Starting a new job tomorrow - getting more anxious

[425runner]

I've been having panic attacks and taking 0.25 mg Xanax 3-4 times a day but I'm starting a new job tomorrow and it's making me very very anxious. Should I take extra Xanax before I go in?  I've been unemployed for a month and this is a great opportunity but I'm scared I won't be able to function 8-5 without breaking down....or if I do, they might fire me!

Please help.....I wish the doc gave me a stronger prescription. I hate feeling like this.

[calmshell]

Hi.....Glad you made it through! of course you did! we , as people with anxiety, always think we wont get "through" something..(I know i have many many times, and sometimes still think this way) but somehow, when you are in the place, or situation, you realize there really was not much to have so much anxiety about....of course a new job is always a bit nerveracking at first..(I am currently looking for work and sometimes have disregarded things based on 1 or 2 things i "think" i fear or might get anxiety about)

But I love a quote i once heard on a tv show about a person getting a job that they were intimidated with, and their friend told them: "Remember, it is just a J-O-B" (he said each letter separately so she'd "get it") We have to not put too much pressure on ourselves, or the job, ....just think of it (this is what I try to do, and it does work) as "this is easy" ...or "i'll do such and such, and then i'm done for the day"...or just only be in each moment during the day and think, "this is easy, right now" .  Do you tend to get more anxious about work/work related things/issues? I know I did a lot a couple of years ago..I would constantly be thinking all day, did i do this right? did i look ok doing such and such? was i a little late? etc.etc...argh! when does it stop you know?! I actually ended up switching to a less stressful job and that did help..but I did more prying into myself w/certain issues...i realized that i was putting WAY TOO MUCH pressure on myself..why did I need to do everything RIGHT and PERFECT and GOOD , ALL the time? I read about this in a book Anxiety Free, and it helped me see, that usually people who have anxiety, will tend to be always overthinking, and right, and try to make everything ok for everyone...but the author said, this is an all or nothing approach! not good! why can't we make mistakes ? if we don't, we will not learn...and its that simple...so i don't know if this helped at all..haha!! but i could somewhat relate, and I still work on things like this, too... but then sometimes I will snap to my senses, after worrying, and think, "geesh, am i gonna spend my precious time and life on THIS?" no no, ! and sometimes it works, and i realize not to take anything , really anything, too seriously... well , maybe talk to you again sometime..

[425runner]

Thank you "mammo" and "GettingOlder" for the encouragement.  Yes, I made it through the 1st day and will be relieved if I make it through the week.  

My neurologist prescribed Trazadone 50mg to take at night.  Not sure how this will help with daytime anxiety though.....

[GettingOlder]

It's only the "first day jitters" that you are feeling. I wouldn't overuse your xanax, but take as prescribed and think positive (I know - - easier said than done!).

Just keep them with you in case you do need them. Let us know how it goes. Good luck!