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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 7 to 31 of 31. Go back in thread:
Posted by Maxime on October 15, 2009, at 12:49:15
In reply to Re: Jobless. Anyone else » Rauter, posted by Phillipa on October 15, 2009, at 0:07:17
Phillipa, I thought you were a nurse. Why couldn't you go back to work at age 63? In Canada, a lot of nurses are coming out of retirement to return to nursing because of the nurse shortage.
Posted by manic666 on October 15, 2009, at 12:51:40
In reply to Jobless. Anyone else, posted by Rauter on October 14, 2009, at 23:20:04
i am jobless but though illness,i worked as a brick layer but my constant anxierty would make me work myself stupid, i never heeded the warning sign,s an had breakdowns, My body would give in an i would try to work through it , then my brain would shut me down an i would pass out then breakdown. yet i still carried on at the same breakneck speed,i earned mega money ,but at what price, when working money was nothing, i had my new car admitted// an money for a beer or 10.But the rest ruth paided all the bills an thing,s we needed, i never saw money , every thing was left to ruth, so really now i have my car, addmitted i wont get another , an i still have beer ,not many because the meds , so i live no different, i still dont no the benifits we get or how much money there is.i carnt work because health an safty wont let me, i carnt get insurance on me plus i couldnt work out the simplist of measurments, an my body is burned out, but im 61 if i was younger i would be in trouble
Posted by Maxime on October 15, 2009, at 13:24:20
In reply to Re: Jobless. Anyone else, posted by morganator on October 15, 2009, at 1:59:52
>
> I can surely relate to you. This topic is probable better suited for the "work" board.
There is no longer a "work" board.
Posted by Rosy Crucifiction on October 15, 2009, at 13:47:55
In reply to Re: Jobless. Anyone else » morganator, posted by Maxime on October 15, 2009, at 13:24:20
Don't know if you are aware or fit the criterion, but Social Security (as well as EDD in California) will give you disability benefits for psychological disability. They're not that hard to qualify for.
Posted by Maxime on October 15, 2009, at 13:50:13
In reply to Re: Jobless. Anyone else, posted by maoi_wowee on October 15, 2009, at 1:27:01
We would all be better at holding down jobs if we could be open with our employer about our illness. However, I lost my last job because I told them that I was bipolar and would need a couple of days off to get my meds changed. We CAN hold down jobs with the proper support.
Posted by Rosy Crucifiction on October 15, 2009, at 13:52:55
In reply to Re: Jobless. Anyone else » maoi_wowee, posted by Maxime on October 15, 2009, at 13:50:13
There is a legal obligation under the American's with Disabilities act to offer "reasonable accommodation" for disabilities. You might talk to a labor lawyer - they'll often take cases on contingency.
Posted by bleauberry on October 15, 2009, at 17:20:38
In reply to Jobless. Anyone else, posted by Rauter on October 14, 2009, at 23:20:04
>
> Just posting this to know there are other psychiatric patients too like me. I have been jobless for the past six months and worst of all, I am suffering from depression and a significant lack of motivation.The best thing to do then is to make an effort 5 days a week to get a job. If that means sending one letter resume a day, making a followup phone call the next day, attending an interview the next, sending another letter, etc on and on, doesn't matter...just do it.
Don't feel like? Unlmotivated? Too depressed? Doesn't matter. Just do it. The postiveness of forcing oneself to win against the enemy is better than the negativeness of letting the enemy win over you. By not making some kind of forced effort to overcome, the enemy is allowed to win.
The best place to be with depression and lack of motivation is at a job. Not the couch. Not at home. It should fit your personality. If you are generally quiet, then you don't want a job that will require lots of talking. If you are weak and not in shape, you probably don't want a job with heavy physical work. You definitely don't want a job that is boring, such as a flagholder at a construction site. That's no good for a depressed person. You want something that keeps your mind occupied. Even through the densest brain fog, a job can be done well.
This will sound weird, but honestly, a great place for someone depressed without motivation is Wal*Mart. They are almost always hiring. Cashier is likely the first stop. Very little eye contact is needed, very little talking is needed, not too much mental exertion or physical exertion. But, you senses are filled with lots of input going on around you...that's a good thing. And if you do want to talk, or practice it, or force it, you have many opportunities. If you want to be a loner, you can. Lots at WM are. If you want to be a mingler, you can. Lots do that. Somewhere in the middle, that too. It varies from day to day? Perfect place to be is WM because it is big enough and non-demanding enough to absorb whatever you got without anyone noticing. And so what if they noticed? Half of them are on meds too.
I'm a department manager at WM so I know. For someone struggling real hard, getting out in the world even if it is forced...actually especially if it is forced...is pure positive and good. You can increase your wellbeing on the 1-10 depression score by 2 or 3 points just by doing that.
