Earning money when someone is depressed

Mousie_2

Ive suffered from depression, anxiety and agraphobia for many years.
Ive recently started doing Avon, which is helping me loads like its been said previously. It gets me out, excersice, fresh air, and meeting new people. Its also helped me gain confidence as it is hard knocking on doors etc.

Im really lucky with my job. I can see my place of work from my house, so walk there. I dont have to get stressed over travelling and buses! When i went for the interview I was honest and upfront about my depression. Everyone knows I can be very moody and knows to keep out my way when Im on a bad day. My employers really are good with that!
I find mornings the worst for me, getting up and motivated, so I went for an afternoon job, which takes the problem off getting up and ready for work early away.

sams247

Both my sister and myself have suffered many years of depression, whilst I have climbed out of the pit to a great extent she has slid to deep, deep parts. Our working experiences have been very different. She tried hard to keep a job going and had a little support from HR at work, but basically was 'let go' when cutbacks arrived. Since then she has stayed at home and lost much confidence. Recently she has started to volunteer a little, and this has helped to rebuild her confidence and has made her tackle her developing agoraphobia. I couldn't work at all for other people, and even if I got interviews I'd cancel them at the last minute due to complete panic. I worked for myself in bits and pieces, mainly in crafts or buying and selling. With a friend we booked a small table in a monthly all sorts market/craft hall and we sold toys, dolls, dolls clothes and some hand made items. We never made a lot of money, but it got me out and gave me something to concentrate on.

I did the whole Community Mental Health Team, and I have to sing its praises, I had so much help and support, I had access to a counsellor and I could phone any day I felt I couldn't cope. It was a life saver. I was referred there by my Dr, but they said (nad I have a friend who has done this) that they accept 'walk ins'. Most of the CMHT are based at or near to hospitals in this area (South) but I'm sure a google search will find one near you. I have researched a few in my area and they say they have a crisis line for phonng in.

Looking back the main advice I would send out is, truly - one day at a time. Steady and slow, dont beat yourself up for the bad days, fight but dont feel you've lost if you have a crash day. There is an excellent book called Black Dog that I'd recommend to anyone.

Workwise - some of the temp agencies offer 'general assistant' work, this is often dealing with post, photocopying, filing etc, which can be low pressure and as its temp there is no pressure to do every day.

tigerlily

Hi, I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. I have suffered from depression and panic attacks for the last 13 years. It is so difficult to earn money, well it was for me, I didnt have the confidence to deal with people at all. I started cleaning peoples houses, I began with jobs where the people were out at work so I would be on my own. After doing that I found another job where the people were at home so it would be a case of dealing with 1 or maybe 2 people. I just took things really slowly and didnt rush myself into "failing". After a while I did some mystery shopping work which was relativly felxible so if I couldnt face doing the job one day I would do it the next. Please believe that it really does get better, I now work in my local hospital which I never thought I would be doing 13 years ago! I am still on antidepressants but I have a good Dr who tells me that just like some people need insulin for diabetes I have a low level seratonin and doesnt make me feel silly or stupid for feeling like I do.
Wishing you all the best. XX

angie12

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I'll look into them, one at a time.

It's great to chat to people who understand the self -doubt depression causes. I'm so sick of trying to put a brave face on for everyone. It just makes me feel worse.
The last job I had was only a bit of cleaning at the local DHSS but I loved it because all the staff had usually gone home before I started. I felt my life was finally getting on track and then I was diagnosed with RA. It hit me hard and I had to leave the job.

I also worked 12 weeks in a small garage and it nearly gave me a nervous breakdown. Every time a little queue formed, I'd panick, and start pressing all the wrong buttons. Once, I pressed the wrong one and turned off all the pumps, The queue up the road was massive. fists were waving and horns were hooting, it was awful. I also somehow managed to throw away the till roll and it was found unravelled and screwed up in the bin. I was like Norman flaming Wisdom. I just kept freaking out under the pressure.
You'll be surprised to learn that they let me go at the end of my trial, but, once I'd got over the humiliation, it was a HUGE relief. I can laugh about it now, but, it was far from funny at the time, I can tell you and what little confidence I had went with the job.
Anyway, thanks again to you all. You've all really brightened my day.:T

Angie12

elkay115

I have no answers but I know how you feel. I usually last about 4 months in a job, then just can't face it anymore, no matter how hard and annoyed I get with myself (and others get with me). I am looking for a job just now, but find it harder and harder each time to find a new job.

