Depression Forums
General => The Lounge => Topic started by: Ducky on June 27, 2012, 08:09:32 AM
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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.
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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
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My work is what causes my depression unfortunately :(
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I've had to stop working .
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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
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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
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I love books Ducky, do you have a website?
Z xx
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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!
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Ducky,you are more than welcome to post the link on the links board.
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Thanks Ducky I'll take a look :)
Z xx
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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. :'(
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There is a little section for non depression related links if you do want to post it Ducky xx
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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!!!! :) )
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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.
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I've had a look and please do repost the link on the links board.
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Link posted! "!+
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what jobs are less stressful and less likely to add to probs or cause them???? i worked as a decorater for a company up to 2009 when i had a breakdown as stress from work and at home got too much and ive never been the same since think bcasue the work was part of the prob b4 the thought scares me a lot of having to be back at work so guess im lucky still have esa benefit to help get back on my feet etc, would like to be in work and was just wondering what are the least stressful things to do wouldnt jump into anything but guess ideas give a target and option for the future etc.
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I thonk it probably depends on the individual, I know from my perspective too much stress or too little to do increases my depression :(
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It depends wholly on the individual and how prone to stress you are. while some even thrive on stress (like Maggie, allegedly). Some individuals could be totally stressed out stacking shelves at ASDA (no disrespect intended), while others could be totally unstressed landing a 747 when two engines have failed. &^%
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I agree, everyone is different.... when I first got ill I was doing office work and now I'm back doing night ahifts, caring for people with dementia. I think a lot of people would find the latter the more stressful of the two, but I really feel it is helping my recovery.
Have you considered doing any voluntary or permitted work whilst on ESA? It might help you to see how work effects you?
xx
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managed one day doing something but got so bad late on that it scared me just need small steps i guess not to be put straight into something
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Small steps definitely seem best xx
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I gave serious consideration to volunteering in one of the Oxfam Bookshops (the fact that I might also be able to get my hands first on the best stock at a decent price to sell never crossed my mind &(* ). But since I never know how I am going to feel when I get up in the morning, I just couldn't commit myself.
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I know what you mean, I tried helping out in a local charity shop one day a week but had to stop as it stressed me out with even that much committment at the time - it made me feel desperately guilty at the time :)
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LOl Ducky....I'm sure those best bargain books really never crossed your mind!
Zee...I think voluntary work or a little leisure course at college would be ideal for getting you moving in the direction of working again.
I was a youth worker and then care manager for social services. I know I could never return to either and will be thinking along the lines of working from home in the future. Writing is a favourite hobby, so perhaps a creative writing course beginning in the autumn is what I will be working towards
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Sorry Cat I should have said that was in a previous episode when I was off work, I am working now but finding it a struggle and going to have to cut back drastically for a while.
I'd like to try some sort of craft as a means of earning a little and am seriously considering taking a stained glass course when I feel up to it
Love your avatr btw :)
Z xx
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Do you know, zaf, I love stained glass and often thought about a course. Sounds really therapeutic
The other night I read a link on depression that you had posted a few days ago. As it says, if you were recovering from a physical illness, your doc wouldn't advise you over doing it and running a marathon. Likewise with depression....you must take things easy and slowly. Recover gently.....
"Be at Peace. You do not need to do anything to be okay"
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I love stained glass too, in fact I like most decorative glass items; I'd really like to get into something like that if I can.
Thats so right Cat, its just so very disappointing when we have a downwards blip after feeling an imrovement
I love that quote :)
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I work in a newsagents at weekends, I find it depends how I'm feeling. I like Sunday mornings because I have a very rigid routine, I only get worried if a routine changes, like none of the paper-boys turning up. I've had to get used to certain regulars and co-workers but I think it's mostly going through the motions these days.
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I find anything that changes my routine or planned schedule causes me huge problems :(
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I'd like to work but not allowed at the moment, quite fustrating.
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I work in retail and I find myself frequently in my own little messed up world, my work colleagues struggle to understand and its hard to act as if I am happy throughout the day. I enjoy my job its given me confidence its just affecting my ability to learn tasks and tend to punish myself mentally if I make a mistake. I feel great pressure when I work and out of place.
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Grimpychump- Totally relate to you. Off work at the moment but before i got signed off, most of my colleagues wouldn't have a clue if i needed brief times-out from the stress of the job. Returning to work soon and its making me incredibly anxious.
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I find work a great help, I work in the NHS and deal with transport of patients. When I'm at work I have my job to focus on and it help to keep my low mood at bay, but at the end of the shify whilst I'm driving home the black cloud decends upon me and it's awful!! I'm glad I hav work to keep me from falling off the face of the earth, but hate having days off or having to take leave. So for me work is a very positive thing and I would be in a far worse state if I didn't have the job I have. Xx
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At the moment I am unemployed, after working in community care for 7and a half years, I cannot continue in it as I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in my knees ( not good if your on your feet all day ) and also I don't drive, so have to rely on Public Transport, hanging around bus stops in all weathers hasn't helped my knees either!, luckily for me my Hubby is an absolute Angel ( he is so patient he can make Gabriel look snappish ) and is now supporting me, ( now I am a drain on his resources as well as his patience ) due to go to the dreaded Job Center soon, as they refused my application for benefits, as I did not earn enough in the last two years to claim it. ( But thank you vary much for what you did put in over the last seven years, and no you cannot ask for that back ) Cynical Moi?, Yes I am!.
I need to train to do SOMETHING, god alone knows what, Indoor work, with no heavy lifting would be a start. $%$
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I am fortunate that I work with great people and do get a laugh however the work is monotonous staring at a computer for 8 hours does me no good, on a bad day I feel like there’s a dark cloud over me and my mind wonders and think of all the bad things in my life and what’s going on in the world I just want scream and run away from this c**p. :-[