On-the-Job Anxity & Need Help Coping - Anxiety Message Board

CandP · 04-17-2007, 06:59 PM

I just turned thirty and I'm holding down my first job. I started at 29. It's a family business and I'm in the accounting dept.

It's a small business in new york. Here's the issue: it stresses my out VERY MUCH.

It's a service business and it is seasonal - swimming pools. My position, primarily, is to collect payments, issue bills, and perform those kinds of functions. Since we are a small company, I have to handle the phone calls too.

That's where the problem starts. A big part of my life has suffered from anxiety and stress. I have a minor speech problem - I sound fine - but when stress is elevated, I tend to sound breathy, hoarse, mumble my words or just sound very nervous all together.
It's getting to the point that when I hang up, I tend to still physically tremble (my hands), and my whole body feels very tense and unrelaxed. I noticed that I'm also getting some back pains on my left sides, making me think I might suffer pneumothorax in the future, being that my mother suffered it twice (both due to anxiety herself; which had me always thinking why, since she has always been a housewife but a persistent worrier.)

The problem on the phone is so serious that I tend to incorrectly write down name and numbers, when I could put my hand to the fire to prove that I hear them exactly the way I write them...for instance I may "hear" "Parlenti" when the name is "Polensi." I am so upset by this and it has now shown to me that I am overly stressing myself because of it.

Having the customers yelling and being dmanding is an obvious reason that stresses me, but I cannot believe myself when 70 - 80 percent of the time I get it wrong. I have figured the accent plays a role, but English is English.

Can anyone help me deal with this? How can I relax? I am lucky that I wont get fired, but I do not do it on purpose and my family really understands.

I stick to the accounting, but sometimes I'm forced to answer phones. I do sometimes tell myself to "force" myself to answer more phones and reach some sort of familarization with it, but I relapse and when I do, it causes stress. How can I deal?

mustlovedogs · 04-18-2007, 09:26 AM

Hi! I have quite a bit of on-the-job stress and have found that of all my anxiety-related environments, it's my job that causes me the most problems. It's the one thing I can't seem to get away from. Every morning as I start to get ready for work, I start to stress and have to fight off anxiety attacks. It's even worse when I start driving in.

My problem is that there has been a lot of downtime at my job, and there's no one to really talk to (small company and I have nothing in common with the other employees), so I'm frequently left alone with my thoughts the entire day. That's an anxiety sufferer's worst position because there's no chance of distraction from the anxiety.

My therapist suggested that I talk to my employers about working from home at least a couple of days a week, but I haven't bothered to bring it to them because I know what their response will be.

I'm looking for another job, but that's been difficult as well.

I'm not sure what the answer to job stress is, but it is a huge problem for me, too, so you're not alone. I know that's not much help... I wish I could give you an answer to it. If you find one, let me know. I struggle with it every single day. Sadly, for the most part, I've gotten my anxiety under control except for this one aspect of my life.

Good luck!

CandP · 04-18-2007, 07:16 PM

Hi,

Thanks for your input. I understand I am not alone and that is a comforting thought.

However, it is hard when you're dealing with the situation during that particular time. I find myself extremely baffled with the fact that I cannot write down the names correctly! What is wrong with me! Number too, was a problem, but I have improved somewhat. Whereas, I have no problem writing things down when I'm the one on the opposite side making the call (personal calls, etc.)

I get too nervous and control it.

I sympathize with your situation as well, and I do wish you the best. This is really such a stupid thing for us or anyone to be anxious over, knowing that there are far worse going on in all parts of the world.

firenice · 04-18-2007, 09:35 PM

There are several things you can do; take a class in yoga several times a week. That will help you feel better, deal with stress better and help you relax. Learn how to meditate including deep breathing which you can do anytime and it only takes a few minutes. Take some workshops on telephone customer service - that will help you with professional skills. Consider talking with a counselor or therapist about this stuff as talking it out can help release the anxious energy that gets built up.

CandP · 04-19-2007, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firenice

There are several things you can do; take a class in yoga several times a week. That will help you feel better, deal with stress better and help you relax. Learn how to meditate including deep breathing which you can do anytime and it only takes a few minutes. Take some workshops on telephone customer service - that will help you with professional skills. Consider talking with a counselor or therapist about this stuff as talking it out can help release the anxious energy that gets built up.

Thank you. I have actually considered a yoga class. I think this will help out a lot. I cannot believe why I create this into such a big problem. Just today, I was expecting a customer to phone in with her creditt card to pay, and all the time I was thinking how I will manage to write down the digits correctly