I had a panic attack at work today and I don't know how to move forward. I work in a call center. Most of my customers are pretty nice. This morning I spoke with a man who wouldn't stop yelling at me, saying things that were very offensive, making accusations, and being verbally abusive in general. Loud noises are an obvious trigger. I can usually handle myself pretty well with being yelled at. Sometimes I need a short break to do deep breathing, but I can handle it.
Not today, though. I couldn't get a word in, he wouldn't stop shouting at me...it was like being slapped in the face, repeatedly. I could feel the panic coming. I put my customer on hold and tried to get a manager to take over the call but it got so bad, so fast...
I couldn't stop hyperventilating. My whole body was trembling and my lips and fingers started to tingle and go numb. My hands froze with my fingers like claws. I couldn't work the mouse or type anything to transfer the call to management. My vision got blurry. I felt faint and started crying, and my coworker noticed. He tried to help me but I dropped to the floor and curled up under my desk.
They got me out of there and a manager to take the call. When I tried to take my Klonopin, I couldn't open the blister pack because I couldn't move my fingers. A different manager was in the hallway and when I asked her for help, she snapped at me to calm down. "You're not on the call anymore; you need to calm down!" I think this may have actually helped because I was so shocked that she would speak to me that way...it made me angry.
They let me take a long break to calm down. I take rapid-dissolve Klonopin, which takes effect pretty quickly. I was able to calm down and get back to my desk...where managers were avoiding eye contact and half of my team wanted to know if I was okay.
I'm so embarrassed. I feel like people think that I was just crying because of a mean customer...like I was being dramatic. I'm afraid that they don't respect me anymore. I don't know if I should just pretend like nothing happened, or if I should tell them the truth. I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me and start walking on eggshells, but I don't want them to think I'm a drama queen who can't handle my job, either.
Not today, though. I couldn't get a word in, he wouldn't stop shouting at me...it was like being slapped in the face, repeatedly. I could feel the panic coming. I put my customer on hold and tried to get a manager to take over the call but it got so bad, so fast...
I couldn't stop hyperventilating. My whole body was trembling and my lips and fingers started to tingle and go numb. My hands froze with my fingers like claws. I couldn't work the mouse or type anything to transfer the call to management. My vision got blurry. I felt faint and started crying, and my coworker noticed. He tried to help me but I dropped to the floor and curled up under my desk.
They got me out of there and a manager to take the call. When I tried to take my Klonopin, I couldn't open the blister pack because I couldn't move my fingers. A different manager was in the hallway and when I asked her for help, she snapped at me to calm down. "You're not on the call anymore; you need to calm down!" I think this may have actually helped because I was so shocked that she would speak to me that way...it made me angry.
They let me take a long break to calm down. I take rapid-dissolve Klonopin, which takes effect pretty quickly. I was able to calm down and get back to my desk...where managers were avoiding eye contact and half of my team wanted to know if I was okay.
I'm so embarrassed. I feel like people think that I was just crying because of a mean customer...like I was being dramatic. I'm afraid that they don't respect me anymore. I don't know if I should just pretend like nothing happened, or if I should tell them the truth. I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me and start walking on eggshells, but I don't want them to think I'm a drama queen who can't handle my job, either.
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