been promoted at work, but really not sure that I should have accepted it, really think I'm out of my depth, causing me sleepless nights, love the company and the people I work with but I'm scared I'll let people down, people seem to have more faith in me than I do. Toying about going to the docs about the dark thoughts I'm having at the moment
Here's a bit of advice mate. Don't expect any namby pamby shoulder patting bollocks from me though, i just tell it like it is.
Let's look at the facts.
Fact 1 - You were promoted.
Reason for promotion? I'd guess they thought that you were wasted doing the job you were doing before ( i don't even know what you do?) and decided to give you more responsibility. I highly doubt they did this just to make you feel good, they did it because they wanted you to do it.
Fact 2 - You accepted it.
Now i am no quantum physicist by any stretch of the imagination but i reckon you wouldn't have taken the promotion if you flat out thought you couldn't do the job. The only thing that is different is the job itself.
Fact 3 - They have faith in you.
You admit that they have faith in you, that much is obvious with the promotion they offered you. Did they ask you to compete with others in an interview process? No they didn't. This promotion was obviously based on their observations of you in a working capacity.
It's strange isn't it? When you didn't know they were watching your every move when scoping you out for a promotion you were happy in your work and relaxed. Now that you know they were watching you the dynamic has changed and so has your perception of the duties you perform. Instead of just relaxing and getting on with the job, the knowledge of their observation of you has heightened your anxiety and affected your natural rhythm.
As for the dark thoughts, we all have them. It's fear of failure and is nothing to be scared of, you have to turn that fear into a positive energy and use it to drive you on. Just crack on with it, what's the worst that could happen?
If it doesn't work out then at least you've tried. It's better than jacking it in and sitting on your arse in 6 months time and wondering what if?
Go in with a negative attitude and you'll get a negative result, go in with a positive attitude and well, you know the rest.
Like i said, you didn't ask for this promotion, they chose you. Remember that. They chose you.