Individual Differences in Human Functioning

'My story about work-related stress'

Looking back on my life, I recognize that I have always struggled with anxiety- in relationships, friendships or at work.
However, I misunderstood those feelings for a long time, thinking that my hyper vigilance was a positive thing which made me more productive and in-tune with others. I remember a badge I bought for myself in my early 20s which I had on my desk at work. It said “I thrive on stress. Please hassle me.”
I was always on the go, feeling like I had an edge that motivated me. The truth was that I felt anxious almost all the time.
I worked in the same organization for over 20 years. I loved managing my small team of staff and felt that I thrived on the stress of work. I was in a job which I perceived to be rewarding and stressful in equal measure. I was the problem solver, the one to volunteer for any task. I worked extra hours and felt a great sense of responsibility in my role.
However, in early 2012, I began to struggle to manage the stress of my job. Thoughts and worries about work seeped into every part of my life. I would wake up at night with palpitations, worrying about a task I had not completed, or trying to remember if I had sent an urgent email.
I found that my mind wandered to work whilst I was spending time with my family. I withdrew from friends as I didn’t have the headspace to switch off and relax.