[CosmicRose]

If going on disability isn't an option, because it won't pay the bills...how do you work while having PTSD?
I'm asking the people who actually have PTSD and work, like what do you have to do when you're experiencing a flashback? Or how do you cope with your symptoms at work or in front of customers or coworkers or bosses?

[Open Eyes]

((CosmicRose)),

Working can be a challenge, I worked while going through some crippling symptoms. I did not work as much, I own my own small business so I just didn't do as much.

A lot of people work even though they struggle with PTSD or other MI's. The thing is, it isn't "all" bad because it keeps you in the now, which is what you need too. If you can work, even though it is hard, it is better for you so you don't end up in your own little world and isolate.

It can be a bit of a toss up because you don't want to feed into the PTSD symptoms, but, sometimes they can be a challenge. You should try to take advantage of personal days, stretch them out and make long weekends if you can. I don't know if you can get a leave or not, paid sick leave would be nice, some people do that too.

Are you working with a therapist right now Cosmic?

[doyoutrustme]

I have heard of PTSD sufferers having great success with a service dog.

[MotownJohnny]

I guess it depends on your circumstances. I am more of a quiet sufferer, I don 't have dramatically obvious moments, at least not now. Plus I am good at hiding and obfuscating things, so I can cover up things as other things. Panic attacks leading to nausea pass off as stomach problems. Down days - you're tired. Insomnia - tell them too much coffee too late. Hyper days, ditto. Startled, shocked, jittery. Same. I have the option 85% of the time literally withdrawing and hiding in my office behind a shut door if I need to. Not everyone has that option.

But honestly, it is a godsend. You have to put your best foot forward and put on your game face even if you don't want to. It forces you to act "normal" even if it is an act.

[Teacake]

I have no idea. Ive never had to work. Ive had jobs bit never got too into the whole provide labor for someone elses enrichment thing. Its going to be awfully interesting seeing how this plays out.

I have PTSD and it's really not that hard to work with it.
But then, my job is enjoyable for the most part for me and I don't have flashbacks unless they are triggered and I find that at work there are less triggers than there are at the grocery store or walking along the street.
I also find that working helps me stay Mindful, which is always good.
I work as a teacher's aide in an Early Childhood Learning Center. The nice thing about my job is that there really are little to no triggers. I work with only women and children and the environment is safe because it's kid-orientated.

Working with PTSD can be achievable it's just a matter of finding the right job for you. If you can make a job out of your hobbies, that's considered working and it's something enjoyable. For some reason it seems a lot of people think work has to be triggering or that you can't work with MI, that's not true at all.

[StressedMess]

My daughter is a senior in high school (her full time job, so to speak) and she had to go on home-bound (telecommuting, so to speak) because her flashbacks and panic attacks were completely unmanageable at school.

She does feel lonely all the time, complains that she has no friends (duh, they are all at school) and gets pretty tired of her own company. She meets a teacher twice a week for 2 hours, she has one class online, and she has one through virtual class (FaceTime with the class during the lesson) so she's still getting the "job" done, but sort of "light duty."

I think work is a haven. Away from all my personal struggles and triggers and stressors. I look forward to the routine, the challenge, and the reward (hey, we have to eat!) but I still have a bad day sometimes. Everyone does, even those not dx MI.

Good luck!!

[Werewoman]

Motown Johnny has some good ideas.

I rarely had episodes at work, and am currently looking for work in my field, electronic technician, instead of settling (like I worked at Walgreens for a couple of years thinking it would be easier but it wasn't, just boring). When I did have them at work, I would go into the ladies room or if it was bad, go out to my car and call my T or pdoc. It also depends a lot on your boss, I think. Not everyone thinks you're a lunatic just because you have PTSD, and it's illegal for them to discriminate against you because of it.

Working is way better than not working because it helps keep you grounded in the real world instead of lost inside your own head all the time, which is what I am struggling with right now. I live in a small town, so it's really hard to find the job I want, but I keep trying because if I never learned anything else from having PTSD is that you only lose when you stop trying. I thought I would never heal, and while I still have bad days, I am much better than I used to be because no matter how bad it got, I never stopped trying.

Good luck and God bless you!

WW