Getting so stressed out at work that you physically throw up

[Wyndru]

I quit one of my jobs because I was losing my cookies on the way to work. I was an entry level programmer, and deadlines were crazy. We were all under stress to get things ready for the y2k rollover lol. I was young (1st job out of college), and couldn't hold it together. I used to open my car door on the way to and from work and throw up. Even at home, if I thought about it I got nauseous.

Every other job I've had has been much less stressful, so no stress related yacking since, plus as I got older I realized I don't really care anymore. It will get done when it gets done.

 

[moshquerade]

Thanks for the replies, they cheered me up.

What's funny is that I used to do jobs which were considered more stressful by other people but personally had a blast. I almost want to take up smoking, just so I have a reason to go outside and chill out from things.

I think the reason I let the stress get to me is that I feel like I'm trapped at the moment; being the breadwinner of the household, if I were to take a job elsewhere I would take a big pay cut, and due to specialized training I'd have to start from the ground up again going somewhere else. I'm really regretting not applying for another position that I could have applied for about half a year ago in another department, where I would have been able to keep my benefits but would be doing something else.

If my spouse earned as much as me I would feel a lot more free to hop to a different place without worrying about money being tight, but with this rough economy it's tough supporting multiple people on one person's salary, where I've basically been the only person earning an income for a long time now.

I finally am starting to understand the attitude of some of my co workers, who just act like they don't give a shit half the time something comes up. That lax attitude, while slowing their growth in the company, shields them from stress. I am currently considering doing the same.

Your company is really messed up if it's made people go into safe mode. :/
But, I know just what you are saying about people not giving a crap and doing just enough to get by, because the company takes them for granted and even screws them over.

Don't let it take a toll on your health though. Try to change your mindset towards healing and taking more things in stride instead of letting them eat at you.

I am sure you are on the look out for new employment.

Good luck!

 

[CraigRT]

It's just a job... No, I do not get stressed.

 

[gophins72]

find a new job asap.

that in itself, will relieve some stress.

 

[alkemyst]

Damn making fries is serious business.

 

[lsv]

Did OP post this from work? If you're posting on Anandtech from work... you aren't stressed out. Stop being a girl.

 

[Fritzo]

It's happened to me a few times. I've had 10000 people waiting on me to figure out how to fix a problem that nobody's ever seen before. You haven't felt stress until you've been through that.

 

[bhanson]

For those saying they would find a new job if they reached those stress levels--do not get a job in healthcare.

12 hour shifts of constant DO THIS NOW. Multiple DO THIS NOW's at the same time. You need X amount of time with someone to do something but actually get X/2 because average acuity is higher than normal. You get kicked, punched, spit on, pee'd on, poop'd on, exposed to infectious disease. You deal with people with psych problems that you'll find wandering the halls naked. You get yelled at by patients and family. If something isn't done NOW then it is YOUR fault simply because you're there, regardless if there was a fresh MVA or GSW in the ER. Our doctors are in the hospital at 6am and many very frequently don't leave until 2am, every day, yet we still hear complaints about "not being seen before breakfast because of lazy doctors."

Then there's the administrative overload of people trying to game the system. Requesting a private room (most crappy insurance only covers a semi-private) and saying they're OK with paying the extra cost, and then when getting moved to said room refusing to pay.

And if there's ANYTHING wrong with your documentation, you don't get reimbursed by insurance. Think about the last time you forgot about something in your job, and then think about that costing your company $50,000.

 

[AFurryReptile]

If by work, you mean "work out," then yes, every January when I start weight training again

 

[shortylickens]

I have never been so stressed that I've thrown up. I think thats just silly.
I have been stressed enough to cry in a strippers lap for 20 minutes.

 

[ShawnD1]

Has this happened to anybody else, where you get so stressed because of work that you actually throw up?

Don't worry, that's just the vtech kicking in.


And no.

 

[MotF Bane]

I have never been so stressed that I've thrown up. I think thats just silly.
I have been stressed enough to cry in a strippers lap for 20 minutes.

How'd she take it?

 

[sourceninja]

I spent 6 hours troubleshooting a printer today. I'm the only person who uses said printer. Not being a support tech, I over thought the problem and did everything except reboot the printer.

6 hours later the PC tech reboots the printer and I can print again. 6 hours of screwing with cups, osx, vlan ACL's, etc.

