[Sparking1]

So I'm gettin in good with the girls, which is good for a change, but when it comes to the guys, I'm worried they're making a little too much fun in their making fun. Like its disrespectful. The guys are completely nice to me, but I'm worried I might make too many mistakes, that they might have formed a bad opinion of me because of something I've said or told them about my background, that because I don't want to slack off and the one kid especially doesn't hardly work, that he senses my anxiety that it might reflect badly on me and thinks I'm too much of a problem. He doesn't seem to respond to me with any leeway when I say something funny, but he does respond with enthusiasm sometimes. And we had a good first day working together, I just don't know. They kept bringing up one funny time I misheard them and though event then it was still funny, I felt like I was being blown off. But I went on today to have a good time with the girls so its not too bad. I really wanted to make this confidence boost I've been getting from remembering a time when I was fun and funny and popularity wasn't an issue, but today was a bit of a road block, like with the boys, I could only just hang in there.

And then it affects my ability to keep alert and be smart on the job. Those are the mistakes I'm talking about. I really suspect its just me, but I might be sabotaging myself and they might take a bad opinion after that. I've been told everyone makes mistakes, so then I think I just need to relax. Any advice on how to do that?

[DePressMe]

I've struggled with social issues at work--office politics suck. I've had a lot of different jobs but the majority of my professional career was at a major university hospital. I got off to a good start and was popular, but then the "in" crowd wanted me to be on thier side about everything. I felt like I had do go along with them and watch what I did because I did not want to become one of their targets. Of course I eventually got sicker and became their target anyway...but, its truly pathetic how child-like it all was..the worse part was that people who were once my friends (for several years) ended up being the ones who helped get rid of me. They used personal info I had shared with them against me. Yes, I have paranoia issues, but things like that do happen in the world. Right now, I work from home because I can't handle all that stress......D.

[saru05]

Yes, building paranoia is the worst. I get it all the time. I haven't encountered it in a work situation yet, i am a year from completing my degree, and am sure i will have to face it soon.

Being a paranoid schizophrenic, i have become used to these building paranoia situations, and keep trying to tell myself, STOP, this is not real. It is a figment of your imagination. But its hard when everything seems so real. I go to sleep at night thinking things have occurred, that i'm sure haven't. Half the time i don't get affirmation, but sure enough, half the time it pans out that i was right, nothing to worry about.

I stress about coming across a situation where my paranoia forces me into a confrontation. I have learned though, with my Uni friends, what *I* think requires a confrontation, is rarely the case, almost never.

Maybe this is the case with work, and i hope it to be for my future.

Good luck,

Mike

[faerie_moon_x]

It is hard.

I make a lot of mistakes too and have panic attacks over it. But, over time it has gotten better. The best thing is to learn your job and feel like you know what you're doing. That will help a ton.

As for people, I've come to the opinion that if people like me then fine. If not, then oh well. And, when I feel like everyone is out to get me, then it's time to slow down and take a break. I have a lot of problems of paranoia about people like that. Best thing is to be nice but not over sharing and just smile at everyone and do your work. Then what can they really get you on? Nothing.