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15 Careers That Drive People Batty

While it’s essential to avoid generalizations about entire professions due to the diverse nature of individuals, it’s undeniable that certain jobs can be particularly challenging for some people. Rather than attributing these difficulties solely to job titles, it’s crucial to recognize that individual experiences and choices play a significant role.

Nonetheless, there are occupations known to test individuals’ patience and resilience, and drive them batty.

Prison Guards

woman in jail

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Life as a prison guard (correctional officer) has nothing to do with the usual depiction in Hollywood. It’s messy, stressful, depressing, and makes one prone to workplace injuries. Being a prison guard is a demanding job that requires a unique set of skills and mental fortitude.

It’s not just about physical strength or authority; it’s about dealing with difficult people in stressful situations, often with limited resources and support. 

Emergency Medical Services

Paramedics in uniform putting injured man on stretcher in ambulance car

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Becoming an EMS clinician is no easy feat; it requires physical stamina, mental resilience, and dedication. They rarely deal with routine situations, and the things they face can be brutal.

Life Coaches

THERAPY

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When your job revolves around fixing other people’s lives and helping them manage ‘their’ stress levels, you cannot expect it to be a smooth ride.

The career path as a life coach comes with its own set of emotional challenges and speed bumps. For example, coaches witness their clients’ deepest fears, pain, and vulnerabilities. This constant emotional absorption can be draining.

Film Industry

hollywood

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The Film industry understandably seems to have many ego-maniacs and emotionally unavailable individuals. With 10+ hour days, lots of unforeseen overtime back to back for weeks, and random months of unemployment, all while gearing up for the next onslaught of work, can become a little too overwhelming at times.

It is also challenging to keep yourself in the news, and adhere to the societal standards of being in Hollywood.

Music Industry

American singer Taylor Swift performs at her '1989' World Tour concert in Shanghai, China, 10 November 2015.

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While there are too many talented artists vying for limited attention and opportunities, earning a living solely from music is challenging, often requiring multiple income streams.

Even though tired at the end of the day, self-promotion, networking, and relentless effort are crucial for success. Even then, many don’t achieve it.

Politicians

politician

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Undoubtedly, this field attracts both the best and worst of humanity. As a politician, you have to juggle the needs of various groups with conflicting interests with many ethical dilemmas.

Besides this, you are always under public scrutiny, work long hours, and deal with fickle public perception daily.

Professional Wrestling

Man, wrestler and fight with in ring training on rooftop with for sport competition in outdoor. Athlete, fitness and wrestling with martial arts for workout in city with serious face for contest

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As a professional wrestler, you are always at risk of serious injuries. Not to mention the stress associated with maintaining physical strength and following an overly strict diet and muscle-building routine.

Advertising Agencies

Seller and a couple in the showroom.

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Being a part of advertising agencies, specifically senior-level ones, is synonymous with signing up for insane amounts of stress. The high volume of work, unrealistic expectations, and last-minute changes can get a lot more hectic than you think.

Pay Day Loan Companies’ Employees

couple fight over money (1)

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Those who work for payday loan companies have to endure a lot. After all, it’s difficult to find the most desperate people and charge them insane interests because they have nowhere to go to access the money they earned. 

Funeral Services

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If you aren’t a psychopath who is looking to fleece bereaved families, you become a burnt-out shell of a human in no time. Funeral services is an industry that requires little to no formal education (depending on your location) and can be the most soul-draining field in which to work.

You have to deal with deal bodies that can cause anxiety, situations that you couldn’t imagine, it has no set timings, and you have to witness the pain of the families. 

Psychologists

8. sad upset teen boy

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Psychologists often deal with clients who are experiencing difficult emotions, such as trauma, grief, and depression. This can be emotionally draining, and psychologists need to be able to manage their own emotions to be effective therapists.

Besides this, they have to deal with difficult patients, lack of recognition, continuing education, and ethical dilemmas on an everyday basis.

The Cosmetology Industry

hair salon, woman, hair

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In the cosmetology industry, you may have to deal with some of the most insane, mean, and vile people. Besides that, cosmetologists spend most of their workday on their feet, leading to fatigue, back problems, and foot pain.

If that isn’t enough, they have to be in awkward positions to do their jobs and are exposed continuously to many chemicals.

Management Consulting

manager

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While management consulting often conjures images of high salaries, prestige, and intellectual stimulation, the reality is more nuanced. This demanding career comes with a unique set of challenges with intense workload, long hours, demanding clients, constant travel, pressure to perform and reach targets, limited creativity, burn out, politics, and much more.

Knackeries/Slaughterhouses

Indoors chicken farm, chicken feeding in factory.

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Slaughterhouse employees perform physically demanding tasks throughout their shifts, such as lifting heavy carcasses, operating machinery, and wielding sharp instruments.

Besides that, they must be constantly in cold, wet, and slippery environments, with blood, animal waste, and hazardous chemicals with a high risk of accidents. Many also face emotional distress as they witness slaughter every day.

Chef

Woman cooking rice on stove in kitchen, closeup

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Being a culinary professional is no joke. It is a physically demanding job, highly competitive, and mentally stressful. 

Chefs often work long and irregular hours, including weekends and holidays, to meet the demands of the restaurant industry. They must maintain high standards of quality and consistency while working under intense pressure in fast-paced kitchen environments.

Additionally, chefs are tasked with managing inventory, overseeing kitchen staff, and adapting to constantly changing menus and dietary preferences.