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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Depressed and unemployed
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
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Depressed and unemployed
by JazzcatCB, Oct 12, 2002 12:00AM
Well, I got carried away and wrote a novel below, but here are my two main questions:
I am depressed/OCD, and need psychotherapy and psychiatric medication, but I have no job, and I'm living on unemployment benefits (which only pays the rent) What should I do? (I live in the CA Bay Area in Fremont)
Over the past 8 years or so, I've noticed that I have been having a lot of trouble with my memory and concentration. I have trouble focusing on what people are saying, and I can barely remember what someone just told me just a moment ago. I can't think clearly. These issues were causing problems in my former workplace. I suspect that I've suffered some brain damage (possibly from sleep apnea.) How do I determine if this is the case? If it is, am I eligible for SSDI? (I worked for 15 years at my former company)
I was laid off of my job in tech over a year ago. I haven't been able to find another job in tech. I'm living on unemployment benefits right now, which are just enough to pay rent.
My last years at work were awful. Now I feel I can't succeed in any job, and I'm terrified of going back to work.
I have a history of life-long depression. I used to take Celexa and Wellbutrin, but I had stopped those meds before I was laid off. I can't afford to see a psychiatrist right now, but I am taking Buspirone (10mg, 2/day) that I ordered over the internet. I've been taking this dosage for about six months.
A few days ago, I missed a valuable opportunity. I was given the chance to enroll in a medical assistant training program for free, but I messed it up and got there too late. Since that happened, I've been feeling very depressed.
I have a girlfriend, which is a new experience. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me, and I love her deeply. But she's having a lot of trouble understanding why I'm depressed (although she takes anti-depressants herself, so go figure) She thinks I should be more positive.
It doesn't seem like the Buspar is doing a good job at managing my depression. I decided to take Buspar because I am a compulsive eater and worrier. I am still eating and worrying compulsively. I spend many days at home, eating until I can eat no more, then eating more.
I don't have any idea as to what kind of work I can do. There is nothing in information technology right now. I'm not experienced at anything else though.
I'm afraid that my girlfriend is going to leave me. She's not happy about my problems. I was planning suicide before I met her, because I couldn't find work, and I didn't want to live. If she leaves, I'm afraid that I'll have a stronger reason to kill myself.
I'm in a terrible place in my life. I don't know what to do. The future seems awful. What should I do? Can you help me at all? I really need help. Please.
I am depressed/OCD, and need psychotherapy and psychiatric medication, but I have no job, and I'm living on unemployment benefits (which only pays the rent) What should I do? (I live in the CA Bay Area in Fremont)
Over the past 8 years or so, I've noticed that I have been having a lot of trouble with my memory and concentration. I have trouble focusing on what people are saying, and I can barely remember what someone just told me just a moment ago. I can't think clearly. These issues were causing problems in my former workplace. I suspect that I've suffered some brain damage (possibly from sleep apnea.) How do I determine if this is the case? If it is, am I eligible for SSDI? (I worked for 15 years at my former company)
I was laid off of my job in tech over a year ago. I haven't been able to find another job in tech. I'm living on unemployment benefits right now, which are just enough to pay rent.
My last years at work were awful. Now I feel I can't succeed in any job, and I'm terrified of going back to work.
I have a history of life-long depression. I used to take Celexa and Wellbutrin, but I had stopped those meds before I was laid off. I can't afford to see a psychiatrist right now, but I am taking Buspirone (10mg, 2/day) that I ordered over the internet. I've been taking this dosage for about six months.
A few days ago, I missed a valuable opportunity. I was given the chance to enroll in a medical assistant training program for free, but I messed it up and got there too late. Since that happened, I've been feeling very depressed.
I have a girlfriend, which is a new experience. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me, and I love her deeply. But she's having a lot of trouble understanding why I'm depressed (although she takes anti-depressants herself, so go figure) She thinks I should be more positive.
It doesn't seem like the Buspar is doing a good job at managing my depression. I decided to take Buspar because I am a compulsive eater and worrier. I am still eating and worrying compulsively. I spend many days at home, eating until I can eat no more, then eating more.
I don't have any idea as to what kind of work I can do. There is nothing in information technology right now. I'm not experienced at anything else though.
I'm afraid that my girlfriend is going to leave me. She's not happy about my problems. I was planning suicide before I met her, because I couldn't find work, and I didn't want to live. If she leaves, I'm afraid that I'll have a stronger reason to kill myself.
I'm in a terrible place in my life. I don't know what to do. The future seems awful. What should I do? Can you help me at all? I really need help. Please.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Oct 14, 2002 12:00AM
, Oct 14, 2002 12:00AM
You need psychiatric care. There are ways to get that care. In each community there is a community mental health center. Call information for that number or search the internet.
Also in each community there are job re-training and placement programs provided by the federal government. They are often called one stop programs. In addition to assessment and training, they can also help you get state aid if that is necessary.
Don't give up...get out there and talk to these people. They want to, and they can, help and give you the helping hand you need at this juncture.
If you let the psychiatrist know how desparate you feel, he or she will be able to get you the medication you need.
Also in each community there are job re-training and placement programs provided by the federal government. They are often called one stop programs. In addition to assessment and training, they can also help you get state aid if that is necessary.
Don't give up...get out there and talk to these people. They want to, and they can, help and give you the helping hand you need at this juncture.
