Social Anxiety Forums

BigBear4229 · Terrified Newbie Joined: 22 Apr 2008 Posts: 7

Man this is some topic Smile

The worst thing in the world right now is knowing my parents and family are helping me live yet I can't seem to overcome my SA to get a job, even a part-time job. The pain that situation causes is something I would not wish on anyone.

I have been throwing around some ideas though, esp. for people like myself and you guys who suffer from SA. Working for the post office seems like it would be a good fit perhaps even working the night shifts. For me personally I feel better and more happy at night. Another option would be Night Stocking at a grocery store. It may just be 2 ideas but its better than nothing you know lol.

Just say add something else. For me the biggest part of SA and Job seeking is the uncertainty of what will happen. All my life has been based around knowing everything before I did it. With SA and finding a job its like, Im not sure who I will work with, how I will live, if I will be good at the job, will I learn new skills in a timely manner, etx. Is this the same case for anyone else???

alycat27 · Anxious Poster Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 13

I worked as a service clerk (bagger/cart collector/janitorial duties, etc) at my local Hannaford for four years before I became a stay at home mom. I was pretty good at faking really friendly. I would have to arrive to work 15 minutes early and sit in the break room and psyche myself up for the day though. I would have to calm myself down from an inner panick attack and then I would go and clock in at the lost possible minute. I dealt with ALOT of people, being a bagger, some nice, some not so nice. I figured it was better than being a cashier though. Then I would have to be overly social and worry about making a mistake on the register and having a panick attack if I didn't give them the right change or they were rude to me. It's bad enough when your handling their food, but handling their money? Forgettaboutit.

Even though I was a really good worker and well loved by the other workers and the customers I still would prefer to work out of the public eye. My son will be heading to preschool next year so it's gotten to the point again where I think about what my next move is. Getting a part time job and having my own private time for awhile or having another baby. I'm not sure what we will do but if it's a job it will probbaly take awhile to find one. If I still lived in my home state I am sure they would give me my old job back. However I think I would have panick attacks about it the first few weeks as it has been almost five years since I have worked there and it would be like starting all over.

Blue · Anxious Poster Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 23

I cant seem to hold down a job because of this phobia thing i may be starting work on monday but everybody is taking bets on how long i last Rolling Eyes

Josh · Posted: Fri June 20, 2008 Post subject:

The interview is the hardest part; you've gotten through that at least.
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Blue · Anxious Poster Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 23

That used to be the hardest part but I know if i put my mind to it i can get past the interview 9 times out of ten i just need to get over the stage when im in a job and the conversation dries up and im always thining of something to say and being paranoid.

Josh · Posted: Sat June 21, 2008 Post subject:

Do you often have to make chit-chat with work peers? Is it a very team-oriented job?

blue22 · Terrified Newbie Joined: 06 Sep 2008 Posts: 2

Hi,
I could go on forever with this topic. This year has been the worst for me. I had 3 jobs that I quit without a notice this year (I never used to do that!). I used to be able to stay almost a year at a job and leave with a 2 week notice.

So my question is, I am now looking for a job but how can I explain my 3 jobs that I left without a notice? I wasn't fired, but I freaked out and left without notice which is still bad. My employers at 2 of the jobs said that they would give me a recommendation for another job if I needed it, which is very nice considering I left without notice. But I don't even want to mention that I had 3 jobs in one year at an interview, bc I am so afraid that no one will ever hire me.

has anyone ever had this happen?

So it turns out that I am going to go one forever with this job topic....bc I have a second question regarding keeping a job. All three jobs that I left this year had something in common, I was constantly worried that I was doing my job wrong and I was always second guessing myself. And the worst part is there is always someone at my job that is just as insecure as me (but they handle their insecurity in a completely different way) for example, I never critique other people, and never in a million years would I call someone stupid or make a joke that someone I work with is stupid. But there is ALWAYS a very insecure person at my job that does that to me and that is why I leave my jobs because I can't handle having someone make fun of me.

has anyone ever had this happen? I honestly don't know how to handle coworkers making fun of me, I usually just ignore it but when I do that it just gets out of control. the last place I worked, it got to the point that I was afraid to talk period. my family says that I am just paranoid, but I don't think I am because other people heard them making fun of me and if I was paranoid I would be the only one hearing them..right? My problem is I just don't know how to handle someone calling me stupid.

Sorry this post is so lengthy! I've had too much caffeine

jaw · Terrified Newbie Joined: 23 Sep 2008 Posts: 4

i have sa. for about the last 7 years i have been in crippling situations that have made me feel such an idiot. i get symptoms of anxiety but the worst is the blushing, sometimes i only have to be called by someone and it makes me go real red! at work this is tenfold coz im interacting with people that i feel are in authority. my worst things are getting in a queue at the supermarket, speaking up in a group (between 2-11 people), however, i have a degree in psychology and manage my anxiety (i dont ever let it stop me doin anythin) so hav decided to get a full time job as a mental health worker...... am yet to feel completely confident that i have made the right decision coz i keep thinkin "how can i help others when i suffer myself???" but i figure if i have learned to manage it then i may be able to help others do it also....and i have anxiety im not terminally ill if it stops me from doing normal things then it will have taken hold of me and i dont want it to. i know everybodys symtoms are differnt ( some more disabling then others) but peeps! we need to stop avoiding things and choose to do what we want to do regardless of a red face and a bit of sweat? Wink