Jobs for panic attack sufferers (8)
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In this guide, we will mention some Jobs for panic attack sufferers, the main difference between panic attacks and having a panic disorder, and a list of potential jobs with some of the specifications on the duties and difficulties you may experience or you would like to consider.
Jobs for panic attack sufferers
The best jobs for panic attack sufferers are probably those with work environments with minimum noise, stress, interactions with people, and without many interruptions or distractions.
According to study.com, here are career options for people with anxiety and panic attacks:
- Landscape Architects
- Animal Care and Service Workers
- Substance abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
- Food Preparation Workers
- Janitors
- Writers and Authors
Those are just a few examples but perhaps none of those sounds like the ideal job or you have recently been working at your ‘ideal job’ or the job you dreamed about your whole life but it ended up being not exactly what you expected or didn’t make you feel comfortable enough.
In contrast, it could happen that this is actually your first job and you are worried that you would struggle a lot with your anxiety.
However, as Jandra Sutton who has been diagnosed with panic disorder and states in greatist.com, “It’s not that having anxiety means that I wouldn’t do a great job in that job or any other job I decided that I wanted to have, but that—when it comes to anxiety—there are certain jobs that make coping with anxiety at work a little less hectic.”
For instance, if you have a customer service role or as a salesperson, it wouldn’t probably be the right fit since you would probably be in constant fear of having the next panic attack at any moment.
However, it is recommended to find a job role that gives you flexibility and encourages you to interact with others but less frequently.
Panic attacks and Panic disorder
As stated by the Mayo Clinic, “A panic attack is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause. Panic attacks can be very frightening. When panic attacks occur, you might think you’re losing control, having a heart attack or even dying.”
It is believed that many people may suffer from one or two panic attacks in their lifetimes but when it persists with the presence of unexpected panic attacks and you spend most of your time in fear due to the possibility of having another attack, then you may be suffering from a condition called panic disorder.
Moreover, you may have experienced them at work, and as soon as you quit you haven’t had any since then.
This could be because the stressor (your job) is gone, so the panic attacks stop.
You may have been thinking about how finding a suitable job for panic attack sufferers seems to be very difficult but let us tell you it is not impossible!
List of potential jobs for panic attack sufferers
- Working remotely
In this digital era, it has been increasingly accepted for people to work remotely.
There are many companies and platforms that allow you to choose from a wide variety of options from software development, marketing, or even human resources.
However, not everything is perfect.
If you stay at home all the time and you don’t really have to go outside much, it can actually make your panic attacks more frequent where you may even fear driving or to leave your house fearing you will have a panic attack at any moment.
- Dog trainer/animal care worker
Panic attacks can come suddenly and without a warning which can actually happen anywhere, for example, as you are driving, at the mall, in the middle of a conference, etc.
This situation can make a panic attack sufferers feel very ashamed or embarrassed.
Subsequently, this type of job is a great option (besides being therapeutic) since you will be working with animals and even though you may occasionally interact with their owners, it is minimal interaction.
- Computer science professional
This type of job does not guarantee you will have zero contact with other people but it is less frequent as you have to probably talk to a client or a colleague.
However, tech workers such as software engineers or programmers, graphic designers, or database administrators need to spend a lot of time analyzing and working (mostly) on their own, good analytical skills and being independent is required.
- Medical Laboratory Technologist
This job involves a bit of interaction with other people but just to collect samples from patients such as blood, tissue, and other body substances, to help make a diagnosis and/or determine their treatment options.
However, as indicated by thejobnetwork.com, “This job typically requires a bachelor’s degree in the sciences and may require additional licensing or certification, depending on the state. The median salary for medical laboratory technologists is $50,550, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.”
This type of job not only requires minimum interaction but also can be the ideal setting since it helps provide concrete goals that will keep you focused on the patient or test at hand, diverting you from thinking about your anxiety.
- Veterinary technician
This type of job focuses on providing day to day medical care to animal patients. They work closely with veterinarians to help reach a diagnosis and treatment options for injuries and other conditions.