If you let the psychiatrist know how desparate you feel, he or she will be able to get you the medication you need.
Im sorry you are feeling so terrible. I would advise getting Kaiser or reinstating your insurance so you can get help. I was in the same situation on unemployment adn laid off in the bay area.
Also if you are still on UI benefits you can get them extended while you are goign to an approved reeducation program which you can also sometimes get a state grant to cover. My friend is goign to Cosmetology school and they are paying for it with a grant and she has her UI benefits extended. Im not sure exactly how she did this but I do know that you can. So you could possible still find a school like the one you wanted to go to and go there for free. Check it out. I know that the school has to be under a year, so that might be a problem, but there is help out there.
Dont kill yourself. You have the power to make the change and have the life you want. You need help though so give yourself that help. There are low cost clinics. One of them is the Wright Institute in Berkeley. They can also prescribe medication. There are ways you can find help. Please post
back here so we can see how you are doing. There is also a message board at http://www.dr-bob.org/ which are very helpful adn full of great people.
Take care,
Sienna
Have you considered SSI? Here is a link ..
http://www.ssa.gov/notices/supplemental-security-income/
Best,
Anai Rhoads
Not only is Paxil addictive, but it compounds anxiety and depression in some individuals. There are currently dozens of lawsuits organised against the makers of Paxil.
In England the lawsuits pushed the UK to admit it is a habit-forming drug that requires careful prescription to all patients. In the US, the advertisements have stopped saying "Paxil is a non-habit forming substance" to prevent further lawsuits.
I know countless people who were on Paxil, and not one liked it. One developed anxiety disorder during the regimine, when she was taking it solely for depression.
Best,
Anai Rhoads
My Psych just prescribed it for me....unfortunately, I forgot to ask her specifically about possible side effects. Anyone here know?
I've always been depressed.6 months ago, started something new.
I had previously been on zoloft for years w/ no therapy. I had broken up w/ my boyfriend in jan this year. i wanted to move on with my life . so i......stopped smoking cigs, pot and taking self medication...effexor.which i got on the internet) all at the same time. oh yeah and add wellbutrin to the mix to aid in the not smoking.At the same time i learn my ex of 4 years has a new girlfriend. thats when it all came down.
holy hell.3 days no eat, sleep,was shaking, crying, calling, pleading.etc., then i started being real vicious at work.
a dept email would set me off, etc., i got into verbal confrontations.
I feared losing another job. finally doc has me out on disability. new medication. people probably tell you over and over, 'it will get better' or my personal pet peeve, 'stop feeling sorry for yourself' etc., well, cat, it does get better.
now people are telling me how happy i seem and yada yada yada.
i dont quite see it yet. but my advice to you is GET AN MD IMMEDIATELY.!!!!!!!! BE HONEST ABOUT ALL MEDICATIONS ETC., THE RIGHT COMBO WILL HELP YOU HAVE A BETTER RECEPTION TO BETTER THINKING AND TO CONTROL THE EATING ETC..,Where 1 med might make someone gain an appetite , the same one will make another lose their appetite or desire to just sit around and eat. hang in there. keep us updated on what you do but do it as soon as possible. dont self medicate and be patient with yourself. IT DOES GET BETTER.:-)
-A friend
I suffer from depression, ADHD, and a bit of OCD thrown in for good measure. I also have a hard time holding down a good job and don't know what I want to do with my life. Right now I'm working as a substitute teacher and an actor. Both jobs with no benefits and low pay. In my area, you only need 50 hours of college to be a substitute teacher. Why not try that? Since my last "real" job, I too have no have insurance, so I visit my Psychiatrist every three months or so and pay $40 each time. He has me on "indigent" programs and gets me my meds for free. There are MANY drug companies with programs for people "like us." Good luck.
Jay
I was wondering about an antidepressent for PMS. I get really down one week a month...25% of my life. Everything looks so bleek and I try to schedule meetings and life around this one horrid week per month. I don't want to take a daily script for this...any one who has found a drug to take for depression one week a month?
Also, this is my first visit to this site. It' great. THanks for all who share. I don't feel so alone.
One reflection though, my doctor recommended Zoloft to me about three months ago. I didn't take it. After reading about the side effects posted by some on this site and the withdrawl symptoms when looking to get off it, I am glad I held back. I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes two years ago, have endometriosis, and worked in a very competitive high pressure environment and was with a boyfriend who I loved deeply but always had one foot out the door. (I strived for perfection so he would not walk out the door...and finally got smart enough to walk out the door myself.) I quit my job three months ago and decided enough was enough. So now I am conducting a job search. I thought about moving across the country as if a change of scenery would do the trick.
Sorry,didn't mean to digress... here's my reflection...ANYONE going through all of that would be overwhelmed, stressed and depressed! It's a tough time in life... massive unemployment, the worst economy in years and a society that evaluates each other on their belongings, not their contributions, kindness and individuality. Perhaps the drug companies are capitalizing on disorders with prescriptions and the only disorder is the lack of order in our lives. Perhaps doctors are too quick to diagnose and prescribe. Anyone agree? I was recently listening to NPR and heard a debate about female sexual dysfunction being a newly found disorder...the arguement was that the clinical trial was funded by the very pharmaceutical company that came out with the drug to "cure" this newly founded disease. Money. Is it all about money and sales?