Does anyone ever miss work because you are too depressed to get out of bed in the morning?? I am starting to get nervous because I miss a lot of work, not only for my migraines, but because I CANNOT function in the morning.. I know I need to make some changes in my life- especially my career, but I feel so guilty that I called in this morning and I worry that people are talking about me at work for calling in sick alot.. It's not like I miss work to go out shopping, to the beach, I wish I had the energy or even the desire to- but I lounge around the house worrying,etc... Anyone else do that???

That is one of the weapons of anxiety is What Will People Think. Who cares what they think. You have to get yourself well and worrying about that is distracting you from working on yourself.

Thanks for your reply... That's true- who cares what people think right?? I guess I feel like a loser though for staying home today- but mentally I REALLY don't feel good!!

Vicky.. its good once and a while to take time off just for you.
A day for vichy just to relax, and do the things that vicky wants to do.
Don't focus on work, miss a day, miss a week, and even if you get fired... you'll always find work somewhere else.
Focus on getting better...
Don't feel guilty about missing work,,, trust me ... you'll wouldn't have been productive.
So if you ever decide to miss work,,, find something nice to do... Get out of bed, and take a walk in the park, better yet lie down in your backyard and soak up some sun.
Anything but staying in bed.
Hope this help.
Steven

This is my 1st post. I have been unemployed for a year and most of this is because I have been paranoid to do job interviews due to anxiety...so don't feel so bad calling in sick....at least you have a job.

An occasional sick day just to relax is ok, but be careful because they can fire you for excessive
absenteeism.

The program has helped me a lot with my work anxiety & morning anxieties.

quote:

Originally posted by Tallboy:
This is my 1st post. I have been unemployed for a year and most of this is because I have been paranoid to do job interviews due to anxiety...so don't feel so bad calling in sick....at least you have a job.

Hi Tallboy! Thanks for replying-- If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?? I am 30. Trust me I know anxiety about everything, including interviewing.. But-- see that anxiety that you have as a strength, because it shows that you care about being an employee, so when an employer sees this, it's actually good!! I know it may sound weird, but concentrate on session #2- panic attacks and use your Relaxation CD/tape.. Do you have them?? They are very useful-- Yeah, I should be lucky to have a job, but MAINTAINING it just as hard as SEEKING it!! T-You

quote:

Originally posted by DebDeb:
An occasional sick day just to relax is ok, but be careful because they can fire you for excessive
absenteeism.

The program has helped me a lot with my work anxiety & morning anxieties.

Hi DebDeb--Thanks so much for your reply..You say that you also have morning anxiety?? I have it really bad!! What do you do in the AM? Tell me please! As the day goes on, it always gets better, but I wake up a lot at 2:00, 3:00, 4:00 feeling like I can't handle the day ahead.. For some reason I function better in the afternoon and at night and the morning is scary for me!! Thanks ~Vicki

Vickixox, I also have the early morning anxiety about going to work..It seems to get better as the day goes on. I have found that the more I call in, the tougher it is to go in the next day. I now try to stay in the present moment with my thoughts...It just takes practice. I also started reading a book called, "A new Earth by Eckhart Tolle, it is very good and also speaks of the "precious present moment" that Lucinda mentions in the program.. Read it if you get a chance. One last thing....I try to anticipate at least one positive thing that I am going to do the next day...even if it is just as simple as listening to a new CD on the way to work....give it a try....good luck

Gamer-- that was an awesome response! and YES it IS so much harder to go back to work after you have been out.. Funny you should mention "the present precious moment" because that has been my focus lately- as I realized that I am either CONSTANTLY worrying about WHAT I DID or WHAT WILL HAPPEN!! That book is really good?? I reallt got a lot out of session 10- scary thoughts.... That is totally ME!!! Thanks so much,- u really inspired me today!! ~VICKI

Vicki, I'm glad my post helped...BTW, I am only on the first few chapters of the book, but it is really good and it seems to repeat alot of the things I have learned in this program....I bought if off of Itunes for about $20 and I listen to it whenever I get the chance. It isnt the easiest book to follow, but the Audio book makes it a little bit easier. The book was featured on Oprah and they did a lot of podcasts on it...you can download those for free if you have itunes...If you read it, let me know what you think..Stay positive....Gamer