There have been many times going to work or leaving work when I looked up at the psychiatric windows at the top floor of a hospital I drive by and I knew there were people up there in BETTER condition that I was...and yet I was holding a job. I was fighting the enemy. Nobody ever noticed how bad off I was. I just did my work as best I could and kept to myself. So much better than laying on a couch, watching TV, surfing, and worrying. A day can go so much faster with a job. Since I don't feel good most of the time, that is a good thing.
I think it is a terrible mistake to wait for a med or combination to kick in before getting back in the world. Bad mistake. For me, it was just a couple weeks post-ECT and I was in real bad shape. Something inside me just told me that doing something, anything, was better than doing nothing. I still believe that.
Posted by Maxime on October 15, 2009, at 18:49:17
In reply to Re: Jobless. Anyone else, posted by bleauberry on October 15, 2009, at 17:20:38
That's all fine and well if you can find a job. I've been actively searching since March and I haven't found anything yet. I've had some interviews but they keep on hiring from within.
Posted by Phillipa on October 15, 2009, at 20:41:30
In reply to Re: Jobless. Anyone else » Phillipa, posted by Maxime on October 15, 2009, at 12:49:15
Maxie I tried when we moved here the nursing board said I could work without school the hospitals said no. Long story short the hospitals have the right to set own policies and to work meant going back to school first 4-5 months internet then l month med/surg and back can't take that, then l month full time psych before parttime which is all I wanted. I wanted to do the admissions as nurses don't particularly like doing them lots of work but it didn't happen. So I say on the medicaire disability. Phillipa now have inactive license.
Posted by morganator on October 15, 2009, at 21:21:05
In reply to Re: Jobless. Anyone else » morganator, posted by Maxime on October 15, 2009, at 13:24:20
Oh..OOps
Posted by morganator on October 15, 2009, at 21:26:03
In reply to Re: Jobless. Anyone else, posted by bleauberry on October 15, 2009, at 17:20:38
I would say maybe even go to the other end of the spectrum and force yourself to do something like wait tables or host. This way you are forced to be social, something that we may need when we are depressed. Also maybe be a bus boy or a bar back. These jobs keep you very busy and give you little time to be depressed and think about negative things.
> >
> > Just posting this to know there are other psychiatric patients too like me. I have been jobless for the past six months and worst of all, I am suffering from depression and a significant lack of motivation.
>
> The best thing to do then is to make an effort 5 days a week to get a job. If that means sending one letter resume a day, making a followup phone call the next day, attending an interview the next, sending another letter, etc on and on, doesn't matter...just do it.
>
> Don't feel like? Unlmotivated? Too depressed? Doesn't matter. Just do it. The postiveness of forcing oneself to win against the enemy is better than the negativeness of letting the enemy win over you. By not making some kind of forced effort to overcome, the enemy is allowed to win.
>
> The best place to be with depression and lack of motivation is at a job. Not the couch. Not at home. It should fit your personality. If you are generally quiet, then you don't want a job that will require lots of talking. If you are weak and not in shape, you probably don't want a job with heavy physical work. You definitely don't want a job that is boring, such as a flagholder at a construction site. That's no good for a depressed person. You want something that keeps your mind occupied. Even through the densest brain fog, a job can be done well.
>
> This will sound weird, but honestly, a great place for someone depressed without motivation is Wal*Mart. They are almost always hiring. Cashier is likely the first stop. Very little eye contact is needed, very little talking is needed, not too much mental exertion or physical exertion. But, you senses are filled with lots of input going on around you...that's a good thing. And if you do want to talk, or practice it, or force it, you have many opportunities. If you want to be a loner, you can. Lots at WM are. If you want to be a mingler, you can. Lots do that. Somewhere in the middle, that too. It varies from day to day? Perfect place to be is WM because it is big enough and non-demanding enough to absorb whatever you got without anyone noticing. And so what if they noticed? Half of them are on meds too.
>
> I'm a department manager at WM so I know. For someone struggling real hard, getting out in the world even if it is forced...actually especially if it is forced...is pure positive and good. You can increase your wellbeing on the 1-10 depression score by 2 or 3 points just by doing that.
>
> There have been many times going to work or leaving work when I looked up at the psychiatric windows at the top floor of a hospital I drive by and I knew there were people up there in BETTER condition that I was...and yet I was holding a job. I was fighting the enemy. Nobody ever noticed how bad off I was. I just did my work as best I could and kept to myself. So much better than laying on a couch, watching TV, surfing, and worrying. A day can go so much faster with a job. Since I don't feel good most of the time, that is a good thing.
>
> I think it is a terrible mistake to wait for a med or combination to kick in before getting back in the world. Bad mistake. For me, it was just a couple weeks post-ECT and I was in real bad shape. Something inside me just told me that doing something, anything, was better than doing nothing. I still believe that.
