[artismyonelove]

Does anyone have any tips for me on how to keep a job? I get very discouraged because I feel as though I have not lived up to my full potential. I always get depressed when I start looking for jobs because I feel like I'm going to fail and leave the job like I have in the past. Idk if I should continue to file for dissability or look for a full time job. I have interests in the art field but the stability of a pay check is far from none. I picked up a job nannying and I clean houses on the side. I have a degree in graphic design but I don't feel like I can work. I just started medication this year and my therapist suggests that I go to school and get a job on the books. But because of me flunking out of school and not being able o hold down a job gets me very depressed.

[Miss Laura]

I understand your pain. I have no wise words for you as I can't get a job where I am. I went to college and I'm struggling to keep going.

Good luck though maybe one day discrimination won't be standing in our way of our potential.

[bioChE]

My suggestion would be to continue both the job search and the disability filing. If you really can't find a job, the disability could provide a safety net. Even if it's temporary for being on disability, it can give you at least some income to help out.

Maybe I can help, maybe not. When I was younger, I would hold a job for a few years then have a breakdown (physical and mental) and leave. It was a retail job and no real way to hide my issues so I think it wasn't at all a good, long term job solution for me. In my mid 20's I got a job which was primarily data entry. These jobs can be found without need of degrees, but having your degree will be impressive for sure. The good news is, I had a cubicle I could "hide out" in. At first I was in a corner for a few years and it really felt safe in there. I could cry and nobody would see "usually". Sometimes they did. I was able to stay at that job for more than 10 years and had my physical issues not gotten the best of me...I would have retired from there I'm sure. Having a cubicle of my own to feel safe and protected in...my own space to decorate in ways that brought comfort, pictures of my loved ones I could look at all day was really helpful. People still couldn't help themselves and would come to my cube with their negative energies, attitudes and insults but they didn't stay long and soon I would be alone in there and could decompress. Just something to consider.

Disability might be an option. If you have your doctors support you could also try school part time or online and work towards a career you could do from home, even when very unwell as long as you are self motivated. Good luck to you. I know how hard it all is and how bad you probably feel for not being able to do what most people take for granted as doable. You will find your way, just remember you deserve help. (((Hugs)))

[artismyonelove]

Thank you so much for this kind message! I will definitely look into something like you suggested. Hugs

Originally Posted by artismyonelove

Thank you so much for this kind message! I will definitely look into something like you suggested. Hugs

good luck.

I hope everything works out and that you'll let us know how it's going

[Br0k3nW1ng3d]

What has really helped me is starting my job part time. I work 4 days a week in retail. It is nowhere as overwhelming as starting a job fulltime. a part time job would allow you time to go to school as well and create a healthy balance. I also recommend being honest with your employer and tell them that you have a disability at the beginning of the job. that way when things get bad or med changes need to happen they are more understanding of the situation and are less likely to look down on your absence.

I wish I could help but I'm in the same position. I work summers at an amusement park although they may not let me back this year because I was manic last summer and didn't perform very well and left for a hospitalization and never went back. I attempted community college, but my symptoms got in the way. Even now I'm lucky if I can concentrate enough to read a short article in the newspaper my concentration is so bad.

My advice though is to get a part time job just to have some structure to your life. If you can get on disability that'd be good too. Good luck; I hope it all works out for you.

[Sunflower123]

I think ElsaMars is onto something.

[Cocosurviving]

Originally Posted by escapeartist

I wish I could help but I'm in the same position. I work summers at an amusement park although they may not let me back this year because I was manic last summer and didn't perform very well and left for a hospitalization and never went back. I attempted community college, but my symptoms got in the way. Even now I'm lucky if I can concentrate enough to read a short article in the newspaper my concentration is so bad.

My advice though is to get a part time job just to have some structure to your life. If you can get on disability that'd be good too. Good luck; I hope it all works out for you.

One of the biggest symptoms I have is concentrating. As a social worker I would be sitting in my cube with work piled high. I would try my best to read my work e-mails and reports. I could not focus to save my life. I remember one day breaking down at my desk. I'm now on disability. I wish you the best of luck

[IntentOnHealing]

Your situation is not uncommom. I'm sorry you're going through this. Have you looked at the employment stats for peeps with bipolar? I don't know if they make me feel any better...but they are approximately this:

50-ish percent on ssdi or ssa
25-ish percent able to work fulltime in a competitive job situation
25-ish percent under-employed or unemployed

I totally hear what you're saying. I'm was in that 25 percent that's underemployed, but being as I haven't been able to work since last June, I'm in the disability process too. It feels awful. I'm a bright, well-educated woman with a strong work ethic. I enjoy working and being able to help others.

But I can't do so consistently. In the last year, I haven't been able to at all. And who knows when I will be able to again? I'm lucky if I brush my teeth two days in a row at this point.

Being at that place you are at--where you question what you should do with your employment life--is exactly where I am at. And the whole "not living up to your potential" thing. Gah. I hear ya. It's discouraging.

Can I ask, have you thought about part-time work? Or working with your local DVR office to get a placement that will be better suited to your situation? I know those things don't always help...just thought I'd suggest.

Hope that's ok

[artismyonelove]

I'm in the middle of filing for dissability. But it's taking so long