This is a long question about what to do with a troublesome parent. It's less a "what would you do" and more a "what is the right thing to do" question. This is the longest question I have ever asked. I'm sorry.
[more inside]
posted by TomMelee
on Aug 11, 2011 -
29 answers
My new job is really stressful and demanding, and it's making me unhappy, but I don't want to leave after only a couple of months, because it would look really weird on my resume and I would feel like a failure. Please help me stick it out for the medium-haul.
[more inside]
posted by Ziggy500
on Aug 1, 2011 -
12 answers
We are having cut backs at work. One of the office staff was laid-off and I was told directly I would be expected to do her duties along with my current duties. This starts Monday, I and everyone else in the office knows I will not be able to be as efficient as I have been up to now. How can I not stress about this? If my boss jumps on to me I have decided I will just tell her I am doing the best I can. Has anyone else been in this situation and what are some words of advice you can give me to help me through this? (I live in a small town and jobs are scarce, I need to try to keep this job unless something better comes up.)
posted by anonymous
on Jul 24, 2011 -
14 answers
I'm responding to work stress by becoming (secretly) emotional and non-communicative. I can tell that my reaction is out of proportion to the situation - there is a lot of work and not enough bodies, and everyone in my group is overwhelmed - but I still feel very threatened. People get in my face - I act like I don't care, tell them "yeah, that isn't getting done." And after they leave I cry at my desk (again, secretly). How can I be more calm, cool, and effective?
[more inside]
posted by bunderful
on Jul 19, 2011 -
7 answers
My job has a lot of responsibilities and some of them are more interesting and appealing than others. Sometimes I find myself blocked on some of the ones I like less, especially when they have stressful consequences. For example, I often need to write detailed reports for higher-ups (stressful and not enjoyable!), but I'd rather be designing new CSS stylesheets. Sometimes I just stress out about writing for a whole day and don't get anything done. I've thought of doing something more enjoyable and lower priority but I'm worried that when I'm done with that, the high-priority tasks will still be there, and they won't be any easier, appealing, or less stressful.
Has anyone had any success breaking up their work like this? Have any strategies for success? How do I know how much time I can afford to spend on the low-priority stuff? How can I avoid just procrastinating on the important stuff while doing the things that make me love my job?
posted by rwatson
on Jul 4, 2011 -
6 answers
One of my reactions to stress is to stop eating. It's not a conscious thing, food just stops being palatable and my hunger vanishes. Two days of nothing but coffee leaves me in a worse state and I ended up more stressed and it just starts over again. How do I force myself to eat when I really don't want to and break this cycle and/or what can I eat that will give me enough energy and nutrition to plow through a mood and not end up on accidental fasts?
posted by The Whelk
on Jul 2, 2011 -
35 answers
You know those intimidating situations or projects that strike terror into your heart? How do you think and act, even as your body's stress symptoms shoot through the roof?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Jun 30, 2011 -
13 answers
Please recommend a therapist in Houston Texas specializing in financial stress issues.
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Jun 24, 2011 -
2 answers
Let me get over a hangup, pet peeve, etc of mine-- tardiness. I value being on time (or early) much more than most people my know, (my gf, friends, etc), and when I'm getting late, I get stressed, irritable and visibly annoyed. This hangup is pronounced when I feel like the tardiness is because of others. In most of all aspects of my life I'm extremely whatever-it-goes, laidback. I want to be the same way with tardiness, but keeping with my goals of being on time. Are these mutually exclusive?
[more inside]
posted by sandmanwv
on Jun 22, 2011 -
47 answers
Simple, calm question for folks who have had severe panic attacks. Nothing stressful within. Simply: is it possible to feel like you felt before they ever happened?
[more inside]
posted by carlh
on Jun 18, 2011 -
11 answers
I'm pursuing my dream but have so much pressure that it's not even fun anymore. Is this normal, or am I being unrealistic and setting myself up for disappointment?
[more inside]
posted by Jofecopa
on Jun 17, 2011 -
16 answers
How do I keep my chin up when I’m feeling overwhelmed in every part of my life?
