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Anxiety and in need of help

NAS6319
over 5 years ago

Hi,

I am currently really struggling at work. I have a high pressured job and and am considered good at it by my organisation and outside, however I am going under with the amount of stress. I feel like I am juggling so much responsibility that I am doing nothing right and failing everyone. 

After receiving an email yesterday from a colleague attacking me personally as well as professionally I woke up in the night with panic attacks.

My difficulty is I cannot communicate this to anyone. My social anxiety means I just shut down. 

I am nauseous and fighting back tears most mornings. 

I cannot take time off or not work.

I think I need autistic  specific support but don't know where to get it.

Any ideas?

Parents
  • over 5 years ago

    Hi there,

    Have you tried phoning the NAS support line? I am sure they will have some good suggestions regarding autism specific support. ACAS is often mentioned as a helpful organisation for employment related issues. I would hope that they have advisers who understand autism. 

    From what you say it would be very difficult for you to step away from the pressure and give yourself a bit of time and space. Is there any way you can relieve some of the pressure while remaining at work? I am thinking of things like taking proper breaks. Making sure you eat well. Trying to do things that are calming and de-stressing before and after work. Do you have any annual leave you can take? Sometimes even a day to yourself with no demands can make a big difference.

    Your organisation might have a wellbeing at work policy - it's worth having a look at this. My GP has a new service where you can email a doctor and get a reply the next day. if you don't feel able to speak to your GP I wonder if this is an option? The email attacking you sounds really unprofessional - it may well constitute bullying. I found the Tim Field Foundation's website incredibly helpful: www.bullyonline.org

    Although Human Resources can be helpful it is important to remember they generally act for the employer so may not always have your best interests in mind. As autistic people I think we face particular challenges dealing with both stress at work and bullying. Conscientiousness sometimes makes us work too hard and neglect our health. Our essential honesty and niceness makes it difficult when we come up against dishonest, nasty people. I also think we get picked on not only because we are perceived to be different, but because we are awesome. 

    Wish I could help more. Not sure any of this is useful but I could not just stand by when I read your message. Do hope you get the support you need. I am sure others here who are not newbies like me will have lots of good ideas too. 

Reply
  • over 5 years ago

    Hi there,

    Have you tried phoning the NAS support line? I am sure they will have some good suggestions regarding autism specific support. ACAS is often mentioned as a helpful organisation for employment related issues. I would hope that they have advisers who understand autism. 

    From what you say it would be very difficult for you to step away from the pressure and give yourself a bit of time and space. Is there any way you can relieve some of the pressure while remaining at work? I am thinking of things like taking proper breaks. Making sure you eat well. Trying to do things that are calming and de-stressing before and after work. Do you have any annual leave you can take? Sometimes even a day to yourself with no demands can make a big difference.

    Your organisation might have a wellbeing at work policy - it's worth having a look at this. My GP has a new service where you can email a doctor and get a reply the next day. if you don't feel able to speak to your GP I wonder if this is an option? The email attacking you sounds really unprofessional - it may well constitute bullying. I found the Tim Field Foundation's website incredibly helpful: www.bullyonline.org

    Although Human Resources can be helpful it is important to remember they generally act for the employer so may not always have your best interests in mind. As autistic people I think we face particular challenges dealing with both stress at work and bullying. Conscientiousness sometimes makes us work too hard and neglect our health. Our essential honesty and niceness makes it difficult when we come up against dishonest, nasty people. I also think we get picked on not only because we are perceived to be different, but because we are awesome. 

    Wish I could help more. Not sure any of this is useful but I could not just stand by when I read your message. Do hope you get the support you need. I am sure others here who are not newbies like me will have lots of good ideas too. 

Children