Whether you suffer from social anxiety, panic attacks or any other type of anxiety disorder, trying to find a job can be a real struggle. If you are working through your anxieties, then oftentimes trying to find a job where you have to deal with the public can be almost debilitating. Of course, like anyone else in the world, you need a job in order to pay the bills, so not procuring a job isn’t really an option.
When you have any type of anxiety disorder, you need to determine the jobs that you absolutely cannot do. For instance, there may jobs that involve a lot of social engagement or jobs that put you under tremendous pressure. These are the type of worst jobs for people with anxiety, so you should avoid them as much as possible.
Even if you don’t find your dream job right away, don’t give up. Keep at it until you find the job that is right for you and always, always continue working through your anxiety disorder the best way you can.
Here are the seven worst jobs for people with anxiety disorder:
1. Server jobs
Restaurants have many of the worst jobs for people with anxiety. Even though many teenagers, college students, and people looking for a part time job to make extra money love being a server, there are many aspects to the job that can trigger anxiety in someone who already has anxiety issues.
As a server, some duties involve pouring drinks, serving food, and being polite, friendly, and outgoing with the customers. Being outgoing and friendly is how you make your tips, so this is an important aspect of the job. If you have an anxiety disorder this might be too much for you to handle.
2. Police officer jobs
Law enforcement are the worst jobs for people with anxiety. As a police officer, you have to interact with criminals and their victims on a daily basis. If you already have problems talking to people, then the last thing you need to have to deal with is a large, tattooed gang member with a history of violence.
As a police officer, you have to think on your feet and are often called upon to make presentations in front of groups of people. This is not to say you should give up on your dream of becoming an officer of the law, you just might want to put it off until your anxiety is a little more under control.
3. Military jobs
If you have a panic disorder, then the last place you need to be is in a combat situation. Even soldiers who aren’t prone to panic attacks have them when it comes to being in the middle of a combat zone. This is definitely a career to avoid if you have panic attacks or any other type of anxiety disorder.
4. Teaching jobs
Kids, especially kids in middle and high school can be cruel and look for any little weakness that they can exploit in a teacher. Teaching is one of the worst jobs out there for someone with an anxiety disorder, because you have to get up and teach to a room of people, most of which are completely uninterested in what you have to say. If you have any type of anxiety disorder, avoid this job at all costs.
5. Management jobs
Just about every field of work has managers and supervisors. In most cases, people with the right work ethic and credentials are promoted to these roles inside the company they work for.
However, there are many aspects of this type of career that can have negative effects on someone with social anxiety disorder, including the fact that there is a ton of pressure associated with being in a manager or supervisory role. You also have to deal with people on a daily basis, and sometimes those conversations are not very pleasant.
If you have panic disorder issues, having to fire someone who gets angry can set you back in your progress quite a bit. It’s best to avoid this type of job until you’re further along in your corporate wellness treatments.
6. Parenting jobs
Surprisingly, parenting is one of the worst jobs for people with anxiety. While you would think that being a stay-at-home parent would be easy for someone with anxiety issues, since you don’t have to go out and deal with the public, it can actually be worse than having a job outside of the home. From having to arrange play dates to birthday parties with tons of guests, there is a lot of interaction that isn’t great if you already have a fear of people and other anxiety issues.
These are just a few of the worst jobs out there for people who suffer from any type of anxiety disorder. Don’t give up, however, now that you know what jobs not to get into you can concentrate on looking for the jobs that you are suited for.