Posted by Parisss on February 12, 2004, at 15:36:12
In reply to Re: Getting a Job, posted by rainyday on February 12, 2004, at 15:02:38
<<By the way, It really is a shame that we have to fight so hard to find a place to contribute in this world. Maybe someday the business world will not be so frightened of us, not so ignorant. And maybe in that same dream world the general public won't be afraid of the topic.
Paris> > Does anyone else here feel the panic over applying for jobs? That area where you put your last job and why you left?
> >
> Every single time I change jobs - whether it was due to a bipolar incident or not. I am petrified of screwing up another job, but more afraid of letting my potential employer know about my condition. The public distrust and paranoia about mental health is real and alive.
>
> > Last job for me: I was fired. I got too depressed to face the day, I had become such an overachiever and was expected as my norm to do more than a normal days work. My daughter got her deployment papers and I just could not face going to work. I could not face crying at work. 3 days of no-call, no-show... and I was fired.
> >
>
> Last job before this one I quit before they got a chance to fire me: I think I beat them by hours...
>
> > The job before it was a 15 year career job that I ended up with a disability from. So, what do I put there? I left because I am Bipolar?
> >
> > Fired and Bipolar... file 13..
> > I don't like to lie, I don't like to fill out applications. I panic over how ignorant the general public is about mental illness and how few resources we have to be functional w/o relying on Uncle Sam. I panic over the days I may not be able to act "normal" and just get fired again.
> >
>
> I am going forward with the presumption that an employer will not understand that being bipolar does not mean you are dangerous or untrustworthy. I have used the "I have a chronic condition that sometimes prevents me from carrying out my job" line. That sure shuts 'em up.
>
> > Anyone else?
> >
>
>
poster:Parisss
thread:312287
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040211/msgs/312513.html