Social Anxiety Disorder- what employment options do I have?

[grassbees]

Any job where I deal with other people causes me irrational anxiety that grows and ultimately leads me to mental breakdown (unless I quit or get myself fired, which are my escape strategies).

I'll need to re-enter the workforce eventually but can't think of any jobs suitable for a person with my condition. I'm undergoing CBT and will eventually go on medication to help. But even so, has anyone got any ideas on what are the best and worst jobs for people with my condition?

[Melfunction81]

Hi Grassbees

I'm in the same situation atm so im interested in any ideas others have too.

Are you any good with computers? Maybe data entry could suit, or do you like animals? Maybe you can find something working with them?

Sorry I cant be of more help to you but good luck, i hope you find something:)

[zamir]

Hi. I am exactly the same. And driving taxi/uber helped me to counter anxiety. Because i do not have to have eye contact with customers. And you never see the customer again. So there less chance of being judged.

[Quercus]

Hi Grassbees,

Welcome to the forums 😊

What kind of things do you enjoy doing? There are lots of different jobs that are a good fit for people in your situation (just google and you'll find list after list of ideas)...

But it depends on what existing skills you have and what interests you. And what training you're willing to do.

For example if you enjoy physical work landscaping or gardening or working in a production nursery are wonderful jobs and have limited contact with people.

There are things to do with writing such as copywriting, technical writing, data entry and the like.

Or computing jobs if that is your cup of tea. Or bookkeeping if numbers and maths interest you.

What do you think you would enjoy?

[grassbees]

As a cabbie I'd be so stressed about taking a wrong turn, getting lost, scary passengers.

Office jobs are hard for me because I'm a perfectionist and any mistake I make I view as the end of the world. I become non-functional when I I've to pick up a phone. Managers and supervisors stress me a lot.

I worked as a dishwasher once which is an autonomous role just washing dishes by yourself, but that stressed me a lot because I'd be too slow and the pressure became overbearing.

Basically my inability to handle upsetting people makes it hard for me to function in a paid work role, because in the workplace 'homo hominem lupus eat'- man is a wolf to man. Nice people outside work become nasty inside work. Clients too. If I were a landscaper some rogue would probably complain at the end and not pay and I'd rather just lose the money on materials than to challenge them.