How well do you juggle mental illness with working a ful-time job?!


Question: I suffer OCD, Tourette's, anxiety, & depression, & it's very disabling for me. I have my BA degree in Spanish, & I'm 24. My undergrad GPA was very low, due to my illness, so I tried to go back to school. I think my OCD unwanted thoughts & poor concentration got worse. I don't think I can try to take more undergrad courses & try to get into grad school. It's a waste of money. I already have to pay back my student loans because my 6-month grace period is up. My GPA is too low for me to get teacher certification, & I live in a town where there's hardly any jobs or transportation. I'm getting frustrated, & I don't know what else to do. I also don't have much work experience so no one wants to hire me anywhere. I've lost many jobs, due to my mental illness.


Answers: I suffer OCD, Tourette's, anxiety, & depression, & it's very disabling for me. I have my BA degree in Spanish, & I'm 24. My undergrad GPA was very low, due to my illness, so I tried to go back to school. I think my OCD unwanted thoughts & poor concentration got worse. I don't think I can try to take more undergrad courses & try to get into grad school. It's a waste of money. I already have to pay back my student loans because my 6-month grace period is up. My GPA is too low for me to get teacher certification, & I live in a town where there's hardly any jobs or transportation. I'm getting frustrated, & I don't know what else to do. I also don't have much work experience so no one wants to hire me anywhere. I've lost many jobs, due to my mental illness.

If you aren't getting treatment, check with your county health services. There are meds and therapy that can help manage the illnesses. Trying to do so without is extremely difficult. As for work, start slow with something easy. The goal is to get work experience on your resume. From there, look for something better. Focus on the type of work that you can best handle. Consider the person that is your boss - can make a big difference. If jobs are real scarce where you are at, you may have to move, but even that is better after you have some experience.

I have bipolar and it's been a challenge. Fortunately, my boss is a great guy, and my employer is understanding. Speaking of which, consider government jobs. The pay is okay, the benefits are good, and there often is a better understanding of health related limitations. Just don't expect an easy time. The jobs are a lot more demanding than most ppl think.

I have found that it depends on the boss you have. I have had two bosses that totally dont care and never worked with me to where i was able to stay at the job. My third job was extremely accomidating. As it was at a college support center. Your college should have a "disabilty" office... though i hate what it is called they really are helpful. They will work with you to make accomidations to help you get through school. But with jobs you just really need to bring it up to your boss and see if they will work with you.

although it is difficult you need to find a job that works with people who have mental illness. People who are more educated in these disorders understand your struggles and can help you during your employment

You poor person, all those difficulties. You could try getting a job that noone wants to do like washing up on a Saturday night, and THEN look for a better job as I think its easier to get a job when you are already working.

You could think about living somewhere else where there are more jobs maybe?

Good luck

you need to get together with a very experienced therapist who can work lifestyle changes, hedrbal and regular medications and behavoir therapy with you. and a nice caring friend with a sympathetic wallet will help you too. if you can't find that then contact your state and get free state sponsored help. intensive therapy can change your situation...good luck, i see you are struggling to get well. I THREW A LITTLE HUMOR IN THERE, IT'S GOOD THERAPY.

this may sound stupid but maybe you should smoke some marijuana, it'll calm your nerves. but you got a lot of problems





The consumer health information on answer-health.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007-2011 answer-health.com -   Terms of Use -   Contact us

Health Categories