TeenHealthFX - Answers - Family Doesn't Understand My Job Anxiety And Why I Want To Quit

Parents & Family / Question
Published: August 3, 2009

Dear TeenHealthFX,

im 17 years old and i need money for college. i have a job at mcdonalds that i absolutly hate. ive heard my boss talking about me and saying how she doesn't like me, and she is very impatient. at work i find myself unable to smile to the customers because im about to cry. ive only been working there for 3 or 4 months, and everytime i make a "rookie mistake" they yell at me and make me feel like a dumb peice of trash. they also havent sheduled me in almost a month, but are starting to again. if i have work friday, i have anxious, unbearable feeling all week and are unable to enjoy things because i feel like im waiting for impending doom. im looking for another job, and i applied for one that looks very promising. i want to quit my mcdonalds job right now, but my mom doesnt unberstand. shes yelling and saying that im spoiled and rotten and selfish, i would agree if i had this problem and i had a house and a family to support; but i dont. financial aid is already sep up for my college, and i can live without the movies until i find another job. please help!! what should i do? any pointers for getting rid of my anxiety? i feel no one understands my intense anxiety and just mistakes it for being cowardly. please help!!!!

Signed: Family Doesn't Understand My Job Anxiety And Why I Want To Quit

Dear Family Doesn't Understand My Job Anxiety And Why I Want To Quit,

TeenHealthFX appreciates how difficult it can be living with untreated anxiety, and, on top of that, to not feel like your family truly understands what you are going through. FX thinks that it is important for you to explain to your mother what you are going through, and for you to get yourself into treatment as soon as possible to address your anxiety symptoms.

FX suggests that you gather some information about anxiety. You can find information on the web, or perhaps check at your doctor’s office to see if there are informational sheets or pamphlets you can bring home. Educate yourself on anxiety and then sit down with your mother and tell her that you would like to explain to her what you are going through and what anxiety disorders are all about. Tell her that have a plan as far as money is concerned if you decide to leave your job, and tell her that you would like to start meeting with a mental health professional as soon as possible so that you can get the treatment you need so that your anxiety will not continue to be a problem for you. Let your mother know that what you are experiencing is not about being spoiled or selfish, but about a mental health illness that requires professional treatment. Tell your mother that you can appreciate that it must be hard for her to understand this and that it may even feel frustrating to see how the anxiety affects you and the family, but also be clear with her how important it is to you for her to be understanding of supportive of you right now.

After speaking with your mother, set up an appointment for yourself with a mental health professional. A mental health professional can determine whether or not you have an anxiety disorder, assess which anxiety disorder you have (if you do have one), and work with you on developing an effective treatment plan. This might include individual therapy, family therapy, medication management, or some combination of the three.

If you live in northern New Jersey and need help finding a therapist you can call the Access Center from Atlantic Behavioral Health at 973-247-1400. Outside of this area you can log onto the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website for referrals in your area. You can also contact your insurance company to get a list of in-network mental health providers or check with your school social worker or psychologist to get a list of referrals in your area.

Consider the following resources to learn more about anxiety and where to go for help:

· National Institute of Mental Health: Anxiety Disorders

· Anxiety Disorders Association of America

· Web MD: Anxiety Disorders

Signed: TeenHealthFX