what do you do for work?

[Luna99]

Just curious, what do you all do for work? How do you deal with anxiety and panic disorder while at work? I work at a water utility company and im finding it very difficult to focus on my job.

[Jmillhimes]

Work inside sales at a laid back company! I actually took 2 weeks off recently to start my meds! It helps to take some time when you first start but you learn to deal with it

[jessed03]

I used to work in sales, but it became kind of hard interacting with people. Poor sleep and stress meant I often looked like I'd been pulled out of a car accident.

Now I work as a freelance writer. Advertising copy, billboards, magazine articles, that kind of stuff. Though my anxiety doesn't affect my working life any more, it's still nice working whenever and wherever I like.

[JustaGal]

I have a desk job. I had to take a benzo many days, I also went out to my car a few times to ride out high anxiety. Find something that soothes you, music or something,,,
It sucks period.

[Luna99]

Unfortunately, i don't have paid vacation or sick leave.

[Im-Suffering]

This topic should read, 'what do you do for fulfilling work or what are you passionate about" - since work and money beliefs are a large part of anxiety. A man is truly free, when he can wake in the morning, go to bed at night, and in between do as he pleases.

Often if one struggles his whole life even in a windfall he cannot shake the anxiety. Only then he has more available time to be fearful. A man can only really be successful if he is after a dream that he is passionate about. The burning desire for achievement is the fountain of youth. If one does not pursue with passion, one eventually quits, not worth his effort or time. If this is not recognized for what it is, this man would consider himself a failure, at just about everything he touches.

Most people work for money, rather than have money work for them. Who is the master? Most are also afraid to ask for wealth. For whatever reason they do not believe it possible and so they bargain with life for a penny, and a pennies wage they receive.

It is not legal in most countries to murder, and so the equivalent of that to the aggressive man is to strip his fellows of all dignity, to prey upon them financially. The man without money walks slumped over, with head down, depressed, downtrodden, looking upon his peers with jealousy that they have and he is without. Such a man sees items in store windows but knows he cannot have them. An impoverished man is full of shame, blame, guilt, anger, jealousy, resentment, low esteem, and believes himself of little value. With just a few coins he thinks, he would be back to his old self. The use of money to destroy a man is equivalent to a weapon used upon him, and it kills the spirit just the same. Such a man has no confidence and a weak constitution, he cannot speak up for himself, and has lost his will. Depressed, despondent, every penny he receives will be taken from him. Such is the poor mans fate, to envy his brothers who have. The fear of poverty is worse than the fear of death, and often ends the same.

In most belief systems, poverty is death.

Even a wealthy man cannot escape this universal fear that does not discriminate, but strips each and every one of their soul with equal force. Those who chase money become enslaved to it.

The fear of poverty paralyzes the faculty of reason, destroys the faculty of imagination, kills off self-reliance, undermines enthusiasm, discourages initiative, leads to uncertainty of purpose, encourages procrastination, wipes out enthusiasm and makes self-control an impossibility. It takes the charm from one's personality, destroys the possibility of accurate thinking, diverts concentration of effort, it masters persistence, turns the will-power into nothingness, destroys ambition, beclouds the memory and invites failure in every conceivable form; it kills love and assassinates the finer emotions of the heart, discourages friendship and invites disaster in a hundred forms, leads to sleeplessness, misery and unhappiness.



And..Anxiety along with its physical sensations

So I ask each of you, what are your beliefs? And I once again put you face to face with self in an effort to discover who you really are. Through some form of self reflection or examination.

[SakuraFett]

I'm a tissue processor so I work with cadaveric tissues. We make tissue transplants. My anxiety at work is usually manageable. The worst is when I have anxiety or a full blown panic attack when I'm scrubbed in because I can't do my usual checking behaviors such as checking my pulse or looking at my pupils, I just have to ride it out. I really was afraid that working with human body parts was going to freak me out but it is not as creepy as I originally feared.

