Afraid of working?

[lcfrogs]

I have social anxiety disorder, but only in specific situations. The worst for me is the job front. I haven't had a job since 2006 because I am so terrified of job interviews and being "the new girl." I've had a few job interviews since 2006 but they never go well because I am so anxious. I'm also terrified of making phone calls, which is important when you want to follow up after a job interview. I am currently on disability because of my GAD and social anxiety, but I don't want this to be my life forever. Any advice on how to overcome this horrible fear? I'm 26 years old and I have very little job experience under my belt.

[lcfrogs]

I guess no one can relate. I have a lot of views and no responses 

[Happy sailing]

Hey there,
I thought I would respond, although I am not sure I have a lot of advice cor you.
The anxiety issues I have been dealing with started last year.  I feel like I am getting better.  I was working up until May 2012.  I am now looking for a job myself.  I stopped working due to the physical symptoms of the anxiety.  I also feel that I want to work and have a life.  I, personally, think it would help you as well.  I know that the longer one is off of work, the harder it can be to go back.  However, I say GOOD FOR YOU that you want to take your life back!!!! I say take the steps!  Use all your anxiety tools and take the steps forward.  Do the job hunt and take the "risks".  From what I understand, the only way to really overcome anxiety/fears is by facing them.  Of course there are all the other elements involved! Like I said, use all the tools that are working for you, like therapy, meds, exercise,  relaxation techniques etc.  However, I guess I believe one of the best healing/overcoming tools is to do that which one is afraid of.  You will feel good and proud of yourself for any step you take.  So, go for it and get your life back!   

[lcfrogs]

Thank you for responding. It is true that it gets harder to try working again the longer I hold off getting a job, the anxiety gets worse. My therapist wants me to do some exposure therapy revolving around this. I am absolutely terrified, but I know I must do it eventually. I'm too old to not be working.

[Happy sailing]

GOOD FOR YOU!!!!
I just read a success story on here and maybe it would help you as well.
http://www.anxietyzone.com/index.php/topic,53265.0.html

Hopefully it encourages you!!!

Take steps. Any step is great!!even to start with a part time job at a coffee shop or store or whatever!
Hugs!! 

[lcfrogs]

That was a great story! I have always had an aversion to meditation and mindfulness because it was stuffed down my throat so many times while I spent years in treatment for my eating disorder. I also had an aversion to CBT. But lately I've been thinking about asking my therapist if we could try some different techniques, such as the ones I have such an aversion to. She is already wanting me to try new coping skills other than sedative drugs.

Thank you, Happy sailing! Very helpful!   

[Happy sailing]

YAY!!   

Glad it helped it you!!   

Have a great day and be well fast!!
 

[Bamboo31]

If I had seen your post earlier, I would have responded. I completely relate.

I had been home raising my three children for 14 years.  When my last went to school full-time, I felt lost.  I had been out of the real world for so long, I had no clue what to do.  I was worried about interviewing. What if I actually got the job?  I was worried about learning something new, meeting new people, doing a good job...It took me one year of soul-searching, planning, and getting my nerve up to get back out there.  Well, it's been 4 months, and I am doing it! Has it been easy? Nope. Each day I take a deep breath and put a smile on my face, and walk through the door. I will start the day with a positive attitude.  I've had really bad days, but I get up and do it again the next day.  It's gotten easier, and I am more comfortable in my surroundings, so I am making progress.  For me, it has been one little step at a time.

You said you have minimal job experience, so maybe you try something very part-time.  If you are interested in animals, you could try a pet shop.  Maybe you could even volunteer some place for a short time.  My volunteer efforts indirectly resulted  in me getting my job.

You can do it! Good Luck!!       

[lcfrogs]

I actually have thought about volunteering for a long time now, and my therapist always tells me I should. Plus, I think it would make me look good to a job interviewer. I'm pretty anxious about it though, so I've been putting it off. I definitely have time to do it though.

I also absolutely love animals, especially dogs and amphibians (frogs are sooo cute!  ) I also love children. If I volunteered, it would be either something with dogs or children.

I really like the volunteering idea. I will have to think about it some more and talk about it with my therapist. Thank you! 

[StillRocking]

This is something I can relate to completely. I was terrified of returning to work, and am still working towards gathering the courage to return to paid employment out with the general public.

In my experience, volunteering is hugely useful. I was lucky enough to be able to do voluntary work with people I know, and that made it immeasurably easier for me. It might be useful for you to ask amongst your friends and family to see if anyone you know needs volunteers at their workplace? Having the support of someone you know and are comfortable with during this time is a huge help, and the feeling of taking control of your life and doing something beneficial for others is a massive boost, especially if, like me, you are also suffering with depression (it seems to go hand in hand with anxiety more often than not).

If you are worried that returning to work full-time seems like too huge step, working part-time may help you ease back into work - I currently volunteer only a few hours three days a month, and it has helped me to regain some of my confidence dealing with people I don't know, and has also resulted in new friendships, which I was badly in need of after cutting almost everybody I knew out of my life as my illness worsened.

There are also many employers who are mindful and sympathetic to the problems faced by people with mental health issues, and who can and do provide support in re-employing and keeping people who have been away from work, or have a high turnover of jobs in the past by reason of illness.

There is every reason to stay positive and to do your best to "get back on the horse" - in small, gradually increasing steps if necessary - there's no need to take on something you find overwhelming all at once if you can break it down into smaller, more easily achieved goals. Each of those goals you achieve will make you feel better, and make the next step seem less and less difficult. Many people (myself included) worry that going back to work may be too stressful, that we might somehow relapse and lose the progress we have made in dealing with our illness, but a recent NHS study in the UK shows that the opposite is true - that returning to work offers huge benefits to your general health and wellbeing, and is a goal well worth working towards.

I hope I've helped in some small way, and I wish you all the very best in your journey back into work.

[Shizznitt77]

It took me a year after college before i could even start to think about getting a job. I was afraid to find a job outside. Even now i still am. I am a nurse but i work home based as a telemarketer, somehow i feel better working at home. I get so paranoid when i think about having a job outside the house. I'm hoping slowly i'd be able to face my fears and try to look for work outside.

[lcfrogs]

My therapist wants me to look into volunteering first. I filled out a CBT form on my fears of volunteering. It's not as scary as getting a job, but it still scares me because I will have to interact with people. I was actually planning on doing some Internet research today...I'm thinking about volunteering for something that involves dogs. I have plenty of free time to be able to commit to volunteering, so I just need to DO IT!

[alanastrums]

I also have anxiety around working/getting a job. In my case, I get a lot of anxiety around people expecting me to be places and feeling like I can't cancel if I get sick. But I recently pushed myself to get an internship that involves assisting a small business owner. It's been really great because it's a low key environment and there's no pay involved, but I still get out of the house, work with other people, and have some pressure to keep my commitments. I think volunteering or interning would be a great first step for you. Good luck!