The Worst Jobs for People With Anxiety

When asked about the worst jobs for people with anxiety, you probably second guess what comes to mind. Or you may question why a certain job is not ideal for a person with anxiety.

I recently wrote an article about The Best Jobs for People With Anxiety. Although there are a lot of recommendations regarding the best jobs for people with anxiety, there aren’t many articles on the worst jobs for people with anxiety.

So, Mamas, let’s talk about the worst jobs for people with anxiety! When speaking from a mental health perspective, it’s important to protect your peace. Your job choice plays a major role in your mental health.

But to be fair, every job comes with some level of stress. Learn more about the link between mental health and your occupation in Joblist’s article The Connection Between Jobs and Mental Health.

Also, be sure to Download my FREE Stress Relief Cheat Sheet to keep yourself grounded!

The Wrong Types of Jobs for People with Anxiety

People with anxiety are often drawn to careers that give them control over their work environment, which comes with a reduced risk of unexpected changes. So they rarely think to look up the worst jobs for people with anxiety.

A licensed therapist will not only help you identify your anxiety disorder but also your stressors. A good therapist will be more than capable of recommending jobs that will fit you perfectly!

I recommend Online Therapy, My Wellbeing, Calmerry, and TalkSpace. Please look into these or other services to help manage your anxiety disorder, or just improve your way of living.

Anything with a lot of moving parts.

Working in a fast-paced environment is not a great idea if you suffer from anxiety. This can be particularly difficult if the job requires multitasking. If you’re constantly switching between tasks and duties, it becomes difficult to keep track of everything that’s going on around you, which can cause anxiety to rise.

Any job that’s highly competitive or politically charged.

When you’re dealing with anxiety, it’s important to avoid working in a highly competitive environment. This isn’t just limited to politics. If you work in sales or marketing, it’s likely that there will be plenty of competition between individuals vying for the same promotion.

While this can be challenging for those suffering from anxiety, it’s not impossible to succeed in such a role. The first step is to remind yourself that many people feel the same way about being successful as you do! You may also benefit from taking on a mentor or seeking professional help.

A position that requires daily public speaking.

Public speaking is one of the most common triggers of anxiety and can be debilitating for anyone who suffers from it. It’s also a very common requirement in many jobs. Even if you don’t have to speak out loud, you might have to give presentations or speeches.

If you have public speaking anxiety, it’s important to seek professional help before deciding on a career path; there are plenty of ways that professionals can help someone overcome this fear.

Work that has tight deadlines.

If you’re someone who suffers from anxiety, tight deadlines can be a source of stress. And it’s not just because of the pressure to meet them, it’s also because of what happens when you don’t.

In many cases, your employer will accept your work after the deadline passes and still pay you for it (which is great). But there are times when that isn’t always the case — especially if they’re short on manpower or have other deadlines to meet in order to stay on schedule with their projects.

A job where the outcome is unpredictable and out of your control.

If you have anxiety, it’s important to know that one of the worst jobs for people with anxiety is one where the outcome is unpredictable and out of your control. Why? Because it’s hard for you to predict what is going to happen or how you feel about it. You don’t know how long a task will take or if you’ll be successful at it.

When this happens, your brain begins to worry about what might go wrong or how bad things could be if something does go wrong. This can make your anxiety worse and lead to panic attacks, which are extremely unhealthy (and possibly dangerous) for someone who already has a lot going on in their lives!

A stressful environment.

Stressful environments can have a negative impact on your mental health. In fact, it’s been shown that individuals who are exposed to stressful environments are more likely to experience anxiety and depression.

A stressful environment can cause you to lose sleep, gain weight and experience high blood pressure. If you work in a fast-paced job where there is little room for error or failure, especially if there is no way out, it may be time to consider making a change.

14 Worst Jobs for People With Anxiety

For people living with anxiety, the right job can be a soothing balm, while the wrong job can be a major source of stress. There are some jobs that provide a steady paycheck but require skills and traits that many anxious people struggle with, such as constant social interaction and public speaking.

Below is our list of the worst jobs for people with anxiety. We’re not telling you what to avoid at all costs, just letting you know what kind of positions could potentially pose an extra challenge to your well-being.

1. Surgeon

Surgeons are also required to work long hours and under pressure. You may think that’s a good thing, but it can actually be detrimental if you have anxiety.

Surgeons often work in isolation and deal with blood and gore on a daily basis. This is a lot for anyone to take in, but it can be especially overwhelming if you suffer from an anxiety disorder. The stress-inducing nature of the job has been shown to cause surgeons to experience higher levels of burnout than other medical professionals.

2. Police Officer

It can be difficult for police officers to cope with the stress of their jobs, which often involves a high level of anxiety and long hours. In fact, police officers are at a higher risk for burnout than the general population. They also have to deal with people who may be experiencing mental health issues or other problems, so they should try to stay empathetic when handling these situations.