[Luna99]

At Im-Suffering, the post reads exactly as intended. The rest of your post was uninformative, but thank you for taking the time to voice your concerns.

[Kuma]

Hey I'm Suff -- what do you do for work? (I mean this in the sense of the original question -- rather than your different question).

By the way, when you say "A man is truly free, when he can wake in the morning, go to bed at night, and in between do as he pleases." (paraphrasing Bob Dylan) -- that is great, but in the real world -- the one MOST of us live in -- making money is necessary, because the mortgage company and the supermarket don't accept "warm feelings" or "best wishes" -- they want cash.

[Goomba]

At Im-Suffering, the post reads exactly as intended. The rest of your post was uninformative, but thank you for taking the time to voice your concerns.

His post wasn't uninformative. It may not apply to you where you are currently at, but there was some good information in there. He is trying to tackle a broader issue to talk to many rather than focus specifically on you.

I don't think what we do at work is as important as how our anxiety manifests at work. Work doesn't create our anxiety so much as it puts us in situations where we must confront it. It's kind of a blessing is disguise. In other areas we have constructed our realities to be protective of our insecurities, and consequently, our anxieties. In that respect, we are permissive, and feed them. At work, we don't always have that "luxury" and are offered opportunities to grow past our anxieties where we otherwise wouldn't.

At my anxiety's worst I was a Manager at a movie theater. It was hard to function and handle the issues of thousands of customers when I couldn't even handle myself. I had my ways of escaping to manage my anxiety, but it wasn't something I could sustain. I was responsible for all patrons and staff at all times, and that forced me to handle situations while incredibly anxious (Health wise for me).

Point is, being these situations showed me that I was in fact ok, and more capable than I currently thought, and that was a critical part of my recovery.

[gadguy]

Just curious, what do you all do for work? How do you deal with anxiety and panic disorder while at work? I work at a water utility company and im finding it very difficult to focus on my job.

I'm an IT guy....really don't like it, but I work to live not live to work its a means to an end...it can be stressful, everyday is different, but I have good boss and the office is more laid back than a lot of places. Once my house is paid of, I may pursue something more enjoyable, Used to work in garden center it was great, was bartender for awhile that was great, worked in a florist for awhile also..it was cool be be allowed to be creative. I dream of selling drinks on a tropical beach.

[Im-Suffering]

Hey I'm Suff -- what do you do for work? (I mean this in the sense of the original question -- rather than your different question).

By the way, when you say "A man is truly free, when he can wake in the morning, go to bed at night, and in between do as he pleases." (paraphrasing Bob Dylan) -- that is great, but in the real world -- the one MOST of us live in -- making money is necessary, because the mortgage company and the supermarket don't accept "warm feelings" or "best wishes" -- they want cash.

I wake in the morning, go to bed at night, and in between do as i please.

[Im-Suffering]

His post wasn't uninformative. It may not apply to you where you are currently at, but there was some good information in there. He is trying to tackle a broader issue to talk to many rather than focus specifically on you.

I don't think what we do at work is as important as how our anxiety manifests at work. Work doesn't create our anxiety so much as we it puts us in situations where we must confront it. It's kind of a blessing is disguise. In other areas we have constructed our realities to be protective of our insecurities, and consequently, our anxieties. In that respect, we are permissive, and feed them. At work, we don't always have that "luxury" and are offered opportunities to grow past our anxieties where we otherwise wouldn't.

At my anxieties worst I was a Manager at a movie theater. It was hard to function and handle the issues of thousands of customers when I couldn't even handle myself. I had my ways of escaping to manage my anxiety, but it wasn't something I could sustain. I had was responsible for all patrons and staff at all times, and that forced me to handle situations while incredibly anxious (Health wise for me).

Point is, being these situations showed me that I was in fact ok, and more capable than I currently thought, and that was a critical part of my recovery.

Yes, exactly.