[more inside]
posted by gumtree
on Jun 7, 2011 -
9 answers
If I have made a mistake at work (or in general), I am much, much more likely to make another mistake soon afterwards. How can I get focused and correct a problem without making yet more mistakes?
[more inside]
posted by Elysum
on Jun 2, 2011 -
12 answers
How can I make the most of a loved one's unwanted hospital stay? I want him to get the best care possible, I want to avoid insurance conflicts, I want to support his recovery efforts, and I want to avoid going insane.
[more inside]
posted by croutonsupafreak
on May 24, 2011 -
22 answers
Neuroendocrinology filter: Suggested readings on the affects of chronic stress on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the amygdala?
[more inside]
posted by Jacqueline
on May 18, 2011 -
3 answers
Seven-year-old boy incredibly defensive, takes everything too seriously and overreacts to criticism. Have you been one or had a child like this and can offer advice?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on May 11, 2011 -
23 answers
Does this situation sound like stress-induced erectile dysfunction? What can I do about it?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Apr 30, 2011 -
3 answers
Career: New job, rapidly discovering I don't like the way the place works, but need to stick it out. How to adjust my expectations in order to survive?
[more inside]
posted by Franny26
on Apr 16, 2011 -
22 answers
My annual review at work is coming up in three days. I’ve messed up, really bad. I feel like my life is about to be over. How do I get through this?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Apr 12, 2011 -
39 answers
How do I make the most of this quarter, rediscover myself, and recover from hitting rock bottom?
[more inside]
posted by anonymous
on Apr 5, 2011 -
7 answers
I'm starting a new job. What are the weird little things you do on a daily, or weekly basis to a) get up to speed in a new workplace, or b) 'get your game on' to be worky/professional at your job, or c) quite literally, not go crazy from work-stress?
[more inside]
posted by Elysum
on Apr 4, 2011 -
13 answers
I'll soon be working from home full time. What are some "policies" I can enact for my home office to keep my productivity, sanity and health intact?
[more inside]
posted by Diplodocus
on Mar 31, 2011 -
21 answers
I’m getting married this Saturday, and I’m certain I’m going to forget something or mess something up. Can you give me some advice? What things did you forget about, mess up, or learn from during your experience?
[more inside]
posted by two lights above the sea
on Mar 14, 2011 -
81 answers
Is a secretarial or clerical job in a marketing agency a reletively low stress 9-5 job?
[more inside]
posted by Jade_bug
on Mar 5, 2011 -
16 answers
How can I better deal with stress and manage my workload? I work part time, and go to school full time and I am having a hard time coping.
[more inside]
posted by mister-m
on Mar 2, 2011 -
14 answers
In situations where I am stressed, both minorly and majorly, I sometimes get totally overwhelmed by the things I hear and see. It makes my heart race and I become unable to speak or think. Is this normal, or could it be indicative of a psychiatric disorder?
I know, you are not my doctor. And I plan to see a therapist once I can afford one, but that won't be for a few months.
posted by Night_owl
on Feb 25, 2011 -
12 answers
YANAD - What could be the cause of a recurring headache on the back of my head?
[more inside]
posted by IzzeYum
on Feb 17, 2011 -
12 answers
All of the places I trust to provide comfort and security, in any form, are imploding. I've already been existing in coping mode; what can I do now (particularly day-to-day)?
[more inside]
posted by Madamina
on Feb 15, 2011 -
10 answers
My chest and neck are very prone to flushing. Emotional stress, itchy sweaters, and just about everything else cause bright red patches to appear. How can I control this?
[more inside]
posted by lockstitch
on Feb 13, 2011 -
11 answers
I'd like to hear from anyone who has overcome excessive tension in the jaw, neck and upper back during sleep. I wake up feeling very stressed and tense and it's a drag.
[more inside]
posted by FormerMermaid
on Feb 7, 2011 -
19 answers
A few weeks ago, my cat started freaking out whenever people walk by the my ground-floor window. Is there a good way to help her chill out about it?
[more inside]
posted by Johnny Assay
on Jan 23, 2011 -
9 answers
