I've been out of a job since last March. I was actively looking until this December when when I had the panic attack that set me off. Since then working has not been on my mind though I know it would help.

I would like to go back to work but I'm really picky about what I want to do now. I'm scared to go back to a job where I'm going to be a nervous wreck like I was at my last one. It was stressful and demanding. My stomach was always upset and I couldn't sleep at night. I want something much more low-key. So, I'm not sure that means I'm scared to work, but I do dread finding a job and then discovering that I hate it after I start it.

I'm scared of working, I'm afraid of pressure and it might be social anxiety too and maybe because I had a bad work experience

It all seems too hard and complicated
I don't know if something is wrong with me
I tried searching for work partners, to have someone you like go with you to work but found nothing

The only job I liked was dog minding but I don't have a yard anymore so can't do it :(

When I think of all the things I use to do, I can't even see myself in that environment anymore, without my anxiety kicking up. Not sure if available, but even animal shelter volunteering would be enjoyable, and perhaps help in your confidence level. Animals are a wonderful source of calmness. Wish you much success!

I've been in disability for 4 years for my panic disorder. Every time I worked I'd lose a job over my anxiety. I would hide in bathrooms, call off work, etc. My old bosses were my references when I applied for disability.

Yes, I'm scared too, and I stay sick at my stomach a lot. I go to be feeling bad, and I wake up feeling exhausted. I'm scared of the pressure, but I am much more scared of getting how I will get my bills paid.

I resigned from a job last November for different reasons. Then, I had taken a temp job this past March, which ended horribly after 11 days. I was devastated for a long time, and my confidence is almost non existent. My general anxiety and social anxiety have gotten much worse. I'm not on medication, but I'm in therapy. I had talked to a lawyer about disability a few months ago, and he said it would be hard to prove at my age (40).

I'm currently trying to get into a program that helps in job placement with those with mental illnesses. I had an appointment yesterday, but it will take another 30 to 60 days to see if am accepted. I was in tears yesterday because I never thought I would find myself in this position.

It's so difficult to face your fears, but you have to make yourself do this everyday. It's better to try and to fail, than to not try, and never know if it would have worked out.

I'm a teacher and I'm off for the summer....I'm dreading going back bc I've had such a hard time with my anxiety this summer. I'm afraid I won't be well enough to go back to work.
It's so hard because I LOVE my job and what I do.

I think people with disabilities have to get really creative when it comes to work.

It's about identifying exactly what your skills are, which ones you can monetize and who is willing to pay you to do what you do well. But on top of that you need to figure out what you can not only tolerate but what you will at least feel comfortable with and preferably, what you will enjoy.

If you're good at math, you can do book-keeping at home and just have a few clients so you don't get slammed at tax time. Or with some training you could be an accountant or financial planner.

If you prefer writing, you can do technical writing or write blogs to help people market.

If you like shopping, you can yard sale and junk shop for deals and then sell stuff on e-bay.

You can do furniture repair (or building furniture), you can do artwork on furniture and sell it, you can refinish furniture for people, do sewing or alterations, make clothes and sell them on Etsy - or make a craft of some sort.

Think about what people need help doing if you like doing service things. Dog walking, pet sitting (at their house), cleaning, running errands, keeping people company, gardening for people, lawn care, baby sitting, personal shopper, cooking meals ...

Basically, you can create a career for yourself rather than finding a job that's posted - based on your comfort level.

If you need money to get started, you can do a kickstarter campaign and if you write something clever and smart, you can get money for just about any project.

I was, but I'm not anymore. Now that I want the money I'm not getting many hours. I work eight this week. I'm pretty ashamed of myself for all the times I called in sick. Now I just keep asking myself "were you really sick Laurie?"

I've never had a job just work experience and I am absolutely terrified, even though I would like to be able to become more independent and be proud of achievements in the work place, I have signed up for filing in office work, still absolutely terrified though.

There are some alternatives, like self employment.. You may have to talk to a few people along the way, but it's nothing like a regular job :)

When I had anxiety I became terrified to work also. I turned down job after job....I am an interior designer. Once I figured out what anxiety was and began to learn how to overcome it....I put myself back out there. I started with a volunteer job....(like others here have recommended)....and though it was nerve racking at first...I just kept reassuring myself that I was breaking the anxiety habit. The more I looked at the positives the more the negatives would fade away. Well it totally worked.

Anxiety is a thing in my past....it did take a while to completely overcome it but everyday was better then the day before. Breaking the anxiety habit is nothing more then rewiring your brain to think positively and understanding the common pitfalls of anxiety behaviors and way of thinking. Life is so much better with a positive attitude then dealing with scary negative thoughts.

There is nothing special about me....you can do this too! You just have to decide right here, right now that you want to work on making this transition from negative thinking to positive thinking. I do have those 12 weeks posted on my journal page to lend you a hand. Other then that, you just have to catch any thought or reaction that you are currently doing that makes you feel bad. Then change it to a more positive soothing and compassionate thought or action. Over time positive will become a natural reaction.

Choose positivity!

I am terrified of failing, looking like an idiot, and people seeing how incapable I am. I do currently work though part time and per diem but I need a full time job. I look but I never see anything that I feel I could actually do. I want to succeed so bad but I am terrified of failing which I know is actually failing....

I think you need to find a job that has low stress. Personally, I do janitorial work. But sometimes that gets stressful because it can be a lot of physical work...like when I scrub the showers.. I'm constantly bending over and getting up over and over... it's like a work-out! But the pay-off is tremendous because I feel like a million bucks when I'm done..it's like day and night. Also, maybe you can start off doing some volunteering..that's what I did. That way you'll get some practice.. Yes I have to work through some uncomfortable times, and some times I'm swearing and ticked off. But like I said the pay off is worth it. In the summer my shirt is drenched in sweat.. being as there is no air-conditioning in the group home . I'm glad you brought this topic up. Thanks and good luck!!

I don't know where my reply went but I'll say this again. Do something that is low stress. Personally, I do janitorial work.. But sometimes that can be stressful too. Like when I scrub out the showers. I'm constantly bending over and getting up over and over... it's like a work out. In the Summer my shirt is drenched in sweat cause there's no air-conditioning at the group home for the mentally ill. There's times where I have to work through some terrible moments,but the pay-off is worth it cause I feel like a million bucks when I'm done. I just don't feel the same when I DON'T do it. Also, maybe you can start off doing some volunteering for practice. Anyway, thanks for bringing this topic up and Good luck!