nervous stomach caused by stress at work - trouble eating

[wildflowergardener]

I didn't know exactly where to post this - what group. This isn't exactly a Chronic illness, although I've had this my old life at a few times. When I get nervous, I feel nauseous and can't eat. I'm feeling a lot of stress right now because of my job - I can't eat when my boss is around because I feel sick to my stomach about how he's going to act that particular day. I have been job hunting, but no one is hiring in my field right now because of the economy. I have about as stable a job as you can have, but my boss has never been the easiest person to work with and has only gotten worse as he's worried about the economy and us losing jobs - about how he treats people. He thinks the best way to get work out of people is to be mean to them - he's been ok to me for the most part, but not to others and it's an open office where everyone can hear everything.

Anyone else have this problem? Has anyone come up with any coping mechanisms dealing with stressful situations you can't leave just at the moment? It's a bit of a vicious cycle. At first I am feeling stress about something and can't eat, then I worry that I'm not eating, which makes it worse - and trying to eat anything other than soft food is difficult when I get this way. Luckily I have been able to eat larger meals in the evening when I get home from work an on weekends, so I'm not starving or anything. I've been going out for lunch more lately, where I'm more likely to be able to eat in peace.

[The empressof all]

1. I've had bosses like that....It's their problem ...

But I understand that their behavior impacts your well being. When he's being mean, try to remember that he acts this way out of his own anxiety and it's not personal. That his opinion does not define you. This is just a job...It's not your life. With the economy I don't know how mobile you are in looking for new employment and it's a scary time to think about leaving something relatively secure for something you're not sure of. I understand.

You can try drinking some tea made with Chamomile and Peppermint. Sipping it through the morning might relieve some of your nervous stomach. What's important is that you haven't stopped eating. That's good. Have soft foods or what ever agrees with you for lunch.

Are you permitted to listen to music at work? Can you get a pair of headphones to block out his tantrums?

[wildflowergardener]

2. Boss doesn't like headphones

He doesn't like headphones - sort of an unspoken rule - he's never said anything but years ago complained about them with someone who was making mistakes so we don't wear them for the most part. Sometimes I do though, to block out when he's berating someone at their desk so I can concentrate on my work. I did try some self hypnosis awhile back - I think that might help. Not so much hypnotizing myself at my desk - I don't think he would go for that, but when I did it before I went to bed, I think about this place that always makes me feel peaceful until I'm really calm - and then would try to think about that place at work as well - I think it did help as well.

I've been there 12 years - it is scary the thought of leaving, esp. just now. It's a shame - there are a lot of things I like about the job, but I just decided last Summer do I really want to work someplace the rest of my career where everyone is wondering whether he'll be in or not, and jumping when he walks in the door though it's much worse at the moment. Also he drinks at lunch which we think is part of the problem. My supervisor who made things better quit in January. I don't seem to have a whole lot of choice at the moment about leaving - I don't want to leave the city where I live. I am just concentrating on saving emergency money just in case I need it,and just the fact that I'm looking makes me feel a bit better like I'm doing something, even if it takes awhile to find something else. I am hoping the stimulus package will be some help - that maybe some engineering/architecture firms will start hiring again - I am a landscape architect - thought I could do CAD drafting if nothing else but I think everyone is taking a wait and see how much worse things are going to be and not hiring. Also I am trying to work on getting some computer certifications so I could maybe get a job working on computers - I handle the computers at my job as well but have no formal training in that.

Probably my strategy of just eating soft food or soup in my car is the best thing - then I know at least I have a half hour or 45 minutes to eat in peace. I'm just trying to not spend a lot of money so have been trying to think of some more mobile things to take to work that I can eat in my car.

Thanks for listening - still not sure if this is the best place to post this - but it does affect my health - eating and all is kind of important!

[Warpy]

3. Lay in a stash of Slim Fast or Ensure or any generic clone

if the stress is causing you to lose weight you don't want to lose.

Even a nervous stomach can tolerate a smoothie, and they're great for those hectic days when you can't get away from the psychopath.

[wildflowergardener]

4. update

I just thought I'd post an update. I have made a decision - risky as it may be - But I am handing in my letter of resignation in the morning, and giving my two week notice.

This has progressed to the point where I now have been actually getting sick in the morning (throwing up) at the thought of going into work - I have acid reflux as well now, which I have never had. I finally decided no job is worth making myself sick over. I will find something, even with the bad economy (hopefully). My parent's will help me out if necessary. It's harder now than it used to be, now that I have a house and car, but no kids or family to support, so I feel it's more important to take care of my health. At this point, I wish I would get laid off so I could collect unemployment, but my boss has said in the past, he'll never lay anyone off - he'll just make their lives so miserable they will want to leave. He doesn't want to pay unemployment. Unfortunately it's a one room office so it makes everyone's life miserable when he is trying to make that one or two people want to leave.

: (

[elleng]

5. Thanks for the update.

I hope the fact of having made a decision helps you feel better. It usually does so for me. I agree that the job is not worth making yourself sick over. Let us know how things go. (Like, what's your first enjoyed meal!)

Good Luck, wildflower.