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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 22 of 22. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Giget on May 8, 2003, at 11:55:11
This is my first post here, but I have been an onlooker for a while.
I am EXTREMLY depressed and my phic is working on meds with me. I have been put on Zyprexa, with 80 pounds weight gain, Effexor, with terrible rash, stomach problems, fever, no help for depression and other really bad side effects, and now he put me on Wellbrutin, which needs time to get into my system.
My question is how do you hold down a job when you can bearly wash your hair? My work is seeing problems and they offered me some time off, not firing just some time off. I want to take it but I called the phic, who is only in on Mondays by the way, and the nurse sounded like she did not think he would document my problem for work.
I have been living hour by hour, but I am sinking at work. All I do is put all my energy into going to work and going home to bed.
How do you keep a job?
Posted by denise528 on May 8, 2003, at 12:28:53
In reply to How do you work, keep a job, with Depression?, posted by Giget on May 8, 2003, at 11:55:11
Hi Giget,
I know exactly what you mean, somehow I just get by but I know that if I was working on an assembly line or the kind of job where I was under constant supervision I wouldn't have lasted. Sometimes I even why I bother going to work when the money I make I don't enjoy anyway. I just go to work so that I can say that I'm still functioning and as a way of distracting myself but I'm not really distracted at all. My hearts not in anything including my work and I know that if I wastn't depressed I'd be doing a much better job than I am now.
Denise
Posted by denise528 on May 8, 2003, at 12:31:57
In reply to How do you work, keep a job, with Depression?, posted by Giget on May 8, 2003, at 11:55:11
Gidget,
How much Zyprexa are you taking?
Denise
Posted by fallsfall on May 8, 2003, at 14:06:28
In reply to How do you work, keep a job, with Depression?, posted by Giget on May 8, 2003, at 11:55:11
I am out of work on disability (15 months and counting) for Depression (and BPD). My therapist believes that if I'm not productive at work, and it's causing me stress, and I can't have a life outside of work, that I should take a break.
Everybody's different. Some people need a week off, I need more. I have a friend who takes 2 - 3 weeks off every 4 - 5 months and that works fine for her.
Talk to your doctor.
Posted by Bob on May 8, 2003, at 14:59:23
In reply to Re: How do you work, keep a job, with Depression?, posted by fallsfall on May 8, 2003, at 14:06:28
I too have been on LTD for about 15 months now. I struggled at work for years and years, trying to hide my transgressions and make it appear as though I was fully productive. It was extremely difficult and led to enormous amounts of stress - especially if I was called to task for something. I always thought in the back of my mind, that if I could just try that next med combo, I'd be home free and make it up to everyone. Uh-huh. It kept getting worse and worse, to where I finally experienced a crisis and had to drop out. My family, friends, all thought and hoped that it would only be for a few weeks, but I knew better. It was just too much to go back. It makes me sad to think I've been on disability for so long now, but what can be done? I am still in no shape to go back despite all that I have tried in the past year and a half. Full time work demands a lot from a person, even if you are just sitting at a desk. My lifestyle had gotten so bad at work, that I had to work a shifted (late) schedule with extra hours every day to make up for my severe inefficiency and unproductiveness. That led to social isolation outside of work since there was no longer any time or energy left for other things. I don't have a lot of waking hours or energy to start with. Try working a full 8-9 hour day when you sleep an average of 12 hours.
Posted by Katia on May 8, 2003, at 15:55:37
In reply to Re: How do you work, keep a job, with Depression? » fallsfall, posted by Bob on May 8, 2003, at 14:59:23
All these messages sound great, but what if you don't have that option????? I would be taking such great care of myself IF I had that option. The reality is, i'm single have many bills a month, disability? what's that? There is no one there to support me. If I EVEN applied for support, apparently it takes up to a year and then it doesnt' help you to help yourself. gives you a fraction of nothing per month and you can't make more than zero in order to qualify.
Sometimes, there are no options.....I wish I'd been born in a more progressive country where they really take care of their people, in situations like this. not in america - the land of the free - huh!
