Do you work?

I work in a office building. I'm one of three women and a man. My job is to answer the phone and use a computer, my day consists of me typing, speaking on the phone and engaging in conversation (help!) with my work colleagues. My friend April who works next to me is really nice and I think she knows there's something different about me because she seems to give me a sort of comforting smile a lot of the time. Work is hard, every day I spend ages making sure I look right for work and change my clothes and redo my hair about fifty times before I finally leave. When I get to work I spend the day feeling anxious because I know I'll have to engage in workplace communication, either work banter or one of my colleagues will ask me if I have a file or if someone called. This sends me in to a massive brain shutdown moment where I spend the next ten minutes trying to think and communicate at the same time, which results in me not finding the right words and just sort of babbling like a baby.

Working is difficult, mostly because of the amount of things I have to do. Focusing, communicating, being out of my safe zone and *shudders* office meetings where I sometimes have to stand up and talk to my colleagues as well as our boss... Usually after a meeting I end up throwing up in the bathroom and have a mini panic attack.

Does anyone else here work and have similar problems to me?

Parents
  • Yes, i work. I teach in a university. Some days are great (like today) - just me in my office with speadsheets, admin and tea. Bliss. Other times i do really struggle. Mostly when it involves interaction with colleagues! I can really relate to what youre saying there. I think i would struggle in the kind of environment you're describing to be honest. Students im ok with, because at the end of the day im in control there ;o) At least i like to think i am, ha ha ha!

    Like martian tom I only work part time (about 30 hours) as thats all i can cope with without getting totally exhausted and having serious mental health issues. I think thats probably a hazard for us all. Im hoping now i have an ASD diagnosis i can manage to cope a bit better. I still have 20 odd years before retirement age, cant afford to keel over yet! Plus mostly i actually like my job, just sometime wish there was a bit less of it. Also i am very lucky that ive got a very supportive boss who has been willing to consider reasonable adjustments like flexible working which has helped so much.

    I havent explained about AsD to my colleagues (apart from my boss) and dont really intend to as i dont think they need to know, but i guess i would if i thought at any point it would be helpful. Has anyone else done that? Have yiu spoken to your boss about your anxiety emma. They might be able to help?

  • Mostly when it involves interaction with colleagues!

    Yes.  It would be easier interacting with hostile aliens from a far-distant galaxy!  I simply don't speak their language.

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