How do i control my panic attacks in a job interview?
ok, so i got fired from my last job. My manager bullied me and i ended up in hospital with an asthma attack caused through stress.I already have a panic disorder that my doctor refuses to treat saying that the meds availible are addictive, strong and could interfere with my asthma meds so i asked for cognitive therapy but as i cant affort private medical care i have been put on a waiting list and im assuming i wont get prof help any time soon .
I lost alot of my confidence when i got fired from my last job, i took time off for MRSA and on my return my managers said i "had let the team down" and caused " an overload of work that put pressure on my colleges" . I had an argument and they fired me for " not adhering to work policies" .
After months of being house bound i have applied to a real good company and to my suprise the manager called me just there for a face to face interview. If i get the job i get private med care included and dental care that i REALLY need.
BUT , although i know i have the skills in a face to face interview i know ill take a panic attack and fumble my words. I use sedatives some times to control it but then i seem spaced out, either way i want to make a good impression. Any ideas how i can control my panic?
i dont have meds for panic disorder its sleeping pills i use when im stressed.
The interview is this week, i cant see a therapist anytime soon 
Really need this job so i can get private medical cover
I used to suffer from panic attacks, too. I was given several medications, none of which really helped. Then I got good advice from a doctor on several ways of controlling them, but you couldn’t really use any of these in an interview:-
1. Close your eyes and press your fingers against them for about 30 seconds.
2. Take a deep breath and hold it, while pressing your index fingers into the hollows just behind your ear-lobes for 30 seconds.
3. Drink a glass of very cold water.
4. If none of these work and you are panting/short of breath, breathe into a paper bag until you feel the symptoms subsiding,
Anyone interviewing you will expect you to be nervous and will make allowances for this. Your best strategy is to make sure you are really well-prepared and turn up looking suitable, so you feel more confident. So firstly, make sure you read up about the company. Then, dress suitably; look smart, clean and well-presented and if possible, wear blue (research has shown that most successful candidates wore blue). Wear a brightly-coloured scarf or interesting pin or other accessory (This will help them remember you afterward).
Arrive on time (if you’re late, you’ve lost it). Come with a couple of questions to ask, perhaps about company benefits, pension scheme, cafeteria, chances of progression within the company etc. If you are asked if you want to have a go at anything, say yes. Above all, appear keen and willing – they need to think that this is the job you really want and that you will work your socks off for them.
Do NOT mention the problems in your last job; if asked, have a short but reasonable answer and don’t ramble.
If you feel really well-prepared, then there is much less chance of having a panic attack during your interview.
Good luck!
Comments
Comment from grannysan
Time October 12, 2009 at 12:04 am
I used to suffer from panic attacks, too. I was given several medications, none of which really helped. Then I got good advice from a doctor on several ways of controlling them, but you couldn’t really use any of these in an interview:-
1. Close your eyes and press your fingers against them for about 30 seconds.
2. Take a deep breath and hold it, while pressing your index fingers into the hollows just behind your ear-lobes for 30 seconds.
3. Drink a glass of very cold water.
4. If none of these work and you are panting/short of breath, breathe into a paper bag until you feel the symptoms subsiding,
Anyone interviewing you will expect you to be nervous and will make allowances for this. Your best strategy is to make sure you are really well-prepared and turn up looking suitable, so you feel more confident. So firstly, make sure you read up about the company. Then, dress suitably; look smart, clean and well-presented and if possible, wear blue (research has shown that most successful candidates wore blue). Wear a brightly-coloured scarf or interesting pin or other accessory (This will help them remember you afterward).
Arrive on time (if you’re late, you’ve lost it). Come with a couple of questions to ask, perhaps about company benefits, pension scheme, cafeteria, chances of progression within the company etc. If you are asked if you want to have a go at anything, say yes. Above all, appear keen and willing – they need to think that this is the job you really want and that you will work your socks off for them.
Do NOT mention the problems in your last job; if asked, have a short but reasonable answer and don’t ramble.
If you feel really well-prepared, then there is much less chance of having a panic attack during your interview.
Good luck!
References :
Responsible for interviewing job applicants for a multinational company for many years; most decisions were made within the first minute.
Comment from catdog
Time October 12, 2009 at 12:25 am
You could try a herbal remedy instead – ask at Boots about the different ones they have, things like rescue remedy or kalms. Try it before hand to see if they have any effect on you and if has any side effects.
Also, before the interview take deep breathes to slow down your breathing. In the interview try taking a deep breath before you answer the question and concentrate on speaking slowly. You know you can do the job and so keep that in mind. They would not call you for interview if they didn’t think you are a potential candidate for the job.
References :
Comment from Back to the drawing board
Time October 12, 2009 at 1:08 am
I’m sorry to be brutally honest with you but I think you need to ask yourself realistically whether you would be able to do this job or not and whether the problems you experienced in your last job would not resurface until you get your cognitive therapy would will hopefully help you to focus on what you actually want in a job, and maybe in life in general. If you don’t honestly think you can do the job then no number of interview techniques are going to help you get it, or nor should they because there will be stronger candidates who will need the job more and be able to do it more effectively. It may boost your ego to get accepted, but it won’t build up your self esteem and work skills in the long run if this is not the right job for you at the moment. If on the other hand you are genuinely confident about your ability to do the job bear this in mind and it will shine through at your interview. There’s no harm in working out all the reasons why you want the job and why you think you will be able to do it and backing this up with as much evidence as possible, references etc, but telling them at the same time you are a bit nervous, we are all human after all and quite often humility and honesty breaks the ice.
I’m a bit concerned that you still have to take some medication, so my biased personal advice is quite honestly to deal with the causes of it through therapy and then consider getting back into employment from a stronger psychological position. There’s no harm in taking time off from work if you have some issues to sort out, and remember if you go back too soon it might only cause further problems later which by that time could have become more difficult to sort out. I appreciate that you need the medical insurance, but realistically if this job does not work out for you, you are going to be back to square one anyway, or worse with a second mistake to explain.
Good luck to you, but I’d say consider all your options carefully.
References :
Comment from D
Time October 12, 2009 at 1:39 am
You could try the free method of EFT below, on all your concerns, i know it works well, and quickly on many things and have your hormones balanced
References :
http://www.emofree.com
http://www.feelingfff.com
Comment from Librarymouse
Time October 12, 2009 at 2:24 am
You are probably well aware that a panic attack is a ‘fight or flight’ response to a perceived threat.
People’s mental activity during a panic attack is suddenly moving to the mid brain, resulting in the heightened state of fear and panic.
In short, a separate part of your brain becomes more active during a panic attack.
Here is a website that I recommend to take care of your problem more naturally.
I wish you the best of luck and hope everything turns out well
References :
http://budurl.com/5kw3
Comment from Gabe
Time October 11, 2009 at 11:35 pm
Take your medication the night before the interview. The medicine will last through the night and in the morning it wont be so bad, that way you can be calmed but not too spacey. Exercise in the morning for a bit if you can, that will release endorphines to calm you and make you feel amazing. Endorphines=happiness. Thats all i have but i wish you much luck in getting this job. I hope it goes well for you. and remember, he called you! You’ve pretty much nailed it and are going to be hired, so just go with the flow bro
References :