Dear Vicky,

I can totally relate to you! I also suffer from migraine (posted on "chronic disease sufferers" about it), and recently it has become more often, more severe and long-lasting than the years before. I think it´s because of my divorce and job change and stuff that shattered my nerves during the last year.
I also suffer from anxiety (since 1999), but I have never stayed at home becaus of anxiety. Not because I am so brave but I knew that it will subside eventually, no matter how terrible I feel in the morning.
The migraine has become a real problem, I have attacks every 2-3 weeks that last 3-6 days or longer, and if I go to work then, it gets worse, so I have to call in sick and go to the doctor´s. I have to lay down on the sofa and wait until it goes away, which is terribly hard for me. As a person with anxiety, I got used to always being busy, and doing nothing causes panic! I´m in the civil service and here in Germany they won´t fire you then even if you are ill often. I have a calm job without much responsibility, so it´s really no tragedy if I stay at home. But I put myself under pressure and I´m full of shame and anger when I don´t "function". As I single Mum I get these fantasies about losing my job and not being able to take care of my child, not being able to pay back my debts then ect. That causes tension that makes the migraine last even longer .

I try to distinguish being really ill from just feeling sick because of anxiety. Anxiety causes all kinds of body symptoms that can be really severe and scary, like exhaustion, nausea, dizziness, diarrhoe ect. Not easy to go to work although I feel like fainting , but I know it´s just the nerves and it will get better.

Sometimes, when I have done many things during the day, I look back and remember how horrible I felt in the early morning, I´m surprised. But when I have migraine, I really need a break and have to learn to allow myself to be ill.

Hope this helps a little!

Susanne

P.S. Do you live in Massachusetts? I have been in USA once in my life, and I at my Uncle´s who lives near Boston. Beautiful state!

I know exactly what u r going through. I had a great job, I had been promoted 4 times over 4 years and was a shoe in for the "BIG POSITION" .. they loved me... I was the golden girl, got it all done, the closer.
I was also a closet drinker and worrier, anxious and depressed that I had made it so far when i felt i didnt deserve it.. i hadnt graduated from college, i came from a poor home.. had custody of 3 of my little sisters, trying to make up their upbringing to them by being guilted into buying and doing whatever they wanted...

I started not going to work a few days a week, i was a field rep and could cover my steps for a few months, i just couldnt concentrait, i had also been traveling for 8 yrs on the road and felt the combo w my family was burning me out... I was in a 7 yr relationship with a man who loved me and that i loved, but we were not right for marriage ect... and he was not always concerned about me and my problems..
I CRASHED HARD...

i had a fear of public speaking, and soon a fter a surprise speaking event i was required to do last minute I resigned.. I lost everything.. claimed Bankruptcy, and finally came to this program which had been sitting on a shelf fully paid for, for a year.

God, if I only had opened it sooner, i saw what it did for my sister...

I met someone and became pregnant, and Im due any day... the skills this program has given me are a miracle... I have been sober for 9 months, and that in itself was the key to climbing out of the depressed anxious state.. i used to think it helped me to calm down (the drinking), yeah as far down as i could go!!

My fiance is suppoertive of me and the program, although i havent really worked since i met him.. hes starting to wory i wont go back to work, but I am all set to do so after the baby.. he didnt see the golden girl i used to be, and I still wish i would have had the opportunity to have taken that big job... but i will get there again someday! I know I will.

My advice here to you is that its not ok to miss work. Like you said ur not enjoying being home... dont b afraid to take a leave, and get the help you need...
My psychologist offered to write me out for short term disability for a clinical work related burn out- but i declined... oh my what would they have thougth at work?? I let the job i loved go because i was too proud..

after i left my job i broke up with my boyfriend and layed on a couch for a yr.. I take jobs here and there and last about a month before i just couldnt go back, it wasnt what i wantd to be doing, i just felt too anxous to continue... ect you all know the drill...

But, i have a lil person to be concerned with now, i have lowered my expectaions of myself and others, i truly feel i deserve inner peace, and I am beating this problem.

I wish you all the luck, but please listen to me when i tell you missing work is not ok, address it now. Dont be prideful, get the help you need... so u can skip a day now and then and go to he beach and reflect!
Peace and Love
Bonnie