Jobs For People With Anxiety To Consider
Work can be stressful and challenging on its own, and for individuals with anxiety, this can sometimes be even more complicated, as they’re navigating existing anxiety along with the added stress of work. While those with anxiety can be perfectly capable of doing any job they choose, it can sometimes be helpful to find a job that may be a good fit for their skills and interests, especially if it’s in a positive, low-pressure environment.
Every person is unique, so the right job fit will depend on the individual. But, if you have anxiety and are looking for jobs that may be a good fit, you may consider some of the ideas here.
Jobs for people with anxiety
If you have anxiety and are looking for a few more job ideas to consider in your search, here are eight jobs that may be worth looking into.
Keep in mind that this is not career advice, but it may help you find new options to consider when trying to find the best fit for you.
Writer
Writing can often be a good fit for people with anxiety. It lends itself very well to both freelance and remote job opportunities, possibly giving you the freedom to be your own boss and have limited interactions with people in person, which you likely wouldn’t find in positions like customer service representative. Writing can often be a very independent endeavor, which some people with anxiety may prefer, as they can work on their work and manage their own time. There are many different types of writing jobs available on a variety of topics, ranging from technical writing to copywriting, and more.
Fitness trainer
Depending on the type of anxiety you experience, being a fitness trainer could be another great choice. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can be useful ways for managing anxiety, so as a trainer, you can build these into your daily life through your job. And, you can spend your time helping others to incorporate these healthier habits into their lives too, which may help you gain a sense of purpose and confidence.
Truck driver
Being a truck driver could be another good option for people with anxiety. As a truck driver, you may have minimal social interactions and instead spend much of your time on your own, on the road. If you enjoy driving and can handle maneuvering a large truck, this may be a great fit for you. You can listen to what you want as far as music, or even audiobooks to help you continue with your personal growth as you work independently.
4. Commercial cleaner
If you prefer to work a job that doesn't involve much interaction with other people, being a commercial cleaner may be a good option. Oftentimes, offices may prefer to have cleaners come in after work hours, as it can be easier for the cleaner to get the job done when the office is not full of staff. If you don't mind working in the evening or overnight hours and you want to work alone or with a small number of people, then this may be a good option.
Landscaper
If you enjoy spending time outside, you may enjoy working as a landscaper. Typically, you may not have to deal with a lot of other people, depending on the size of the crew that you work with, which can help if you have social anxiety. As mentioned previously, time outside can also be beneficial for mental health, which can make this a strong option. If you run your own landscaping business, you can also have freedom in the type of work that you are doing and create your own schedule to some degree.
Computer programmer
Computer programming can be another good option for people with anxiety. The daily tasks of a computer programmer typically involve a minimum of human interaction, especially since the job is often remote work friendly. This is also a high-demand field, so there are often a lot of opportunities and high-paying positions, especially as a computer software developer or web developer. That said, the workload in computer programming can be high at times and there is a steep learning curve, due to the technical knowledge required. But if you have strong technical skills and want something with a minimum of social interaction, this could be a great fit for you.
Data entry specialist
Data entry jobs can be a good choice for some since the job often involves little human interaction and can often be done both remotely and as a freelancer. In addition, the work often tends to be fairly predictable, making it fairly low-stress. If you find working with spreadsheets enjoyable, you may want to give data entry a try.
Other options to consider: Jobs for people with anxiety
There are plenty of jobs that can be an excellent fit for individuals with anxiety, and the list above captures only a handful of them. Here are some other potentially low-stress jobs to consider in your job hunt:- Massage therapist
- Pharmacy technician
- Plant nursery attendant
- Virtual assistant
- Graphic designer
- Veterinary technician
- Accounting job
- School bus driver
How online therapy can help
If you find that anxiety or another mental illness is interfering with your daily life and work, you can connect with a therapist for additional support.
For individuals with anxiety, sometimes the idea of seeking help in person can feel intimidating, given the new environments, different people, and hassles of transportation. With online therapy through BetterHelp, you can match with and meet with a therapist entirely online, so you can do it all from the comfort of your home, which may feel less intimidating for some people. A therapist may be able to help you prepare for interviews as you identify job openings that suit you.
