Living with anxiety can sometimes make life feel like a maze, with its twists, turns, and dead ends.
But remember, every maze has an exit, and in the realm of employment, there’s more than one path you can take.
There are many job options for people living with anxiety. By understanding your needs and what you seek in a job, your path to a fulfilling career becomes clearer.
Mapping your career journey
Every person is unique, and this includes those living with anxiety. When embarking on your job search, it’s essential to find roles that resonate with your unique strengths, skills, and passions.
Consider these questions:
- What are my strengths and skills?
- What am I passionate about?
- What previous jobs have I had, and were they a good fit?
- What new skills might I need to acquire?
Understanding your stress triggers
Understanding the demands of a job is crucial. Consider the work environment, how much you want to talk or interact with colleagues or customers, and the tasks involved.
Identify your triggers and think about whether you might need flexible work arrangements.
Remember, encountering potential challenges or barriers to work doesn’t mean you should avoid employment. You can find a role where you can flourish.
With the right strategies, support, or workplace modifications, you can effectively manage your stressors.
If you need assistance maintaining a job while managing your anxiety, organisations like APM may be able to help you access reasonable adjustments in the workplace to support you.
Finding what works for you
Everyone’s journey is different, and you’ll have unique needs and preferences when it comes to work.
For instance, many people with anxiety find jobs requiring focus beneficial, as it leaves less room for worry.
If social situations trigger your anxiety, you might prefer working independently rather than in a team.
Consider what balance works best for you.
People with anxiety often have excellent information gathering skills and may excel in roles that require investigating information or analysing data.
Your journey with anxiety may have equipped you with valuable skills that could be beneficial in roles that help others learn and apply these skills.
Living with anxiety and depression, Robyn, picture above, doubted she would ever find a new path to successful employment.
With the right support and learning new skills to find suitable roles, Robyn took the steps she needed to a rewarding career supporting older people in her community. Read more about her experience at Robyn’s story.
Job ideas for people with anxiety
Looking for some job inspiration?
Here are eight fantastic career ideas for people with anxiety:
1. Fitness trainer/Dietician: Exercise and a healthy diet are crucial for managing anxiety and overall mental health. If you’re passionate about the benefits of exercise and diet, why not make it your career?
2. Counsellor/Mental health worker: Do you want to assist others struggling with their mental health? Your experience with anxiety might provide you with a unique understanding of what others are going through.
3. Tradesperson (Plumber/Carpenter/Electrician): Trades jobs involve problem-solving and physical labour, allowing you to focus on the task at hand rather than your anxieties.
4. Lab technician: Lab techs work behind the scenes collecting and analysing samples. They can work in various fields, from medical to environmental.
5. Retail shelf stocker/Warehouse worker: If you prefer a behind-the-scenes role, consider working in a warehouse or stocking shelves in retail stores. These roles are typically low-stress and require limited interaction with others.
6. Gardener/Landscaper/Florist: Nature often has a calming effect on people with anxiety. Gardening and landscaping jobs involve spending time outdoors, often with limited interaction with others.
7. Freelance writer/Graphic designer: If you want a job with lots of flexibility, freelance work might suit you. Freelance writers, editors, and graphic designers usually work from home and have flexible hours.
8. Web designer/Computer programmer/Software developer: Technology-based jobs often require focus and problem-solving. Tasks are usually completed independently, but sometimes teamwork is required.
We’re here to help
At APM, we understand that looking for work can be challenging, especially when you’re living with anxiety. If you need a little help, we’re here for you.
Through the Disability Employment Services program, we’ve helped thousands of job seekers find work, and we’re eager to help you find the right fit for you.
Remember, your journey is unique, and we’re here to navigate it with you.
Looking for support for anxiety?
Here are some support services for people in Australia living with anxiety:
- ReachOut Australia: Provides support services for depression and anxiety. They offer free online and phone counselling, and have treatment centres located all around Australia.
- Beyond Blue: Offers 24/7 support for anxiety, depression, and suicide prevention. They provide mental health information and qualified support.
- HealthDirect: Lists various mental health helplines, including Lifeline and Suicide Call Back Service, which provide 24/7 support for people experiencing depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts.
- Lifeline Australia: A national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services. You can reach them at 13 11 14.
Remember, it’s important to seek help if you’re experiencing anxiety. You’re not alone, and these services are here to support you.
APM supports people with disability, injury, or health conditions through various programs and services across its businesses, including Disability Employment Services in Australia.
When discussing disability, APM’s copy style is to use person-first language and the social model of disability in the first instance. Some articles may use identity-first language or refer to the medical model of disability for clarity or to better suit a specific audience.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
If you have any questions or feedback about the content of this article, visit our Feedback page to get in touch or email support@apm.net.au