afraid of working

[desperate788]

I have a fear of working. I've left three jobs before, this time I'm starting a better job but I'm still afraid to go and work . I can't describe the fear it's something childish. İt may be about me being to weak to deal with people. being to sensitive to be looked down on, you know the hiyerharchy at work.. Even the buildings makes me feel strange. What would you advise? I2m already on prozac, one pill a day, I'm thinking of changing it to zoloft.

 

[deleteduser]

Hi, i was going to write a post about this myself. It's a huge problem for me too. I am quitting my job tomorrow, i've been there for 5 weeks, and i simply don't want to go back there, ever. I feel like a loser, pathetic, weak, no balls at all (lol). I'm even going to write an email to my boss, because i cannot face him, or speak to him. I'm probably going to avoid getting another job for as long as i can. I hate that i have to do this, but i don't know what else to do.

So as you can see, i can't offer you any advice about this, because i'm in the same position

 

[dottie]

i am afraid of working, too. it is awful. i totally understand how you feel but i work despite it. you have to if you want to be a decent person and carry your own weight in this world. there is a similar thread posted right now. check it out:

http://www.socialphobiaworld.com/postt21214.html

 

[ljwwriter]

You are not alone. I have started and quit jobs like nobody's business due to my anxiety. I'd always go into the new job thinking I could handle it, putting my best foot forward. But within days it would become apparent that things were going to be more challenging than I could have imagined. Unfortunately, then I'd just quit and end up in a bad position. By this point it's like a cycle that I'll finally have to break with my next job. I'm not expecting things to be easy or even enjoyable in any capacity, but I'll have to find a way to bear it or else risk being jobless and without a future or anything to my name. Strange thing is, even that bleak possibility can't outweigh the fear of going into a new job where I will inevitably be judged and pressured in some way everyday.

 

[desperate788]

thanks for the replies. It's nice to know that we are not alone I'm 30 years old and this time I must not quit (but first start) Even going to a therapist is an option. I felt like home here, in this forum :wink: I'll write more here...

 

[Livingwithoutlivin]

I took a long break after my seasonal job last winter, and have not gotten another job since. The bad part is that I felt like I could have gone right out and looked for another job without fear, but now that it has been so long, i'm so afraid to ask for applications and stuff. I think it's better for you to move on to the next thing. When your at work, don't think about what your gonna react like, just genuinely smile at people and feel content inside no matter what. Just be courteous and professional, and do it as if you were an actor. Just keep with it and never ever expect things to get better at the next place, just change what you can about yourself. I really wish I had taken this advice when I finished my seasonal job last time. Now I have not been working for a whole year and it sucks butt, because it becomes harder and harder later on.

 

[weak]

I had this exact same problem. There's 2 solutions. Overcome your fear or become self employed.

I did the latter - internet marketing. Doing insanely well for myself too. It's weird to think about it but it's my anxiety that got me this far. There was no way in fuck I was ever gonna go get a normal job, so I just spent a year researching ways to make money elsewhere and I finally figured something out.

 

[lyricalliaisons]

I have a fear of working. I've left three jobs before, this time I'm starting a better job but I'm still afraid to go and work . I can't describe the fear it's something childish. İt may be about me being to weak to deal with people. being to sensitive to be looked down on, you know the hiyerharchy at work.. Even the buildings makes me feel strange

If those are childish fears, I guess we both have them. I'm almost 27 & have never even had one because of my fear of even being around people. I've been getting help (psychiatrist, therapy) & looking for a job for over a year (with help, through an agency) &, though I still haven't found one, I'm terrified of when I do. I need money more than anything but am afraid that I won't be able to handle actually having a job. I totally understand your fear.

Also, you shouldn't ever feel as if you're " too weak to deal with people". It's not as if you're too weak to do it-- you're just unable to because of this disorder. It's the disorder causing your problems.. not any weakness you may feel you have.

 

[lonely_world]

I've only tried to work again a couple of times in the past 7 years since i've been on disability. The thought of going through what I did with jobs before I got disability frightens the living sh** out of me. I get so painfully shy and anxious around people that it is ridiculous, so what I want to really do is have my own small business, an errand service, so I can work alone but still feel good about helping people. And if I make a friend great, but i'm just not going to worry about that.