Lets take a look at 'justagals' post for example -

"I have a desk job. I had to take a benzo many days, I also went out to my car a few times to ride out high anxiety. Find something that soothes you, music or something,,,
It sucks period."

Well, it doesn't have to suck. The only purpose in experiencing something that sucks, is to learn to do things that don't suck (is what i am doing in my highest regard? Is that who I am?).

Most people would generally 'agree' with these types of posts - 'justagal's (it aligns perfectly with their own feelings/experience/beliefs about money-work-self), so, this is what I was responding to.

[Kuma]

I wake in the morning, go to bed at night, and in between do as i please.

Trust fund? Lottery winner? Picked the right hedge fund? Found someone who is willing to pay for making pedantic posts on an internet board, and quoting authors without attribution? C'mon, tell the story. We would all like to enjoy your success, if we only knew the secret!

[Spiggot70]

I work as a logistics specialist type guy in oilfield chemicals. I schedule our trucks to go out and deliver to locations. It's overwhelmingly laid back, but I don't hate it. It's a slower pace than what I've done previously for 14 years, which was manage, dispatch and schedule 125 trucks and drivers. Now i have 3. The biggest problem I've had is to find ways to keep busy, thereby keeping my mind from wandering to bad places. Music sure helps, (and this forum). I'm so glad I found it. :)
On the side, my wife and I do renovations and redecorating people's houses, and build and refinish furniture. Now THAT, if we could make a financial go at that, would be ideal! But, the balance between the two is good.

[Im-Suffering]

Trust fund? Lottery winner? Picked the right hedge fund? Found someone who is willing to pay for making pedantic posts on an internet board, and quoting authors without attribution? C'mon, tell the story. We would all like to enjoy your success, if we only knew the secret!

I think you know that this 'internet board' is filled with real people, because I do find most of your posts helpful in a clinical sense. And so, at least from my perspective, you are of great value here, do you believe that about you?.

My 'story' if you wish to read it (condensed) is in a thread 'confrontation to contemplation' (i believe that's the title) a few pages in. I dont believe i spoke of money specifically. If I find the topic pertinent to help another in the future, maybe i will relate my story in regard to that.

Please dont be cruel however toward me in your demeanor and tone.

[jessed03]

I think you know that this 'internet board' is filled with real people, because I do find most of your posts helpful in a clinical sense. And so, at least from my perspective, you are of great value here, do you believe that about you?.

My 'story' if you wish to read it (condensed) is in a thread 'confrontation to contemplation' (i believe that's the title) a few pages in. I dont believe i spoke of money specifically. If I find the topic pertinent to help another in the future, maybe i will relate my story in regard to that.

Please dont be cruel however toward me in your demeanor and tone.

Do you take a salary for your medium work, or is it just a hobby?

[Im-Suffering]

Do you take a salary for your medium work, or is it just a hobby?

No Jess. My wife and I have 4-5 books out there though, Amazon, BN. One for Healing (self) and beliefs, one for relationships (love-healing-finding the one), one for healing grief (death) and some CD's. I don't promote because they come to us. Its philanthropic as far as im concerned even though they're a few bucks each.

Ill give the names of the books in PM if you wish, or to anyone that I know and feel comfortable with.

[raggamuffin]

Worked in an office for 9.5 years. might work in another to tide me over whilst my self employed art career picks up. But I will be fully self reliant on my creativity within a year or 2.

Also, there's no need to mock Im-Suffering, he's here to help people and he does it selflessly. I know we are a community on here and it's a shame that one of the most helpful members is sometimes belittled by other members. Let's grow up people.

Ed

[gadguy]

worked in an office for 9.5 years. Might work in another to tide me over whilst my self employed art career picks up. But i will be fully self reliant on my creativity within a year or 2.

Also, there's no need to mock im-suffering, he's here to help people and he does it selflessly. I know we are a community on here and it's a shame that one of the most helpful members is sometimes belittled by other members. Let's grow up people.

