Hey @runnergirl.....

[lulu]

How did your appointment go? Have been thinking about you and hoping to hear it all went well and you got some answers/help?

Let us know how you are doing x

[thedish]

Adding in a tag JIC! runnergirl812

[lulu]

Thanks the dish!! X

[lulu]

Or..... thedish see I'm trying ha ha

[runnergirl812]

Annnnnnnnnnd GBCB ate my first reply!! Horse turds!

The appointment went really well. I was incredibly nervous yesterday morning. My stomach was not cooperative and I decided just to not eat prior to. I'm glad that I went. She's really nice, and she confirmed that I have anxiety. She was quite shocked that I had never (in 15 years of having it) been on meds. I got a referral to a psychiatrist and another appointment date with her to continue therapy. She also gave me some "homework" to keep doing the breathing exercises we did and she also gave me a book recommendation. I felt pretty good coming out of the meeting and I feel comfortable with her.

She also was able to help me with an action plan for work. I am a writer - the only one in my group - and due to renovations in July, was moved out of my office with a door and floor to ceiling windows into a low-walled cubicle near the copy room in an open-concept floor plan. I hate it, and it has really been dragging down my productivity. I'm an introvert, and she thinks that overstimulation has contributed to my mood in the afternoons and just wanting to hibernate instead of being around anyone, including bf. I just don't have more to give by the time I get home. That combined with my low thyroid - I just had my meds increased - may explain some of my increased stress at work. So I'm to make sure that my boss is aware how important having work from home privileges or time in a conference room is important to getting my work done. I'm also to take breaks during the day to walk away from people. It's not a perfect solution, but maybe for my next job, it will be something that I will negotiate more strongly about. I dread coming to work in this cubicle each day.

All in all, I felt good coming out of the session. Now I'm sitting here at my desk and trying to focus. SO hard.

[Deleted]

I'm glad the appt went well! I was thinking of you too yesterday. I know how difficult the open floor plan office can be. That's the type of office I've worked in for the last 7 years and it's tough when you're an introvert and trying to write/think! I rely heavily on my headphones to block out distractions - is that an option for you?

[runnergirl812]

Yes. Although I need better ones. I have earbuds and they fall out constantly because they don't really fit well. They're like the $10 cheapies from Walgreens. I really should invest in a better set.

[lulu]

Really please to hear your appointment went well x

[runnergirl812]

Thanks for asking! I really appreciate it.

[Deleted]

Jan 29, 2015 11:22:11 GMT -5 runnergirl812 said:

Yes. Although I need better ones. I have earbuds and they fall out constantly because they don't really fit well. They're like the $10 cheapies from Walgreens. I really should invest in a better set.

I was also thinking, if your workspace is reducing your productivity, that should be an incentive for your employer to try to remedy the situation. I don't think you necessarily have to tough it out just because you didn't discuss your workspace preferences when you were hired.

[runnergirl812]

Well that's the thing, when I started I had an office. Loved my office. Miss my office so much. It's definitely something to talk over with my boss. Even adding a day to WFH would help.