Increased anxiety due to unemployment, advice?

[Abbey77]

I'm an incredibly anxious person to begin with, but my recent unemployment is really destroying me. My depersonalization is more prevalent, which is really scary; and as you can imagine, really bad for interviews.

In mid July I left my full time job after having given 2 months notice. I was working in childcare and was feeling disrespected and unappreciated. When leaving I did not have anything lined up, I was so miserable and felt that I needed to take a few weeks to decompress and get back on track. I started my search in August and foolishly assumed that I could easily find a decent office job becuase I have quite a bit of experience, but I wasn't even getting a response or acknowledgement from any of the businesses I applied at!

Now we're nearing the end of September and I still haven't found something. I've compromised and have been applying to things I am overqualified for, pay a lot less, and are out of my comfort zone distance wise, and still nothing. Now I'm even more anxious and upset than I was at my old job, becuase at least then I could pay my bills! The panic comes on in waves, and I have a daily sense of hopelessness and worthlessness. My racing thoughts keep me up all night, and I'm breaking out like crazy from stress.

I'm at the point where im so discouraged that it's hard to continue to search and apply for anything. And I think my anxiety and low self esteem have sabotaged the few interviews I have had. I don't know if I should see a therapist or talk to my dr about anxiety meds. I've never done either before. But since I don't have insurance or income I don't have the money to waste on it anyway. I feel like if I could just get someone to take a chance on me and hire me that everything would work itself out.

[AnxiousNoMore]

In addition to your search for employment, you might be able to get some practical job experience from volunteering, or make a job contact with other volunteers who are working. Keeping busy might help divert your mind off the stress.

[Paxiled]

If you've been that anxious even before this therapy should have been your next stop.  It's always wise to do it before trying medication if your life isn't unliveable.  The stress you're under now is pretty common to people who have financial stress, but it's added to your pre-existing tendency to be anxious.  That's the mental part.  The finding a job part is hard for everyone.  A good therapist who specializes in anxiety treatment might be able to help with both problems, but don't stop trying to find a job.  Don't stop doing what you need to do and want to do -- avoidance becomes a lifestyle and it just makes things worse.  

[Paxiled]

By the way, I'd usually mention learning relaxation techniques such as meditation, breathing exercises, exercise, etc., but I realize right now you've got to put your emphasis on getting a new job.  But when you do, and you will, you know that from prior experience, I'd look into this kind of thing to see if you can't balance yourself out more.