Panic

Whenever I have to talk to my new boss I panic. Or if I see the first name of my old boss I panic. I even have a coworker now that has the same name as a guy I used to work with and that gets my anxiety up. Luckily we are teleworking and I don’t get full fledged panic. When I was there in person I had to flee to my car to try and calm down. Are these ptsd reactions or am I just blowing things out of proportion?

Dear Crook32,

I wish I had an answer to your important question, but sadly I don't. So sorry. I used to experience what you describe and it even engendered full-scale panic attacks at times.

Sincerely yours, Yao Wen

don't ever accuse yourself of over-reacting. This is your reality and what it does to you so it is very much a problem for you. Have you ever tried some mindfullness techniques. I have to speak outloud to myself and say the realities of the situation and try to handle my feelings that way. Doesn't always work but sometimes just laying out the situation and sorting it through takes away that heavy hold that others may have on you at the time.

I'm so sorry you are working in a place that this happens to you. You have found your own little ways of coping (removing yourself to a quiet space of your car) where you do try and get it together and then you are back in it again.

I hope that one day, these scenarios get smaller for you and you can be free from Panic. I have it too. It takes alot of work and is quite exhausting personally and I hate it--but I have no choice. I have got to figure out how to live in this world.

I wish you peace and blessings.,

Hello, what things have helped you in the past when you feel panic? is there anything that helps you to feel more at ease. I wonder if its the name if so how about holding a comfort item in your hand or lap as you say his name? or imagining a peaceful scene as you say the name. are you on good terms with your boss could you have a chat about nicknames so that you don't have to use that actual name? think of a stop sign when you start to panic or actually vocalize S>T>O>P! and see if that makes a difference, little strategies I have used in the past when starting to panic, hope something like this works for you. Take care.