I’m a journalist who works in a high-stress environment filled with stories of trauma on a daily basis. I was recently diagnosed with Severe Anxiety and Dysthymia so I’m on paid leave for at least 5 weeks after recently having a mental breakdown. 

For those in similar situations, how did you cope with the thought of going back? I start to feel panic attacks come on when I think about going back into the same routine there when it’s not something I’m passionate about. I keep wanting to find a new career path but constant fear about money, timing, and my qualifications have stopped me from actually making that change.