Discussion Work & anxiety and depression

[l0sing]

So I've recently returned to work after my maternity leave and on every shift I've had my anxiety has got the better of me and I've had the most awful stomach cramps and today had a small panic attack in the toilets and struggled to control my breathing. How does anyone else deal with this?

*a little context, I work in a fast paced fast food restaurant so not like I'm sat at a desk, I'm on my feet constantly rushing around and have to deal with abusive customers face to face*

 

[BPD Barbie]

Is it possible you can do a staged return to work where you're gradually reintroduced to the environment? Maybe there are options that aren't customer facing roles? Also your doctor might be able to help with some anxiety medication. When I had horrible anxiety I used to have an elastic band around my wrist and ping it when I was panicking, the sensation brought me back down to earth. Simple but worth trying. Good luck and well done for going back

 

[l0sing]

Is it possible you can do a staged return to work where you're gradually reintroduced to the environment? Maybe there are options that aren't customer facing roles? Also your doctor might be able to help with some anxiety medication. When I had horrible anxiety I used to have an elastic band around my wrist and ping it when I was panicking, the sensation brought me back down to earth. Simple but worth trying. Good luck and well done for going back ❤

thats what I'm already doing, I'm not doing full shifts just small irregular ones but the entire store is basically customer facing unless it's kitchen and the heat isn't good for me when my anxiety sets in. I always have a bobble on my wrist and usually do mess with it but there's literally never any down time to be able to, hands are always busy in fast food. I'm on medication but don't think it's doing much, I need to go back to my gp for a review