Should I quit my job?

Hi everyone,
It's really early here, I can't sleep like I used to be able to. I have been filled with panic and anxiety for over 2 months now. I don't know what triggered it. It was like a light switch was flipped and can't figure out why this is happening again. About 7 years ago or so I was so filled with panic and anxiety that I couldn't work or go to school. I lived in a group home and paced almost constantly. Now I can't sit still long enough to give my feet and toes a rest from moving so much.
I have been at my present job for almost 4 years in July. My dad took me aside last night and told me that he wouldn't be upset if I were to quit my job. This came as a surprise to me. I thought maybe he would want to have me work and work through the anxiety and fear that comes along with going to work. I start worrying the second I finish a shift and get ready for the next day. I don't have a moment without anxiety. I have been thinking for a while about quitting, but feel like a failure if I were to quit. I don't know what I would do without a job, or what I would do with my time. I think that it would ease my mind a little about working, but know that eventually I would have to return to work.
I was also thinking maybe I need a change in jobs. I work at a local fast food restaurant and it gets pretty chaotic there. There is a lot of drama, and customer complaints about different things. The usual ya know? I used to really enjoy my job. I used to get called in early and would be glad to get the extra hours. But now am afraid to even go in. I get so anxious that I can't stand still. I have many panic attacks throughout my 5 hour shift. I know it's not that long of a shift, but it is too long for me. I have a doctor order to not work over 5 hours a day 4 days a week. I thought this would be better than my 7-8 hours a day 4 days a week. I don't know what I would do without a job. I know there are things that need to be accomplished here at home.
I currently live with my dad and step-mom for financial reasons. I am on disability, so I would have money for rent and some necessities like medication. I would really love the time off, but am afraid there will be no fun if there is no money coming in. I don't like to go out anyway, but if I were to ever want to I am afraid that I won't be able to due to lack of funds.
I am wondering if anyone has had this similar situation and what you would do. Does anyone have any insight as to what I am not thinking about or what I should be thinking about?
Anyway, just wanted some of your input. Thanks for listening--have a good day.
Thanks,
Jen

Hello jen, have you thought about taking a break/holiday for a week to think about what you would really like to do? During that time you can give it serious thought and have a good look at all the options, it may be time for you to move on to something else. Have a look round what jobs there are. You might go back to your job after a rest and decide to stay, but a rest would do you good anyway.

Hugs

Hi jen

I am yong and don`t have much experience in life, and don`t have the anxiety to the level of havng physical attackes, but i can tell you from my experience i have (and keep having) in college.

I too want to heal and be able to work - and i agree the healing is THROUGH the pain - there are no painkillers for us mentally speaking.

I....well since i am about to graduate my situaiton is different form yours - i am gonna leave there soon

You said you don`t know what causes the anxiety - i wonder what heppened if you DID?
I know what causes it and this is why (i think) i don`t get sick or pass out)
If you know the reason you see through it and it is no longer a mystery
I know it does take a lot of courage but this is the only option the REAL way out - all other ways- medication etc - you know - they are just to reduce the symphtoms they are not a solussion.....

So you mentiond doctores - do you have a therapist? a psychologist to talk to? Can`t they help you figre it out? the reaoson?

What was there 7 years ago? what is it now? is it all the drama going there?

As far as i understand - we get the emotion because there are situations that are significant to us! they have a meaning for us - that may not be for all otheres....and this meaning or significanse - whatever you call it - this is why we react to situations with panic or so - but the whole point of therapy is it DISCOVER that significance which lies in our subconcious.

One of the methods that i am reading about now is "active imagination" when you sort of hypnotize yourself and then a fantasy gets to you. It can be a fairy tale story or anything like that - that sybolizes to you the entrence into the world of fantasy, images and subconcious....and there you get the heros you meet just in your head and they an tell you things... i will give you my example:

I have a characnter in my head had her long ago a story i made up in my teens and i the fantzsy tehrapy she appeared and told me not to think of school when i don`t really have to. I sometimes feel i am either lazy or doing not enough or don`t give a **** about college work because i never manage to do things as i plan. like i am not responsible - and feel bad for that. but after that fanztsy practice and i did in in the buss - i notice that in a hour or so i foud myself thinking about college and work at least 5 times (i noticed it because i tried to stop)

So there are ways to get into the sbconcious to get to know reasons which are like the kye for freedom i think

i can understand that you want to work like any normal human being. and i think that the fact you have anxiety donen`t make you not a normal human being. Find our what causes the anxiety if it s possible

Maybe you need a different job?

Thanks for answering me, the idea of taking a week off to explore my options does sound good. I have just returned from taking a 2 week break from work. I came back more anxious then have been in a long long time. I don't really know what to do...but I have to do something or I feel my health is in jepordy. I am thinking about getting a different job, I just have to wait till one opens up. I know with the economy the way it is, things are tough for everyone. I might take the summer off, or might just put in my two week notice tomorrow. I am not sure yet. I have a lot to think about in the mean time.
Thanks for responding.
Jen

My therapist always says to do the thing that makes you most anxious so you can learn to work through it. I know it's not the answer people with anxiety want to hear (I hate when she says it lol) because we are really good at not doing things that make us anxious. I would suggest staying with the job and trying to work through it. I hope you are working with a therapist so you can figure out what makes you so anxious.

Hi Jen. I know how stressful the resteraunt industry can be. I use to run up to 5 stores at a time. It can be very hard work for not much pay.

I agree with what somebody said bout trying to take a week off & think it over....when is the last time you had a vacation?

I would also like to say although I do not know the context of your mental health issues we share a primary consern of PTSD & I have had made a handful of career changes in my life so feel to PM me about anything too. I don't know if I can offer much help other than having some of the same experiences in life.

Thanks so much for all your input. I have made the decision to give my 2 week notice. I feel it is the best for my health at this time. I am so nervous all the time, and don't know why. All I know is that tomorrow is Friday and I have to make it through to get 2 days off for the weekend. I think I will be ok once I get off at noon. I only work 5 hours a day, but even that is too much. After 2 hours of work I start to panic. I get all sweaty, and have to move around or I will be afraid of something happening to me. I feel this is the best decision for me. I have taken time off lately, all that did was make me nervous for going back to work. I took 2 weeks off and endeed up in the hospital. That didn't help much. So for now am going to give my 2 weeks. thanks to all that have responded. I really appreciate it.

I just wanted to let everyone know that I did put my 2 week notice in, but my GM took me aside and told me that I am an asset to the company. I never thought in a million years she would care that I would be quitting. She told me she loves me and cares about what happens to me. That brought tears to my eyes. I have decided to work next week and then take a 14 week leave of absence. I hope that I can get my crap together, and become a better person. I hope to accomplish some things, maybe even find another job, I don't know. My anxiety is so bad that I am unable to work through some very hard things, and things are not progressing the way that I think they should or that I want them to in counseling. I hope my leave will allow me to become the person I used to be. I used to love going to work even though it's a dead-end job, and be happy again.
Thanks to all of you that have read and/or responded.
Thanks for listening.

I hope you are in therapy to find the underlying issues that are the source of your anxiety. Your life can be feel so much better.

Yes, maybe a calmer workplace would be a good idea to look into so you can keep moving forward in your life and have the life and the things in your life that you want.