Download Anxiety in the Workplace

(Anxiety Treatment. San Diego Couples Family Therapy)
Gretchen E. Ahrens
 http://www.smspoll.net/poll.customise.c
hart.php?pollid=18987
 Anxiety is different from stress
 3.1% of American adults
• That’s about 9.9 million
 Women
live with GAD
are twice as likely to have GAD
(Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). NIMH RSS)
(Anxiety Girl: St. Dymphna – call her happy. Call her happy)
 Diagnosed
with GAD, OCD, and Chronic
Depression at 19
 Family
 Most
history and learning to cope
recent panic attack: November 2014
1.
Understand what anxiety is and how it is
different than stress
2.
Gain tools to manage personal anxiety
at work
3.
Learn how to reduce anxiety for others
in your workplace
(Job Searching for the Anxiety-Stricken. Persephone Magazine)
1. Painful or apprehensive uneasiness of
mind usually over an impending or
anticipated ill
2. An abnormal and overwhelming sense
of apprehension and fear . . . Doubt
concerning reality and nature of threat, . . .
Self-doubt about one’s capacity to cope
with it
(anxiety. Merriam-Webster)
 Cannot
get rid of concerns, even though
illogical
 Cannot relax, easily startled, difficulty
concentrating
 Physical symptoms: fatigue, tension,
irritability, nausea, frequent bathroom trips,
difficulty sleeping, lightheadedness, etc.
*If you are experiencing symptoms of GAD, please seek medical or mental health
attention from a professional
(Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). NIMH RSS)
(Natural Remedies for Anxiety – Deal With Anxiety Without Drugs. Anxiety Relief
Zone)
 http://www.buzzfeed.com/micaela/what-
panic-attacks-feel-like
 Anxiety
attacks are brought on by
stressors, panic attacks do not
A
state of mental tension and worry
caused by problems in your life, work,
etc.
 Something
that causes strong feelings of
worry or anxiety
(stress. Merriam-Webster)
ANXIETY

State of mind
STRESS

Caused by outside factors

Normal response

Limited, will pass

Abnormal and
overwhelming
Continuous

Physical symptoms


Unable to fully control


May have physical
symptoms, but fewer
Sense of control
TRIGGERS
 Overloaded
e-mail
 Unexpected projects
 Interruptions
 Ambiguity
 Harsh criticism
 Mistakes
 Lack of control
LEADS TO
 Lack
of productivity
 Illness
 Dissatisfaction
in job
 Deteriorating
relationships
 Inability to focus
 Broken
communication
(Tool. Wikipedia)
 Time
Management
 Organization
 Creating Your
 Setting
Boundaries
 Know Your
 What
Space
Triggers
to do when anxiety hits
Addresses lack of control
 Time
for e-mail, time for work
 Scheduling
day
 Knowing
today, tomorrow, and the next
when to stop
 20/2 rule
• It exists for a reason
Addresses the unexpected and overwhelming
 It is YOUR desk
• Make it a comfortable space to work
 To-do lists
• For today, for tomorrow, for the next day . . .
 Prioritizing
 Filing
• Folders, folders, folders
Addresses your inner dialogue
 Open
 Put
a window, or at least the blinds
on some music
• Lowers blood pressure, assists in focusing
 Have
water handy!
• Yep, blood pressure again
(Not My Circus Not My Monkeys Free Printables – Tried &True. Tried
&True)
Addresses dissatisfaction, ambiguity, and interruptions
Your
most powerful tool: NO!
Set some rules about your space
• Ex. Use my inbox, knock on my door,
schedule time to discuss “x” . . .
 Lunch time is lunch time
• 7 ½ hours affords you 20 minutes
• No answering phones, checking e-mail
(Illinois-Wage and Hour Laws. Employment Law Handbook)
 Example Triggers:
• Sound
• Hunger
• Interruptions
 Avoiding
Triggers:
• Create a quite space, speak in person
• Schedule time to eat and stick to it!
• Ask: “Can we discuss this in 20 minutes?”
 Breathe
 Rest
 Move
 Organize
 Determine
the worst that could happen
(Healthy Minds. Healthy Lives. How to Help Someone Who Refuses Help for Mental Illness . . .)
 Organization, AGAIN!
 Respect
Boundaries
 Empathy
and Communication
 Organize
your thoughts (and e-mails)
• Know what you are asking for
 Organize
your files
• Ease of access
 Respect
others’ organization
• Different Styles
• Different Needs
 It is NOT your desk
• Do not leave papers, go through drawers, etc.
 Knock, even
if the door is open
 Be courteous
• Ask: “Do you have “x” minutes to talk about “y”?
 Respect their answer!
• Again, lunch time is lunch time
• Phone etiquette
“There is nothing insignificant in the world.
It all depends on the point of view.”
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
 Say
what you mean, mean what you say
 Make
criticism constructive
 View
every conversation as an opportunity
to learn
 Assumption reversed
• Natural tendency: assume you are correct
• Most helpful approach: assume you misunderstood
 Understand
what anxiety is and how it is
different from stress
• Anxiety is internal, overwhelming, and illogical
• Stress is a natural response and limited
 Gain
tools to manage your anxiety at work
• Time management, organization, personal space,
and boundaries
 Learn
how to reduce anxiety for others in your
workplace
• Organization, respect boundaries, empathize and communicate




Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). (n.d.). NIMH RSS. Retrieved
September 7, 2014, from
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/generalized-anxietydisorder-gad/index.shtml
Illinois - Wage and Hour Laws. (n.d.). Employment Law Handbook.
Retrieved September 9, 2014, from
http://www.employmentlawhandbook.com/wage-and-hourlaws/state-wage-and-hour-laws/illinois/
anxiety. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster. Retrieved September 9, 2014,
from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anxiety
stress. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster. Retrieved September 9, 2014,
from http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/stress?show=0&t=1410280868

A Trick For Reducing Anxiety About Major Life Changes. (n.d.). a brave life. Retrieved September 9,
2014, from http://abravelife.com/worlds-best-trick-for-reducing-anxiety-about-major-life-changes/

Anxiety Girl: St. Dymphna - call her happy. (n.d.). call her happy. Retrieved September 9, 2014, from
http://callherhappy.com/st-dymphna/

Anxiety Treatment. (n.d.). San Diego Couples Family Therapy. Retrieved September 9, 2014, from
http://sandiegofamilytherapy.net/services/anxiety/

Healthy Minds. Healthy Lives.. (n.d.). : How to Help Someone Who Refuses Help for a Mental Illness:
Tips for Family Members and Friends. Retrieved September 9, 2014, from
http://apahealthyminds.blogspot.com/2010/07/i-dont-know-how-to-help-them-tips-for.html

Job Searching for the Anxiety-Stricken. (n.d.). Persephone Magazine. Retrieved September 9, 2014,
from http://persephonemagazine.com/2014/02/job-searching-for-the-anxiety-stricken/

Natural Remedies for Anxiety - Deal With Anxiety Without Drugs. (n.d.). Anxiety Relief Zone. Retrieved
September 9, 2014, from http://anxietyreliefzone.com/

Not My Circus Not My Monkeys Free Printables - Tried & True. (n.d.). Tried True. Retrieved September
9, 2014, from http://www.triedandtrueblog.com/not-my-circus-not-my-monkeys-free-printables/

Tool. (2014, August 31). Wikipedia. Retrieved September 9, 2014, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tool