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plainjane

Updated 10mo ago

Severe Social Anxiety and Employment

Does anyone have such severe social anxiety that they can't get a job?

Can you help? connect today

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WickedJ

1y

I can get jobs, but I can't keep them for more than 6 months, Even if I want to. I got a certification for my last job, and loved it and my coworkers, but I was so off and distant I couldn't get close to them. I had several panic attacks at work resulting in me puking and I was able to leave. I couldn't tell them I was panicking and they just thought I was sick. I took a two week sick leave, went back for two weeks, and had a meltdown in the parking lot at lunch causing me to leave and never return out of embarrassment. What the f????? People from work that I didn't realize cared about me messaged me and asked if I was ok and I couldn't answer them. It's a month later and I'm still hiding in my house....that I can't pay for anymore because of the job thing... Sorry you're going through this!!!! I hope you find something to draw strength from. I'm currently listening to audiobooks on the art of conversation to hopefully pump myself up to get out there and try peopling again. Feel free to message me if you want to talk about application or resume or interview worries or whatever else. I get you pal 🧡
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plainjane

1y

that's exactly what happened to me. I worked at my last job for about 6 or 7 months and had panic attacks in my parking lot at lunch every few days. I even had to call my mommy once to come get me! I even left work one afternoon in a panic, letting my supervisor know beforehand, but never went back. I didn't even give a notice or drop an email, I just left forever. It's been about 5 years ago since I worked and I can't afford not to anymore. Thanks for the advice. It's nice just knowing there are people out there like me 🖤
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beater.queen

1y

Yes but I can't hold a job bc I think everyone hates me and is judging me and then make many mistakes or piss off the wrong person and get fired.
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Nevoix

1y

Idk if this helps but aside from seeing a therapist for the social anxiety, I also tried DBT which helped me sit with the discomfort, esp since alot of the scenarios are literally just in my head I have no evidence they actually hate me (nor evidence that they don't but I'd like to live my life happier than in constant paranoia). Sitting with the idea that maybe y'know they might, and so what? It slowly numbed me from being hyper aware of criticism even if it wasn't there.
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Nevoix

1y

Also I suffered from panic disorder so I can totally get the panic side. That's something I am still working on, depending on different triggers I hyoerfocus on. Part of treating PD was using exposure therapy for me. Gradually I had to confront and stop avoiding things I geared the most, slowly numbing to the crippling overthinking and sending myself into unnecessary distress.
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royalty

1y

Yes. Not so much anymore but a few years ago I could not handle a job and decided to wait until I got my mental health taken care of.
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LilithMarie666

1y

I am going through this rn. I have had 5 jobs in the past 2 years. And now places won't hire me due to it. I panic around people. I even tried working from home which worked for a little bit but then people started getting mean and I started having panic attacks literally every day. I feel like crap cause I can't hold down a job to support my partners (I'm poly), and I hate asking them for things. But rlly wanna do things so bad. I keep getting told to, "just get over it." When tht is not how this works. I love working....I just hate people. If it isn't busy I am ok...but you can't rlly predict tht in the environments I've worked in.
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Aardvark102

1y

I never used to experience this but I have been out of work for about a year now after leaving my previous role of 3 years due to anxiety and stress. Now even when i get job offers I have to decline them as it gets to the start day and i cant go in as i start having a panic attack, sweating and vomiting 🙈 I've signed up to therapy so hoping that helps and am looking at remote jobs to try to get back in to it.
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law26

1y

Yes, but not for my lack of trying. I went for a job interview once and I felt that sick and spaced out during the interview that I don't think I could possibly put my body through that ordeal again. I didn't get the job because of that though. I didn't get the job because of my dyscalculia. But I was a legit mess mentally and physically. It took me days, maybe even more than that, just to feel okay again.
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Sugarlemonzzz

1y

Me. I can land a job but i never stick around because my anxiety becomes too much to handle.

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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