[jmo531]

Thought this was interesting.


1. Job Security
This is the No. 1 cause of stress among the patients Dr. Menard sees. "People are fearful of losing their jobs, so they work more and then get stressed and burn themselves out," she says. Also, many bosses may be working employees harder to meet demands for higher cost efficiency and productivity.


2. Poor Diet
Caffeine and nicotine often are used to get people through stressful situations. "Indulging in these or other substances, such as drugs and alcohol, only intensifies the stress cycle," Menard warns. "The more caffeine you drink, the less you sleep. The less you sleep, the more tired and tense you feel." And so on...


3. Lack of Sleep
This in and of itself can be a stressor. Usually the more tired you are, the less patience you have, and you are more apt to fly off the handle. So it's important to get enough sleep and burn off those excess stress hormones with some exercise or meditation.


4. Success
Sometimes being successful actually can lead to anxiety. Dr. Menard notes that people in high-pay, high-stress professions, such as financial traders, feel extreme pressures to make money for their companies and their clients. They know if they don't bring in the money, they will lose their accounts and perhaps their jobs. However, even if they are successful, dealing with great amounts of money and just the art of the deal can become addictive, keeping them in a perpetual state of tension.


5. Feeling No Control
Many of Dr. Menard's patients report feeling they have no power over their job responsibilities and that someone else is always pulling the strings. This can be a great source of worry, especially if they have a never-ending workload to complete.


Bottom Line: Periodically examine your work life for these triggers. If you find an elevation in one or more, talk to your doctor about ways to bring it under control and protect your physical and mental health.

[pegasus]

I think a lot of these things you have listed actually apply to LIFE in general!

((((((((((((((((((((( jmo ))))))))))))))))))))

[jmo531]

I agree Pegasus. When I found this article on AOL it was almost as if it was written about me and the warning signs I ignored when I was working. I am getting ready to go back to work at the same job I left when I was mentally unwell (at my worst). This time around I was able to be up front about my limitations to my boss and for the first time in a long time, I was able to utter the words "No". That is my biggest downfall.

Thanks for responding.

(((((((((((((((((((Pegasus))))))))))))))))))))

[Ryan]

Good article Jen. Thanks for posting it. I can relate to all that. That's why I'm looking for another job... one that's much less stressful than mine.

[Azalysa]

Thank you for posting, Jen. I've been on a 5-month short-term disability and am supposed to return next Friday with restrictions from my pdoc, but it is a very stressful, multi-tasking environment (which is part of what brought on this episode). I will be looking for another job while working...or I may resign before I get sucked back into the nightmare and just look for something new.

[jmo531]

It is truely unfortunate how much stress employers will put their employees under for the sake of the ulmighty dollar. It is high time that we put ourselves first.

[jbug]

This is so true. I know when I was working I was always worried about being fired. I live in a right to work state so I can be fired at any time for no apparent reason. In fact there doesn't have to be a reason for being fired. I was fired in my last job because of me not being real regular at being on time and such for work. I would have fired me also. I am worried that as i prepare to go back out into the workforce that I am not ready and all this schooling will be for nothing. I guess I have another year to worry about that.
Jbug

[EJ711]

Jen -

I think number 1 is my biggest problem.

Thanks for sharing this article.

EJ

[jmo531]

Jbug,

I too am (will be) living in a right to work state where one can be fired for any reason under the sun. It is quite scary. I totally understand.

EJ,

Your welcome. I think that #1 is a big one. So many people out there working themselves to the bone because of the pressures put on them by their bosses.