Anxiety Attacks in the Workplace

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Anxiety Attacks in the Workplace: You are in an important meeting at work when out of no where you begin to tremble. Your heart starts racing. You feel nauseated. A sense of confusion comes over you and you feel like you might be having a heart attack.

What you might be experiencing is an anxiety attack – a sudden episode of intense fear that prompts a physical reaction in your body. Many people, fearing they are having a heart attack, go to the emergency room. Others ignore the signs and symptoms, not realizing what they are experiencing.

Stress in the workplace can begin or aggravate panic and anxiety disorder (PAD). Even if stressors outside of work are involved, an employee's confidence and performance can decrease on the job because he or she fears being embarrassed by an attack at work. Time on the job may also be lost due to worry over having an attack. Individuals suffering panic attacks often go to great lengths to hide their symptoms because they fear ridicule. Ashamed of and isolated by the disorder, she is constantly terrorized by thoughts of having an attack at in the presence of a boss or co-workers.

How can you cope with the attacks and continue to be successful at work? For starters, both employers and employees stand the best chance of surmounting problems arising from panic disorder if they educate themselves about the condition and communicate with each other. Lack of communication on either side can be quite damaging in a business relationship. A worker who inflates what she's realistically capable of handling at the present time for fear of "letting the company down" may destroy the relationship as much as the boss who agrees to lessen workplace tension and then continues to impose rigid deadlines.

You should seek professional if the attacks are frequent, you worry constantly about having an attack or if you change your behavior in response to ongoing attacks. PAD is highly responsive to treatment. Treatment options range from developing relaxation techniques, behavioral therapy to medication. The chances for a positive work outcome are best when you take control, become honest with yourself, and ask someone for help. No one needs to suffer alone. Help is available.

by "Alex" Caroline Robboy, CAS, MSW, ACSW, LCSW