Scaredy_Cat_3

elkay115 wrote: »

I have no answers but I know how you feel. I usually last about 4 months in a job, then just can't face it anymore, no matter how hard and annoyed I get with myself (and others get with me). I am looking for a job just now, but find it harder and harder each time to find a new job.

I'm sorry if this sounds patronising, it's not meant to be. I've had my own problems with depression so I wouldn't dream of trying to tell you what you should or shouldn't do... but if you are having problems with sticking at a job more than a few months at a time, for whatever reason, have you thought about joining a temp agency? I guess it depends on your reasons for wanting to leave each job after a few months, but if it's because you just get sick of the routine etc., and feel trapped and tied down, maybe it would be better to have jobs that were never designed to last longer than a few weeks or months. Just a thought.

elkay115

No it's not to do with feeling trapped or tied down and most of the time I have enjoyed my jobs. I just seem to manage ok till about the 4 month mark and then for whatever reason, that is when I seem to hit a cycle of depression and panic attacks.

Oh and most temp work is for office jobs, and I signed up with some agencies, but never get anything because I don't have any office experience. I usually do shop work which I do enjoy, but feel I am getting a bit old for being on my feet all day now ( and usually a lot of quite heavy lifting involved too). There aren't may temp shop work jobs out there. I am even applying for xmas jobs atm and not getting anywhere with them either just now.

[Deleted User]

It’s both lovely (and a bit sad) to know that I’m not alone with this problem. Depression always feels, to me, like a hidden disability – I look healthy; sometimes I function completely normally, but then .... up it pops and even getting myself out of bed is impossible.

I’m lucky in that I’m married to a very patient man, and he had a job. So, I’ve concentrated (so far) with managing what income we have as well as I can (thanks Martin), budgeting carefully, learning a lot about DIY around the house (to save getting someone in) and growing fruit, vegetables and herbs to supplement our income (and gardening is good for my depression too).

Think I’m going to look at doing some voluntary work – just to build up my confidence a bit (have been hiding at home too long). Then maybe some temping – sounds like a good idea as then I can work some weeks and not others. Big confidence hurdle to get over though! I guess, one step at a time ...
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BIG HUG to everyone. [/FONT]

Magic_Mishkin

Hello everyone!

This is my first post, but like many others I have been a lurker for nearly a year!!! :eek:

I know I should have read the FAQ forum before posting this, but I suddenly had this overwhelming urge to finely make myself known.

I too have been suffering from bouts of depression for about 15 years but have been too embarrassed to see my GP.

I haven't been in full time employment for 4 years and can't believe how much time I have wasted staying at home worrying about anything and everything.

I was in my last job for 10 years which involved me communicating with hundreds of people everyday, so don't know why I'm like this.

I also suffer from agoraphobia at times and am in the process of tackling my OCD.

This is actually very hard for me to accept let alone admit this to hundreds of people, but this thread has made me realise I'm not alone. (Sorry for the cliche!)

I should have posted this tomorrow when I'd had some sleep but I just wanted to thank everyone on here for their help and advice on seeking employment and wish everyone the best of luck with overcoming their own set backs etc.

It has taken me nearly a year to get a business idea off the ground, fear of failure/rejection and lack of computer skills hasn't helped.

Anyway, sorry for gabbling on, I will write a more coherent post tomorrow when I have reread your individual posts and will introduce myself properly.

Thanks again, I hope I will eventually be able to offer some good advice too!

Magic Mishkin

LeValley

Hello,

It's nice to hear from others who are in a similar position as I am. I often feel I am the only one and that I am some kind of weirdo who is unable to function and lead some kind of 'normal' life!

I have suffered with depression for most of my adult life. Luckily I married a very decent man who has supported me emotionally and financially. I don't know where I would be without him. Family and friends act like they understand, but it's very difficult to explain and get the support you need from others, who often think you are just an unhappy and lazy person all of the time. In fact, when I am myself I am a very happy and positive person who has so much energy for life. It's just those times when I feel numb and drained it becomes very hard and starts affecting my life, my relationships, jobs etc.

I have come to accept that I probably will never be able to work for someone else again because firstly, I have jumped from job to job in the past and that doesn't look good, and secondly, I simply can't be relied on. Therefore I have to make my own way in life now. I have started up my own business and I am always looking for other opportunities to do things that I can do in my own time. Now I have taken control and accepted my limits, I am actually doing a lot better. I now have a lot more good days than bad days.

Anyway back to this post, other than starting my own business I have found it difficult finding other things to do to make some money, but I have found volunteering is a great way of building up your confidence again, especially if you are doing something you love.

*Hugs* to you all.