Is it possible to work in retail yet have social anxiety?

Question

Since I was about 12, I felt anxious, shy around people. I would be scared to make a phone call, even to a friend. I thought this was because I stuttered. Now I am 19, and my symptoms have gotten worse (can't introduce myself to people, make phone calls, hate answering the phone, hard time meeting people), yet I have 2 jobs in retail. My 1st job, I thought would be easy but whenever I wanted to address a coworker I felt scared, my voice was shaky, I felt shaky, when I answered the phone I couldn't get my words out. And this is the worst, saying "next on line" really loudly. I just can't seem to say it. and "your total is" and "do you have a hallmark gold crown card".

A classmate of mine told me that since I adopted to my job, I can deal with it, but if something new comes up or I blank out, forget what to say, the anxious feelings will come back again.

Is it possible to have social anxiety and work in retail?

Answer 1

Deal with your stuttering first, by checking out www.stutteringhelp.org and reading the brochure about speaking on the telephone under "brochures for all ages." Look into help from someone who specializes in stuttering in the referrals section. Read as much as you can about stuttering and learn how to cope with it; your social anxiety may get better as your speaking abilities improve.

Answer 2

That's tough, working in retail requires a lot of interaction with people. I was shy when I was younger and I worked in retail so I can sort of relate. I didn't have the degree of anxiety you describe, but it was still a challenge for me to overcome.

Sometimes throwing yourself into the thing you most fear is a way to overcome it. The more you practice, and experience you gain socializing with the customers and other employees at work, the more confidence you gain and the more comfortable you will feel in that setting.

I say hang in there and stick with it, you may be off to a rocky start, but I believe it can and will get better for you with time.

Answer 3

I have been diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, and I also have generalized anxiety disorder. I worked at a bookstore in the summers before I was diagnosed with this, and it isn't always easy but it is possible. I am now on a low dose of Effexor, and I feel that it has helped me a little bit. Deep breathing, meditation, and relaxation may also help you. Please don't give up on the things you want just because of your fear. I am now a social work student and I'm so nervous about my upcoming practicum, but I'm pushing myself to do it. Remember to reward yourself for your successes, and don't be too hard on yourself. It's amazing how many people experience anxiety in a variety of social situations, ranging from public speaking to meeting new people. You're not alone.

Answer 4

You seem to be suffeiing from Social anxiety disorder also known as social phobia. Individuals with this disorder experience intense fear of being negatively evaluated by others or of being publicly embarrassed because of impulsive acts. . Such anxiety is primarily characterized by obsessions and/or compulsions. Obsessions are distressing, repetitive, intrusive thoughts or images that the individual often realizes are senseless. From your account it appears that this anxiety has its beginning in the traumatic experience referred to by you since when this anxiety has started.Even though by itself the experience.may not have been a traumatic one likePost-traumatic stress can result from an extreme involvement in a serious accident.it must have been sensitive enough to afffect you deeply. Could it have been related to separation from your near and dear ones?Such an event can cause a feeling of excessive and inappropriate levels of anxiety While separation is a normal part of development in our lives when this feeling is excessive or inappropriate it can be lead to a disorder. [ Treatment The treatment includes cognitive behavioral therapy, lifestyle changes, and/or pharmaceutical therapy (medications). Mainstream treatment for anxiety consists of the prescription of anxiolytic agents and/or antidepressants and/or referral to a cognitive-behavioral therapist. Studies indicate that a combination of the medications and behavioral therapy can be more effective than either one alone. The right treatment may depend very much on the individual's genetics and environmental factors. Therefore it is important to work closely with a psychiatrist, therapist or counselor who is familiar with anxiety disorders and current treatments. A number of drugs can be prescribed to treat these disorders. These include benzodiazepines (such as Xanax), antidepressants of most of the main classes (SSRI, TCAs, MAOIs), and possibly Quetiapine. Hope the above helps you to deal with your problem. From your report (sorry, if it is a factyak reoirt for it is quite frequently observed that an anxious person rather to convince him/herself than deceiing others tempers down the signs)it seems that you are endeavourig to get over it.That is a good sign.

Answer 5

Yes you can work there and have that they actually have medicines and all for that i currently have that and i work on the phones and in retail and i am one o f the bes t there i also take paxil and it works great

Answer 6

yes it is possible to experience anxiety and work in retail- you obviously do!
ask your manager or employer whether they will send you on a course to help you with your confidence.

Answer 7

See shynessexpress.com

hope it helps ya