Does anyone else freak out about work, and worry that they will lose it completely and end up getting fired? I have been doing my job for a long time but ever since this anxiety started (totally work and interview related, combined with the stress of planning a wedding), I cannot function here. I have had a few anxiety attacks while in a meeting room and now can't face going in for a meeting, regardless of how informal, without taking a Xanax. I'm short of breath and restless when I know I have a big work day ahead of me. I feel incompetent. I'm worried I will cry, pass out, turn beet red, sweat, make a total fool out of myself, get fired.

I am so convinced, when I am anxious, that I am totally going insane, that I am going to end up completely dependent on my husband-to-be and will lose the independence that I used to really cherish. I also worry that I will say something inappropriate to people. I've had a good run recently... totally calm and feeling great about myself, managed to get through a bunch of social situations without any pill... but when it resurfaces, I get so down on myself.

I guess I just need some reassurance that I am not going crazy, that everything I have already achieved in my life is not going to go away. That I am not a dependent, crazy, failure, loser. That one day I will be the person I used to be again. I see glimpses and that makes me so happy. I know I do this to myself, but it's so scary when it happens and I really fear for my own sanity.

No way, you are not going crazy. You have an overload of anxiety...it could be your upcoming wedding details that are sending you over the edge. If you need medication to get you through this rough patch, don't feel bad about it...at least there is something available to help. I can totally relate about your job, meeting rooms, etc...I went through that myself. Eventually, I realized I needed a job change because there wasn't anything else in my life that was abnormally stressful. In your case, you have a lot on your plate right now. Best wishes to you!

Not sure if you have read through my previous posts, but I can most certainly relate here. Work stress, in recent months, has been the major cause of my anxiety. I panic at work, and I am constatntly worried about being fired. The smallest little detail or error send panic through my entire body before it fixates inside my chest.

First off, know you are not alone. I presently have no suggestions for how to make yourself feel better b/c I am not currently doing much about it other than taking deep breaths and trying to think of putting myself in a good place. I have seen a Dr. once, and I am trying to schedule an appointment with a Psychologist. I will let you know how that goes.

Only suggestions I have would be to take deep breaths and try to relax as best you can. Could it be this specific job? Maybe you need one that is less stressful? I am working on the same thing. Good luck getting through it all...

God, I feel the exact same way!! I could have written your post word for word, especially the part about needing a Xanax for the smallest meetings, fear of losing my once ambitious independent self and fear of being dependent on my hubby.

I DO hate my job though and I know a lot of my anxiety is related to the fact that I hate it. Unlike you guys I WISH I would get fired so I could try to get on unemployment and relax for a while and try to figure out what I really want to do.

My best advice to you is don't worry about having to take a Xanax to get through stressful days at work. I have been doing that for almost 3 years now and I am ok with it. Somedays I need it and some days I don't. If it makes you feel better and helps you get through you should take it. You just have to remember this is a rough patch and it will not always be this bad.

Oh, thank you all so much!!! It really helps to know that others feel the same thing... I feel much more at ease and I try to tell myself that I may not be the only person in that meeting room feeling the way I do. So I went to my 2:15 meeting after taking half of a .25 Xanax... go the hot flash and was afraid to have a full blown attack but made it through and even spoke up twice. And I WISH I would get fired, too... it's the easy way out. I have lost so much confidence ever since this anxiety started and I just want to regain what I have lost. I am still ME, right? It's got to go away the way it came. I just want to wake up and not have these fears. The feeling of being crazy or doing crazy things is the worst for me. I turn red SO easily, it's apparent when something is wrong. Do you think that naturally shy people have a tendency to be anxious... that we supress feelings that creep up on us? My job is definitely high stress, though, and wedding planning is no piece of cake, either, so maybe it's just the combo.

There are a couple of other medications besides Xanax that can help with blushing...I know beta-blockers are one type. You could do some internet research and talk to your doctor about adding one of these medicines. I took a beta-blocker (Atenolol) for awhile and really liked it. I took it for palpitations and high blood pressure, but I know they are prescribed for blushing and anxiety problems too. They really helped keep my heart from racing, which in turn kept me from having panic attacks. I liked it because it didn't have the negative side effects I had when I tried antidepressants.

I just want to say that you are still you. When we get older, life experiences pile up on us and we are changed in some ways. It's like a new normal, and you will learn how to cope with problems as they arise. It doesn't change your personality or the essence of the person that you are.

It's great that you found this website for support. I hope you will have a very happy wedding and are able to worry less and enjoy yourself.