Ed

exactly right!

[Kuma]

My 'story' if you wish to read it (condensed) is in a thread 'confrontation to contemplation' (i believe that's the title) a few pages in. .

I-S: I took the time to go back to the thread that you referenced, and read "your story." I cannot help but note the hateful and deeply offensive anti-semetic comments (which are not appropriate under any circumstances -- regardless of any troubles that you may have suffered in the past, and for which you owe an apology to any Jewish people who may participate in this form) -- comments such as:

"No matter what, Jews are always persecuted (this is their perspective, not mine. and so MONEY is the only power they feel could save them, by overpowering their seeming aggressors, more obvious bullshit). Talk about fucked up beliefs, head trips...."

Aside from that, I do give you credit for explaining your background and some of the respects in which you are "suffering." You certainly have faced challenges in your past -- as many of us have -- and you have shown strength in dealing with those and seeking to overcome them.

I do not believe that you -- or anyone -- is clairvoyant. Being clairvoyant would require you to have supernatural powers, and I don't think you (or anyone) has such powers. I accept that some people are more perceptive than others. But that is very different than being clairvoyant. In any event, I suppose I will never convince you that you lack such supernatural powers -- and you will never convince me that you have such supernatural powers. So we can agree to disagree on that.

[Chauntecler]

I'm an unemployed wannabe artist with dreams of becoming of a private eye someday. That's pretty much it.

[gadguy]

I-S: I took the time to go back to the thread that you referenced, and read "your story." I cannot help but note the hateful and deeply offensive anti-semetic comments (which are not appropriate under any circumstances -- regardless of any troubles that you may have suffered in the past, and for which you owe an apology to any Jewish people who may participate in this form) -- comments such as:

"No matter what, Jews are always persecuted (this is their perspective, not mine. and so MONEY is the only power they feel could save them, by overpowering their seeming aggressors, more obvious bullshit). Talk about fucked up beliefs, head trips...."

Aside from that, I do give you credit for explaining your background and some of the respects in which you are "suffering." You certainly have faced challenges in your past -- as many of us have -- and you have shown strength in dealing with those and seeking to overcome them.

I do not believe that you -- or anyone -- is clairvoyant. Being clairvoyant would require you to have supernatural powers, and I don't think you (or anyone) has such powers. I accept that some people are more perceptive than others. But that is very different than being clairvoyant. In any event, I suppose I will never convince you that you lack such supernatural powers -- and you will never convince me that you have such supernatural powers. So we can agree to disagree on that.

Being a clairvoyant does not mean you have supernatural powers, it means you have natural psychic abilities...everyone is born with the ability, some peoples abilities are more developed than others. Its the sixth sense, some people are able to use it others are not. It's real.

[Kuma]

Being a clairvoyant does not mean you have supernatural powers, it means you have natural psychic abilities...everyone is born with the ability, some peoples abilities are more developed than others. Its the sixth sense, some people are able to use it others are not. It's real.

I suppose it depends on how you define "supernatural powers" -- but there is a fair amount of writing, including from those who claim to have psychic or clairvoyant powers, asserting that clairvoyance does involve supernatural powers. And I do not agree with you that "it's real." I believe that it is entirely made up, along with ouija boards, séances, voodoo dolls, and witch's potions. But you are certainly entitled to your opinion, and if it makes you feel good to believe in such things, I suppose that's great.

[bhamlaxy]

I'm the Chief of Staff to a State Legislator.

[sae]

I'm an unemployed wannabe artist with dreams of becoming of a private eye someday. That's pretty much it.


Just about this. For many years I drove a school bus. Unfortunately the regulations for passing a DOT physical were changed and now I have to jump through some pretty expensive hoops to prove I'm not going to fall over dead on the job. These days I just sell a few paintings, take up a rare commission, do some seasonal, short term jobs while working on getting an Autocad certification. I miss the days of being able to to hold down school and two jobs.

