How do people deal with functioning at work if they are depressed?!

How do people deal with functioning at work if they are depressed?

ive been dealing with depression and anxiety for over 0 years and am on meds for it. Ive lost 4 jobs in one year because there are times when I can not get out of bed and or have panic attacks all day. my doc told me that I could not file for disability. i am now 20 thousand dollars in debt trying to pay my rent and bills. Ive tried working ay home (ebay etc...) and it just doesnt mke enough. What should I do?

There is a program called Vocational Rehabilitations at least that is what it is called in ND whose primary purpose is to assist those individuals with disabilities (depression and anxiety are considered disabilities) to obtain and maintain employment. I would apply for their services - in fact I am a client of Voc Rehab and am a former Voc Rehab counselor. The assistance offered varies from client to client and from state to state as it is individualized to meet the needs of the person - within program boundaries of course. I can't say what they would be as that would be between you and the counselor. From what you are saying, I think you would be eligible for their services.

I have been coping with a major depression and an anxiety disorder for well over 12 years now, and lost my job about 7 years ago due to it. I also have a number of health concerns related to my mental health issues. To start with, I requested reasonable accomodations, enlisted the aid of an advocate and had my doctors write letters of support as well as to answer my employer's questions. I was not able to get the reasonable accomodations quick enough nor was I able to advocate strongly enough for myself. I did not get the advocate directly involved because I didn't want my bosses to get mad at me. Big mistake, they already were. I did file a discrimination suit and was granted permission by the EEOC to proceed with the court action, but by the time that happened, was too sick to follow through with it.

Some reasonable accomodations for you may be a modified work schedule - coming in later or earlier in the day, going half time, having less public contact, having a job coach help you learn a job and more importantly support you while working. It is hard to say without knowing your skills and employment situation.

As to filing for Social Security Disability, it is the staff working for the Social Security department that make the decision as to whether you are disabled, not your doctor. Your doctor's information will be used, as well as the information obtained from people that you specify in making the determination. Most people are denied the first time around. It is possible for you to get a lawyer to assist with the appeal, and then it can be easier. Lots of things are looked at, such as the duration of your illness, your employment skills and how your illness affects your employibility. Self-care is a big consideration.

Also, you do not say whether you are seeing a psychiatrist, or a general doctor. A psychiatrist will have more influence well as a psychologist in matters of mental health.

When someone with a disability is looking for employment
there is always the question as to whether to disclose that you have a disability. The research suggests that while a person may be screened out because of it, that those employers who know before hand are much more accepting and willing to work with the person. However, you will still need to perform the essential elements of the postion. Discrimination cases are hard to win.

Again, I will stress that it would be to your best interests to be working with someone in Vocational Rehabiltiations or individual/agency familiar with these issues as they can help you sort all of this out. Just some random thoughts which I hope are helpful, but may not fit your situation. In any event, I wish you well.