Posted by JenStar on April 24, 2005, at 23:27:07
In reply to Stuggling to stay in High-Stress Work Enviroment-, posted by StaciW on April 24, 2005, at 18:45:29
hi Staci,
it's JenStar here again! The other thing I have to share is that my anxiety/depression didn't go away just because I switched jobs. While I truly enjoyed the change, and was glad I did it, my anxiety (sticky little pest that it is) decided to come along for the ride, too. I guess that even though my new job is SUPPOSED to be "lower stress" that isn't necessarily the case, esp. because I was starting fresh and developing new skills.Also, sometimes I think that high-tech jobs in 'brand name' companies can be very reassuring. YOu have the whole corporate structure to float you, provide guidance, regular pay, rules/regs, and a social structure. Starting your own business can be tough and lonely in addition to being not so well paid at first. Also, "moving down a notch" to a company with people who are not as well educated or not as good at conflict resolution can be extremely frustrating.
Have you ever read a book called Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich? She was a writer who went 'undercover' to work in jobs like maid service and min. wage waitessing to see if it was possible to make a decent wage. Her experiences sounded awful and difficult. It made me regret complaining about my relativey cushy-by-comparison job. Now I'm sure you're not contemplating such a dramatic change, but I think that any change of routine can be hard at first!
So I guess I'm saying that for me, the transition from jobs was wrenching and difficult at first, and that it wasn't completely stress-free. I'm happy but still working on managing anxiety. While I definitely advocate trying something new if you want to (it worked for me!), the stress is still there.
Maybe your Pdoc is encouraging you to stay because he/she worries that you'll be even MORE stressed if you leave, hoping to be happy, and instead end up depressed because you're still anxious and stressed at a different job, only now you're poor too....
Anyway, I just wanted to share my thoughts on changing careers. I have actually thought about it a LOT, and I definitely wish you the best of luck with stress regardless of whether you stay or go.
good luck!
take care,
JenStar
poster:JenStar
thread:488925
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050418/msgs/489083.html