According to the jobnetwork.com, “To become a veterinary technician, you’ll need at least an associate’s degree in the field, and likely state licensing/certification as well.”
This job can be good if the idea of working with other people stresses you out, so it may actually be an almost therapeutic option to deal most of the time just with animals.
Even though you will always have other co-workers, you really have to focus on the animals you take care of and not them.
- Landscape designer
If you like outdoor activities then this job will be ideal. Landscape designers are responsible for planning and designing outdoor spaces like gardens or yards.
For this type of job, you need to have a bachelor’s degree, plus an internship or residency program.
Being around plants can be very soothing and comforting, even helping you get rid of stress.
The same as previous jobs, social interaction is limited and you get to focus on planning and designing outdoor spaces, letting you forget about the panic attacks.
- Blog Writer
Do you have a passion for writing? Then this is your ideal type of job. You won’t actually have to interact face to face with anyone.
If you have a topic you are very passionate about or you have thought about something you feel you are good at writing then this can help you get creative while reducing your stress and anxiety levels.
- Florist
If you consider yourself creative and you like flowers then this is a good job option. Main duties may involve taking care of plants and flowers while creating arrangements for special occasions.
However, you may be working in the back making the arrangements as well as taking care of customers so consider that there may be frequent to minimum social interaction.
Why is this blog about Jobs for panic attack sufferers important?
There are plenty of Jobs for panic attack sufferers, you just need to take a look at the specifications of the job role, investigate and decide if that would be the ideal fit for you.
We know how panic attacks can interfere with your life and have a severe disabling effect but this doesn’t mean anxiety has to control your life and stop you from finding a good option for you.
However, if in the end, you try it but it is not what you expected, don’t worry, you can still keep trying, as many times as you need.
Please feel free to leave any comments or thoughts about the content of this article!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Jobs for panic attack sufferers
Can’t work because of panic attacks?
If you can’t work because of panic attacks, it might be due to all the physical symptoms associated with the panic attack and how ashamed it can make you feel at your workplace.
You may be very familiar now with the feeling of losing all grip on reality or feeling like you are going to die.
Eventually, the panic attacks can prevent you from doing any type of physical labor or maintain your employment.
How do I get a job with severe anxiety?
Getting a job having severe anxiety can be difficult but not impossible.
Make sure you are aware of your skills, strengths, and limitations.
Also, consider being flexible when job hunting and investigate the current tasks needed for a particular job role.
Be honest but don’t be too forthcoming.
Prepare yourself before an interview by practicing the most frequently asked questions during an interview and how to answer.
What jobs require little social interaction?
There are many jobs that require little social interaction, such as:
– Translators
– Software engineers or developers
– Technical writers
– Paralegal and legal assistants
– Zoologists
– Park ranger, park warden or forest ranger
– Marine biologists
What’s a good job for someone with severe social anxiety?
Good jobs for someone with severe anxiety include being a veterinary technician, kennel operator, zookeeper, rescue worker, or animal groomer.
Probably outdoor jobs or jobs where there is more contact with nature or animals would be perfect for people with severe social anxiety.
Can you work if you have anxiety?
You can still work if you have anxiety but you may struggle more than other people.
Even though anxiety may be “invisible” or without any evident signs, it can actually affect your performance at work.
For example, many anxiety sufferers have muscle tension which makes some of the physical work more challenging.
References
Study.com: “Jobs for People with Anxiety & Panic Attacks”
Markham, M. (n.d.) Panic attacks and panic disorder. Retrieved from Mayoclinic.org.
Sutton, S. (2018, Nov.) The 4 Best Kinds of Jobs for People With Anxiety. Retrieved from greatist.com.
Lopaze, K. (n.d.) How to Find a Good Job For Yourself When You Have Anxiety. Retrieved from thejobnetwork.com.
Zambas, J. (2019, Feb.) 20 Fulfilling Jobs for People with Anxiety. Retrieved from careeraddict.com.
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