New onset anxiety, new job

Nurses Disabilities

Published

I wasn't quite sure where to put this so here it goes.

I'm a 22 yr old new RN. I've been at my job for nearly 4 months and I'm coming off orientation in a few weeks. Everything was going ok, I was slowly getting used to things at work. I was progressing as expected for a new grad, when one day out of the blue- I had a panic attack at work, I didn't know I was having one until I went to the ER and they didn't find anything wrong. Besides some minor hypoK everything was normal. After that I was a little anxious about it happening again but I was able to keep my anxiety to a minimum. Fast forward a month- and I have another one at home once again it was a random middle of the night, heart pounding attack. I had an incident as work, and that caused me to have another one.

So- where am I now?

I'm confused, I don't know where to go from here. My doctor prescribed an SSRI, but I haven't started it yet because I can't believe that this would happen suddenly and now I'm set to have this forever. To my friends and family this is foreign and I'm left with support but no educated support from someone who's dealt with this before.

I'm asking for advice. I don't know what to do next. I just want to feel normal again, I love my job and I can't wait to get better at it. I just feel like someone just threw a big boulder in my way.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

i am so sorry you are experiencing this.....but we cannot offer medical advice as per the terms of service. have you sought counseling? i think that would be beneficial for you. vivalasviejas, a guide and frequent writer here on an, has an article you may find helps and comforts you.

know that you are not alone. :hug:

who the heck am i now??

no one ever forgets the day he or she is diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. the experience is forever burned into the brain, leaving an indelible mark on the psyche. but hearing someone pronounce the words that will change your life forever is only the beginning; now the real work begins as you come to terms with the loss of the person you thought you were, and face an uncertain and unknowable future.........https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/who-heck-am-714316.html

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