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How to reduce stress and overcome anxiety as a software developer

andreizgirvaci.com

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Re: How to reduce stress and overcome anxiety as a software developer

#71

Post by kochthesecond »

boredemployee wrote: post #3

As a junior, I started out loving my job. Then the bad decisions from management started and I started to love my job less, I still woke up with some excitement. 2 and a half years later: today what I do has more to do with pressure and deadlines than with learning and/or doing the right thing. Today, I find it unsustainable to work 8 hours a day, I've come to hate what I do, I can't imagine looking for another job d…

FWIW, I myself have to stop myself from caring as much, otherwise I get depressed and paralyzed by decision fatigue and deadlines. When someone sets an unrealistic deadline, that must their cross to bear. I like many parts of my job, the people there are good to work with, but we are a bit one dimensional and never reserve time for anything just social or fun. It was fun for a couple of years, but now I actually miss some team building fun a couple of times every year! I dont really feel anxiety Sundays, but I do worry if there is a crisis when I'm on holiday...

Re: How to reduce stress and overcome anxiety as a software developer

#72

Post by datalus »

boredemployee wrote: post #3

As a junior, I started out loving my job. Then the bad decisions from management started and I started to love my job less, I still woke up with some excitement. 2 and a half years later: today what I do has more to do with pressure and deadlines than with learning and/or doing the right thing. Today, I find it unsustainable to work 8 hours a day, I've come to hate what I do, I can't imagine looking for another job d…

The sibling comment has the right of it from snarf21. Rarely does a job bring you into a state of self actualization. If it does, you're very fortunate!

I'm coming up on my second decade in the tech industry, and all I can say is you gotta find out what fills you up and do that outside of work like the others have said. I started out in the game industry thinking I had finally arrived, but quickly burned out and moved into web dev for most of my career.

I find working on pixel art, music, and tech in concert very fulfilling, but I don't think I could ever cede this to a company for marketing/support/etc. or turn it into some sort of income to pay my bills. Ultimately I set clear boundaries around work for delivering on my workload inside normal business hours and outside of that is fully my time.

Re: How to reduce stress and overcome anxiety as a software developer

#73

Post by Paul-Craft »

copperx wrote: post #50
gdsdfe wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

you feel betrayed because he played on your emotions to promote his product ? yet that's how most of ads/marketing works

It's much worse because it took much more time from me than an ad. Usually ads look like ads, even when they're advertorials.

I agree. There's not actually a lot of content on the linked page, and most of it is generic stuff you can find searching for "how to overcome anxiety" on any search engine. Nothing specific to being an anxious developer at all (though, I admit, I did not click any of the other blog links links yet).

Re: How to reduce stress and overcome anxiety as a software developer

#74

Post by tarruda »

IAmGraydon wrote: post #43

Stress generally comes from being or feeling powerless to change your state of being. It's the negative feedback your mind gives you in an attempt to spur you to regain control. There are two ways you can overcome it: gain control or relinquish the desire for control. You just don't want to be in the middle, craving more control but having none. This is the position most employees find themselves in, unhappy but trap…

Awesome.

In my case I took the second option. When I was younger I used to get stressed about not being able to implement what I thought was best in terms of code/design.

Now I just do what I'm told (at a very moderate pace) and focus my energy on my hobbies and family.

Re: How to reduce stress and overcome anxiety as a software developer

#76

Post by Paul-Craft »

teach wrote: post #27
thenerdhead wrote: post #13

You have to fill up your cup before you can fill others. Perfectionists are well known to hardly ask for help and in life that's the catalyst for being able to make more time for yourself. Say no to more things. Spend more time on finding out more about yourself. Start to understand your emotions around the constant trauma you're living through and have lived through. You don't need to pay somebody $150 for this advi…

> You don't need to pay somebody Your advice is good but there's nothing wrong with getting a professional to help you if you have the means. I've made more progress in the last two years with a good therapist than in twenty years of reading self-help books. It's hard to overstate how much a good mentor/coach can improve your progress in almost every endeavor.

