Work Anxiety and Mental Breakdown

May 29, 2025

In a new work environment, it’s natural to want to adjust quickly and work hard to prove yourself as a capable and reliable employee. However, the constant pressure to perform and meet expectations can become mentally exhausting. Sometimes, the overwhelming nature of work anxiety makes it difficult to stay focused, leading to self-doubt and emotional distress.

Similarly, you may start questioning your abilities, overanalyzing every task, and feeling a sense of dread before even starting your day. If you’re experiencing anxiety at work, it’s important to seek support and consider strategies or professional help to manage the anxiety before it deeply impacts your quality of life.

What Is Work Anxiety?

Work anxiety means feeling extremely anxious, stressed, or worried about your job. You may find this if you have a massive workload, are anxious to achieve, are concerned or deadlines, or lack confidence or comfort in working with colleagues or a boss. You may also be anxious if you don’t know how you’re doing at your job or if you’re afraid of being fired. Stress can give us headaches, cause us to sleep poorly, and block our brain from concentrating well at work.

In addition, anxiety about work changes your mood, energy, and work results. You may start not completing your tasks, believe it’s too much for you, or no longer care about your job. Should you experience any of these things? If so, act fast by relaxing, talking with a friend, or getting counseling from an expert. You may contact us at MAVA Behavioral Health for more details about the treatment method for anxiety.

Work Anxiety Symptoms

Here are the signs of work related anxiety:

Focusing on tasks is tough.
Stay away from your responsibilities.
Difficult-to-handle mood changes.
Experiencing rapid heartbeat or rapid breaths.
Not believing in yourself or being afraid to fail.
Trouble deciding things or keeping order.

What Causes Work Anxiety?

Here are a few causes of work anxiety that include:

A lot of hours and strict timeframes
Straining relationships at work
Not being confident in keeping the job
Sorting out what your job requires
Not getting appreciated or supported at your job
Bullying or harassment at work

Types of Work Anxiety

1. Performance Anxiety

It starts when you constantly push yourself to think about how you’re doing and where you can improve. You may be afraid of making mistakes, facing criticism, or failing to reach others’ goals. Small things to do can still make us feel stressed out. It is common for you to either worry too much about your jobs or avoid taking on specific tasks. It may cause stress, lower your self-esteem, and make you feel burned out.

2. Social Anxiety at Work

People with this anxiety experience it during meetings, group chats, or when discussing topics with coworkers. It can be not easy to speak because you don’t know if others will judge you. Speaking with your boss or presenting to others can feel very scary. Sometimes, you find it easier to stay uninvolved, not take part in activities and go unnoticed. In the long run, this may cause you to feel less sure of yourself and work poorly with others.

3. Fear of Job Loss

Fear of losing your job can keep you stressed, even when everything looks fine. You could understand small things at work in a larger way. Dealing with this fear can make you end up overworking or always feel uptight. Commonly, it connects to money problems or having a shaky job. Since there is so much pressure, it’s tough to focus on your job.

4. Workload Anxiety

It is likely to happen when your schedule is too full, and your deadlines are approaching quickly. It’s common to fall behind, feel like you lose learning opportunities, or skip breaks to catch up. Simply bringing work to mind after your shift can lead to stress. When you experience this pressure for too long, it can make you exhausted or burn out. Eventually, it can harm your health and performance.

5. Impostor Syndrome

It happens when you start to think that you shouldn’t have your job or that you aren’t skilled enough for it, even though you are. You may fear that others will notice you’re not as strong as they believe. Things happen the way they do because of luck, not through skill. It results in a lot of pressure and self-doubt inside. Some people with impostor syndrome try very hard to show that they are capable.

How Long Does Sertraline Take to Work for Anxiety?

Sertraline, commonly known as Zoloft, is a prescribed medication used for controlling anxiety and treating depression. Therefore, many people see some reduction in their work related anxiety symptoms between 2 and 4 weeks, with the full effect generally happening 6 to 8 weeks later. Treatment responses differ considerably across participants; thus, more quick and slow responders exist regarding active treatment.