If there is anyone in America getting financial support here I'd love to know where and how.
thanks.
katia
Posted by Bob on May 8, 2003, at 19:59:50
In reply to Re: How do you work, keep a job, with Depression?, posted by Katia on May 8, 2003, at 15:55:37
> All these messages sound great, but what if you don't have that option????? I would be taking such great care of myself IF I had that option. The reality is, i'm single have many bills a month, disability? what's that? There is no one there to support me. If I EVEN applied for support, apparently it takes up to a year and then it doesnt' help you to help yourself. gives you a fraction of nothing per month and you can't make more than zero in order to qualify.
> Sometimes, there are no options.....I wish I'd been born in a more progressive country where they really take care of their people, in situations like this. not in america - the land of the free - huh!
> If there is anyone in America getting financial support here I'd love to know where and how.
> thanks.
> katiaKatia:
I do feel your pain. The only reason I was writing about disability was because you asked how people worked with depression. I basically was saying that I tried it for years and could no longer do it.
I too now wish I lived in a country that takes care of you. I didn't wish that years ago, though.
Posted by katia on May 8, 2003, at 20:08:46
In reply to Re: How do you work, keep a job, with Depression? » Katia, posted by Bob on May 8, 2003, at 19:59:50
Posted by fallsfall on May 8, 2003, at 22:57:13
In reply to Re: How do you work, keep a job, with Depression? » fallsfall, posted by Bob on May 8, 2003, at 14:59:23
When you are using 110% of your energy for work, there is something wrong. In 1995 I went out for 4 years before being able to return to work. I did get better over that time. There is hope.
Posted by Bob on May 8, 2003, at 23:02:03
In reply to Re: How do you work, keep a job, with Depression? » Bob, posted by fallsfall on May 8, 2003, at 22:57:13
> When you are using 110% of your energy for work, there is something wrong. In 1995 I went out for 4 years before being able to return to work. I did get better over that time. There is hope.
That is good to hear. I can only hope that the same, or something similar, applies to me. It must have been difficult to go back into the workforce after a 4 yr absence.
Posted by fallsfall on May 8, 2003, at 23:03:36
In reply to Re: How do you work, keep a job, with Depression?, posted by Katia on May 8, 2003, at 15:55:37
When I was out for 4 years, I was on Long Term Disability for the first 2 (they limit mental illness coverage - Arg!). LDT paid me 60% of my salary. I qualified for SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance). It won't pay for the first 5 months, and will only cover you if you are/will be out for more than 12 months. It can take them a long time to approve you (then they pay retroactively). SSDI didn't pay nearly as much as LTD - it is figured on some formula that takes into account how much you have paid into the Social Security system, so each person is different.
If you (or anyone else) ever has an option to sign up for Long Term Disability, I recommend that you do! That is how you manage during the time that Social Security is trying to decide if they will pay your claim.
None of this is fun or easy. I didn't have a choice.
Posted by fallsfall on May 9, 2003, at 5:55:48
In reply to Re: How do you work, keep a job, with Depression? » fallsfall, posted by Bob on May 8, 2003, at 23:02:03
Going back to work after 4 years was hard. I am a Software Engineer, so the technology passed me by when I was sick.
I did start volunteering maybe a year and a half before I went back to engineering. I volunteered in the Public Library and the Computer Lab in the Middle School. Eventually the library offered me a part time job as the Children's Librarian (talk about fun? They paid me to read picture books!). So over time, I went from 2 hours a week volunteering to 20 hours a week paid.
Then I did an extensive (and very successful) job hunt emphasizing the skills that I had that weren't out of date. I put the 4 years down as a medical disability on my resume. No one seemed to have a problem with it.
I worked there for 2 years, and then crashed again. I've been out 15 months so far. Writing this down for you reminds me that I shouldn't be so scared about going back to work - I did it once, and it really was OK.
Posted by lynn3 on May 9, 2003, at 7:58:00
In reply to How do you work, keep a job, with Depression?, posted by Giget on May 8, 2003, at 11:55:11
> This is my first post here, but I have been an onlooker for a while.
