How Does Your Depression Affect Your Work?

[Ducky]

Link posted! "!+

[zeemiller]

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.

[Zaf]

I thonk it probably depends on the individual, I know from my perspective too much stress or too little to do increases my depression

[Ducky]

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. &^%

[Munchroom]

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

[zeemiller]

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

[Zaf]

Small steps definitely seem best xx

[Ducky]

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.

[Zaf]

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 :)

[Catbrian]

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

[Zaf]

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

[Catbrian]

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"

[Zaf]

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 :)

[joethfc]

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.

[Zaf]

I find anything that changes my routine or planned schedule causes me huge problems