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Re: meds + employment » g_g_g_unit

Posted by Questionmark on May 23, 2011, at 18:46:36

In reply to meds + employment, posted by g_g_g_unit on May 18, 2011, at 8:43:31

All of these concerns are understandable, and i could easily see myself thinking the same things (i have OCD as well). But no, these concerns should not prevent you from seeking treatment and do not need to worry you.
First of all, know that many people nowadays take some sort of psychiatric drug-- including many seemingly "successful" people. Also, you do not know that an antipsychotic will be helpful for you. However, if it turns out that that is the case, you can simply tell people (those you feel the need to tell at all) that it is an anti-anxiety drug (or "a drug for anxiety"), which will be the truth in its function for you.
Just remember, always start at low doses of medications as it is the best way to see if you can handle a drug and you can always titrate up.
... But yes you do not need to be so concerned about this.

I wish i knew what advice to offer on the employment end but i am sorry to say i'm not sure.

PS Not exactly sure your particular issues, but you may want to consider Nardil. Not great for OCD (then again what medication is?) but amazing for depression and anxiety.

Good luck to you.


> Hey .. so I've been having some OCD-like concerns about my condition and its management, which have been interfering with my ability to pursue employment, and I was just wondering if anyone could offer some advice.
>
> I've mentioned on here before that my family immigrated just over a year ago, and I've been unable to find a job during that period. I don't qualify for disability either until I've lived here at least another year. In our prior country-of-residence, I was working 9 hours a week - even while severely depressed - but found that since I had formed most of my relationships with my coworkers while relatively 'well', they were less attuned to the sudden decline in my sociability. It was a customer service role, and I found that I could perform the basics of my job without difficulty - i.e. affect a polite manner, etc. - but spontaneous interaction became extremely difficult.
>
> Prior to that job, I had always worked part-time, ever since being struck down by OCD at the age of 18. There was a period where I was freelance writing from home as well, but I eventually had to give that up.
>
> Unfortunately, my condition has deteriorated even further since immigrating, and I've found that symptoms like psychomotor retardation have become much more prominent. In fact, I spent a considerable portion of last year lazing around in bed. My social skills were even worse as a result of the decline in mental/physical energy, i.e. I sometimes struggled to project my voice, would go 'blank' even during routine phone conversations, etc.
>
> On top of that, I was/am still battling OCD and severe anxiety.
>
> Up until this point, my parents have only had a very superficial understanding of my condition, and have been pressuring me to find work, claiming that I'm just tired because "I'm out of shape" (despite the fact that I would routinely swim 1km most days before major depression). I received poor treatment during that first year - I was misdiagnosed as schizophrenic, etc. which further jeopardized things. I'm seeing a much better psychiatrist now, and am also in therapy for OCD, but even then, things are still difficult. I tried having a meeting with my psychiatrist and parents, but he never really went into the OCD, and I've found myself now having to write a letter which I plan to give to them explaining exactly how it manifests.
>
> Anyway, I've found that I have these (potential) misconceptions about medication, which are preventing me from applying for a suitable job. For example, I'll think (in an OCD sense) that I could end up on an anti-psychotic for anxiety (which I suppose isn't completely unrealistic at this point) and will be so emotionally and mentally numb/sedated that people will think I'm a freak - and therefore will refrain from applying from any customer service positions out of fear.
>
> Because I'm not capable of labor etc., ruling out any job where I interact with people doesn't leave very much. I've been looking at disabled-employment agencies, but they seem to primarily cater to intellectual disabilities. I went to one group meeting and - without wanting to offend anyone - found it really depressing, simply because most of the people there were afflicted with things like mental retardation, etc., and I feel like I'm more high-functioning than that.
>
> So I would appreciate hearing:
>
> a) whether I am indeed catastrophising, as I suspect, my appraisal of treatment with anti-psychotics, and whether it would still be possible to work in mainstream society while taking one (sorry if that sounds ridiculous, but that's the nature of OCD, I suppose)?
>
> and b) whether it wouldn't be such a bad idea to push myself into some kind of part-time work at the moment? I am taking just 25mg of Zoloft, which has eliminated the worst of my fatigue, though I'm having some mixed-type symptoms and don't suspect I'll be kept on it. But my point is that my depression does seem to respond to treatment, and I am seeing a psychiatrist, so it's not like I'd be left hanging.. but then again, I do have this unfortunate habit of never knowing when to back off and stop stressing myself, so I donno.
>
> option c) would be to pursue work at some kind of disability center until I'm more stabilized, though (again, please don't take offense to this) I wonder how it might affect my self-confidence.
>
> Thanks, and sorry this was so long!
>


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