Working With Panic Disorder

This is a hard thing to do. If you suffer from panic disorder then it is hard for you to admit that there is a problem sometimes, That is a sign of weakness for yourself and for others. You don't want to be seen as unreliable, or a problem when the chips are down and work needs to get done.  I have an understanding because when this hit me many years ago I was just really starting to really work in retail and I had to work with people of all types as well as customers.  I found that being  honest with those in charge would usually turn out to be a constructive way to handle this. If they understand what you are going through, both mentally and physically, they will have a better understanding of how to deal with whatever you may need to do to get through a day. Is this easy? No. I have had mostly good experiences when laying all the facts on the table--and the few that were not ended up being people who were taken out of work for one reason or another--so --obviously not worth worrying about.  Today I suffer from a new problem--vertigo. It is very difficult to deal with on a daily basis--but the same rule applies. Be self aware--understand what you are doing or need to do that may help --and avoid the issues that are causing you to be in pain or have trouble. Understand the need for knowing your triggers. Why are you stressing? What are you thinking? What stops you from accomplishing what you want? Is there a need to look at what you are doing or what other people are doing that is triggering your feelings? Take a deep breath --let it out slowly--and try to control the extreme physical nature of what you are feeling.  It is not easy, you want to scream out of frustration, but try and relax and do one small step at a time. I know that struggle all too well--I still feel it today--so baby steps and understanding are the key to your success. Don't blame others --or yourself--just take one foot and slowly put it in front of the other--try and be focused on one task--and remain calm--finish it--and then focus on the next. Remember to try and focus on the task and only that--don't let your mind wander and get the best of you. Remember that it is very hard--but many people do honestly understand what you feel. We are here and will be glad to let you know--you are not alone.