Stressed with work

Hi @BlueBay

Sounds like you're in a really stressful period right now, I'm sorry to hear it.

In terms of prioritising tasks at work, there are a couple of things that I find helpful. Firstly, being gentle with yourself - don't feel like you have to finish everything, just aim to make a start, then take it one step at a time. In terms of where to start, maybe making a list would help, then choosing only the most important task or two to start with, and don't decide upon the next level of priority tasks until they are done. Do you think this might be worth a try?

Ringing your psychologist is a very good idea to touch base about where you're at and what might be helpful right now. Did you end up speaking to them today?

Take care,

Shimmer

Hi @Shimmer

I do write a 'to do list' for each day I work. Trouble is I end up doing most of the work because the other lady at work is new and doesn't know everything.

It is so hard, I can't work out why the hell they (supervisor) employed someone who had no experience at all. it just makes it so hard for me who is left to deal with it all.

I need to be more gentle on myself, I know I am too hard on myself. And that's because I want things done, I am a good worker and need it done.

But right now it is affecting my health.

I went to outpatient program and did the group therapy. I did end up speaking to a psychologist there and he suggested that I write down a list of extra jobs I do and see if i can make a time to meet with our supervisor. And to chat with him face to face. But i am really worried that if i ask for a pay increase that he will put even more work and pressure on me for the pay increase.

@Decadian and @Shimmer @NikNik

I did do art therapy today. I was very anxious and hesitant in going but I did. We had to chose a flat item and I chose a leaf. We had to draw the leaf from the inside out. I started and was okay; but then we had to chose another object and draw from the outside in. Well I started to draw this wooden object and started sobbing, i got up and grabbed a tissue to which the therapist noticed. She came to sit next to me and i didn't want to talk. She asked what my emotions were and how i was feeling. i said to her it is dumb, i want to leave, i am stupid, i can't do this. she said have a look at your first drawing and how beautiful it is; how do you feel when you look at that? i told her i feel okay. She said see you need to draw and express from the inside out. She gave me another leave and said how about i try again.

I tried again and this was okay; but then i added squares, ciricles and started drawing freely to how i felt. i coloured it in with pastels. i still felt very sad; i don't know if i was sad for my inner child or something else.

At the end of the 3 hour session I am now feeling so exhausted mentally. I feel that i haven't achieved much even though she said it was really good what i had done.

I also phoned my psych to see him earlier, possibly next week. i have told his receptionist to pls put me down for another admission. Apparently when i spoke to the nurses today they said they are busy and to put my name down again asap.

I now don't know if i want to go to work tomorrow. I will see how i feel in the morning.

Hi @Former-Member

Didn't sleep very well last night. Not sure if it was the sessions I had yesterday or my headache or both.

I'm up and have to go to work. I am trying to keep all my sick leave (what I have left) for when I go to hospital, otherwise I will lose pay.

I will write down a 'to do list' today and the new lady won't be there today so i will have another newish lady who has been with us for about 5 weeks.

I feel sad and teary. I struggle but i have to go to work, i have no choice at the moment.

Feeling stuck like this is horrible, it's like what else do i do? what other choice do i have at the moment? nothing.

I think once I know the date I am going back to hospital i will meet with my supervisor and talk to him about work, about my extra workload, responsibility and a pay increase.

Take care @Former-Member, i hope you have a nice day today. Did you sleep well?

Hi @BlueBay

I am so glad that you are going to go to hospital for a while - and when you do - don't forget to apply for Sickness Benefits - to do this you need to get on to Centrelink when the time comes

I am sure when you have had time to think clearly about your life the whole thing won't be so huge - and complicated - it is very hard rght now because you are exhausted

It is impossible to do more that a certain amount of work in a given time - you are a good worker and surely your supervisor can see that you work hard and don't slack off - and amount the newbie - it is perfectly in order to tell your supervisor that the person they have employed is inexperienced - people do lie about their work experience and qualifications -

You are being exploited where you are - and yes - if you ask for more money you may be asked to do extra work - but your comeback is when are you supposed to do all this extra work when you are flat out now

You are stuck right now - I cannot imagine what it is like to go to work every day hating your time there when we spend the large part of our waking hours there

But once - many years ago - I had been at a job for 2 days and I could understand Italian although I couldn't speak it - and the people I was working for were annoyed with me too - and I stayed for another day until they sacked me and I was able to get on the dole in a week and not wait 6 weeks if I left

But I am so glad that you have put yourself in for a hospital admission - it must be a relief to have done this much at least

Decadian

Hi @BlueBay

I am so glad you have made the decision to go to hospital - you really need the break - you are so stressed out right now it must be a relief to know at least you will get some time out to sort yourself out

I joined this site just after Easter - and I think I started to communicate with you almost straight away -

And so it has been nearly 3 months that we have been conversing and I really understand some of the pressure you are suffering - not the same issues - but certainly being bad enough to need to go to hospital for a break

I understand the rolling on of time - day to night to day - day after day - week after week - feeling better during the weekend and then back to a job which I think you would like if there was less pressure.

You will be okay - I am sure of that - for alhough my problems in life have been mostly different - I have had them - and we need a break - and in the right kind of hospital - some group therapy - and seeing the doctor more often

I will be thinking of you

Decadian

Thank you so much @Decadian

To me it feels like I am trying to reach out for something, to grab something (hospital break) and I am almost there, I have almost grabbed it. Just the relief to be able to grab it. (does that make sense??)

I know once I am there I am able to 'switch off' my daily struggles. I will be on my own. And I will see my psychiatrist daily and also have psychologists to talk to if i need to. As well as doing group therapy daily. It is an amazing private hospital with a fantastic facility. I am so thankful that my psychiatrist is affiliated with this hospital. And it's only 15 min away from home.

At times this week i have been thinking in my head about - 'what will the kids think'; 'what if hubby can't cope with me in hospital again and having his mum in care' - but do you know what - I can't keep thinking like this, i need a break for ME; i need to be mentally capable of coping again, i need to get better for myself and for them. So this time i am going to put myself first and not feel guilty about going in.

I think I am going to call my psych today and see if he has done the paperwork and let him know if he can bring the admission earlier. Not sure what the hospital will say as they are fully booked, so may have to wait a few weeks.

I'll let you know how I go.

thanks so much for being here for me, without you and all the others on here I would definitely have been very very lonely and not sure where my negative mind would have taken me. xxxooo

I am so glad to read this @BlueBay and that you are putting yourself first - you need this time to gather your resources and you can't be there for other people if you are not there for yourself

Keep on getting in touch with your doctor - the hospital will always be fully booked - from my memories of my own time in hospital there was always a bed available for someone who really needed it

And how great that the hospital is so close to your home - and let your husband figure out how much time to see his mother - and you -

Yes - you have made a decision for yourself and taken charge of the situation and you have that to hang onto -

It has been tough for months - but there is relief in sight -

Decadian