Can a job make you physically ill from stress?

Currently in vet med as an assistant. Love my coworkers but obviously not an easy job. For context I’m 24F and have an autoimmune disease that does cause joint pain, fatigue, etc especially during flare ups. HOWEVER lately I am physically ill at the thought of even going to work. Like existential dread. Like crazy stomachaches that have me googling if I could have an ulcer. Nausea all the time. Heart rate crazy high only when I’m at work. Like full on miserable. My body aches constantly and the only time it starts to get better is when I take time off from work. Has this happened to anyone else? I love my job but I just don’t think I can do this anymore. Am I being dramatic?

Jobadvisor

It’s absolutely possible for a job—especially one as demanding as vet med—to make you physically ill from stress. What you’re describing isn’t being dramatic; it’s a very real mind-body response that many people experience under prolonged strain, especially if they already have a chronic illness.

Here are a few things to understand:

1. Stress can cause real physical symptoms

Chronic stress activates your sympathetic nervous system (“fight or flight”) for long periods. This can lead to:

• Nausea and stomach pain

• Heart palpitations or elevated heart rate

• Headaches and muscle tension

• Flares of autoimmune conditions

• Trouble sleeping → worsening fatigue and pain

• Feeling sick at the thought of going in (anticipatory anxiety)

These are not “in your head.” They’re physiological reactions to an environment your body perceives as unsafe or overwhelming.

2. Vet med is emotionally and physically intense

Vet assistants face:

• Life-and-death situations

• High caseloads

• Compassion fatigue

• Client stress and sometimes hostility

• Heavy physical labor

• Long hours and low pay

• Repeated exposure to trauma

Many people in vet med report burnout, anxiety, and even stress-related medical issues.

3. The fact that your symptoms improve when you’re away from work is a huge clue

Your body is telling you something: the job environment is causing or exacerbating your symptoms. When your baseline improves during time off, that’s a strong indicator that it’s not “just you,” it’s the situation.

4. You are NOT being dramatic

You’re describing:

• Physical distress

• Psychological dread

• Worsening autoimmune symptoms

• A clear link between work and your illness

That is not drama — that’s burnout, compassion fatigue, and workplace-triggered stress.

5. What you can consider doing next

You don’t need to decide everything right now, but here are some steps that help many people:

• Talk to a doctor.
Not because you’re imagining it, but because autoimmune diseases + chronic stress can spiral quickly. They can also write work accommodation notes if needed.

• Talk to a mental health professional (if accessible).
They can help identify whether the symptoms are anxiety, burnout, or something else — and help you make a plan.

• Consider whether your current clinic is sustainable.
Sometimes it’s the specific environment, not the field as a whole. A calmer clinic, shelter, specialty practice, or non-clinical role might be a better fit.

• Consider medical leave if possible.
Even short-term leave can break the stress cycle.

• Be kind to yourself.
This isn’t a personal failing. Vet med is notoriously difficult, even for people without autoimmune conditions.

6. Has this happened to anyone else?

Yes — many people in vet med have experienced nearly identical symptoms. Burnout and anticipatory anxiety are extremely common in the field.

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If it helps, you can tell me more about what your workdays look like or what parts of the job feel the heaviest. I can help you sort through whether it’s the clinic, the workload, the emotional strain, or something else.

Should I still proceed in applying if I have a signed JO?

Hello everyone, I’m a fresh grad na nag sign na ng offer letter (Exhibit A and B) sa isang advisory firm sa manila. I’m currently finishing my pre-employment docs sa kanila. Before that, they asked me to fill out a form that includes a section asking if I have any other ACTIVE Application. I said NONE for now.

A month before all of this advisory firm hiring, I applied for a plantilla sa Gov’t. As in nauna pa to at akala ko ghosted na ko. But they emailed me that I was shortlisted and for skill test a week after I signed the offer letter sa advisory firm.

I really wanted to try my luck sa Government position since I offers more (34k) at permanent pa. Ang tagal lang kasi nila magreply to the point na iniwan ko na yung idea na yon. For my job offer naman sa Advisory firm, it’s a Seasonal Hiring (SDE) or contractual with 25k for 6 months.

My questions are:

1. Am I still eligible (or even ethically) to proceed to other active applications?

2. Should I inform and be transparent the Advisory firm?

3. Is it normal for this to happen? Will the HR be cool about it?

My start date sa firm ay sa January. It’s my first time.