>
Posted by rjlockhart04-08 on October 15, 2009, at 21:50:30
In reply to Re: Jobless. Anyone else, posted by morganator on October 15, 2009, at 1:59:52
I got a Job, yet I have to go into orientation. Save that money up, yet I know myself, I spend money alot.
I need to rationalize my money. Right now I have none.
Posted by Deneb on October 15, 2009, at 23:16:23
In reply to Re: Jobless. Anyone else, posted by morganator on October 15, 2009, at 2:02:52
> I forgot to add to allow yourself to go to a bar and drink a few of your favorite beers. Do not get drunk but drink a few and enjoy them. Ideally try to do this with a few good friends.
>
> Beer is good for your bones as it is rich in a highly bioavailable form of silicon. You must drink it in moderation of course.Beer is a good source of bioavailable silicon. I take BioSil, which is choline stablized orthosilic acid (ch-OSA).
So I don't need to brink lots of beer. :)
Posted by 10derHeart on October 16, 2009, at 0:07:49
In reply to Re: Jobless. Anyone else, posted by Rosy Crucifiction on October 15, 2009, at 13:52:55
I'm pretty sure Maxime (still) lives in Canada :-)
While laws and programs may be similar there, they also may not be.
Just wanted to mention that.
Posted by morganator on October 16, 2009, at 0:32:09
In reply to Re: Jobless. Anyone else » morganator, posted by Deneb on October 15, 2009, at 23:16:23
> > I forgot to add to allow yourself to go to a bar and drink a few of your favorite beers. Do not get drunk but drink a few and enjoy them. Ideally try to do this with a few good friends.
> >
> > Beer is good for your bones as it is rich in a highly bioavailable form of silicon. You must drink it in moderation of course.
>
> Beer is a good source of bioavailable silicon. I take BioSil, which is choline stablized orthosilic acid (ch-OSA).
>
> So I don't need to brink lots of beer. :)Yes Biosil is good! I just like the idea that I'm getting good silicon when I drink beer. I only drink 3 to 4 at the most when I do. I love all sorts of different types of good beer. Drinking a few beers is relaxing and good for social gatherings. Unless you're an alcoholic, nothing bad will ever come of drinking 2 to 4 beers in a few hour span.
Posted by manic666 on October 16, 2009, at 3:50:29
In reply to Re: Jobless. Anyone else, posted by bleauberry on October 15, 2009, at 17:20:38
i have to argue on the brain fog issue, your hard pressed to do any job in that state. the simplist of things become harder,like i said i would check a set of measurments 20 times to get 2 the same. not predutive to any imployer
Posted by Maxime on October 16, 2009, at 10:20:53
In reply to Re: Jobless. Anyone else » Rosy Crucifiction, posted by 10derHeart on October 16, 2009, at 0:07:49
> I'm pretty sure Maxime (still) lives in Canada :-)
>
> While laws and programs may be similar there, they also may not be.
>
> Just wanted to mention that.Yup, still in Canada. If what happened to me at work had happened in the US, I probably would have been able to sue for a lot of money. But it's not the same in Canada.
Posted by Maxime on October 16, 2009, at 10:22:16
In reply to Re: Jobless. Anyone else, posted by manic666 on October 16, 2009, at 3:50:29
I have to agree with you. The brain fog is a problem. I once started a new job whilst in the midst of a bad depression and I couldn't learn new tasks because my brain wouldn't work. I lost the job.
Posted by Maxime on October 16, 2009, at 10:23:17
In reply to Re: Jobless. Anyone else, posted by rjlockhart04-08 on October 15, 2009, at 21:50:30
> I got a Job, yet I have to go into orientation. Save that money up, yet I know myself, I spend money alot.
>
> I need to rationalize my money. Right now I have none.
>
>Save your money so that you can move out of your mum's house. That woman is psycho and toxic.
Posted by bulldog2 on October 16, 2009, at 17:57:04
In reply to Jobless. Anyone else, posted by Rauter on October 14, 2009, at 23:20:04
>
> Just posting this to know there are other psychiatric patients too like me. I have been jobless for the past six months and worst of all, I am suffering from depression and a significant lack of motivation.They say the US economy is now coming out of recession. But apparently it's a jobless recovery.For those without a job the prospects are dim. For those that are aging things are even more grim. I live day by day and try not to think of the future. Future looks very scarey.
Posted by bleauberry on October 16, 2009, at 18:04:14
In reply to Re: Jobless. Anyone else » bleauberry, posted by Maxime on October 15, 2009, at 18:49:17
> That's all fine and well if you can find a job. I've been actively searching since March and I haven't found anything yet. I've had some interviews but they keep on hiring from within.
