Major anxiety with work, therapist not helping...?

Question

I work in one of the most stressful places...prison. The department that I work in makes me very stressed and to the point of anxiety attacks. It seems like everything I do isn't good enough for my supervisor or my boss. I just got my six month review, and they're extending my probation another 90 days; telling me that I basically do nothing. I feel I work my butt off. Anyhoo, I went to see my therapist this past week. In a nut shell, she told me that I'm oversensitive and that I over exaggerate things. Oh, and I make excuses.
Basically, I'm asking you all what would you do in my shoes. Stay with the job or seek another job within the department? I don't know what to do, and not sure how to go about it. Just typing this makes me wonder what I should do. Any help?

I have been thinking about "quitting" the therapist stuff. I honestly don't feel that it's working...and it wasting me money.
I have worked in corrections for over a year. The funny thing is is that when I first started, I worked right besided inmates. No big deal to me. I'm not kidding either. I would much rather work with inmates than my supervisor and boss.
I just had my six month review and my supervisor has "shown" me what I need to improve in. But, I never had the official training of it. I just learned off of her.
Anyhoo, here's the situation in another prospective: I have three choices. I can "suck it up", try to transfer into the other job that has the same title in a different institution, or try to go back to the original institution I started at.(I transferred from a medium security prison to a minimum security prison).

Any ideas?

Answer 1

dude, first i would like totally get a new therapist. they should never ever say things like that!! i cant believe that. i am studying psychology so i know that they should not be that way. they should never judge and never say things like that!!! pisses me off cause those bad ones ruin it for all the good ones!!!!! but anyhoo (i like that word, lol).
so second, think about why you like your job and why you want to stay there, is it really worth your mental well being?? do you love the job?? and yes prison work is very stressful and if you dont know how to handle stress, then i would say find someplace else to work. write down the pros and cons about your job see which list is longer and do it that way maybe. or maybe talk to your boss about the stresses with working in the prison system and they might give you some tips on how to handle it or ask others. talk to your supervisor and boss about why you arent doing enough if that really concerns you (which it seems it does) and take their criticism and work at what is wrong. remember the saying, what doesnt kill you, only makes you stronger!! so i would say give it another 90 days to see if you are really up for the job, not everyone is cut out to work in prisons!! hope this helps and good luck on your decision!!

Answer 2

It appears there is some tendency to insecurity. Considering you have had little or no training for the job, would give reason enough for that problem to exist. The next point is; you remain indecisive. Suggesting a pretty evident loss of confidence.

Should you recognize these points, at least you would have a specific direction to pursue. The therapist is being too clinical and has over-looked the obvious.

You are very capable of examining those things in need of change and then start working on them. Other help is available if you look for it. Therapy is not the answer in this instance. They are unable to give you the answer you need as it lies much deeper than they are able to reach.

Answer 3

I worked for TDCJ for over 5 years and know EXACTLY what you're talking about. I could not believe what kind of idiots that TDCJ had promoted to be "SUPERVISORS". I knew it was time to "hit the gate" and not come back when an inmate helped me in confrontation with an inmate who was totally "nuts" and physically assaulted me. The officers who were supposed to be "watching my back", were too busy playing "suck up" to the Captain and "chatting him up" to do their jobs. If it hadn't been for that inmate stepping in and helping me I know I would have been hurt much more than I was. I would suggest you find a different job.

Answer 4

I'd quit the job. There is no work in this world worth getting stressed out about, especially if it's the job and not you. You only live once, and living in an anxious world with a job that stresses you out isn't going to make you live longer.

Also, go to my Anxiety myspace page. There are two links on near the top to two very good articles that may help you. Good luck.

http://www.myspace.com/anxiety_focus

Answer 5

I have social anxiety, the only thing that helps me is meditation. Medicines did nothing, counseling did nothing. I used the book "Awakening your Psychic Powers" by Edgar Cayce, to learn how to meditate, but there are lots of free resources online to teach meditation. Basically, you need to sit silently, focus your brain into not thinking at all, and breathe deeply. I found that practicing yoga also is a great way to relieve my anxiety.

Answer 6

See anxiety treatments, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris on page 6, and practise one of the relaxation techniques daily, and when needed; also try the EFT version for use in public (you can reasonably claim it's for a headache!).

Answer 7

Get a new therapist. Don't let your job get you down, ask your supervisor specifically where you are lacking in your job and don't accept generalities.

Answer 8

If your anxiety is that bad, then perhaps this line of work isn't for you. You have to face up to it. No job is without stress, and if this too much for you,. you would be better off working elsewhere.

Answer 9

They have a good gopher and want to keep her there with little pay.
Find another job take it and then just don't show up one day. Let them see how little you do!

Answer 10

a different job sounds like a good idea.