I can hold a job, but at this stage, I am severely under employed. I am in my early 50's and back to doing a job I held at age 18, prior to education and years of professional experience. I lost my long-standing corporate gig almost four years ago. The stress, unrealistic corporate expectations, and the introduction of a young boss all did me in. First time I was diagnosed and then send to PHP, which saved me, but not my job. I've been in and out of unemployment and low wage jobs since. I tried contracting but can't handle day in day out solitude. Brings on depression and I shut down, and it turns out employers don't like that.

I've been unsuccessful getting work in my former field -- I have been beat out for every job by people 20 years younger than me, even if my skills are a better fit. Throw some pretty sucky depression in there and my belief in my abilities is pretty much shot now.

So I am lucky to be working my low wage job right now, even though I am facing bankruptcy. On good days, I am completely convinced that I could hold down any of the 70 hour pressure cooker jobs in my former field. On bad days, which are more frequent, I believe I may be doing the best I can.