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Transitioning back to work, Part I

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Transitioning back to work, Part I

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 4027

As I pace myself,

I find that my snail's pace is frustrating,

but getting over a difficult work situation may take a long time. There is a temptation to try to resume a pace of a long time ago,

compare myself to others.

Both those behaviours may not work,though

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 619

Due to a nervous breakdown 7 months ago I had sick leave first and then took a license from my job not working at the present moment. I am still recovering and definitely I am not ready yet for a return to work. One of the good things that I did with my license was to go back to school and I am taking a master degree. As the school was 3 hours from my city I had to commute every week and I travel by train which I found so relaxing.

One of the worst things that I did was to push me too hard and demand more life from without being prepared for received it. Now, and as Ashley suggested, I made my treatment a priority and started doing things slowly, each day at a time (even thought this is not always easy to carry, I confess).

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 9

Oh Drivin

I can so relate....I have gotten by in my jobs over the past 20 years without being fired by a thin thread.

I have been disciplined and lost so much work time , and have been super-embarrased....its hard..I used every excuse in the book...my hubby is military so we moved around alot..making it easier in a way , and I'm in a job that is in high demand....

I've never, until this job I have now, told anyone about my anxiety. And its ironic, because I'm a LPN, and work in the medical field..one would think a good place, that co-workers and bosses would be more understanding. Ha! I've heard the way they talk about other people..no way I was going to open up..

I have told a few co-workers now, but not the bosses. no way!

I hope you get a good job, and soon..it will help with your confidence for sure!

I loved my babies too, but I needed to get out and work....I hear you there too...

Good luck, Juanita

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 376

This is a painful topic for me. I had to take several breaks from my job for mental health reasons. I must say I had the best bosses and co-workers. Everyone was so very supportive of me in a multitude of ways. Unfortunately, I finally got so embarrassed and felt I was a detriment to the team, that I was not holding up my end of the job... that everyone would be better off without me... that I quit.

Turned out they had to hire four people to do the work I had been doing even mentally "challenged". I was not seeing things clearly and certainly not judging my own work adequately. I should have trusted my boss and coworkers and just gotten over the embarrassment. I have since learned that good employees are so hard to find and so hard to train, that employers know they are often are better off.... cutting valued employees some slack.... then having to start over with someone new. Mental "issues" don't mean you can't be a good employee!

I did not realize that, nor probably would have believed it at the time. I had so much shame about the job situation for the longest time. That was when my agoraphobia really took hold and like Drivin' said... my world got smaller and smaller and smaller. I am certain, that if I had been working this program then.... things sure would have turned out differently. If you are here and wanting to get back to work.... you have come to the right place. Focus on the lessons, do your homework.... make getting better your primary goal and things will fall into place. I can't say that from experience... since I'm being granny nanny and still not working in my field.... but I do believe it with all my heart.

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 4027

Hi Driviin,

Wish I could share your passion in a hobby somewhere! I guess it’s like getting into a great book, and not wishing to put it down, or having crush when I was younger, or having that “aha” moment.

I used to be petrified of driving, but I became desensitized to it, as my overall confidence grew. I can still say that I am choosy about where I park my car, though, but I attribute that to just being petty, since everyone gets dinked in the big city. But then my promise to myself was to just buy a Saturn, which has dent proof technology(but not scratch proof I was told by an owner) as my next car.

I used to have to practise getting to my project site, by driving there a bit at a time over a number of weekends, until I had to actually be there for the project. I didn’t realize that it was an issue until I got over it, actually, and I had addressed many other issues in my life, as though it was a symptom.

Can’t comment on job transitioning though, since I don’t know where I’d be able to do that, and caregiving

is a priority for a while. Did you think of getting a position telecommuting, as you work with the driving phobia

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11

Ashley,

I lost my job the second week in March due to "excessive absence". I have three children and and they all had an unusual amount of sickness this year, however, a large majority of my absences were due to being unable to drive to work. This was a job that I dearly loved and rarely felt panic to the level of discomfort while there, but I just could not make myself drive. I was honest with my bosses about my condition and they were very supportive. They were NOT the ones that made the decision to let me go. That decision came from higher up. I understand their position, but losing that job took SO very much away from my sense of self-worth. From that feeling, I have just "allowed" my world to become smaller and smaller. It's time for a change... a BIG change. I am now searching for a job in the same field and have wonderful references regarding my performance. I've just GOT to get "back on the road". This program has become very beneficial to my end goals. I'm trying to take it slow and do my homework, but I'm so excited that I just want to sit and read it all in one night! I'd love to hear from others that are dealing with going back to work or starting a new job. I know that it will ultimately be so rewarding to me and to my family when MOM gets her confidence back. I miss talking to other adults in a work environment. My hubby works very long hours and is only home one day a week. I love the kids with all I have, but I need to feel a different sense of accomplishment. Does anyone else relate?

12 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11212

Members,

For many, returning to work is a scary undertaking. We are here to help! Below you’ll find some great tips to help you transition back to work:

- Don’t go back until you are ready. Make treatment your job. Work hard, take the time to adjust to any medications and work through your feelings. You are your first priority at this time.
- Speak with your boss about potential strategies for going back to work. Trying to ease back slowly is recommended. Working from home or on a casual basis can be a great first step. At this time you can also ask about what changes have occurred in the company or position during your absence and who filled your shoes.
- Tread lightly. Chances are your coworkers may have taken on additional projects or responsibilities. They also may have made many decisions in your absence. Be open to them and do take the time to acknowledge & thank them for their efforts.
- Decide on disclosure. Your coworkers may have questions for you upon your return as to your whereabouts or the reason for your absence. Some have found it a relief to be open about it but with the unfortunate presence of stigma surrounding mental health, it’s best to judge each environment individually.

Have any members here transitioned back to work? Any members in this process now?

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

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Transitioning back to work, Part I