Anyone not working?

[KB001]

Anyone out there resign from work, cos it got too much? I've been off work for 1,5 years now, doc called it a sabbatical. The everyday pressures just got hold of me and I don't now how I coped before.
But now I'm ready for something different need some sort of routine. I'm toying with going to work vs carrying on with my studies. Anyone?

[NewAgeMonk]

I'm definitely not working right now.

I worked full time jobs up until 4 years ago. My depression/mania kept screwing me over at work. I did however work a job for 2 weeks in Nov. 2010 until they closed the location. Soon after I had a severe psychotic mania episode so I've been on disability since. I'm scared to go back into the workforce although I do have a lot of time to recover.

[Anneinside]

I had to go on disability and haven't worked in over 4 years. I was a professor and all I did was work. I look at the job ads for professors sometimes and become completely overwhelmed.

[paranoid_cataclysm]

I am on SSDI myself due to my mental illness.  I plan on trying to slowly get back in to work after this current stressful period of my life comes to pass because I have other things to take care of and right now and I also think I may not be ready for work at this time anyway.  I'll see what the future brings.

[Chris6588]

Its been awhile since i have seen my doctor. I was taking an anti psychotic, but i told him that i stopped it because of what it was doing to my general health. he said ok and to see how i do. that was the last visit. i have a visit coming up, in a few weeks, so well see how it goes.

[ajp13ajp]

Hey linda, you are singing in the choir .  I recently crashed at my part-time
job, and resign as well  because the boss was tyrannical (he said it so himself!!). I takes my meds everyday. But this illness is so powerful.

[cup0joe]

totally understand where you are coming from when you say everything just got to be too much. I assume we are all very familiar with the depths of depression and mania and lets face it, when we are at our worst, thats when we call in sick for sure so save your sick days!

I've been very fortunate to have been able to continue working but I wanted to suggest something that made a world of difference to me. I asked my boss for an adjusted schedule so instead of coming in at 7am, i now come in at 10am. It literally changed my world. The extra hours of sleep allowed my night time meds that make me a zombie, clear out of my system.

One downside of this is, and its not really a big deal in my opinion, but I choose to tell my employer about my illness. After speaking to HR and sending them a note from my Dr it was a done deal.

I know this usually comes with every response but talk to your psych about it, thats probably the best thing you can do.

be well :)

[lindahand]

Chris. Have you talked to your psychiatrist about how you are doing? Maybe a med change would help you out. I don't know if you take an antipsychotic but they can really help for the symptoms you describe.

[Chris6588]

Ill say one thing. i have only worked once. and it lasted maybe 2-3 weeks. i have a problem with keeping my mouth shut when it comes to stress. when someone makes me mad, or has done me wrong, i tend to speak up about it. thusly, i did not work that long.
now, with going to school, ive been going for the past 5 years. i really should have been done by now, but i couldnt make up my mind with what i wanted to do. then i was diagnosed.
my mind went nuts, i lost control. i couldnt do anything with out a nervious break down.
now, im taking 1 or 2 classes at a time, and right now, ive been trying to find as many online classes as i can because i freak out when i go in public. i can not control myself, or i get paranoid.

[lindahand]

I tend to crash and burn. Do really well at a job for about a year. Stress becomes too much and I crash. Usually I can start work again after about 3 months. This last time hit me really hard. We moved and I started to ultra rapid cycle (partly because my stupid pdoc put me on an antidepressant). I was out of the game for over a year. Finally meds stabilized things enough that I could go back to work part time at a job that is steady but boring. At first it wasn't boring it was hard to keep up. Now that I am healed more it is boring. Due to some other health conditions and meds I don't think I'll be able to work full time anytime soon, but am hoping to find a part-time job that is a bit more interesting.

[ThyroidHunter]

You are sure welcome for the reply, and obviously, you've proven a person who can overcome and achieve at a high level. Sometimes, we all have to make a change, whether it's a staff associate, an investment, a goal, we all have to adapt and make changes which you've already done with some good success.

Let the Board know when you need support, we all do sometimes!

Best,
Clay Ballentine aka Thyroid Hunter

[KB001]

Jees I don't know where to start with answer to what got too much! It's worth a novel! In short: very bad childhood dad alcoholic very violent with my mom and big sister I was the witness. There are too many traumatic memories which spanned over 25 years. The post trauma included vivid flashbacks and rage attacks. This slowly got coupled with the bipolar, which has been officially diagnosed by my pshyciatrist.
I enjoyed work was very good at it even won awards. My persona at work opposite to at home. Then the babies came. Juggling wife, mom and career woman was a 24 job. I was either rushing to work, being late cos of getting the whole family including myself ready. Then facing a day of meetings, deadlines and more juggling at work. Then the afternoon rushing to pick the babies up on time. I knew every shortcut from work to the crèche! Suppertime, bathtime, sleeptime etc etc.
All of the above was like a snowball getting bigger and bigger till I reached a point where I was advised to cut out the work part. Fortunately my husband is just the best! Supportive and loving and also we could financially handle me not working. Now that I don't have bosses and deadlines etc, it cut out alot of stress, which is a huge trigger for my flashbacks and rages. I was in a clinic when my second baby was about 6 months old. I felt really guilty at first but the break and experiences at the clinic was good in the end. I've come a long way and more. Looking ahead is what counts right now. I have to move on to a new chapter in my life. Just need to be led to the right path that won't reintroduce my previous stresses , cos I'll always be a wife and mom and of course ME. I have to resdiscover who I am and what my purpose is.
Thane for your replies

[Fizzy74]

Thank you for your saying do something even if its wrong, that is something that I will use too!!!!

[ThyroidHunter]

You describe your symptoms as bi-polar. Are these physician diagnosis and what are the reasons listed? This would help a lot, medication can help you if the bi-polar issue is growing worse.

You also don't mention what "got too much". A boss, the work, fatigue, illness, lack of interest? I think this matters a great deal.

Getting into a routine will help for sure, but I would suggest you stop "toying" with ideas, and really start one. I had a boss one time who told me "do something, even if it's wrong." It's worked well as a philosphy for me.

Best in Health,
Clay Ballentine

[Fizzy74]

Hey there I haven't resigned but I do work for myself.  This is great because I get to pick and choose when I work, and the times I just don't feel like it I don't.  

Working for myself I have to be motivated, and struggle when the old motivation goes haywire, there have been weeks when I've hidden away forever.  

I have found lately though the busier I keep myself, the faster my days go and I feel more fulfilled at the end of the day.  

Hopefully you figure out what you'd like to do, but sounds exciting anyways what you're planning, :)

Big hugs x