[Dog on a Tree]

If it's a month from now or even years from now, when the time comes for you to find a job, etc, will you be worried, nervous, concerned? It's like going into another environment.
For me I will be fine just as long as I can still have time to get onto forums like this, because this forum and another forum are part of my support network.

How does everyone else feel about going back into work?

[Apathy123]

I've worked the entire time I've been depressed but I do know when I take a day off here or there because of my illness, it's so much harder to get back in the game. My anxiety acts up and I don't want to go back to work.

[chattygirl29]

I'm returning to the regular working world next week after a 3 month sabbatical and yes, I'm a little anxious. I left a really good paying/good benefits management job in January and have been doing some freelance work here and there since. I left my corporate job of my own volition, and while there have been plenty of moments of second guessing my decision over these past few months, it was a very negative, toxic environment that I knew I couldn't remain in. I worked in a health care setting and had been at my previous company for the better part of 17 years. It was a lot to walk away from but even in my most doubt filled days since, I still feel I did the right thing in order to stay true to myself.

The job I'm starting next week is with a very well reputed organization. Its a huge pay cut for me compared to what I'm used to making. But along with the pay cut, comes less stress and a more positive work environment. That means the world to me right now. I'm essentially starting over from scratch and that is the part that makes me anxious. I also know there will be an adjustment period as I've essentially been out of the traditional work world for three months. But I look forward to having a routine again and interacting with people. I feel that I hadn't thought that part out very well when I started the freelance work and in many ways, this recent rock bottom of depression and anxiety I've been dealing with is because I underestimated the value of routine and being with others for me. I don't do well with lack of structure so that is an important lesson I've learned from all of this.

So in some ways, returning to work for me is a kind of support network...a return to "normalcy" (whatever normalcy even means lol). I'm pretty confident it will help lift me out of the funk I've been in and do wonders for my self esteem. Still nervous though!

[pinkflower17]

I had to take a year off due to a life-threatening medical illness, although I also have an eating disorder and depression that did need to be addressed. I went back to work about 9 months ago, and I went back to work (for now anyway) to an easier job than what I was doing and only part-time. If that's something you can swing, I would recommend part-time to begin with if it'll have been a while since you worked. It took me a while to get used to the whole routine/working thing again, and I still have a lot of health issues so a lot of drs appts and am still struggling with the ED and depression. I plan to start looking for a full-time job in my previous profession very soon, but it was great to have a year to kind of adjust to working again.

[Dog on a Tree]

Thank you all for your input

chattygirl29: Despite your previous work being high paid, I think mental health, and the state of our well being is more important than money. Hopefully any lingering doubts in your mind will disappear sooner or later. Your well being is the most important thing.

Once again thank you all for your opinions.

[hvert]

I had a bit more than two years off and just started working part time again. It was a pretty significant shock to the system. It's been about three months and I am sort of getting used to it now. Mostly it's stressed out feelings like I don't have enough time to do everything anymore.

It's been interesting to see what kinds of things I've forgotten/had to relearn. The first week was really hard because I felt like I had forgotten everything. I actually had to take some time to read a bunch of stuff and refresh my memory. I've also found that I've forgotten how to lead meetings. It all comes back, but it's sort of embarrassing.

Chattygirl, I had a similar experience when I started my own company. I think it might actually be better for me to work on my own company while I am working for these other people part time. It gives me the structure and a lot of social contacts. I forgot how many people you meet when you are working!

[sunshine7865]

As someone with generalized anxiety and social phobia, as someone who has worked in an organization and as a freelancer, I can become very concerned about the type of work situations and people I will encounter. I always want to be highly competent. My solution? Over-prepare! It is time consuming but it is the price I pay to feel confident. Oddly, once I fit into an organization I very much look forward to going to work and even feel better (ie less generally anxious) at work than at home. I think I perform better under structure and when I have a defined purpose.

[iaem85]

I'm currently on paid sick leave and I'll just return to work in June and still my reintegration will go slowly, like 2 hours in a week. I have sort of mixed feeling towards work: I am afraid of getting back after 2 months away and have my colleagues looking at me differently or being super cautious with me ( they don't know what I'm going through specifically but they know I'm sick), at the same time I'm anxious to get back to work and my projects, I'm afraid the colleagues who took over my projects while I'm out of office are not doing a good job (I'm a perfectionist).

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[BreakForTheLight]

I've only been unemployed for five months, but I'm terrified of going back to work next week. New environment, completely different job to what I did before....

I even started seriously considering going back to my old job. I quit because the negative atmosphere in the team was making me depressed, but most of the negative people have left by now, too. But I think it's mostly fear of the unknown that's making me even think about going back there. I was so glad to be away!

I also really need this, though, sitting at home was doing me asbolutely no good.

[breakmystride]

I haven't taken any time off. At times I wish I could, because often I feel like my depression and especially my panic attacks make me not as productive as I should be, and I don't ever get any enjoyment or sense of accomplishment from work.

But on the other hand, I think that if I didn't have a reason to get out of bed every day, I probably wouldn't, and that would just make my feelings of guilt and worthlessness worse.

[MoxieDoxie]

I got fired last May( as a clinical assistant in a hospital. Was there 12 years and I hated it anyway)was on unemployment for six months because we were selling the house and moving out of state. Well the house was not selling but could not try and get a job because the house could sell at any moment. I felt like a loser for not working so I got a part time personal training job at a gym(trying to work in an area I have some passion & drive for)to keep me busy but then the house sold.
Now we are settled in our new place and I am trying to find a personal trainer job at a gym. This move has been rough and my anxiety has been at a all time high along with my inner critic and self negative talk. Well I guess what I am saying is it has felt safe not having to leave the house when I don't want to and going back out to work sets you up for critisism, failure, and can drive my self worth and confidence into the ground.