Posted by fallsfall on March 1, 2005, at 17:31:47
In reply to Re: Prognosis » fallsfall, posted by Aphrodite on March 1, 2005, at 13:37:51
> I was so struck by your post. The challenges ahead must be very daunting as our careers seem to be so wrapped up in how we see and define ourselves. Forgive me if I am remembering incorrectly, but didn't you once have a demanding, high-stress career? You've spoken vaguely about "work," but is there a particular kind of work you are looking for? Is the trepidation that you are planning to return to the kind of work environment in which you've crashed before?
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*** I am/was a software engineer (plus I've done management of software engineers) - my specialty is bug fixing. Not exactly low stress... The industry is high stress, and bugs are higher stress. I loved it, but when I went back 4 years ago I dropped the management part in hopes of reducing the stress, but that wasn't enough.> Maybe this is an opportunity to do something different, a new path, a less stressful work environment with a supportive therapist to lean on.
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*** I currently work in the local library. The stress level is much lower. My current thinking has me going back to get a Masters in Library Science. Then I could be a librarian. You can do library work with out the degree, but they don't pay you as much. Plus the time in school would give me a chance to get used to feeling better without the stress of working. Hopefully, by the time I finished my degree I would have enough confidence in my abilities to get a job.> I also want to mention that in my career, I work closely with Voc Rehab, and in my area at least, they are wonderful and very resourceful. You mentioned your worry in that regard. I've known many people who have been turned around by the Voc Rehab services, so I hope they are just as wonderful in your neck of the woods.
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Since I am on SSDI, I can get the Voc Rehab services through their "Ticket to Work" program. When I set up the appointment the guy sounded really nice and knowlegable - and his wife is a librarian! Thanks for the encouragement, though. Success stories are always helpful.> Further, you were quite eloquent about the fear of being self-sufficient and "well" and what that might mean for the support you get from your T. Could he promise you in writing or otherwise that you would be rewarded differently by him? Maybe that could ease that very real anxiety.
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*** We have done a lot of work trying to convince me that I won't lose therapy/him if I get better. I'll have to read my post again, I thought I was over that... Guess not?> I hope your meeting goes well. It sounds like a very trying time for you. (((Falls)))
Thanks for your support.
poster:fallsfall
thread:464547
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20050225/msgs/465112.html