[ItKeepsComingBack]

Hi, everyone. This is tough for me to talk about being that I've always been an overachiever when it comes to school and my career. Graduated with a master's degree in journalism, which was my first mistake. I have social issues; I don't like to get to close to people or make conversation. It has to do with bullying and some childhood experiences.

Anyway, I love writing and being creative, and stumbled into journalism because of a boyfriend at the time who was majoring in journalism. I really wanted to be an English major, but I couldn't see a defined career I could enter other than teaching, and I don't like being in the spotlight. Still, I hate interviewing people, so after I graduated I chose a job in a related career (scared to say too much in case I identify myself. I've been knocked on performance reviews for my negativity in the past and now feel like my "true self" is in hiding at work. Is that bad?).

In this job, which I have held for 8 years, I work with some clients, and one has been particularly awful lately. I was having panic attacks and crying a lot at the start of the contract with this client.

Basically, my company oversold the client, who thought she'd have a entire staff devoted to her project, but instead just had me. So she was constantly criticizing my work and expressing her disappointment. I worked so much overtime to try to make up for the other nonexistent people she wanted on the staff, because my company wouldn't offer more resources...they just let me try to clean up the mess. I have two months left in the contract and I feel like I've hit a huge wall. I stare at the computer and I'm just numb, despite the amount of work I have to do.

I'm worried that I might have ADHD because I cannot bring myself to do anything. I've lost my appetite, I'm losing weight, and I can't focus.

Typing this out is making me nervous that I'm just a huge mess. Diagnosed with depression, social anxiety, and general anxiety in the past.

[pegasus]

Hello ItKeepsComingBack,

You've been doing this job for 8 years and coping ok up until this particular contract which sounds very stressful. We can't diagnose here but it is unlikely that it would be ADHD. It's more likely to be anxiety and depression, especially if the client is beating you down all the time. Anxiety in itself can cause all sorts of physical symptoms. It would be worth getting a physical with your doctor to make sure there is nothing more to it (regarding the weight loss) and look into possible medications/therapy for your anxiety and depression. Hold on to the fact that this awful contract will be over soon and talk to your boss about taking the pressure off a bit.