Is it normal to not want to work?

92% Normal
25 Comments

Probably a normal sentiment - I don't like my job, only that's not true. I love my job. I work as a nail technician. I paint and sculpt people's nails.

However, I have diagnosed (and now medicated) social phobias and depression. Loving a creative job that gives me a good amount of flexibility is great and all, but dealing with people, leaving the house, average- nothing-special workplace drama is just too much. I come home depressed and either restless or listless. Sometimes the idea of having a job is just unbearable. I can't imagine another day of work. I'm already working in a position I am maybe a little overqualified for - not that I think I'm amazing or anything, certainly not some superiority thing. I love this job, I chose it. But then I get loads of people asking why I work in beauty with 2 degrees -_- No one thinks I take anything seriously. But getting a degree job wouldn't change anything. I'd still have to leave the house.

I just don't want a job where I leave the house. But I don't want to give up and collect some form of benefit to sit at home and do nothing because I can see that making me worse too. Is there no happy medium? If I work, I'm anxious and depressed. If I don't work, I'm alone. If I work part time that would be great, but I wouldn't make enough to live and if I'm working part-time I'm not eligible for any financial help.

Is this a normal problem for people with anxiety and depression? If you relate, what have you done?

Voting Results
92% Normal
Based on 24 votes (22 yes)
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Comments ( 25 )
  • [Old Memory]
    5 years ago

    We all hate work. But to be honest, I just want to sit at home all day and do nothing. I want to put that game on, or that movie, and lay back with a bag of lollies and feed my face.

    I understand phobias (not social phobias) but I get how it's a irrational fear. I had my times with bad anxiety. Best thing was to NOT take medication. Second was to get a lot of exercise. Third was to keep doing watever it was that caused the anxiety. Usually it's just time and it will pass.

    I can see a lot of that "what if" in your post. You need to stop that!

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    • [Old Memory]
      5 years ago

      1 Stain
      0 OP

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      • [Old Memory]
        5 years ago

        See, sometimes not just gibberish comes out my mouth. Well out my hands and into text.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      5 years ago

      I got this job hoping it would help. Hoping being in a social situation where I'm forced to make conversation would help only it hasn't.

      Please don't misunderstand me, I'm actually very hard working. I'd hate to do nothing. Even at home I work. I write (that was one of my degrees), or I research nails and nail polish chemistry and such.

      I refused medication for 6 years but I just got worse, figured it was time to try something different.

      You're right about the 'what ifs'. I tend to obsess over potential situations...

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      • [Old Memory]
        5 years ago

        Well I work for myself. So I don't have that everyday at 7 am like most people, and to a degree I can bargain with my customers with what time I can have a job done.

        I'm not lazy either, but being honest, I just want to stay home all day watching horror movies. Or even all day just sitting down the beach. Bloody work, slaving away.

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        • Anonymous Post Author
          5 years ago

          I think working for myself is the best way forward :)

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          • [Old Memory]
            5 years ago

            It can be a very slow process. You need to spend money to make money and it could take a long time to get past the losses.

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            • McBean
              5 years ago

              I loved working, but I hated the people. So I quit. I've been staying home all alone for the last 13 years surfing the Internet. I feed my face, work out, eat breakfast in restaurants, and live on impulse. It's wonderful.

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  • brutus
    5 years ago

    I have anxiety depression due to a rare disease(permanent vertigo). I take antidepressants and benzos for my anxiety and depression.
    I am a shopkeeper and it involves a lot of social interaction. I do pretty well despite my handicaps.

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    • RoseIsabella
      5 years ago

      Right on!

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  • bubsy
    5 years ago

    You were probably misdiagnosed and poorly medicated like the majority of middle aged women in America. I had to guess your gender and age so please feel free to correct me.

    Your issue seems to be about energy. You don't have enough. How much sleep are you getting? How active if your lifestyle? What's your diet like? These are huge factors. You could be in your dreamjob but if you start the day half-dead then you're going to hate it.

    Things like Vitamin D, your iron levels, thyroid and estrogen levels are important to check. It's well worth the money to get some bloodwork done.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      5 years ago

      You're very observant, and very close. Young adult female (25) but in the UK - sort of. I live on a small island just off of the UK where we have to pay for medical care -_-

      I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism - underactive thyroid gland. This definitely plays into things.unfortunately the anxiety and depression goes further than my energy deficiency haha. But seriously well done on that. I'm impressed.

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      • bubsy
        5 years ago

        There's an epidemic of hypothyroidism so it wasn't a crazy guess. Body temperature is extremely important. Practically everybody who is depressed is running on under 98.6f/37c. Raising your body temperature should be an absolute priority for you.

        If you aren't on thyroid medication, you need to be. T4 is nice but T3 is the most important. Depression may be in your mind, but your mind is ruled by hormones and chemicals like these. You have to address the source of the problem.

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      • bogbrush
        5 years ago

        Me too anonymous. That's a brilliant recommendation busby. I think it should always be the first course of action before the old happy pills are dished out.

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        • Anonymous Post Author
          5 years ago

          Yeah that's great advice. Hadn't heard of the temperature thing. I am on T4 and have been for 2 years but they don't medicate T3 here. I think the only way would be if I moved to the UK and went private. Saying that though I am hoping to move back to the UK... So... maybe not too far a stretch!

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  • SwickDinging
    5 years ago

    It sounds more like you're dissatisfied in your work place than actually wanting to never work again. Just got that from reading your post though, I could be wrong.

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  • RoseIsabella
    5 years ago

    I feel for you. Please don't give up on yourself.

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  • LloydAsher
    5 years ago

    Hate to work... hate to be homeless and starve. So I work. Honestly I need work to fill up my day; gives me purpose in life you know?

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  • donteatstuffoffthesidewalk
    5 years ago

    (in curse of oak island narrators voice)

    drama? in a nail salon? could it be that op has chosen the wrong occupation?

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