Yes Maxime you are unfortunately very correct. This is the worst economic disaster since the Great Depression many decades ago. With current political direction it is likely to remain deep and prolonged with random sporadic hints of improvement that don't stick.
I guess I wasn't really talking about all jobs, but more specifically WalMart jobs. There are WMs just about everywhere. They are all hiring almost all the time. Starting positions are usually cashiers and pay is not great at that level. But a job is a job. It's a start. Someone can go from cashier to department worker to department manager in less than 2 years. There are even Store Managers making $100,000 who started as cashiers 6 years ago. Obviously most of us do not have the physical or mental endurance to survive that road, but the benefit of WM is that you can set your own pace. One can choose to work 15 hours a week or 40 hours a week, have a lot of responsibility or very little, have a lot of people contact or hardly any...it is so huge there is something for everyone, even us really sick people (you would be surprised how many people at WM are like you and me).
If the question is, "Where do I stand a pretty good chance of landing a job?" The answer is WM.
That said, you have to go through a 3-stage interview process. The same generic questions are asked of everyone, looking for how you handled certain situations in other jobs and giving specific examples to back it up.
The classified ads section of the paper is very small. It used to be 6 pages. Now it is 1/2 of a page! But through it all...WM is almost always hiring. From personal experience, I actually can't think of a more suitable place for a depression patient to work. There is enough activitiy to engage the mind and keep one occupied, but not so much as to overwhelm. The place is so large that there is no worry all eyes are upon you like would be in a smaller setting, because they aren't. It is just too big. A great place to blend in and just be you as best you can at any given moment.
Posted by Deneb on October 16, 2009, at 18:22:19
In reply to Re: Jobless. Anyone else » Maxime, posted by bleauberry on October 16, 2009, at 18:04:14
You know, WalMart really might not be such a bad idea. I seem to have a lot of trouble with jobs that require responsibility. I worked at a market research call centre for about 2 years. The job was pretty much mindless and I didn't find it stressful. I got promoted to supervisor and that's when things started going downhill. I found myself unable to work some days. I just had to go home, I couldn't function. It was too stressful for me. I actually demoted myself to go back to my old job before the centre closed from downsizing and everyone got laid off.
I am very apprehensive about finding another job. It is very stressful for me to go to interviews.
Posted by yxibow on October 16, 2009, at 21:10:24
In reply to Jobless. Anyone else, posted by Rauter on October 14, 2009, at 23:20:04
>
> Just posting this to know there are other psychiatric patients too like me. I have been jobless for the past six months and worst of all, I am suffering from depression and a significant lack of motivation.
You're definitely not the only one... its hard when you're ill, the lack of motivation sets in as you have said.
I suppose its harsh to say, but the motivation eventually is preservation of self... but you have to be open to work. And for some, like myself, its a multi-stage process.. there are so many layers of psychiatric, psychological, and possibly organic.My last full job was in 2000. I worked briefly in 2007 but I won't go into that.
Therapy is important to get yourself back on track and a skilled psychologist can help you "heal" your resume, especially one who is experienced in being a "lifecoach" (yes that is a pop-psych term too, but there are caring therapists out there who are savvy at that.)
For me, besides my multiple co-morbid disorders, there's probably a real fear of working, because of what it means, moving on in life, so many things.
I miss the times that I was relatively independent in that I was living on my own. Especially college.
But I can't live in that past... I'm very nostalgic for that time... a lot of things started giving me a high (yes, I had dysthymia, I'm not trying to be rosy lensed), but meeting new friends, being able to express my sexuality (gay), etc... it was one of those periods where you could say that I didn't realize just how good it was until it passed.
(Which is why I encourage people to stay in school. But anyhow this is getting apart from the job discussion... although there is a tangent... namely if you haven't honed up on a skill or aren't interested in what you have been doing... if it is possible to invest in some sort of re-education, extension courses, etc... its something worth doing.)
Independent work, if you're capable of some degree of motivation, is something worth considering too, depending on your skill set.
And I do list my job-type as a specific type of independent consultant, whether I'm actually engaged in it now or not, it at least says something else to oneself that mental illness is not the only job description.
I know its very hard... believe me. Thinking about me makes me verklempt...
-- tidings
Posted by Phillipa on October 16, 2009, at 22:35:43
In reply to Re: Jobless. Anyone else » Rauter, posted by yxibow on October 16, 2009, at 21:10:24
Oh Jay relate so fully. Love Jan
Posted by ross2009 on October 18, 2009, at 20:17:36
In reply to Re: Jobless. Anyone else » yxibow, posted by Phillipa on October 16, 2009, at 22:35:43
hey, for you guys who might want to go freelance. you can go to www dot odesk dot com.
This is the end of the thread.
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