Every “team based” employment I’ve had, restaurants and retail excluding retail sales where I was an independent representative. I always felt stress and was both bullied and also imagined I was being bullied.
Asperger’s would explain why I got bullied to a good degree especially with sarky comments but the schizophrenia definitely explains the paranoia I had. My first experience was at 17 in a clothing and home retail store. It is, as far as I know, the first time I had experienced paranoia and whilst it was rooted in reality the paranoia itself was exactly the same as paranoia in an sz episode. It scarred me for awhile. I couldn’t do well in college / Sixth Form after that incident (17-19 / A-Levels ).
Working independently as a sales exec though, life was very different. The pressure of teamwork was much reduced and I was surprisingly good at being social when left to my own devices. This was a better memory.
Distance learning university works well for me though. I don’t have to drink alcohol and socialise which saves a large amount of stress and distraction. And as far as studying goes, I don’t have to be in a lecture theatre surrounded by distraction of worry of others noticing me. It’s godsend
I do my best to not think about the past, especially the negative experiences. But I think looking back, I’m happy I know that things can go south and that I am more aware of what may or may not be uncomfortable