Proper disability or just a bit miserable?

teabelly

I'm trying to find some assessment questionnaire type thing that I could fill in to see whether the job related anxiety/depression is bad enough to be considered a disability. I was off sick from my last job due to work related stress caused by workload and bullying for the best part of a year. I was made redundant a year ago. I have tried to apply for jobs but get so stressed out and distressed by the idea of returning to a 'normal' job that I often don't even get as far as finishing the application form. I don't feel like I can do any job well any more let alone be any good in the industry I was in (IT) I know I should just snap out of it and get on with getting a job just like everyone else has to but it seems unimaginable to me that I could cope.

My old workplace has a temp job going and frankly I am desperate enough now to consider it as I have had no luck elsewhere and the money situation is impossible now. All jobs have stress and I don't have any tolerance for any stress at all now. I just go straight into shutdown mode.

I feel like I'm on the scrapheap because I just can't make a normal life work at the moment.

Any bright ideas on how I can get out of this mess?!

DKLS

Perhaps its worth tackling the anxiety/depression issues before tacking on a job, Maybe ask your GP for a referral to a low intensity CBT unit, in the mean time have a look at https://www.livinglifetothefull.com an online CBT course developed by the leading Psychiatrist in the field, plus its free.
Once you have tackled the underlying causes of the anxiety/depression and have developed managment strategies that you can use to help your self, you will be much better placed to take a job and manage the stresses and pressure that involves.

I cant help with the stress aspect, as I am fortunate I thrive on stress and often do my best work when I am stressed out with work, I love it when the pressure is on, and I have to deliver in a set timescale, it focus's my brain and my efforts to really make a dent in the project. Its when things are going easy I struggle.

dawn1974

I have been where you are now, I am still suffering from the aftermath.

I left a really stressful job in January 2007 after a lot of bullying and pressure.

A colleague/friend committed suicide in October 2006 because of the bullying at the same workplace.

I now only work 16 hour's per week, I find it hard to trust people at work, I don't give out much information.

I have only been in this job for a week and it is ok but I am doing a job which I would have never done in the past.

dmg24

The DDA defines a disability as someone who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

From what you have described, I doubt that you would be covered by the DDA. However, this does not mean that you are not unwell, just that you do not have protection under the relevant legislation.

I am not a great fan of CBT for mental health conditions in general, but your problem seems to be quite specific, and in such a situation CBT may well be suitable. Also, some colleges and PCTs run anxiety and stress management courses which may be helpful to you.

Good luck x

teabelly

That link looks really useful

Another staff member was off sick too. Also suicidal. He's still here but goes in very early to get things done and is working 60 hour weeks to avoid the confrontation from things not being done as there aren't the hours in the day with the staffing levels . He suggested I shouldn't touch the place with a 10 foot pole! One bully has gone, one has lost his position of power but the third and most insidious is still there.

DKLS

teabelly wrote: »

That link looks really useful

There is also a DVD version of the program available on the website to watch, which was filmed using real people who were sufferers of anxiety and depression and had gone through the CBT process.

Depending where you are in the country, there are some great mental health initiatives about, sadly a lot of them are based in Scotland, as in the last 5 years they have had a big push on treatment for mental health issues.

And what will please dmg24, is that it doesnt focus purely on CBT, they have gone for a blended evidence based approach, offering a wide number of treatments to give a wholistic treatment more suited to individuals.

teabelly

I seem to be between two stools (ew!).) Too ill to do a proper job but not really quite disfunctional enough to be protected. I can function when I am not at work. I stop functioning when I return. After returning last time I was planning on suicide within a few weeks and stopped eating properly, or doing housework (not houseproud so I don't know how you'd tell ) and was tired all the time. Had bad headaches all the time and had flu aches and pains for weeks on end. I still get these symptoms when thinking about returning so I don't know whether it is a genuine change or a conditioning effect of having always felt like that when having been at work in recent memory. There is only one way to find out but I fear I'll go straight downhill so fast I won't be able to get out in time. I guess CBT should fix this or at least find out which one....