How Does Your Depression Affect Your Work?

[Ducky]

As a newbie, I don't know if this topic has been posted before - so apologies if it has. I was just wondering how each poster on here who works (whether it be a job you have to go out to, or one at home or for mothers or whatever) is affected? Does it stop you doing your work, does it make you less efficient/productive, or does it not affect you at all?

I would be interested to read your comments on this one.

[tharidler]

hi ducky
i do some work from home i do some restoration work on antiques this is to help with a little money but also to try and occupy my mind i'm at home to look after the boys because the illness has stopped me from going out to work at the moment but i must admit that if i was employed to do this then productivity is low with very long breaks in between projects thankfully it is a hobby that can pay a little if i was in the outside word my lack of concentration and zoning out would be a problem as i used to drive hgv's (not the place for your mind to wander) prior to that i ran pubs and nightclubs so the fear of being around a lot of people and the anxiety and paranoia that i suffer with does not make me the most welcoming of hosts so in short it does affect me quite a lot

[Zaf]

My work is what causes my depression unfortunately

[Buttercup]

I've had to stop working .

[Ezel]

The work I do is from home and is adoption related so not paid work and actually helps me through my depression.  The root of my depression is emotional / verbal abuse from my mum and adoption is an extension of it as my mum was the main force of coercing me into surrendering my son.  I am keen on adoption reform and supporting mothers who have also been coerced into surrendering and been victims of forced adoption which is on the increase in the UK.  As I am active in this it helps me deal with my depression

[Ducky]

Interesting replies, thank you.

I sell books online so spend much of the time in front of a faceless computer.

I never used to go out much in the day, only to the post office if necessary, when my son was alive as I didn't like to leave him home alone in case he made a mess of the place (which he always did). That was my OCD at play, I guess. After he died, my GP told me I needed to make an effort to go out every day otherwise I would simply stay at home and get ever more sad, depressed and lonely.

So now I force myself to go out each day, book hunting, though I am rapidly running out of space to store them all. Ideally I should turn my son's bedroom into a library to give me more space, but just going in there makes me weep.

If I don't get any orders, I also get very down as I take it as a personal rejection - that nobody wants anything I am selling and that, therefore, I am a lousy judge of a book and worthless.

My son used to go to the local car boot and find some wonderful bargains - I think I once sold one of his £1 purchases for £120 or so.

Ducky

[Zaf]

I love books Ducky, do you have a website?

Z xx

[Ducky]

Yes, though it only serves as a "shop window" for my Burmese artifacts (paintings, photos, etc) as I am first and foremost a Burma specialist (and author), but as selling Burma goods produces very little income, I sell books on all topics, specializing these days in signed books. My website is: www.mandalayemporium.com and all my stock is listed on Amazon.co.uk Unfortunately it isn't possible to search my stock easily since Amazon's search engine is notorious in the book business for being diabolical, by far the worst of any of the major websites. Despite persistent criticism, Amazon refuses to make their search engine user friendly - so if you type in George Orwell, for argument's sake, it is quite possible that you will end up with a book by Enid Blyton! Only yesterday I tried listing a book about paintings of the Far East and I ended up listing one on T-shirt designs - don't ask me why!

[Ezel]

Ducky,you are more than welcome to post the link on the links board.

[Zaf]

Thanks Ducky I'll take a look :)

Z xx

[Ducky]

Ducky,you are more than welcome to post the link on the links board.

Thanks, but my website doesn't have anything to do with depression, other than the fact that it shows a number of photos of my late son, which certainly make me cry.

[Zaf]

There is a little section for non depression related links if you do want to post it Ducky xx

[Munchroom]

I'll certainly check out your website Ducky - I love my books :)

I had to give up work when my depression was at its worst, I think it was a major trigger for me amd it became too hard to cope. I've been very fortunate in getting back to work as the care home I worked for years ago took me on as bank staff... I did that for a few months last year, but then my depression reared its ugly head and I had to take a few months out. I started back in May this year and it IS tough,  I find it incredibly tiring and I work nights so my sleeping pattern is all over the place   But now I have permenant shifts and my managers continue to be very supportive, also I am blessed to love what I do. I still have to take everything as it comes, but every shift feels like progress :)

(Plus, earning money again means I can buy more books!!!! :) )

[willows]

Work is what has kept me going. On days I have work I feel I have a reason to get out of bed which is a positive. However, at work it has affected me in that I feel I have lost confidence in my own judgement when dealing with incidents (emergency services). My supervisor has been very supportive and I currently don't go out unaccompanied but it feeds my feelings of failure that I need this support so constantly beat myself up about it. Mt gp keeps urging me to take some time out from work but I have an overwhelming feeling that if I do I will never go back.

[Ezel]

I've had a look and please do repost the link on the links board.