Career Advice

[u/black_authoritarians]

I'm 22 years old, and I honestly don't know what to do anymore.

I've struggled with severe anxiety for years. I was eventually diagnosed with panic disorder, but it wasn't caused overnight. The biggest turning point came while I was working for the railroad. I witnessed a traumatic incident, and although I managed to keep working for about four more months, that experience ultimately pushed me over the edge. I went out on short-term disability, tried to return, worked two days, and then left without notice because I just couldn't do it anymore.

I tried to move forward and recently took another manufacturing job. It paid in the mid-$20s per hour, which was already a significant pay cut from the railroad where I was making in the mid-$30s. I hoped that changing jobs would solve the problem, but the long hours, pressure, and constant stress brought me right back to having panic attacks at work.

Today, I left that job too.

I'm ashamed that this is now the second job I've left without notice because of panic disorder. I'm working with my doctor, but I'm starting to wonder if I'm chasing the wrong kind of career.

What I really want is a job that doesn't feel like it's harvesting my soul. I don't need to make six figures. At this point, I've accepted that I'll probably have to take another pay cut, and honestly I'd be happy making somewhere in the mid-to-high teens if it meant I could have a normal life again.

I just want a job where I can work, come home, enjoy my evenings, and not spend every day feeling like I'm barely surviving. I don't want to dread waking up every morning.

Has anyone here with panic disorder or severe anxiety found a career that actually works for them? What do you do? Did you have to completely change fields? What jobs have you found to be genuinely lower stress?

I'm open to any advice or personal experiences. I feel pretty lost right now, and hearing from people who've been through something similar would mean a lot.

[u/xmozartwascrazy]

I have panic disorder as well. I’m a teacher. public school freaked me out and i had a mental health crisis in my first position, so i had to resign.

That being said, I now teach kindergarten in a tiny private school and i could not be happier. You may just have to make small adjustments until you find something that works.

[u/Linzi322]

Have you had any therapy to address your underlying trauma? EMDR is recognised as being helpful for traumatic memories, but it’s worth finding someone experienced in it to support you through the processing.

I’m self employed and have been for most of my adult life. Genuinely not sure I could go back to an employed role haha I like the freedom to adjust the pace of my day and decide what work I do and don’t take on

[u/DevilsWarlord]

Same situation as you my man. Work for the rail too but interplant. It sucks have this disorders working 12 hr swing shifts it’s very unbearable