I’m in a cycle I can’t get out of!

[Rspu1384]

Hi Just need advice really. I’m late 20s, haven’t worked for the past year due to severe anxiety. I claim sick (esa) but I feel shit about myself and really want to go back to work full time, I’m just finding it daunting. I’ve got used to not working and I’m worried If I do go back into work I will get I’ll again and have to go off sick again.
I have work experience in different types of jobs and a childcare qualification but haven’t worked in childcare for years. I’ve tried to apply but every job wants you to have at least a years experience.
I’ve looked at part time just to ease myself into it, but i wouldn’t be able to afford to live.
I don’t have children right now due to infertility which contributed to the anxiety and having to sign off sick, I just feel in a massive cycle that never ends. I can’t work because I’m anxious, I can’t have kids, I feel like a failure at life and I don’t know what to do.

How about finding a voluntary position to begin with, just to ease yourself back into a work pattern? There are plenty of organisations which need volunteers; what interests you? People. animals, nature?
The Do it website is good for finding volunteer opportunities locally.

You might find that some types of work are more suitable than others, when it comes to your anxiety. Think about what makes your anixety worse - is it lots of people, noise, confined spaces, pressure etc?
Do you have a work coach or mentor attached to the job centre? Or maybe they could refer you to an organisation which aims to help people get back into work?

There is something out there for everyone; don't give up, you are only young! :-)

I’ve thought about volunteering before and asked a friend who works for the job centre and she told me they would likely sign me off. It’s like I can’t get out of the cycle as anything to help myself I would struggle financially.
It’s being around a lot of people that triggers it so I would t ever work in retail again ( my last job was retail) customers spoke to me like shit every day and I dreaded going to work and I eventually had bad panic attacks and I would just go home and cry it really affected me for around a year till it got to a point where I quit my job.
The only jobs going are retail really, and I could probably easily get a job in retail but I’m too worried I will and get ill. Any other jobs seem to require a lot of experience or the right qualifications which I haven’t got.
I’ve thought about college but again I would be signed off. I really can’t think of any way out of it unless I just threw myself back into a job in a shop.

I don't know how the benefits work. Could you possibly start work part time for a while?

There are non customer - facing roles in retail; perhaps if you got one on the basis of your past experience you could do it whilst still actively job hunting or deciding whether to go to college. It's easier to get a job whilst in employment so I'd think it would increase your chances of landing a role that you really wanted.

I am working in the online department of a supermarket at present whilst waiting to start my new job, just to keep some money coming in. There are a lot of employees there who struggle with anxiety and social interaction (they have said it themselves) who it suits.

Ridged, how did you find your online job (if you don’t mind me asking? ) Its just that I need a few extra hours to supplement my income 😀

@BlitzenandMikey it was on Indeed I think, but the jobs come up often.

hi OP, I think it’s great that you want to get back into work and a sign that you are getting better. I understand your concerns about getting into a cycle of working, getting ill, having to go off sick, etc.

Depending on where you are there is help out there, but unfortunately not always highlighted. Have you spoken to anyone at the job centre? They may know of local schemes helping people get back into work, training, etc. There is also the Shaw Trust who might be able to advise and help you www.shaw-trust.org.uk/en-GB/Services-(2)/Employability

I am in p/t work and have signed up to a site that advertises some work from home jobs called Indeed www.indeed.co.uk

Take things slowly and try to be easy on yourself and not be rushed into taking something that isn’t suitable in your situation.

Very best of luck to you - you will be fine 🙂

Also, Turn2Us have advice on searching for work and benefits. They don’t give individual advice but have a search tool for organisations who might be able to help at www.turn2us.org.uk/Your-Situation/Looking-for-work

CAB might be able to advice on job and training opportunities too.

Thankyou all so much!