going back to work

By otterlo Thursday, January 31, 2008

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I left work in Sept. 2007 due to sever depression as a result of my bipolar II. I am feeling better and I need to go back to work, at least part time. I am a social worker but I feel that type of work is too stressful. I am really frightened about going back to work. Controlling my stress is so critical to my staying out of the depths of hell. My counselor says that I should get the least stressful job I can find. Are there any jobs that are not stressful? Does anyone have any suggestions for me. I would really value some input. Thank you.....Pamela

Another depression

Comments (8) | Add comment

Kathryn Usher

1/31/08 4:26pm

The least stressful jobs I've ever had were in the non-profit world. Maybe that might be worth a try.

otterlo

1/31/08 4:34pm

thank you and since I am a social worker that may be a possibility for me!

Eric

1/31/08 5:07pm

Hi Pam,

Understand that anyone in your shoes would be scared also about going back to work after having the illness turn ugly and make it so that we couldn’t. I think the fear is more driven by the fact of if I go back to work will I fail again (the only time you’re a failer is when you won’t even try…what’s going to keep it from happening again? No one can promise it won’t happen again and if it does…it does.

Personally I would go back to being a social worker even if part-time for now…you know it inside and out (less stress from having to learn something new) and have compassion…something that many don’t have. Good luck either way.

Least Stressful Job: Lion Tamer

otterlo

1/31/08 5:11pm

thanks Eric, I am a good social worker and I do like the work. I like your lion tamer comment...lol...maybe I should give it a try....lol

tabby

1/31/08 7:39pm

Medical Records for a private office

All I do, day in and day out, is punch 2 little holes in pieces of paper, put them in the paper chart that matches the name on those little pieces of paper, and put them on a shelf. Several hours later in the day, I then take some of those charts off those shelves and put them in a stack so that the doctors can have them when the humans that match the charts arrive the next day. This I do day in and day out, day in and day out, day in and day out, and so on and so on and so on and so on.

It's boring as H-e-double hockey sticks BUT it isn't stressful and it pays okay. Florida has nothing on those little tiny round shards.

TMarie

1/31/08 10:01pm

I left my previous work, people-intensive restaurant manager, and eventually started a clerical job not much different than what Tabby describes above.

It was heavenly when I started, just what I needed for that time. Quiet. It required me to dial down my overloading multi-tasking self. Simple, simple - stuff envelopes, file, now and then type a letter. Aaah...

But a year later, the boredom is more stressful than almost anything else. Why? It's really not me, doesn't play to my strengths.

Can't handle going back to what I did and I don't think I want to. First, take care of getting better, then we'll see...good luck!

TMarie

1/31/08 10:03pm

I mean first I'm trying to take care of myself getting better, I wasn't telling you to get better. Sheesh. Typo - sorry.

tls

2/ 2/08 11:16am

I left a job I had for 7 years out of sheer boredom. I left an extremely stressful (not boreing) job I had for 3 months a psychotic mess. I'm faced with the same thing - what can I do now. My short-term disability is over and I'm having a hard time getting unemployment because I quit the last job. It's in appeal right now after I supplied all my doctor information. I applied at a grocery store to be a checker. We'll see - not sure if I can handle it. I'm also a full-time college student (distance learning) and that is where I get my mental stimuli.

Through all of this I wish I never left the 7 year job and just gone out on medical leave for a couple weeks but hind sight as they say. I didn't realize I was floating a little too high over normal at the time but I should have seen the signs.

My advise - try what you know part time and see how it goes. Good luck.

going back to work

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