Depression and going back to work

nat_

For the past 2 and a half years I've been off work and on Income Support. It all started with my asthma, and then I became depressed. Although I've been off the tablets for 4 weeks, it seems like I'm not able to deal with going back to work.

I started a job on Monday, and couldn't go back the next day. The anxiety and stress got to me, and before I knew it I was in floods of tears. I just wanted to know if anyone had experienced this too?

Also, I'm interested in this back to work scheme... has anyone else done this?

Thanks

amber1979

You poor soul.

My Partner is going through something very similar. It's bloody hard. If working is making you ill, maybe you need to speak to your GP about some counselling or CBT?

Throwing yourself into a new job while you are still ill, isn't going to help you in any way.

Was this a new job?

Googlewhacker

nat_ wrote: »

For the past 2 and a half years I've been off work and on Income Support. It all started with my asthma, and then I became depressed. Although I've been off the tablets for 4 weeks, it seems like I'm not able to deal with going back to work.

I started a job on Monday, and couldn't go back the next day. The anxiety and stress got to me, and before I knew it I was in floods of tears. I just wanted to know if anyone had experienced this too?

Also, I'm interested in this back to work scheme... has anyone else done this?

Thanks

Did you go straight back into a full time job? What about part time where there is no pressure?

Raksha

I've struggled on and off with depression all my life - when I was fired in 1993, shortly before my marriage broken down (both possibly down to depression as well) I couldn't face going back to work for several years. I had new babies in my new relationship and we were able to afford for me to stay at home.

Eventually living costs caught up, so I started doing some Mystery shopping jobs - built my confidence and started doing more and more until I was working full time most days (and then some). I was self employed, and keeping my books as well as those of my OH who was an IT consultant.

Then I registered with an Agency, loved my first placement (and cried my eyes out when they said they didn't need me back after about 6 weeks), but I kept on taking what the Agency offered me - after 6 months I was asked if I'd like to work for the company full time perm (but that turned out to be a fiddle and they only wanted me to cover maternity leave). I got gardening leave and walked into another job 2 weeks later!

I agree that fewer hours is a good start, baby steps, find something you can be passionate about too. Work isn't all about money - job satisfaction counts for a lot.