So I had a mental breakdown at work a couple weeks ago

[TBone48]

Wow, most of the replies have been compassionate and helpful:Q

Take the advice you've been given, you need to see a professional and think about a career change. No job is worth going crazy over. Good luck to you.

 

[meltdown75]

You can't beat the advice of sixone and Perknose for this one. So far, anyway.

Just came in to say good luck, and I hope things start to clear up a bit for you. If you ever need anyone to PM just for kicks, feel free. :thumbsup:

 

[spidey07]

Yeah, I've been through it. Not fun at all. Can be mentally and physically dishabiliting.

Stress will take its toll on the body and your immune system.

If you really are that burntout (and it sure as heck sounds like it) talk to your doctor or better yet, see a psychologist/career counselor.

Also, you're not alone. A whole lot of professional friends of mine are at their wits end. Everybody is just "cooked"

-edit-
I have a growing theory that this information age is doing us harm. too much information, information overload. The brain just can't process it all.

 

[Analog]

You didn't get into this overnight, and it will take some time to unwind this. I do hope you continue with your therapy. Make sure you also see a medical doctor for advice in terms of SSRIs.

 

[DurocShark]

Originally posted by: TBone48
Wow, most of the replies have been compassionate and helpful:Q

*checks forum address*
Yep. Still ATOT. Wow.

😉

I went through most of what you did. The kicker was watching 25% of my coworkers get laid off. I've been slowly coming back, mostly because I decided I was NOT going to let myself explode. Started finding the joy in my job. I put my bus (a huge cause of stress for be because of the problems it causes with my apartment management) for sale, etc. It's made a difference.

But, I don't code all day anymore. I got the he11 out of that rut real quick.

 

[Bryophyte]

Originally posted by: Titan
Anyone else ever "lose it" before?

Yes. I felt like I was made of glass for months afterwards, like anything could break me into a million pieces. My heart felt like it was permanently bruised.

 

[BS911]

Good luck with your recovery! Hang in there!

It's nice to see some positive replies for once. I wish the forums could be like this more often. 🙂

 

[OrganizedChaos]

Unavailable for comment.

 

[radioouman]

I feel this way all the time. Incredibly difficult to get out of bed in the morning. No motivation to get to work on time. Can't focus on anything. Very short with managers and coworkers. Depressed. I thought that this is the way that work is supposed to be,

 

[apologetic]

Paxil, FTW

 

[winr]

I burned out before.

Good luck and hang in there.:sun:



🙂

 

[stormbv]

Stress sucks. I had a nervous breakdown about three years ago. I went psychotic after I saw my dad nearly run over by his out-of-control, trailer-loaded-with-grain 18 wheeler. It was so shocking...BAM...it triggered my schizophrenia instantly, IMO. Don't underestimate stress.

 

[TwinkleToes77]

I went through something similiar back in October and wound up quitting.. I had major anxiety and couldnt focus and I was making myself physically sick even going to work. I had to quit for my health. It really sucks. It was a fairly new job too. But as soon as I quit a lot of the anxiety subsided. However, I have been unemployed for a month now and am having a difficult time finding a new position, which is bringing on the stress again.

 

[Rastus]

The biggest thing I learned about situations like that is "You can't get there alone." If you have someone you can rely on in your life, lean on them. It's a lot better than therapy or drugs.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: Titan
I haven't been lurking or neffing much since I haven't been at work the past 2½ weeks. I never thought something like this would happen to me, but I had some kind of mental breakdown and haven't returned, using up sick time, which I have plenty of.

I'm a software engineer, and I had just been getting sick of the commute and work. It's been a pretty stressful year, I worked. moved back home, started a different job with the same company, and was burning out bad and didn't allow myself to realize it. I became depressed, my work suffered, I became overwhelmed and just couldn't force my brain to read and anyalyze any more code. As my productivity plummeted, I became insular, didn't ask for help, and hoped it would get better. I just wanted to snap out of the funk. That was a gamble, and I gambled wrong.

The last week of work for me was like out of office space. Each day started to feel like the worst day of my life. On day three, I threw up my hands and decided I needed help. I didn't yell or scream or anything. I just felt like I could devote absolutely 0% of my brain to work, down from around 10% for a few weeks. Everyone at work was very helpful, but I all of a sudden became panicked, nervous and intensely afraid because this was such an uncertain thing for me. I am normally a very steady guy and nothing like this has ever happened to me before so I think the experience of coming to terms with it burnt me out. It was something of a panic attack and I was very nervous all day. I went from being a guy who would never think of going into therapy to finding a therapist that day to try and fix myself.

I have been doing better since, but I mentally don't feel the same. I don't have the same ability to focus and concentrate like I used to, and this feeling never goes away. I'm taking a lot of time off since I get lots of paid sick time to address my health for a change. Most of my issues seem to revolve around work so I may make some changes there, but I am taking things slowly. It's scary because no one can say for sure what's wrong with my head, and I dunno if it can be fixed. But I am getting help and am in no real danger, I don't want anyone to be worried, this is not a cry for help.

I just want people to know that burnout from stress is real. Don't hope things get better, make them get better before it's too late; take action. I understand we can get overwhelmed with work sometimes, especially technical jobs that are mentally challenging. But always keep your health in mind. You don't know what might break, even in your head.

I honestly don't know why else I am posting this. Maybe it's kinda theraputic. Anyone else ever "lose it" before?

Hang in there. Try getting away from the house (road trip).
I lost it after working on a CD project for 4 months straight. Got the flu, lost my spatial perspective in the control room. Took 2 months to "get right".

I learned this is when we will seek to self medicate. Don't self medicate. Makes things worse.