>
> I am EXTREMLY depressed and my phic is working on meds with me. I have been put on Zyprexa, with 80 pounds weight gain, Effexor, with terrible rash, stomach problems, fever, no help for depression and other really bad side effects, and now he put me on Wellbrutin, which needs time to get into my system.
>
> My question is how do you hold down a job when you can bearly wash your hair? My work is seeing problems and they offered me some time off, not firing just some time off. I want to take it but I called the phic, who is only in on Mondays by the way, and the nurse sounded like she did not think he would document my problem for work.
>
> I have been living hour by hour, but I am sinking at work. All I do is put all my energy into going to work and going home to bed.
>
> How do you keep a job?
>
>
I go through periods of time where I can't work, my boss knows about my depression and is very understanding. I find work to be a big help with my depression. I guess it depends on what type of work you are in. My job helps me stayed focused off myself which is a good thing. Keeping some sort of a routine in your life keeps you from staying in bed all day (I get like that sometimes too). Sounds like you need a med change Giget.
Take Care
Posted by Bob on May 9, 2003, at 12:14:11
In reply to Re: How do you work, keep a job, with Depression? » Bob, posted by fallsfall on May 9, 2003, at 5:55:48
> Going back to work after 4 years was hard. I am a Software Engineer, so the technology passed me by when I was sick.
>
> I did start volunteering maybe a year and a half before I went back to engineering. I volunteered in the Public Library and the Computer Lab in the Middle School. Eventually the library offered me a part time job as the Children's Librarian (talk about fun? They paid me to read picture books!). So over time, I went from 2 hours a week volunteering to 20 hours a week paid.
>
> Then I did an extensive (and very successful) job hunt emphasizing the skills that I had that weren't out of date. I put the 4 years down as a medical disability on my resume. No one seemed to have a problem with it.
>
> I worked there for 2 years, and then crashed again. I've been out 15 months so far. Writing this down for you reminds me that I shouldn't be so scared about going back to work - I did it once, and it really was OK.
I am very, very sorry you crashed again. That totally sucks. That's what I would be afraid of if I went back. It would be so difficult to get back into the swing of things, only to spiral down and have to bail.How were you able to go back the first time? Did you find a good drug all of a sudden, or did you just start slowly responding to what you were doing?
Posted by Katia on May 9, 2003, at 13:29:45
In reply to Re: How do you work, keep a job, with Depression? » Katia, posted by fallsfall on May 8, 2003, at 23:03:36
Thanks for the info. I doubt I'd get very much as I've never made very much (I'm 32). I was also out of the country for a few years and i'venever made more than$30K and that was one top year! The other thing is I couldn't live off of 60% of my salary/wages; I barely exist now. I could try...... The other thing is I am part-time in grad school and it's my third year and I've one more togo and I'd be afraid to stop that as it gives me so much strength and support. (I'm in a psych program). If I applied I'd probably have to quit that. The main thing for me is I don't want to drop out of everything/totally; that would actually make me worse. I just need a little support as I can't keep up with fulltime work. and this system in America doesn't let you help yourself. You have to be completely out of work and making zilch (sp?).
I'm sorry to be so negative, but I am extremely frustrated with this system in America in all walks. I'm trying get insurance to have my pdoc visits covered and meds and basically theinsurance company will ALLOW me to give them about $80 per month with a 2K deductible. 20 Mental illness visits are allowed; BUT I have to first pay for anything up to 2K before they pay out anything. In the meanwhile still giving the ***tards $80 per month. The catch is, they only allow 20 visits and the visits which are paid for out of pocket going toward the dedt. are included in that. You do the math. By the time I meet the deductible, I'd have had 20 visits! Most pdoc charge $250 per visit! This is what I mean when I say I am frustrated with this system in all walks!
katia
thanks.
katia
> When I was out for 4 years, I was on Long Term Disability for the first 2 (they limit mental illness coverage - Arg!). LDT paid me 60% of my salary. I qualified for SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance). It won't pay for the first 5 months, and will only cover you if you are/will be out for more than 12 months. It can take them a long time to approve you (then they pay retroactively). SSDI didn't pay nearly as much as LTD - it is figured on some formula that takes into account how much you have paid into the Social Security system, so each person is different.