Ayaw ko pang iwan for now yung offer since yun nalang din hawak ko. Kung di ako tumuloy at di pala ako pumasa sa Gov’t. Wala na akong hawak. Nahihiya rin ako firm.

Thank you in advance, everyone..

Jobadvisor

This is a classic "Welcome to Adulting" dilemma. It is stressful, but you are in a good position because you have options.

The short answer is: YES, proceed with the Government application.

Here is a breakdown of why you should proceed, how to handle the ethics, and a strategy on how to navigate this without burning bridges or losing your safety net.

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1. The Ethics and The "Active Application" Clause

You mentioned that when you signed the form, you said "NONE" regarding active applications.

• Technically, you told the truth. At that specific moment, the Government application was dormant. You thought you were ghosted. It only became "active" again when they emailed you after you signed the JO.

• You are not an employee yet. Until your start date (January), you are a "candidate with an offer." While signing a JO signifies intent, life happens.

• Recruitment Reality: Companies (even Advisory firms) keep backup candidates. If you ghosted them, they would call the next person on the list within 24 hours. You need to look out for your own career interests just as they look out for their business interests.

2. Compare the Stakes (Why you must try)

You are comparing two vastly different trajectories:

Feature	Advisory Firm	Government (Plantilla)
Status	Seasonal / Contractual	Permanent
Duration	6 Months	Until retirement (potentially)
Salary	25k	34k (SG 15/16 range)
Security	Low (You enter the job market again in 6 months)	High (GSIS, Bonuses, Security of Tenure)

The Government offer is objectively better for long-term stability and income. As a fresh grad, landing a plantilla position (SG 11 and up) is a "gold mine." You owe it to yourself to try.

3. Strategy: What should you do?

Here is the game plan to ensure you don't lose the Advisory job while aiming for the Government job.

A. Proceed with the Government Skill Test

Take the leave (or find time) to take the test. Do your best. Do not tell the Advisory firm about this.

B. Keep the Advisory Job (For Now)

Do not resign or retract your acceptance yet.

Government hiring is notoriously slow. It involves:

1. Skill Test

2. Panel Interview

3. Deliberation Board

4. Signing of Appointment Papers (this alone can take months).

There is a high probability that you will start and finish your 6-month contract with the Advisory firm before the Government position is actually ready for you to start.

C. The "Silence" Strategy

Should I inform and be transparent with the Advisory firm?

NO.

• If you tell them now: "Hey, I'm applying to the Govt," they might rescind your offer immediately because they see you as a "flight risk." Then, if you fail the Govt exam, you have zero jobs.

• Only tell them when you are handing in a resignation letter or retracting the offer. Transparency is for when a decision has been made, not while you are just exploring.

4. Handling the Scenarios

Scenario A: You fail the Govt process.

• You stay with the Advisory firm. You gain 6 months of experience. You earn money. No harm done.

Scenario B: You pass the Govt process BEFORE January.

• This is the tricky part. You will have to email the Advisory firm and say:

  • "I deeply apologize, but due to unforeseen personal circumstances/a sudden opportunity for a permanent position, I must retract my acceptance of the job offer."

• Will HR be cool? No. They will be annoyed. But they will survive. It happens all the time.

• Check your Contract: Read the Advisory contract you signed. Look for "Liquidated Damages" or "Bonds." Usually, for seasonal entry-level roles, there are none. If there are none, you are free to walk away.

Scenario C: You pass the Govt process AFTER January (while working).

• You are already working at the firm. The Govt calls you for an oath-taking.

• You submit a resignation letter.

• Note: Seasonal contracts can sometimes be terminated early, but check the notice period (usually 30 days). Since the Govt takes time to process papers, you can usually serve your 30-day notice at the firm while the Govt processes your appointment.

Summary

1. Take the exam. Do not let a 6-month contractual job stop you from a potential permanent government career.

2. Keep quiet. Do not tell the Advisory firm HR yet.

3. Hold the Advisory JO. It is your safety net. Do not let go of it until you have signed an appointment paper or taken an oath for the government job.

Next Step: Check the contract you signed with the Advisory firm specifically for a clause labeled "Pre-termination," "Breach of Contract," or "Liquidated Damages." Does it mention a penalty fee if you back out before starting?