A Sales Rep with SP...Career Limiting? You Bet!

[SociallyRetarded]

Hi, Im new here and recently (2 Months ago), I was diagnosed with depression and Social Anxiety. I have been placed on medication (Celapram) and have begun seeing a psycologist to address the root cause. After reading through some of the forum's on this site, I have realised that my case is not as severe as it could be. Which is a good thing. I have a wife, child and have held down my current job for 3 years now.

I am a Sales Rep, which really does not co-operate with SP. I'm fine when seeing customers I know or when I am going on reactive call outs since the attention is on the job at hand...not me. I cannot bring myself to do cold calls or call on new clients as I have an unreasonable fear of what they will think of me. Mainly how I look, will I stuff up etc. Typically instead of doing these calls, I will simply go home. This has started to affect my performance and future career path, Yet I still can't bring myself to push ahead. I also avoid all social situations that require me to meet new people or socialize in groups for similar reasons. My psycologist seems pretty good so I hope that I will be able to put this behind me and move forward with my life instead of being stuck in this repetative destructive cycle.

Anyone else out ther in a similar position? Sorry for the novel.

 

[Agitprop]

I know how you feel. It's pretty damn hard to do a job where you are required to be social and outgoing. I am studying/working to become a journalist and experience many of the same things: talking to total strangers, making cold calls, being rejected plenty of the time asking for interviews, etc. It's mostly one terrifying experience after another. I'm hoping that doing such work might help me overcome my fear, though, and I think to a certain small degree it has and will in the future.