Hard going back to work after many years with mental illness?

Question

I just returned to the working world after 9 years of illness and it sure wasn't easy. My new job doesn't know of my illness, nor will I be breathing a word. I found it difficult to even pass the 2-wk training session, never mind the job and adapting to new policies and procedures. I am a little on the slow side (possibly due to the number of ECT/meds I have been on). But, I've been there for almost 12 mos. and every day is a challenge.

Answer 1

Girl...give yourself a pat on the back!!!! you need to remind yourself that up until a year ago you were not able to work and remind yourself that it took alot of gutts to get yourself out in the real world and into the work force!!! you have mad a huge accomplichment. I know it must have been really scarry taking the initial step to get a job-now you need to look into a mirror and smile at yourself and tell yourself GOOD JOB!!!! I was once in the very shoes that you are in-I mean was in. because of emotional problems that kept me in either a depressed frame of mind or anxiety struck frame of mind, also on antidepressants and antianxiety meds. I am 50 years old now and up until three years ago I was in a self destructive mode always kicking myself in the head while i was already down. I have spent years in the shrinks office-since i was 18 years old. to add insult to injury,, about 9 years ago my bode went into waves of pain--the pain doctor called it fibromyalgia--he put me no oxycotin, percocets and a few different anti-inflanitories. no i am not just on psche meds but a lethel coctail!!!!!!!!!! three years ago i finally took a look at my life---wasn't much of a wife, wasn't there for my kids and i finally realized that these pills were killing me-let me make that clearer--I took my psche meds, but all that pain medicine kept me either sleeping or hiding in my bed. I finally surveyed my pitiful life--correction again--i also surveyed my families life- and decided that if i didn't get off the pain pills - they would either kill me or they would kill my family. I called my husband at work one day -- infact it was a thursday july 11th-- I told him that i wanted to go into rehab, and i needed to do it as soon as he got home from work, i didn't want to give myself too much room for me to change my mind. things went according to plan --OH and the year was 2003. to this day I celebrate my rebirth on july 11th, I wanted to reward myself I felt i deserved to be rewarded-- By late august I went back to work - aug of 2003 not much more that a month after a five day detox--I am a hairdresser, I was 23 when i got my license, but i only worked a couple years and i spent more years in the nuthouse than i did at home. now i am only out of detox days when i went to a salon near my home to get a haircut. I met the woman that would soon become my boss. my license had been inactive for 9 years. I worked less but i kept my license current till then. Surprisingly it was much easier to reactiveate my lic. that i thought. in a few weeks i became employed and i am still a hairdresser in that very salon. wanna hear something funny? I have lasted through three different owners of that salon and i am still there. wasn't i afraid???? you bet I was, i was scared to death--i was beyond rusty in my ability to cut-etc. I bluffed my way through the first year- only started getting a little confidence the second year and am really confident this last year. I botched up alot of hair cuts--and i still don't know what gave me the gutts to stick with it because some of these haircuts but baddddddd! sometimes i would go to another room at the salon and get my coworker go out and fix and finish a haircut--i refused to go back out untill that client was gone---I know i looked like an idiot. I was determined at any -- anyones expence that i was going to hang in there. word of wisdom.....if you have to cut something it is better you have a great back up "coworker" ! so yes i do know the fear of getting through a days work. and it havd to be my determination and the grace of GOD...but i made it!!!! your going to have scarry days at work..you already have. and if you need time to regroup and not work for a period of time then take it!!! but you are already a success!!!! When will i slide back??? I really don't know, but i am proud of myself for what i have accomplished !!!YOU ARE ALREADY A WINNER!!!!! YOU GOT YOU THROUGH THE TRAINING AND PROCEDURES YOU HAD TO LEARN FOR YOUR JOB--ITS NOT JUST A MIRICLE--IT IS A CHANCE TO HAD THE GUTTS TO TAKE AND YOU WON!!!! CELEBRATE YOUR NEW LIFE--BUT DON'T GET TOUGH ON YOURSELF IF YOU NEED A BREAK! TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!
AND GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

Well, you have an interesting question here. It is kind of dependent, many people have seen a negative side to a mental illness. It has gained a reputation others feel uncomfortable around. I believe it would be wrong to judge a person with a mental problem. For bipolar disorder I surely have meet a bunch who were a bit inappropriate but I wouldn't judge the rest. I've meet plenty who were great individuals. For other people they only see a shocking person, pretty much these types of disabilities from more psychological disorders have built a reputation others can't look past. As for other mental problems it would be just inconsiderate and shameful for someone to mock a person with autism, retardation, and other conditions. But overall people can never look past a identity built in their minds of others with mental handicaps until they breach a point of understanding that their stereotypes are fake and won't apply to everyone.

Answer 3

It is, isn't it? I will complete my 1st year back on the job after nearly five years of illness and a year of disability at the end of this month. I know how difficult it is getting back in the saddle. I'm about 90% acclimated now, thanks to the cognitive therapy I mastered while recovering from nearly fatal depression. When the going gets tough, I just remember the misery I was in and toughen up. Somehow I make it each day. I got blessed with fibromyalgia and diabetes while I was depressed, so it's extremely difficult at times. I've missed only two days in the last year. Email me... let's talk more.

Answer 4

I'm on SSD now and want to return to work when I'm well, which will hopefully be soon (BP1, PTSD, ADD).

You are AMAZING for hanging in there and doing so well! Give yourself the credit you deserve!

A support group may help, and you can check out www.crazyboards.org. for more online help. Are you still on meds? I know it is hard to think straight on meds, but you must be doing a great job if you've kept your job for this long! Congratulations!

Answer 5

Congratulations on your success! You are an inspiration to many. It takes a lot of courage, strength, and conviction to do what you are doing. Are you still in therapy? group? Do you have a good support system?

Best wishes.

Answer 6

Congrats on your recovery. My suggestion is a support group . It'll help you to get through the daily "challanges" that you will encounter. Just remember to believe in your self, your abilities and to keep things in the "now," and you'll be OK !

Answer 7

You should be very proud of yourself. I am only able to work 6 hours a week and hope to be able to increase that soon. Sounds to me like you are well on the road to recovery

Answer 8

Susie:
I can see you are in the urge to talk about it and it is very understandable. I assume you are still receiving professional support. If you do not find support with your real life people, open your email, IM's and the acces to your 360 page so we can talk to you.

Answer 9

Wow.
Impressive.

Answer 10

You have guts, courage, and you get a standing OVATION FROM ME. Gosh you have so much to be proud of, you said it best, it's been hard, but you've done it. What an accomplishment.