3. Public Relations Manager

A public relations manager’s job is to make people and companies look good, but that’s a lot of pressure. You need to be persuasive and in control of your emotions at all times, which can be challenging if you have anxiety.

4. Firefighter

Firefighters are another job that’s considered stressful, and they work in a high-pressure environment. Firefighters have to deal with the possibility of death or injury and may be faced with traumatic experiences on a regular basis. They also must decide whether to enter burning buildings in order to save lives or property.

5. Broadcaster

Broadcasters are required to be in front of the camera or microphone, and their job performance is judged by how well they put on a show. Because of this, it’s hard for broadcasters who suffer from anxiety to hide their feelings when things get stressful.

6. Flight Attendant

Flight attendants, who are required to be in the air for long periods of time and deal with a wide range of personalities, are among the top worst jobs for people with anxiety. As flight attendants are often under stress during their shifts because of tight deadlines and high-stress situations, it’s not surprising that this profession has been ranked number one on the list of worst jobs for anxious people. The constant need to be in close proximity to strangers can also contribute to feelings of anxiety and discomfort.

7. Salesperson

The worst job for someone with anxiety is a salesperson. Salespeople are required to be outgoing, persuasive and self-confident. They also must be able to handle rejection at almost every turn. Because of these requirements, it’s hard for people with social anxiety disorder to succeed in this field. It may be hard for you as well if you don’t have the confidence or ability to get past your fears about what other people might think of you.

8. Casino Cashier

As the name suggests, casino cashiers deal with a lot of cash. They’re responsible for handling large amounts of currency and making sure it’s all accounted for. They also have to deal with customers who are often drunk or angry, and that can be stressful. Casino cashiers must work in noisy environments while dealing with high volumes of transactions every day.

9. Commercial Diver

If you’re looking for a career that will make your anxiety worse, look no further than commercial diving. The first reason is because it’s dangerous. Being immersed in water and not being able to breathe can be dangerous enough, but add in the fact that commercial divers are constantly working with huge amounts of pressure and you can understand why stress is an issue here.

The second reason is that it requires so much focus. Commercial divers must learn how to dive underwater without any air tanks or other equipment. They also need physical strength to be able to handle all of this pressure while still doing their job at an efficient level.

10. Waiter or Waitress

If you’re the type of person who struggles with anxiety, then there are few jobs more anxiety-inducing than being a waiter or waitress. You’ll be constantly interacting with people, often difficult ones, and have to deal with all sorts of stressful situations. It’s also physically demanding, requiring you to be on your feet for long periods of time and carrying plates full of heavy food around.

11. Telemarketer

Telemarketers are one of the worst jobs you can have if you suffer from anxiety. The constant rejection and angry customers can be too much for people with anxiety to handle. Telemarketers work in call centers, making hundreds of sales calls every day. It’s stressful because it requires talking on the phone all day, which is an unnatural way for humans to communicate. Plus, it’s not uncommon for telemarketers to be on commission or working under a quota system where they have to meet certain sales goals each day or week. Meaning they need to get through as many sales as possible before time runs out.

12. Taxi/Uber Driver

Driving in traffic is stressful. There are a lot of reasons for this, but the primary one is that you have no control over your situation. You’re at the mercy of other drivers and whatever god happens to be watching over you at any given moment. Driving in heavy traffic can cause so much stress that it triggers an attack, even if it’s just around your neighborhood.

13. Dental Hygienist

Dental hygienists perform a variety of tasks including cleaning teeth and preparing patients for procedures. If you are someone who suffers from anxiety, this could be an especially tough job to handle. The environment can be extremely stressful as there is a lot of pressure to meet patient expectations while also making sure that you are following proper protocol when it comes to sterilization and other safety measures.

14. Marriage and Family Therapist

A marriage and family therapist is a mental health professional who helps couples, families, and individuals resolve relationship problems, cope with stress and mental health issues, and achieve greater personal growth. The job requires patience, compassion, and excellent communication skills. You also need to be able to listen carefully without becoming overwhelmed by your own emotions.

Final Thoughts: Worst Jobs for People With Anxiety

So what’s the point of talking about all this? Anxiety is real, but you don’t have to let it control your life. The key is knowing where you stand when it comes to stress tolerance.

Maybe some days are better than others; maybe your anxiety pops up every time you’re faced with a new challenge or deadline at work. Whatever the case may be, take a step back and assess what’s causing those feelings for you. Acknowledge them and then find ways around them.

Whether it’s asking for more help from others on projects or taking breaks throughout each day to clear your head, there are many strategies available that will help ease stress levels in any position. Download my FREE Stress Relief Cheat Sheet to keep yourself grounded!