If you want to be a stand-up comedian, teacher or police officer—don’t give up on those dreams! Just realize that those professions and others may be particularly challenging if you are managing social anxiety. On the other hand, you don’t need to feel bad if spending time alone is how you recharge. You may, in fact, be an introvert, in addition to having social anxiety, and a solitary job suits you best. The key is not to let social anxiety dictate your choice of job. Below are some examples of jobs that may be challenging if you have SAD. As a server, you will be expected to be friendly with your customers; doing so helps to ensure that you make larger tips. Other potentially challenging aspects of this job including pouring drinks, serving food and dealing with unhappy diners. On the other hand, if your anxiety is managed through treatment, becoming a server may give you the confidence to handle other social situations with ease. Although on a quiet day this job may not present too many social challenges, on a busy day it will be filled with opportunities to challenge your social anxiety. If you are at a point that you are ready to challenge yourself and talk to strangers all day—apply! Otherwise, you may wish to work on your symptoms first. Many salespeople work on commission, meaning that your income is tied to how well you perform at work. In addition, most positions in sales involve pressure to meet sales targets. This can sometimes create a competitive atmosphere amongst coworkers, rather than a feeling of camaraderie. As a police officer, you must be able to think on your feet, take action and make quick decisions. You must also be skilled at dealing with difficult people and potentially dangerous situations. Police officers are also sometimes called upon to give presentations to community groups. In addition to the public speaking demands of a teaching position, as a teacher, you will also be called upon to meet with parents, help with extra-curricular activities, and communicate with other teachers, principals, and school support staff. There are many aspects of managerial jobs that may be challenging for those with social anxiety disorder, including dealing with many different people and problems at once and constant interruptions during the workday. Managers also must report to those in superior positions. These types of jobs are particularly challenging for those who suffer from stage fright; Donny Osmond and Barbra Streisand are two performers who have overcome these obstacles to succeed. It does not matter if you are a scratch golfer when you play by yourself; you need to be able to perform as well in front of a world audience as you do when you are alone. Athletes such as Zack Greinke and Ricky Williams understand what it is like to deal with SAD as a professional athlete. When you find a job that allows you to shine, that you enjoy waking up to each day and that offers enough challenges (both socially and professionally), then you will know you have found the right fit.
