Suffering from anxiety and depression is hard enough without having to go through the recruitment process and think of a career path you would like. So the best thing to do is focus on your strengths and start from there.
Just this thought alone could be enough to cause a panic attack and that is more than understandable! However, we are here to guide you through this potentially nerve-racking process so you won’t have to do it alone.
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Choose Your Path
You will not be able to find the right career path for you unless you have a little think about some of the jobs you have had in the past. Ask yourself questions like these:
- What aspects of each role did you enjoy?
- What aspects of each role did you not enjoy?
- Which parts were you good at?
- Which parts did you struggle with?
- Why did you leave the job?
All of the above queries will help you figure out exactly what your preferences are in terms of the type of job you would like.
Additionally, if a volunteer position arises at a place where you think you’ll thrive and feel as comfortable as possible, apply for it! This ensures you don’t commit to a career that, when it comes down to it, you’re not too fond of.
Look at Job Demands
Now that you have answered the questions, you will understand a lot more about what you are looking for in a career — which is great! What you must do now is assess the demands of each job path you could see yourself doing.
As a person living with anxiety and depression, you may be managing this through medication, therapy or both. However, you might want to pick a career that doesn’t add to your everyday stresses, as this will only make your life increasingly harder.
Alternatively, if your career path is now set in stone and you really want to go with it despite the potential for high-pressure situations, you will have to think about how you are going to manage work stress. This is a conversation you can have with your therapist (if you see one) or just something to research in your own time.
Your Potential Career
Your potential career should add value to your life; try looking at work that will separate you from your triggers, so you don’t have to struggle for 8 hours, 5 days a week. Often, as a person with anxiety and depression, you may find it more beneficial to take up a job where you work independently.
Detailed analysis and observation are probably what you are best at and so your ideal career path should make use of that! Whether you need to investigate, find information or look closely at figures to determine business patterns, you are sure to be successful in this environment.
The job you select should engage you to the point where your worry leaves you alone during the working day. If this isn’t the case, you may find it difficult to stop the concerns and anxieties drawing up to the front of your mind and overwhelming you.
The Best Jobs for You
Remember that most career paths have specific training or qualification requirements that you must meet in order to become licensed/hired. You will need to ask yourself whether this is something you could handle and if not, don’t panic, just have a quick rethink and decide on pursuing a different job.
One of the best tips we can give you is to try and talk to someone who is already in the profession you are thinking about stepping in to! They can give you valuable information about what it’s like ‘on the inside’ so you can better assess whether this is the right option for you.
1. Counsellor/Psychologist
You are in a unique position as a person dealing with depression and anxiety to use your experiences to empathize with and understand others who are going through similar things.
Of course, various training and studying are required before you could venture down this road for good, but you will more than likely feel accomplished and satisfied once you are in employed.
Not to mention the fact that while you gain your qualifications for this role, you will obtain expert knowledge of your own mental health issues and therefore, will be able to help yourself more effectively.
2. Masseuse
If you are after a low-stress workplace, you won’t find anywhere more relaxing than starting a career as a masseuse in a spa!
You will be both mentally and physically busy which will prevent worries from attacking you during work hours and the clients themselves may be chatty — this is good as it will take your mind off of your internal struggles.
Giving someone a massage can even calm you down as well, so this job is a truly win-win situation.
3. Plumber
Right now you may be sat wondering “why is being a plumber on this list?” but actually, the skills you need to take on this job are akin to the sorts of things that you, struggling with anxiety and depression, are really good at.
This career path is not only physically demanding but it also requires a highly intricate thought process to take place, as you will have to figure out solutions after you have diagnosed the problem. The analysis and discovery involved in this fit perfectly with your abilities.
4. Cleaner
If you are extremely highly strung and you feel that you wouldn’t be able to step away from your anxiety and/or depression for any sort of working day, then you might like to give cleaning a go.
As you may imagine, it is a simple job — cleaning bathrooms, washing floors, hoovering carpets, etc. — but it means you will never have to deal with any awkward interactions with colleagues or feel any of that common workplace pressure.
5. Dog Trainer
Many people’s anxiety stems from having to handle human interaction; if you can relate to this, then you might find that becoming a dog trainer (or working with animals in general) is a fantastic way to make some money and maintain some semblance of peace.
You will need some form of qualification and accreditation for dog owners to trust you to train their pooch. However, once you are licensed, you won’t have to deal with much face to face communication with other human beings, just dogs — that sounds like the dream, doesn’t it?
6. Computer Programmer
It may be that you already have a keen interest in computers which would be ideal. But, you can always decide to fiddle about with software and see how you like tinkering with everything.
If you do come to the conclusion that this would be the right way to go, you will need some form of study to back up your CV — but when there’s a will, there’s a way, right?
Keep in mind that you might have strict deadlines to face in this role, as well as longer hours than you may be thinking. This isn’t necessarily a drawback though, as the fact that all you really have to deal with is your computer screen and no actual people, overrides any negative thoughts about this!
7. Florist
Are you creative and interested in all things nature? Then you will probably be extremely happy in this role.
For the most part, all you will need to do is nurture the plants and set up bouquets and other arrangements for events such as weddings, birthday parties and potentially funerals.
8. Truck Driver
Solitary life on the road may be just what the doctor ordered, depending on how much you like being in your own company and your love for driving.
The people you will interact with either work for the supplier of the goods or the clients themselves, but you won’t even need to speak to them that much, only at pick up and drop off points.
Make sure you investigate all the positive and negative aspects for this though as 8-hour driving stints can become exhausting!
9. Librarian
The low level of noise within a library will usually suit people who are suffering from anxiety and depression. Plus, the minimal interaction with people is great to keep your mind at ease and your worries at bay.
Your main duties will be centered around stock checking, organizing books and signing items out when needed — the perfect place for a bookworm!
Therapists Specializing in Anxiety
Top Jobs for People With Anxiety
Essentially, the key is to find a job that has a stress level you can cope with and, at the same time, interests you and keeps your mind off of any anxieties.
We hope that by now you are feeling a lot more positive about your future career options than you have been. As you have just discovered, there are plenty of options (including roles that we didn’t mention here) for you to select from to have a fulfilling working life.
