I had my first panic attack at 19. It was in the middle of a presentation for my internship. As I stood in front of a panel of the company’s executives and all my fellow interns, something happened. I started to get lightheaded as I felt all their eyes on me, I started to shake and I froze. I was no longer the confident breezy person I often am. I was terrified.
I could hear my best friend in the program quietly whispering “breathe.” I managed to make it through the presentation, although I was absolutely positive I was going to pass out. I didn’t. After it was over, I went into the bathroom and cried. This can be the standard panic scenario for anyone who deals with anxiety on a regular basis. My second attack arrived with my grandmother, the third with a boy I had a crush on.
Seven years later I know my trigger scenarios, what makes me anxious, and some coping mechanisms. This doesn’t make the anxiety beast — like a shadow, behind you but always attached — any easier. And it can be especially debilitating in a professional scenario.
Anxiety in the workplace is a bitch. And the more you try to suppress it, the worse it can get. It is estimated that in the US alone about 6.8 million adults, or 3.1% of the national population, suffers from some form of anxiety disorder. Trying to explain a panic attack to someone for whom anxiety is not an issue is like speaking in a foreign language. You really think your world is caving in. You’re going to have a heart attack. And no matter how many times it happens, it still feels like the world is falling out from your butt every. Single. Time. Writing this, in fact, is making me a bit queasy.
So what are you supposed to do when it drifts into your work life and career? I’m lucky in that when I started my own company I had to pitch myself and my services constantly. I still do — about three times a day. Doing the things that scare you more often makes them less scary.
Tell People Around You
There are a lot of theories about how to handle anxiety. For me, sometimes it helps to let the people around you know you’re nervous or anxious. If you don’t want to say it in so many words, say you’re feeling like you need some support around a particular meeting. More people have anxiety than you realise, and sometimes you need support.
Eat Something
Panic also can be mimicked by too much caffeine and not enough food. Hypoglycemia is the same feeling as panic. Make sure it’s not both.
Know Your Triggers
When I spoke to Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, she mentioned that speaking is a common anxiety for more introverted people (and just most people in general) because it’s not a natural practice. I signed up for Toastmasters and I look forward to shaking in front of a group of strangers who probably feel the same.
It’s Less Obvious Than You Think
While you might feel like your world is caving in, people can’t really tell. So much anxiety stems from what others think. I was afraid I’d seem weak, or heaven forbid, not as composed as I’d like.
You Don’t Have to Go it Alone
I didn’t. It depends on what works for you — therapy, medication, doing it enough times that it becomes less scary and the puke feeling goes away. Your anxiety, at work or otherwise, can become a smaller shadow as you step away from the bright light of fear.
But remember, our shadows are us, and we must learn to live with ourselves — happily, productively, and without worrying about what others might think.
I Suffer From Panic Attacks, But Won’t Let Them Destroy My Life or Work [Fast Company
Meredith Fineman is the CEO of FinePoint digital PR. You can read more of her writing here or follow her on Twitter at @meredithfineman.
Comments
2 responses to “How To Keep Anxiety In Check At The Office”
Very interesting and informing article! I can fully relate as I lived in agony for 40 years with anxiety, depression, panic attacks and a destroyed sense of self and identity. I wish that every person afflicted with these inner struggles to find peace and happiness and a way to control the emotions and behaviors associated with them. For those interested, I have a simple blog up with my experiences and my story, along with a few reviews of products/techniques that have helped me in my quest to find solutions. I sincerely want to spread the word about what helped me because after so many doctors and so many types of medicine I was at the point of believing nothing was ever going to help. I’m happy to share my story and hope it may help others! My blog can be found at :
http://tonysreviews.com
Many blessings to all!
Big thanks =)
(PS Good name. Excellent name.)
Good article but what you describe is not a panic attack. During a panic attack the sufferer often experiences fears of heart attack and of going crazy. At the start there is also a intense fear of death, but that often turns into welcoming death as an escape. What you describe is anxiety. No less a problem, but very different.
bb, you are so far from being accurate. Panic attacks are a symptom of anxiety and depression. A panic attack doesn’t have to be anything to do with fear of having a heart attack or going crazy. It is a fear of anything negative and generally has symptoms of having a hard time breathing properly.