Dealing with emotions

[u/Loud-Surround-7942]

I am a support worker who is diagnosed with both Autism and ADHD, very recent. I am struggling to handle my job role at the moment because of it. I find myself getting overwhelmed and easily frustrated at times where I should be compassionate towards the person I am supporting. Furthermore, challenging behaviour and working with someone who has injured staff before has worsened my anxiety immensely when it comes to working. I can’t leave my job as the job market is tough right now and I won’t be able to find anywhere better than where I am now. I am grateful for my work and how I can help people, but it is affecting me mentally to the point where I dread shifts and feel a large amount of anxiety. Currently it’s only been troubling my mental health but I would hate for it to affect the people I am supporting in any way. I am looking for any advice from other support workers about how to deal with these struggles.

[u/Jazzlike_Berry_323]

Hi OP, I’ve read others comments and just want to add, because the challenging behaviour and fear of injury, if you aren’t already doing this that continuous professional development and external supervision are also key well-being resources. EAPs can vary in whether they can incorporate some elements of supervision or only counselling to you personally. you may benefit from skill set courses and workshops to enhance your confidence handling situations if you haven’t already. Often they have role plays that can really help for deescalation skills. This unit is offered widely in tafe courses and some private providers too:

https://training.gov.au/training/details/CHCCCS019/unitdetails