Overwhelmed by Work Situation

I quit my job a few weeks ago. It was very stressful and overwhelming for me and I just couldn't take it.

This has been the story of my life. I have a degree, have made close to 6 figures, but every time I begin to be the superstar I strive to be, I'm successful at my job, but the pressure starts to get to me, my illness rears it's ugly head and before you know it I'm flipping up to mania and then slipping into depression....ending up in the hospitalization...

In 2009 I was laid off from a very large company...I think one of the reasons (although never said) was the 6+ months of disability I took a year or 2 earlier and then the self imposed shorter hours (8 instead of the normal 10 hour days).

Since then, and all of this has been in the time I've been with my husband, i've had 3 6 month temp assignments, all of which I've done well at, and all of which I've had to end because of panic, stress, tears and nightmares.

Now I'm at the point where I'm realizing, maybe I shouldn't work so much. Maybe I don't need the big important job or the big salary, and especially the responsibilities that go with it. My husband is supportive of my not working at all.

In the 3 weeks I've been out of work I've actually been bombarded by calls from recruiters - One position is part time and working from home which is probably ideal for me. Another position is with an Ivy League School - I'm supposed to interview on Wednesday, and I'm starting to get a little nervous - I really don't know if I should do this or not. I also got another call for a large pharma company (which is my background) - I have been hoping for the stability of a large company because i really need health benefits, but i am so tired of the roller coaster ride of getting a job, doing well, then having it become too much for me and having to leave.

I've also been wanting to start my own little business which i could pursue if I took the part time position - i'm just feeling so overwhelmed right now - i'm not seeing my T til the day AFTER the interviews...I want to make sure I make the right decision for myself so in 6 months to a year from now I'm not having another mini nervous breakdown.

hmm...

My suggestion is you pick the job or opportunity for work that you find satisfying. Sure, staying home also sounds like a good option... But would you feel fulfilled?
Could you apply your time in a way that would bring fulfillment in leaving the work force? Having too much free time to think about things, is just as bad or worse than having too much to do.

Best advice is whatever path you choose; give yourself some TLC and develop a strategy to improve or overcome the symptoms. I found an excellent book recently that provides six steps in curing depression and people have also reported it's excellent for anxiety.

Basically the premise is that modern life, is way out of synch with how we humans have evolved over time.

1. 1000 to 2000 miligrams of Omega 3 per day in the form of fish oil. Recent dietary analysis has determined that people are getting way too much Omega 6, where we evolved on the basis of a 1 to 1 ration of Omega 3 to Omega 6. Addressing the imbalance provides the necessary fuel for our brains to function well.

2. Making the commitment to a regular sleeping schedule getting 9 and one half to a minimum of 7 per night. Humans used to sleep ten hours per day and we average only 6.7 now.

3. Regular exercise, whether it's just walking, or riding a bike.

4. Monitoring one's own thought patterns, and stopping "rumination" in it's tracks. By refocusing on an activity or something productive. Or turning thoughts to something more positive...

5. Humans are social creatures; make sure you're tending your garden of relationships. Family, friends, co-workers, community etc.

6. Sunlight! there is no substitute we need some daily.

When you say mania; the above elements will be very helpful in maintaining a more comfortable even. However, mood stabalizing pharma options are still often needed for individuals who experience life through the bipolar lens.

The above however are very effective and healthy steps for anyone in achieving work, life and health balance. They're more effective long term for depression vs. medication for most people. Reduce anxiety, and work very well in helping individuals who occassionally struggle to fit into the modern would, just being...find more stability in balancing out.

So either way, or however you choose to apply your time. The above will definately help keep life more harmoniously balanced.

I don;t think I'd be happy staying home and doing nothing - that's why i like the part time working from home job - i can make my own hours and it's project based.

i have been committed to going to the gym 5 days a week since i'm home and i've been very good at going - I make tasks for myself every day so i'm not bored - my house is cleaner than it's ever been!

i'd LOVE to get regular sleep - it's been eluding me for months - my dr knows - i'm trying to journal about my stress to get it out - I will try the Omega supplement.

Thank you so much for your detailed answer!