Hey there, sounds like the America we all live in today. Every job I've had (was in journalism 15 years, then corporate) has expected my life in exchange for my paycheck. And terrible bosses abounded. How do these people get promoted, or even keep their jobs???

My question is: what to do when you mentally cannot handle this kind of abuse any more? That's where I am.

Since leaving journalism--which was abusive shift work for a well-known newswire service--I have been let go from corporate twice and spent several years following that in low-paid abusive jobs, such as drug store chains, call centers, temp agency work, hardware stores, ... it just goes down hill.

I've lost everything--house, bankruptcy, clothing, everything in the house, etc.--and now am barely existing on county benefits.

At my last job (clerk at a department store), I broke into tears because of my debilitating anxiety and major depression, plus making minimum wage. Night shifts required at least an hour of overtime just to put everything back in place. And I never knew when or if I could make it to my therapy appointments. Had to miss several.

My professional credentials are now too old to matter. I have a MH diagnosis, also.

Been denied SSDI ... don't know how I'm going to live. I'm 57. My options are HOPE to be hired as a Wal-Mart checker, or some such.

But in this economy, they've already got degreed people working there, who haven't been able to replace their professional jobs since the 2008 meltdown.

It's grim out there. Bureau of Labor Statistics says "service jobs" are highest growth sector in the economy.

I'm completely depressed about work options. At least the federal min wage is now $9/hr.

Any have suggestions? I think about this night and day.

Thanks.