, anyone who would be dealing with all you are would be stressed, anxious and/or depessed to a point. Who wouldn't be? Maybe a robot!
I know it's so difficult to get out and get the help you need when anxiety is at its peak. The very BEST thing you could do for yourself, no matter HOW hard it is, is push yourself. Start with small goals, like getting out to a movie with a friend, or even just a drive down the street to do something you enjoy. The more you do that, the better you feel. The more you get out, the easier it will get to go places, then maybe you can get back on track with therapy, and look for a support group. I also agree that maybe you need a dosage increase on the Prozac...time to talk to your doc.
When we're anxious and depressed, all we want to do is stay at home, in our "safe" place, which of course curbs the anxiety in the moment, but in the long run, it makes it worse, because we're sending a message to our brains that there IS something to fear "out there".
Be kind to yourself, you DO have a lot on your plate...it's OK to be stressed and anxious...but you have to be your own biggest advocate. ANY chance you can look into changing jobs? I know this boss has been an issue for you for a while. It's not always reasonable to do so, but maybe you could start looking into what else is available? That would probably help with your anxiety so much, if you found a good job without the stress of your boss. Of course, there's no guarantees either, you could end up with an even crappier boss. I think you've told us in the past that you actually get along with your boss fairly well, but he's just difficult to deal with and causes a very stressful work environment. Perhaps you could sit down with him and have an honest talk about how he makes people feel? He may actualy not realize the extent of how he's affecting the workplace, and if he's actually a good employee, he would care about something like that? Something to think about anywasy.
Hope you start feeling better soon, buddy...I know you've been struggling a long time. We're here for you, you know that!
You've asked the million dollar question...how much anxiety is situational, and how much of it is related to your anxiety disorder? We all have those struggles, for sure.
That's the thing with having anxiety, we are always overly focused on how we feel, we analyze everything to death, and sometimes, we're our own worst enemy.
Stress is a normal human reaction, and NO doubt, anyone who would be dealing with all you are would be stressed, anxious and/or depessed to a point. Who wouldn't be? Maybe a robot!
I know it's so difficult to get out and get the help you need when anxiety is at its peak. The very BEST thing you could do for yourself, no matter HOW hard it is, is push yourself. Start with small goals, like getting out to a movie with a friend, or even just a drive down the street to do something you enjoy. The more you do that, the better you feel. The more you get out, the easier it will get to go places, then maybe you can get back on track with therapy, and look for a support group. I also agree that maybe you need a dosage increase on the Prozac...time to talk to your doc.
When we're anxious and depressed, all we want to do is stay at home, in our "safe" place, which of course curbs the anxiety in the moment, but in the long run, it makes it worse, because we're sending a message to our brains that there IS something to fear "out there".
Be kind to yourself, you DO have a lot on your plate...it's OK to be stressed and anxious...but you have to be your own biggest advocate. ANY chance you can look into changing jobs? I know this boss has been an issue for you for a while. It's not always reasonable to do so, but maybe you could start looking into what else is available? That would probably help with your anxiety so much, if you found a good job without the stress of your boss. Of course, there's no guarantees either, you could end up with an even crappier boss. I think you've told us in the past that you actually get along with your boss fairly well, but he's just difficult to deal with and causes a very stressful work environment. Perhaps you could sit down with him and have an honest talk about how he makes people feel? He may actualy not realize the extent of how he's affecting the workplace, and if he's actually a good employee, he would care about something like that? Something to think about anywasy.
Hope you start feeling better soon, buddy...I know you've been struggling a long time. We're here for you, you know that!
Also, I have brothers and sisters that help but I am the only one living with her. I take her to dialysis on Saturdays. The senior city bus takes her during the week.
My doctor increased my Prozac from 20 to 2 20s a day. I am not sure what to expect with that.
That's really a shame that everything is so far away from you.
I know you're taking Prozac. What dose are you on? It may be time for either an increase or another med.
Do you have any family or friends that could help with your Mom? Do you take her to dialysis? If you do, you might want to talk to them about a care givers support group. You never know, there may be one close to you. As much as you love someone and want to take care of them, which you are, it can be very stressful. I did it with my mother in law 4 years ago when she was dying of cancer.
I know you're taking Prozac. What dose are you on? It may be time for either an increase or another med.
Do you have any family or friends that could help with your Mom? Do you take her to dialysis? If you do, you might want to talk to them about a care givers support group. You never know, there may be one close to you. As much as you love someone and want to take care of them, which you are, it can be very stressful. I did it with my mother in law 4 years ago when she was dying of cancer.
What makes things worse is that I am depressed at home all of the time. I don't feel like getting out of my room during the weekend. I don't go to movies or anything. I have become a recluse.
In my (50 mile radius) area, there is nothing. I was seeing a therapist and a psychiatrist but they were about 60 miles away and my driving anxiety has made me stop going, I am even worried that if I found a job 40 or 50 miles away, could I drive there!
I would recommend counseling and a support group for caregivers. If you can fit these in to your schedule. It sounds like you have an awful lot going on your life right now. I understand that jobs are very hard to find right now but would it be possible to start looking for another one?
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