The issue was I could print from any windows computer, but not my mac. It seems most of my stress is because I over think simple things.

I should point out I was doing this while doing my normal work which this week is basically just arguing with vendors over pricing on the stuff we are going to buy for the virtual desktop expansion.

 

[RPD]

Nope, but when you are working on commissioned sales it can be very stressful if you found out you missed something and now have to fix it.

 

[shortylickens]

How'd she take it?

In all seriousness, strippers can be much more sympathetic and understanding than the average American liberated woman.
I spent more than a couple afternoons at Crossroads of Mayport talking with chicks about life, death, religion, politics, relationships and other. Theres something about taking her clothes off in front of hundreds of people that makes a girl get over her bullshit. She stops being afraid to talk and share and think.

 

[MotF Bane]

In all seriousness, strippers can be much more sympathetic and understanding than the average American liberated woman.
I spent more than a couple afternoons at Crossroads of Mayport talking with chicks about life, death, religion, politics, relationships and other. Theres something about taking her clothes off in front of hundreds of people that makes a girl get over her bullshit. She stops being afraid to talk and share and think.

:thumbsup:

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Peter Gibbons: So I was sitting in my cubicle today, and I realized, ever since I started working, every single day of my life has been worse than the day before it. So that means that every single day that you see me, that's on the worst day of my life.

Dr. Swanson: What about today? Is today the worst day of your life?

Peter Gibbons: Yeah.

Dr. Swanson: Wow, that's messed up.

Bob: Looks like you've been missing a lot of work lately.

Peter: I wouldn't say I've been missing it, Bob!! Hahahaha.

 

[OCGuy]

I have a pretty damn stressful job...and no, not even close.

 

[Blackjack200]

Bob: Looks like you've been missing a lot of work lately.

Peter: I wouldn't say I've been missing, it Bob!! Hahahaha.

Holy Christ I wish I could act like that and not get fired on the spot. I'd gut a fish on my desk tomorrow.

 

[shortylickens]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyxoLqbFDkI

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Holy Christ I wish I could act like that and not get fired on the spot. I'd gut a fish on my desk tomorrow.

I've adjusted my attitude quite a bit in my professional career. I used to be the last guy out of the office every night and would be the one freaking out about projects not getting completed and freaking out if I made a mistake. I remember being at the office at 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM on many Friday nights.

Now, I've switched companies and have a far less stressful job. I'm not trying to kill myself to "advance," because it just isn't worth it. Life is more important than work. Those guys who work 100+ hrs a week might think they make more than people like me, but if you factor in time spent, I make more and am far happier having the free time to spend on my hobbies or with my wife. I laugh at the people who are spending that much time at work -- they're probably being gamed (I definitely was) and unless you're saving lives, there is no way it is worth it.

 

[bfdd]

If anything ever stressed me to the point of puking, I would stop doing whatever it was that stressed me to the point of puking. If it was a job, I'd walk out, if it was a person I'd stop talking to/dealing with them. Fuck that shit. I only get one and I'm going to enjoy this shit.

 

[RPD]

I've adjusted my attitude quite a bit in my professional career. I used to be the last guy out of the office every night and would be the one freaking out about projects not getting completed and freaking out if I made a mistake. I remember being at the office at 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM on many Friday nights.

Now, I've switched companies and have a far less stressful job. I'm not trying to kill myself to "advance," because it just isn't worth it. Life is more important than work. Those guys who work 100+ hrs a week might think they make more than people like me, but if you factor in time spent, I make more and am far happier having the free time to spend on my hobbies or with my wife. I laugh at the people who are spending that much time at work -- they're probably being games (I definitely was) and unless you're saving lives, there is no way it is worth it.

This, if I wanted to work 80-100 hours a week I'd open my own business. No way in hell I'd work that much for someone else.

Some people in my office almost seem to dislike their home life so much they work more. It's almost weird saying sorry I like spending time at home with my family, peace out!

 

[Imp]

When I started one job, I had a freak out after I learned I had to drive to another town on the highway alone. At that point, I'd barely been on the highway, barely been driving long, and had absolutely no confidence.

 

[ShawnD1]

Do you know how female porn stars get over nervousness problems? They take drugs. That ass ain't going to loosen itself ya know.