Work Anxiety: Why It Occurs and How to Manage It

Many of us stress out about the things that happen at work. Although this can be a normal part of work, some people feel significant distress when they think of their jobs. This extreme sense of anxiety can affect their work and daily life, so it’s crucial to know why it occurs and how to deal with it.

Here are some common causes of work-related anxiety:

Fear of Public Speaking

Fear of public speaking, or public speaking anxiety, is the most common type that leads to work anxiety. Many people fear public speaking, and the dread associated with this activity can become more severe and pervasive, leading to work anxiety. 

Life Stressors

Many people who experience anxiety in the office or workplace struggle with personal or family stress. That can include untimely deaths, job loss, financial problems, and other unfortunate circumstances.

Anxiety Disorders

Work anxiety may be a symptom of an underlying anxiety disorder. Workplace stress is a common symptom for those with panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder, and other similar disorders. The important thing to realize is that treatment for the underlying anxiety disorder will likely alleviate the work anxiety symptoms.

Signs You Have Work Anxiety

Feeling nervous or anxious at work is common. Feeling that nervousness or anxiety that increases over time or has no apparent cause is a sign you may have work anxiety. Signs of work anxiety include restlessness, difficulty concentrating, and a jumpy feeling.

Signs of work anxiety may also include tightness in the chest, excessive sweating, dizziness, nausea, shaking, and lightheadedness.

If you are feeling nervous at work, it may be a sign of anxiety, and you should seek treatment.

Why Do Anxiety Disorders Occur?

Anxiety disorders begin in adolescence or childhood, but anxiety symptoms in the workplace may start later in life. There are many potential causes of work anxiety, including:

  • Fearing rejection or failure

  • Anxiety caused by the fear of being judged

  • Anxiety due to fear of public speaking

  • Anxiety caused by fear of rejection or failure

  • Anxiety sufferers that also suffer from panic attacks

  • Long hours of work

  • Lack of task direction

  • Heavy workloads

  • Meeting deadlines

  • Fear of socializing

  • Fear of not performing well

Treating Work Anxiety

Those suffering from work anxiety often find that therapy provides the most comfort. Cognitive-behavioral therapy will help you recognize the symptoms of work anxiety, and it will help you learn to cope with the anxiety without taking medication.

Medications for Work Anxiety

There are a variety of medications used to treat anxiety and anxiety disorders. Medications used to treat anxiety include anti-anxiety meds and antidepressants. Antidepressants are often used to treat anxiety disorders, as they may provide an immediate sense of calm. Anti-anxiety meds work to reduce the symptoms of anxiety.

When choosing the best treatment for your anxiety, it is crucial to weigh the potential risks and benefits of medications. Anti-anxiety meds may lead to dependency, while antidepressants may have less severe side effects but may take longer to work.

Always talk to treatment placement specialists to know you are on the right track.

Conclusion

Work anxiety is common, and it is a challenging condition to deal with. Make sure that a more severe disorder does not cause work anxiety, and ensure you get treatment for any underlying disorders or conditions. If you are suffering from work anxiety, make sure you seek treatment. You deserve to feel a sense of purpose and happiness in your workplace.

Hope Seed Support Center is an organization based in Houston, TX that provides service to the community through online mental health counseling, nutritional therapy, and many other services. If you believe you are experiencing anxiety at work, do not hesitate to reach out to us.