Situation · Money and survival
“I'm terrified of losing my job”
What could be going on
Job insecurity: Fits if the threat feels real and ongoing. Research ties the fear itself to poorer health, even without job loss.
Financial anxiety: Could be fear of what losing the income would mean. Check whether you'd fear it less with more savings.
Catastrophising: Check whether one small sign, a short email or a cancelled one-to-one, jumps to the worst case.
Impostor phenomenon: Fits if you fear being found out as not good enough, whatever your reviews say.
Latent deprivation: Could be fear of losing more than pay: routine, status, people. Check what you'd miss besides the money.
Hypervigilance: Fits if you scan every message and face for signs, and can't switch off after work.
Questions to carry
- What was the last small sign at work that set off the fear, and what did I conclude from it?
- If the job went tomorrow, what would I lose first, apart from the money?
Also said as
- scared of being made redundant
- constant fear of getting fired
- layoffs coming and i can't sleep
- anxious my boss will let me go
- worried about job security
- what if i lose my job and can't pay the mortgage