>
> If you (or anyone else) ever has an option to sign up for Long Term Disability, I recommend that you do! That is how you manage during the time that Social Security is trying to decide if they will pay your claim.
>
> None of this is fun or easy. I didn't have a choice.
Posted by fallsfall on May 10, 2003, at 15:24:03
In reply to Re: How do you work, keep a job, with Depression? » fallsfall, posted by Bob on May 9, 2003, at 12:14:11
I thought it would be forever for me to go back to work (gee, seems that way this time, too). I don't remember exactly how it went, but it wasn't an amazing med change that turned everything around. I think that we did tweak meds all the way through. I think that starting small with the volunteering and very gradually working more hours and using my brain more when I was there were the really important ingredients. By the time I went back to software I was working 30 hours, so going to a fulltime job was not too bad.
Volunteering is such a self-esteem booster! You walk in the door and they are thrilled. If you walk in the door and actually do something they are ecstatic. I highly recommend volunteering.
When I was working I wasn't really worried about crashing (maybe I was naive). I had good days and not so good days, but they seemed happy with my work. 3 stressors hit at the same time, and that's what brought me down (around the holidays, too). When I went out on disability, I don't know that they had figured out that I wasn't accomplishing anything - but it was incredibly frustrating to me. I really liked the job and the people, so being at work was always pleasant.
I'm hoping that I'll get the chance to try it again!
Posted by fallsfall on May 10, 2003, at 15:31:39
In reply to Re: How do you work, keep a job, with Depression? » fallsfall, posted by Katia on May 9, 2003, at 13:29:45
Wow! You are working fulltime and in Grad school parttime? That is an awful lot!
Medical insurance is really expensive. If I added up all my therapy, pdoc and med charges I probably wouldn't get to my premium. But it is really good coverage, so I know that if I need something it will be covered (i.e. covers Provigil when other plans doesn't). And it also covers my ex-husband and 2 kids. It seems a little better when you are covering more than one person.
I watch my friend who has no insurance. She should have gone into the hospital last night. But the only hospital that would take her is not a place she wants to be. So she decided that she would work really hard and promise not to do anything "bad" (rather than go to the bad hospital). She did well, slept the whole night and seems better today than yesterday. Not having insurance makes hard choices harder.
Posted by jerrympls on May 10, 2003, at 21:40:16
In reply to How do you work, keep a job, with Depression?, posted by Giget on May 8, 2003, at 11:55:11
> This is my first post here, but I have been an onlooker for a while.
>
> I am EXTREMLY depressed and my phic is working on meds with me. I have been put on Zyprexa, with 80 pounds weight gain, Effexor, with terrible rash, stomach problems, fever, no help for depression and other really bad side effects, and now he put me on Wellbrutin, which needs time to get into my system.
>
> My question is how do you hold down a job when you can bearly wash your hair? My work is seeing problems and they offered me some time off, not firing just some time off. I want to take it but I called the phic, who is only in on Mondays by the way, and the nurse sounded like she did not think he would document my problem for work.
>
> I have been living hour by hour, but I am sinking at work. All I do is put all my energy into going to work and going home to bed.
>
> How do you keep a job?
>
>I've been struggling with this as well. First, let me tell you about an EXCELLENT book about keeping a job while being depressed: "Working in the Dark," by Fawn Fitter and Beth Gulas. I can't remember how I came upon - but I am SO glad I did. It's paperback and only about $16.00. Anyway, it explains everything from how and how much to communicate to your supervisor about your illness to explaining your rights under the American Disabilities Act (ADA) I strongly- strongly urge you to get a copy of this book!!
Here's what I have learned - especially in the past 9 months as my depression started to really break though and effect work:
- Seek out your HR dept and talk to someone there. I work at a fairly large organization that has a dept. called Disability Services that helped me work with my supervisor and doctor to document and work things out to a reasonable degree at work.
