WORKPLACE ANXIETY

When an individual faces potentially harmful or worrying triggers, feelings of anxiety are not only normal but necessary for survival. This may stem from issues surrounding work, money, family life, health, amongst others that demand a person’s attention without necessarily requiring the ‘fight-or-flight’ reaction.

Many of us may admit to feeling anxious at work; most would take it as completely normal. However, things can get a little more serious.  It is when the anxiety starts to become persistent or overwhelming, interfering with your ability to perform your job, manage your personal life, or when it has an impact on your physical/mental health that it’s time to take action.

The top four anxiety disorders that workers can experience include:

• generalized anxiety disorder
• panic attacks
• post-traumatic stress disorder
• social anxiety disorder.

Below are some symptoms to look out for:

• Trouble sleeping
• Over/Undereating
• Feeling irritable
• Avoiding family/friends
• Tiredness
• Feeling down
• Loss of interest in your work
• Bad memory
• Difficulties in concentration
• Muscle tension
• Feeling like you’re going mad
• Constant worrying
• A desire to be perfect
• Irrational fear of making mistakes
• Crying

Workplace anxiety can be triggered by many different elements, with some cases more severe than others. People with anxiety disorder may worry about any of the following when they experience anxiety at work:

• concerns about driving to work
• worries about work tasks
• family worries
• money worries
• health concerns