Moreover, these effects are not permanent, and patients need to follow through on the treatment plan. Patients should always follow the recommendations set out in the treatment plan they have developed with their physician, particularly the expectation to feel relief right away. If there are any concerns or questions that patients have, mitigate concern about the relief that has been discussed with their medical providers.

How To Deal with Work Anxiety?

1. Take a Few Short Breaks

Getting up from your desk for a little while can help reduce mental stress. You can reset your focus after a short walk, some stretching, or some deep breaths. Regular breaks keep you from getting tired and help you see your work in a new way.

2. Make Your Goals Attainable

Don’t try to complete all your work at the same time; break it down into smaller pieces. Having realistic goals helps you handle your workload better. As you get more of your actions done, you’ll feel more confident and in charge. Recognize little achievements as they help move things forward.

3. Take suggestions from others

Expressing what you’re going through to a coworker, friend, or psychiatrist can help you feel better. Don’t try to face work pressure by yourself. Discussing things with friends clarifies your thoughts and helps you feel understood. There are times when knowing you are being heard matters a lot.

4. Stay Organized

Having a to-do list or calendar can keep them on track and save them from last-minute stress. It helps you stay less overwhelmed on your day. Peace of mind is knowing what to expect. It also helps you know what to prioritize.

5. Deep Breathe

Anxiety can make you instantly feel calmer once you slow yourself down and take some slow, deep breaths. At your desk, it’s a quick way to relax. Focusing on breathing for just a few minutes can help you to relax and lower your tension. It’s the basics, but they do work.

6. Set Boundaries

You can say no or no longer work after hours. If you don’t set limits, your mental health suffers. Being a good employee doesn’t mean you have to operate all the time. Better work and better well-being follow from balance.

Anxiety In the Workplace and Home

Dealing with anxiety at your job and home is possible, and it may affect many of your emotions and behaviors. Experiencing pressure, fear of making mistakes, and dealing with difficult colleagues can worry people at work. It’s typical to experience worry and tension or to avoid doing the things we know we should.

Furthermore, it can become challenging to enjoy or take part in what you do. The pressure at work may follow you, making it difficult for you to relax when you arrive home. Worries about your personal life, housework, or your finances could cause anxiety in your own home. Hence, a little rest, some movement, or seeing a doctor can make you feel better.

Treatment for Work Anxiety

1. Psychiatric Assessment

A psychiatric assessment can find out the source of your work anxiety by carefully reviewing your symptoms and behaviors. You may be asked about your surroundings at work, how much pressure you feel, and what emotions you experience. The process is necessary to prepare a unique treatment plan.

2. Medications for Work Anxiety

Doctors often hand out SSRI medicines, such as sertraline, to help treat anxiety problems. They achieve their effects by changing the levels of chemicals that affect someone’s mood and stress. The psychiatrist will select the most effective medicine and dose for your health problem.

3. Habitual Changes

Clear boundaries, worry-calming tips, and good time management can greatly ease work related anxiety for most people. Routine exercise, proper sleep, and anxiety about going to work are just as important. Little habits over time can have a positive effect on your mental wellness.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, effective management of work anxiety happens when you set rules, practice deep breathing, organize everything, and take breaks at regular intervals. Make sure your job and personal life do not clash, do not push yourself by skimping on sleep, and trust someone close to you.

If you notice that anxiety keeps stopping you from living normally, you may want to consult a professional. MAVA Behavioral Health offers you personalized anxiety treatment that includes medication recommended just for you. You can access important medical services in the office or through telehealth, so help is accessible whenever you may need it.

FAQs

What causes work anxiety?

It can be caused by job pressure, fear of failure, toxic work environments, unclear job expectations, or personal life stress.

How can I manage work anxiety on my own?

Practice stress-relief techniques like deep breathing, taking breaks, setting clear boundaries, exercising regularly, and talking to someone you trust.