Ideal jobs for anxiety sufferers?

[hazmatz]

I'm an 18 networking student getting my degree in about 3 years. I still live with my parents but I cannot stand them anymore (dad is an addict, mom is psycho) and want to live on my own. But the last three jobs I had in the food business were extremely stressful for me, and being a moderately severe sufferer of generalized anxiety, it would often be too demanding and I would have panic attacks on the job and would literally just walk out of my workplace. I've tried medication but benzos made me feel like a zombie and I don't fuck with SSRIs. CBT worked but was too expensive. I'm thinking about starting meditation.

I really need a job that isn't super demanding and doesn't require any experience. I'm really good with computers, hence my major, but as far as I know there are no computer related jobs for people who have no experience or a degree. So I was thinking maybe pizza delivery driver? I don't have to deal with stressful co-workers very often and I can just drive by myself. What other things might you guys suggest? Any input would be greatly appreciated

Edit: sorry, I didn't realize this should probably have gone in the mental health thread

 

[Jabberwocky]

I have been suffering from anxiety for a large part of my life. I worked as a pizza delivery driver whilst at uni, it was ok and some how managed to do it for a whole 3 years. Unfortunately after I finished my Masters Degree in Business Management I struggled to find work and when I would find something related to my field I would lose the job because of my anxiety. However the last year have worked as a contractor where I can work from home and that's been ok, I still fail to meet deadlines for the reports which I write because of anxiety which I make worse by drinking.

Not wanting to sound like your mum but try and resolve this problem by making it as manageable as possible so that when you finish uni the degree and your intellect hasn't gone to waste.

All the best with it

 

[Maya]

OP, perhaps a job where you don't need to interact with people face to face, like inbound phone calls for orders or anything like that.

 

[phatass]

Maybe a job working in public parks if you enjoy the outdoors.. friend does it, most of the time you just potter around and do what needs to be done, no pre-requisite skills + not much issues with co-workers....

 

[Allein]

My first 'real' job was pizza delivery, that was 20 something years ago and pizza delivery was a new thing in the UK, delivery was by trusty Honda C90. I ended up working there for around 2 years whilst I largely failed to even go to college let alone pass an exam :D

You're studying so I guess the job has to work around that, what kind of hours are you available for ?

 

[flyhighk]

Do programming and stuff from home (you can put ads on facebook and other websites for relatively cheap). Working as a delivery guy is a good idea too.

Why not try other types of drugs ? SSRIs have a bad reputation but they can help in some cases. TCAs and hydroxyzine are good for anxiety due to their anticholinergic effects. I've found etifoxine to be great for anxiety and it's not sedative at all, but it's not available in the US.

Good luck

 

[butcher22]

i'm in the same boat OP and have searched the web for ideas countless times. im 30 and have basically become an adult child. i live with my parents and almost never leave the house. benzos help with the random panic attacks usually but i still cant face people unless i take a lot of them and/or drink alcohol which i have had to cut way back on due to health reasons. if you find anything let me know because i am just as interested

 

[Screaming_Skull]

Ya me too... i'm 26, actually have held down a job the past 2 years, but the only reseon I did was because I was blasted on opiates all the time,don't really have anything to show for it,and I don't even pay fuckin rent..now on subs(8 months) but am having problems with the anxiety so have been taking benzo's more than I planned(don't have a script get drug tested), and relaspe every month it seems...I miss that feeling too much, which was being happy and able to socialize with people.. I think I'm going to be like this forever, I've felt like this since I was 15. Sucks. Know it's hard but whatever you do always TRY to be doing something, rather it's school, working, hobbies... Don't just give up. I kinda did after I stoppoed doing opiates the 2nd time,maybe 3rd, then got a job and the only way I could even go was with 4/5 shots of wild turkey to be able to talk to people..then just got on opiates again, then to Suboxone. Anyway...

 

[mcwally]

count me in on past couple of posts too, except I'm even slightly older. I am currently unemployed - depresion/anxiety- mainly social anxiety, but I have finally grown some balls and am doing a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Group Program (specifically for social phobia) that is a 1 session a week 3 month course to help get over this shit that has messed my life up. It was scarry to rock up at first but after a month I can see the logic and reasoning behind it and its going well.

Next is increase the socialising and try to man up for some job interviews and get the fk on track. I have 2 degrees but am currently like I said useless because of these mental health probs but they can be overcome/managed, cured I would say no, we are wired somewhat to be prone to it but proper meds and tools from Group Cognitive Behavioural Therapy I can see some light. Gotta stay vigilant though because for us you can slip back into the abyss quicker than the average Joe.

 

[Allein]

^^
I think there is real value in this approach, trying to find a job that avoids the things that you find difficult isnt always going to be a good approach.

I've not got a great deal of self confidence and suffer with anxiety and depression for for the most part deal with a 'normal' job and have done for many years. Somehow work interactions are much easier than social ones, for me anyway. Ultimately work relationships can be quite shallow and superficial and I don't feel the need to reveal too much about myself unless there is some level of genuine friendship.

I find work quite hard and I suppose there is a part of me that would prefer never to leave the house but I know in truth I have to face at least some of my fears.

For the OP my advice would be to just find a simple job, whatever comes up and give it a try, it's rare we don't exceed our own expectations IMHO

 

[gr33n3y3z]

OP, I genuinely feel for you I'm a manager at a restaurant and i suffer major panic attacks, ounce or twice i had to leave the work place my co-workers were probably like like what the fuck is she on drugs? I just couldn't focus on my tasks or look at people or even speak properly. (lol it looked and felt like i was high, sadly i wasn't ), but i also didn't have my meds on hand to take to calm me down.

I finally opened up to the other managers and a few co-workers that i suffer from sever anxiety and i am prescribed Klononpins. So i made people aware of my panic attacks they understand now.

It's not easy but to live with, at the same time with the right medication along with therapy its doable. Get to know your triggers what sets you off to have panic/ anxiety attacks. Therapy helps me tons along with my benzo.

Also i would test yourself slowly get out smile to people maybe some small talk. If you have a dog walk her. In the job area I would test yourself as well get a job where there are people but not an overwhelming crowd, you may find yourself to open up more and learn to enjoy your life and cope around people.It's not going to cure you over night but it may get you over some uncomfortable situations.

I hope this helps , if you need anything regarding anxiety/panic attacks please PM me I've suffered for about 6 years or so.