Best jobs/changing careers for anxiety and depression?

[known]

Hi there,

I'm working through an intense time of anxiety, panic attacks and little sleep. I started a new job in a new sector late last year. Although the workplace has a very kind culture, I have found the workload overwhelming, and my role has lots of different aspects to it, including client-facing work, and because it's a new organisation, we are building as we go. The result at the moment is I feel totally overwhelmed and I am finding it very difficult to concentrate, I'm forgetting things, and I can't prioritise. I have been putting things off, and then working on my days off to catch up. I'm aware that it is not a good cycle and I have started to put some things in place to address this, with the help of my GP, family and therapist.

However, I can't help but think that perhaps this is just the wrong type of role for me. I think I need space and time to really flourish in my work, and I feel so much pressure here.

Does anyone have experience in "designing" your work life so that work actually helps your mental health?

I'm finding it hard to tell if the anxious thoughts are making me think it's the job, or if it's worth exploring other options, because I have left three jobs in the past two years from stress, which puts more pressure on the next job to "work out". Does anyone relate? How do you manage your working life with anxiety and depression? What jobs have you enjoyed?

[Birdy77]

Dear known,

I can relate to your story, and i have read a lot of other similar stories here in the past, so you are most definitely not alone!

I would be reluctant to ditch the job too soon without trying some cooing strategies first, because the job scene out there is really difficult from what I've seen, so take care!

I guess the thing for you might be to maybe stick it out a little until you have set those strategies in place with your gp and therapist and family, to see if that alleviates your anxiety symptoms.

If so, then, terrific!

If, after a reasonable amount of time (which maybe you could talk about with your therapist), things aren't feeling ok for you, then maybe a change will be welcome.

I have chopped and changed a number of times in my working life (admittedly i didn't attend to my anxiety early on, so could have missed out on some opportunities because i wasn't coping, so mived on ...) but .... the best balance i ever found was just recently, in my late 30s i managed to find a sweet spot which had a mix of working outdoors in other people's gardens half the week, and working on my creative pursuits in a gallery/workshop the other days.

Although i haven't used my qualifications in years, i have not been happier, and i think my anxiety would have debilitated me had i trued to push through in my earlier field.

A friend of mine who lives with anxiety and depression as well, decided in his 40s to change from his high pressure job to running his own handyman business, and he couldn't be happier!

Could you make a list of some things that you think you would enjoy, or things that you do already enjoy and could make a job out of them?

🌻birdy

[known]

Hi birdy,

Thanks for your reply. Sounds like you've found the sweet spot. I often find myself thinking about ways I could use my hands/be outdoors more often as I feel very calm in those spaces, rather than in an office! It's nice to hear that someone relates. Sometimes I feel like my friends don't understand why I'm always changing things, and those who do tend to think we won't ever find a happy way to work .

Thanks for the advice about sticking it out. I agree....to be honest, I am a bit nervous about staying on and potentially dealing with the consequences of the anxiety on my work. I keep finding errors, and realising I have totally forgotten to do some things that should have been done weeks ago, and then I am surprised that much time has passed. My head is all over the place. Also, I have quit with nothing to go to before, which definitely did not help with symptoms, so I guess it's always there in the back of my head to keep an eye out in case I need to jump...

I like how you used the word "balance"...I think it's about finding a balance that works for you. Sounds like your friend the handyman has found that, too!

Thanks again, enjoy your time out in the fresh air 🙂