Fear of details while doing physical work?

Question

I've asked a doctor about this special "phobia" I have and he says he has never heard of this sort of fear.

Basically, I get a surge of anxiety whenever I'm doing physical work that requires attention to detail. Activities include: fixing the car, assembling furniture, packing suitcases, etc. When I'm engaged in the activity, I get extremely sweaty and my heartbeat rises considerably. Activities that are physically demanding but do not require much mental attention such as lifting a heavy piece of furniture upstairs does not trigger this anxiety.

So, anyone experience this sort of phobia?

Answer 1

Try this. When you're doing some of these activites, think of something else like: 1. how good you will feel when the job is done. 2. think about the fact that you're doing something physical, meaning moving rather than just sitting. 3. concentrate on other things: what things are you hearing while you're doing the activity, what are you smelling, how does it feel in your body when you work, is there some positive physical feeling that you get? What do the things look like - are they round, square, hard, soft, red, blue, etc."

If you do feel anxious just say to yourself:  "I'm getting anixious, it's happened before and sooner or later it goes away."  

And prior to the activity say: "sometimes I get nervous doing this activity, sometimes not. it may come it, may not. If it does, it will go away sooner or later."

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Yes I can relate to this. The solution to me was to take time out to study the mental aspects on their own first. A good example is assembling furniture. I would first make a coffee and sit with it while I read the instructions back to back. Even though you already know how to do it, check & double check until you have had your drink. Then check all the parts are in the pack. Then get rid of all the packaging you don't need to clear the area. Check all tools you need are to hand. Then, decide if all anxiety is mentally gone and if it has then you are ready to do the practical part and assemble.

For me it was a question of eliminating all the mental issues of a thing before starting the practical.  I do hope this works for you.

Best wishes. UK