> It's hard to overstate how much a good mentor/coach can improve your progress in almost every endeavor.

Any suggestions how to find a good coach as a SWE? I have 8 YoE and was most recently a staff engineer at a small-ish startup, and the perspective that job gave me has kindled some thoughts about taking my career to the next level, but I feel like I need a little bit of guidance.

Re: How to reduce stress and overcome anxiety as a software developer

#77

Post by Paul-Craft »

whats_a_quasar wrote: post #54
hn_20591249 wrote: post #28

I was skeptical at first when my doctor recommended it, but since starting Zoloft/Sertraline about 3 weeks ago I have been very productive and have for once in my life (late 20s) I feel like I am actually winning in my battle with anxiety/stress. I am not one to immediately recommend anti-depressants, and will be looking to wean myself off in the future, but in my current state I have found it extremely beneficial.

+1 to SSRIs. One thing that's under-emphasized is that trying SSRIs is an experiment, rather than a commitment. After 5-6 weeks if they don't work for you or the side effects aren't worth it, you can drop them no problem. So if you feel like you might have clinically significant anxiety or depression, really consider an experiment. I've had friends that have hated the side effects or not seen much benefit, who stoppe…

+1 to "experiment, not a commitment," but I would also add that you really need to give them a fair shake if you're going to try them. For most antidepressant drugs, that's going to be a full 6 week trial.

Personally, I learned from my experiments that I can eat Lexapro like candy (not literally, but you get the drift) and it doesn't do anything for me, but Prozac, Wellbutrin, and Effexor have been good to me. IIRC, response rates overall to antidepressant medications are in the 40-50% range, so you might get lucky and find your wonder drug on the first try, or you might have to try more than one. Failing an antidepressant trial can certainly be a frustrating experience, but I would certainly advise anyone who asked to commit to trying up to 3 different antidepressants before throwing in the towel on these medications entirely.

Re: How to reduce stress and overcome anxiety as a software developer

#78

Post by [deleted] »

hn_20591249 wrote: post #28

I was skeptical at first when my doctor recommended it, but since starting Zoloft/Sertraline about 3 weeks ago I have been very productive and have for once in my life (late 20s) I feel like I am actually winning in my battle with anxiety/stress. I am not one to immediately recommend anti-depressants, and will be looking to wean myself off in the future, but in my current state I have found it extremely beneficial.

[deleted]

Re: How to reduce stress and overcome anxiety as a software developer

#79

Post by Paul-Craft »

kzrdude wrote: post #45

A very recent conversation on HN: “I’ll tell you what your doctor might not be telling you” https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=35746215

That's a great list.

I am the kind of person who doesn't care much for "exercise" per se. I get bored with it. The thing that gets me up to see the sun and get some exercise is my dog. Having a dog has many research-proven mental and physical health benefits. For myself, I can say that I benefit so much from having a dog that I just don't see myself ever not having one.

Of course, not everybody can have a dog, so this is not really general advice. But, if it even sounds like it might be a good idea to someone, I'd encourage that person to look into getting a furry friend. :)

Re: How to reduce stress and overcome anxiety as a software developer

#80

Post by Paul-Craft »

pcthrowaway wrote: post #66
local_crmdgeon wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Having 0 energy after work means you either need to try less at work or you're depressed. You should have ~4 hours of energy after the workday ends. Are you on adderall? That can cause a brutal end of day crash.

Not the person you responded to, but I did just get back on Adderall after being unmedicated for the last 8 years. The end of day crash was much worse without Adderall. I felt like I was trying to swim against a current all day long, and then I'd feel like I was drowning for the rest of the day (though the drowning sensation would usually start after just 2-3 hours of work). With Adderall I'm swimming with the curren…

Without Adderall, the 'end of day' crash sometimes happens at 2 PM for me. Then, there are the days where I literally don't get anything done until after 2 PM. Among other things, Adderall makes me more consistent.
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