Has anyone had success working outside the home?

[Mara Cortona]

Hi everyone! I am new here and would love to hear some of your experiences in this regard.

I am an assistant in a Montessori school and am getting my Master's to be a lead teacher. I love the children and this work is my passion! For the past six months at my current school I have bebe working only 5 hours a day, but this week they moved me up to 8 hours.

Almost every day I am late – I am so panicked in the morning that I just cannot make myself move until the very last minute. It's so stressful. This is not a job you can just be late for! After the holidays I missed a teacher in-service day because I was too panicked in the morning and the later it got the more my social anxiety also grew about calling in, so I turned off my phone and hid. Everyone was worried about me, and I finally explained agor to my boss. She said that because of my work in the classroom she has no intention of firing me but hopes we can work together to help me be more successful.

I feel worthless and every day I am so panicked, especially now that I know I have 8 full hours out of the house (+ 1/2 hour bus rides both ways) waiting for me.

I am 2 months pregnant and I am looking forward to being able to stay at home as a mom like I'm journeying toward the promised land lol. I do worry about the baby being affected by my panic and stress about going to work every day.

Do you think I could be just not ready to work? Or are there strategies you have used to combat this?

[CLanderus]

I've been dealing with AG for about 2 years within my 4-5 years of anxiety and panic attacks. I've worked outside of home with it but not always as good as I would like as for the experience. But I usually feel better being involved with others and working vs sitting at home on my worst days. I personally would say to wake up and be positive each day. Don't think too much though if that makes sense. A lot of anxiety comes from the mind so you have to just be focused on the task at hand. Talk to your little one while driving. (Congrats btw) just be focused as I mentioned. I still struggle with driving alone. No idea why. My anxiety and attacks stem from more physical sensations than anything, pain in the chest or being fatigued etc will just ruin my day if I let myself get too far ahead of myself. You can do it, because I do it and I haven't always succeeded but it can be done and realistically it has to if we want to truly live a happy fulfilling life. Best wishes. Be positive.