Finding the Right Job With Social Anxiety
Social anxiety disorder (SAD) can affect your performance at work as well as your relationships with coworkers and supervisors. SAD can also make it difficult for you to find a job, considering the anxiety that a job interview can produce.
Table of Contents
Try not to wait to tell your employer about your SAD until it is too late and your work has suffered. Disclosing your social anxiety disorder early and in good faith is more likely to be met with a positive response.
At the same time, people with SAD may face specific problems in the workplace, including the inability to network effectively, fear of attending business social events, problems developing relationships with coworkers, lack of self-confidence, and difficulty speaking up in meetings.
You cannot be fired for having severe or chronic anxiety. It is a protected diagnosis under federal law.
What kind of job is good for someone with anxiety?
20 low stress jobs for people with anxiety Fitness trainer, personal trainer or exercise therapist. Counselor or mental health worker. Plumber, carpenter or electrician. Lab technician. Shelf stocker or warehouse worker. Freelance writer, blogger or editor. Web designer, computer programmer or software developer.
The root cause of all social anxiety attacks is fear. When we fear being judged by others, when we fear judgment for ourselves, when we don’t fit into societal norms, or when we believe that it will be worse if we are judged — these are all triggers for our fears of embarrassment.
How do you tell your boss you’re struggling mentally?
Talking about your mental health doesn’t need to be scary or over-complicated, you can start the conversation by simply saying, “I need to get something off my chest” or “I need to talk, do you have time to listen?” Just remember to tell your boss only what is necessary.
How do you tell your boss you’re struggling with anxiety?
If you know what you’d like to request from your boss to ease your workload, you can something like: “I’ve been struggling with a lot of stress and anxiety and would like to request some changes to my schedule or time-off, etc.” “Be as honest and as candid as you can be.
Overly personal questions at work can make you feel socially awkward because it may seem like the asker is prying or you aren’t sure how to answer appropriately. You can handle these situations by answering in a vague, but friendly, way.
These steps may help: Know your topic. Practice, and then practice some more. Challenge specific worries. Visualize your success. Do some deep breathing. Focus on your material, not on your audience. Don’t fear a moment of silence.