Best Jobs For Ptsd

[MSMiller]

My spouse (PTSD sufferer) enjoys working as a driver (chauffeur) so he can set his own schedule and have little communication.

 

[Lucycat]

I also am a nurse.

 

[The Albatross]

I would have been a paramedic... after lifeguard but because of one of my traumas, actually would have difficulty with the blood stuff. Even though I worked as an aide and did training where blood spills occurred... it really is still a trigger for me. Love the chauffer idea.

 

[Definitely..maybe]

Thank you guys so much for all the input! You guys are all so strong.

I've been considering get my massage therapy license while I finish my degree. That way I have a flexible job to fall back on. Does anyone have any ideas on this?

 

[Em C.]

I am not a massage therapist but I converse with mine a lot so I know the general idea. I think it depends entirely what your triggers are. If talking to people one on one bothers you (especially if the person physically intimidates you or makes you feel uncomfortable) then you could feel trapped. And in order to practice massage you have to let others massage you. If you aren't triggered by that stuff (some people especially with PTSD don`t like being touched) then totally go for it (as long as doing that and your degree at the same time doesn't get overwhelming)!!

Good luck! :)

 

[Definitely..maybe]

Thanks @Em C. ! That was a big issue for me for a while, but massage therapy helped me so much when I got okay with the idea. I think some days will be a struggle but it's some great exposure therapy! Haha.

Thank you for your thoughts:)

 

[Em C.]

It definitely would be! :) I sincerely wish you the best of luck!!

I figured I could actually talk about my job XD I do research for Food Services at a university and I find that works well with PTSD. Because it's research and analysis I am given a general outline of what people want and then I am essentially left to my own devices to get it done. Also, because it is Food Services I get free food a lot ;)

 

[Alic3]

This last summer, I worked for the plant company who supplies the plants for Walmart. For the first half of the summer, I pretty much ran the garden center at the Walmart near my house. They just left me alone, let me rearrange the plants how I wanted them, I kept all the plants alive, and suprisingly, most of the customers who were out there were nice. I guess it was just peaceful for me.. until the manager decided I was too "bossy", even though I never told anyone to do anything.

Now I work as a merchandiser and have 19 different grocery stores I drive to. Half of them are out of town. I work alone, which is almost required for me. Usually co-workers and managers take an INSTANT dislike for me. I cover the NW territory of WI. I've only had to meet my manager twice, and I've met two different members of my team on one occasion. I love being able to take charge of myself and have freedom. Go out to my car when I need to when my anxiety is overwhelming. I love driving too. Music is very very therapeutic to me.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Hermit? Kidding....

I've decided to follow my interests and then find a job in the field that is accommodating to my symptoms. I think it'll make the job more tolerable if I do what I love.

 

[seedling]

I couldn't work for three years after my trauma but have been working for the last year and a half. I've had two jobs doing paperwork for small companies. I like the work, can get absorbed in it and don't have to deal with many people.

I think it's also important who you work for and with. I left my first job after being stressed by a controlling boss. A challenge I worked out in time and in therapy. For a long time I thought it was me and my PTSD causing my problems; I thought everyone else was behaving well and I wasn't getting it.

Now I love my job because of the people, not just the type of work. I feel accepted for who I am and am working with only a few other people that I get along with, including my boss. He is open, communicative, appreciative of my work and all of us can share a laugh.
I've come to feel that I deserve to work with nice people and be treated well.

 

[BLHutch]

I was still working as a cop (detective assigned to arson cases) up until this past August. I had to leave due to my back issue deteriorating to the extent that I couldn't do my job safely anymore. Now I am a college professor. (I had a Master's Degree already, so it was an easy transition.) Other than the occasional issues that pop up from time to time, it actually isn't too bad a gig for someone with PTSD. Lecturing help takes my mind off other things. I get plenty of time off in between semesters (about a month) and my college has M/W and T/R classes so I get three day weekends to recover. Don't get me wrong, it can be very hard at times to do the job with the flareups that I hit me sometimes, but everything considered, it isn't bad.

 

[Deo Juvante]

Night time security guard- work alone, driving around town (empty streets so no road rage) checking doors and locks with the occasional opportunity to get physical legally if necessary.

Auto detailing- work alone, attention to detail occupies mind well.