- In the Unitied States, you do not have to disclose your illness to your supervisor and you can request "reasonable accommodations," including working out a flexible work schedule, having the option of working from home part-time, etc. There is a lot more to it than that, but as long as you are able to perfom the essential duties outlined in your job description and the accomodations you request do not interfere with the normal operation of your dept. - then you are protected. Of course, you do have to formally register with disability services - however - at least for me - this was a quick and easy process. Diability Services talks to your doctor and requests some very basic info about your illness and treatment and that's it (it may be a slightly different process in different states)
- Also, under the Family Medical Leave Act, certain employees are allowed to take 12 weeks of unpaid leave without losing their job or health benefits.
- Contact the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) - it's a federal agency that offers free advice on employing people with disabilities - including mental illness.There is much, much more - and I urge you to get this book and seek out info about the ADA and JAN. Also, do not confuse any of what I have written above as various ways to be able to excuse bad performance through protection under federal law - one MUSt be able to perform the essential duties of his/her job. I just wanted to post some info to let you know there are laws/organizations out there to help you work whil being treated for depression or other mental illness. You do have people on your side and resources that can help you through rough times.
I hope this helps some.
Jerry
Posted by Katia on May 11, 2003, at 1:10:46
In reply to Re: How do you work, keep a job, with Depression?, posted by jerrympls on May 10, 2003, at 21:40:16
Wow,
what great resources. Thanks! I'm actually waiting tables 3x per week. So I doubt that I could do that at home! It's alovely thought anyway.
I'll be on the look-out for that book.
katia
Posted by Katia on May 11, 2003, at 1:21:02
In reply to Re: How do you work, keep a job, with Depression? » Katia, posted by fallsfall on May 10, 2003, at 15:31:39
> Wow! You are working fulltime and in Grad school parttime? That is an awful lot!
>
> Medical insurance is really expensive. If I added up all my therapy, pdoc and med charges I probably wouldn't get to my premium. But it is really good coverage, so I know that if I need something it will be covered (i.e. covers Provigil when other plans doesn't). And it also covers my ex-husband and 2 kids. It seems a little better when you are covering more than one person.
>
> I watch my friend who has no insurance. She should have gone into the hospital last night. But the only hospital that would take her is not a place she wants to be. So she decided that she would work really hard and promise not to do anything "bad" (rather than go to the bad hospital). She did well, slept the whole night and seems better today than yesterday. Not having insurance makes hard choices harder.I only work three nights per week at a local restaurant. and it take it all out ofme. let me tell you.
sorry to hear about your friend. life in america is sooooo cozy and wonderfully supportive wouldn't you agree? don't you love living here?
just for being human you have to be super human here otherwise you drown and are considered "unfit". I wonder how long this archaic age will last. We're adults who missed the important growing pains of childhood in usa. We haven't a clue with healthcare and so forth. not to mention how archaic this period is when we look back, say 100yrs in mental health? and shake our heads in wonderment on how ignorant all this "trial and error" in the psych med world it is! when all we needed was that simple little test! I feel like a real 21st.century guinea pig in the mental health field! to top off the experimental era of capitalism, known in USA in that has and will last for a few high centuries. "cut-throat".
katia
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 11, 2003, at 9:23:35
In reply to Re: How do you work, keep a job, with Depression?, posted by jerrympls on May 10, 2003, at 21:40:16
> First, let me tell you about an EXCELLENT book about keeping a job while being depressed: "Working in the Dark," by Fawn Fitter and Beth Gulas. I can't remember how I came upon - but I am SO glad I did. It's paperback and only about $16.00.
I'd just like to plug the double double quotes feature at this site:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#amazon
The first time anyone refers to a book without using this option, I post this to try to make sure he or she at least knows about it. It's just an option, though, and doesn't *have* to be used. If people *choose* not to use it, I'd be interested why not, but I'd like that redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7717.html
Thanks!
Bob
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 11, 2003, at 9:28:41
In reply to Re: How do you work, keep a job, with Depression? » fallsfall, posted by Katia on May 11, 2003, at 1:21:02
> I only work three nights per week at a local restaurant. and it take it all out ofme. let me tell you...
This is an important topic, but I'd like follow-ups that aren't medication-related to be redirected to Psycho-Social-Babble. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030506/msgs/225143.html
Thanks,
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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