[gadguy]

Just about this. For many years I drove a school bus. Unfortunately the regulations for passing a DOT physical were changed and now I have to jump through some pretty expensive hoops to prove I'm not going to fall over dead on the job. These days I just sell a few paintings, take up a rare commission, do some seasonal, short term jobs while working on getting an Autocad certification. I miss the days of being able to to hold down school and two jobs.

I miss those days also, at one time I had 2 part time jobs and a full time job, no idea how I managed to get everything done, now its full time and a week or two out the year with a part time job (seasonal work).

[Kuma]

Those who used to work more and now work less seem to miss the old days when they were fully employed. On the other hand, I work long hours at a relatively high stress job (with zero tolerance for "I can't function well today because of anxiety" -- they would look at me like I was from Mars), and I look forward to working less. So, maybe the grass is always greener on the other side of the street. (Or maybe when I retire, I will be bored and wish I were back working hard -- I really don't think that will be the case, as I have a lot of non-work interests that I am looking forward to pursuing -- but I guess you can never be certain how you will adjust to retirement until you get there).

[Im-Suffering]

In regards to 'adjusting' for retirement. The concept is much broader, than say just putting money away. Lets discuss this briefly.


Those who used to work more and now work less seem to miss the old days when they were fully employed. On the other hand, I work long hours at a relatively high stress job (with zero tolerance for "I can't function well today because of anxiety" -- they would look at me like I was from Mars), and I look forward to working less. So, maybe the grass is always greener on the other side of the street. (Or maybe when I retire, I will be bored and wish I were back working hard -- I really don't think that will be the case, as I have a lot of non-work interests that I am looking forward to pursuing -- but I guess you can never be certain how you will adjust to retirement until you get there).

You (and every reader) are more then the identity that you adopt at any given segment of life. By 'looking forward' to pleasurable hobbies, activities, and so forth post work, you are naturally and quite intuitively using the faculty of imagination as prep work, which is highly adventageous. And so when 'retirement' comes, these changes can be easily accepted by the ego, that is suddenly thrust into different experiences, environs and psychological patterns (habits).

When a man does not use this faculty, and suddenly retirement is upon him, he does not know what to do with himself, he has identified with his title until the very last moment and made no preparations in his mind, so the 'time' will be much more difficult to deal with. Many lives are cut short in this way.

Using the imagination then, not only to picture the golf course, or tennis club or whatever, but to picture the entire lifestyle. Time with children, grandchildren, spouse, quiet times, travel, where you will go (be specific), what you will do. Picture yourself at 80 lets say, how you will age gracefully, what you will look like, that you will be in good health, happy, and fulfilled. Do this at least weekly for some time, playfully, and with positive emotions.

For example how a child looks forward and literally expects his life to unfold into his 30s and 40s, perhaps with a job, family of his own. The child uses his imagination. Now you are to do this but from your current age through your 80s into the 90s. The same psychic (creative) power is used (method) in both cases.

And money is not synonymous with work (hard, difficult, stressful, long hours, etc), just a side note for other readers. Money is everywhere, not just at your job. When money comes in great quantities, often in a short amount of time, is is only because the man has lifted his limiting beliefs as to what is possible you see, opening the doors for his riches. Life pays out what you believe it will. And it is often believed it pays in proportion to the work put in, which is simply one (limiting) idea of many. Indeed the term 'work' is in itself deceiving, the majority of wealth begins first in the cultivation of the mind, and its expectations. In those terms is is alike to the preparations made for retirement, mental first. And soon you will physically meet that state of mind first so vividly imagined.

Blessings to you, and prosperity in your planned retirement.

[Two One]

I'm a barista at Starbucks lol. It's a pretty laid back job, making the drinks and all of that is fast paced but it's a great work environment. Everybody gets along. I can't complain, obviously this isn't what I want to do for the rest of my life. It's just a way to make some extra money for medical school.