There is significant research demonstrating the effectiveness of online therapy for anxiety. For instance, one such study explored the effectiveness of internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy in comparison to face-to-face cognitive behavior therapy for anxiety disorders. The researchers found that for five different anxiety disorders, internet-delivered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and in-person CBT were “equally effective.”
Takeaway
Read more below for answers to questions commonly asked about this topic.
What are good jobs for people with anxiety disorders?
The best jobs for people with anxiety may be those that have a peaceful environment and are relatively low-stress on a daily basis. Depending on the type of anxiety symptoms someone struggles with, a job that allows for plenty of independent working time may also be a good fit. This may be true for people who experience panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or obsessive compulsive disorder (which often leads to compulsive behaviors that could present challenges at work).
How do I get a job with severe anxiety?
People with severe anxiety and other mental health conditions can thrive in certain professions. It’s important to recognize your symptoms and find a job that may be accommodating to those particular symptoms. For example, if you’re someone who tends to experience sweating, shaking, and other physical symptoms of anxiety, you may find it less stressful to work a remote job where you can manage your symptoms at home. If working from home isn’t possible, you might search for work environments with low stress.
What's the easiest job for someone with social anxiety?
The best jobs for those with social anxiety may be those with minimal social interaction, such as graphic designers, writers, bakers, and computer programmers. It may be helpful to look for a job that involves listening more than talking or presenting to others. However, even people with social anxiety can do well at a job that involves working with other people; it may just take some trial and error to see which jobs are the least anxiety inducing.
Should I stay at a job that gives me anxiety, stress, and other mental health issues?
If your job is contributing to your anxiety or other mental health issues, you may be wondering if you should stay or find a more low-stress job. And while it’s true most jobs can be stressful at times, it’s important to find a job that you can work with. You may consider taking some time off to decide if your job is the right fit for you. You may also consider getting a high school diploma if you don’t have one or a college education through online courses, or you might complete a certificate program in order to transition into a new career that gives you less anxiety and greater job satisfaction.
What jobs can an introvert with anxiety get?
An introvert with anxiety can enjoy the same sorts of jobs extroverted people without anxiety enjoy. However, if you’re looking for a low-stress job that doesn’t involve a lot of social interaction, you may wish to consider some of the best low stress jobs for introverts, like data entry, data analysis (for those with analytical skills), writing, graphic design, computer programming, or photography, to name a few. Even if you don’t find your dream job in these fields, they may serve as a way to do fulfilling work in a low-stress environment. Also, these jobs may serve as a way to eventually find a position with a higher average annual salary.
More questions about anxiety and careers
Here are some additional questions to consider:
What is a good job for someone who is socially awkward?
Low stress jobs for people who struggle with social awkwardness may include data entry, veterinary services, illustration, blogging, accounting, and other jobs that require minimal social interaction. On the other hand, you may improve your social discomfort by working a job that requires you to develop good social skills by helping people, like waitressing, bartending, or working a retail job.
How do you survive a high-stress job with social anxiety?
Having social anxiety can be difficult, and working a high-stress job can make the condition even worse. If your job triggers your social anxiety, know you’re not alone. A few things you can do to help your social anxiety at work include: taking breaks when needed, utilizing calming breathing techniques; being sure to eat a balanced meal at work; and giving yourself plenty of positive affirmations to get through the day. You may also consider seeing a therapist or taking medication to improve social anxiety symptoms.
What jobs require little to no social interaction?
Jobs that require little to no interaction with other people include: custodian, medical transcriber, security guard, dog walker, copywriter, diesel mechanic, accountant, truck driver, actuary, and many more.
Can a job refuse to hire you if you have anxiety?
Hiring discrimination, such as not hiring someone because they have generalized anxiety disorder, is illegal.
Can a job fire you for anxiety or another mental health condition?
Even if you experience severe anxiety symptoms, the Americans with Disabilities Act protects you from being fired from your job due to your mental health condition.
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