To wonder if you can work despite having very poor mental health?

[Quble]

I am diagnosed with PTSD, PND and GAD. I'm prone to panic attacks, depressive states and don't handle stress well at all. On my bad days I experience depersonalization which makes interacting with the outside world extremely difficult.

I used to work full time and was a functioning member of society but the past three years have been awful, the break down in my mental health coincided with me becoming a mum and then suffering multiple traumatic experiences.

I want to go back to work and find myself again but sometimes even doing the nursery run takes every last bit of my mental energy. I'm sick of my mental health problems and want to be like 'normal' people.

Does anybody on here suffer from very poor mental health of any type and if so are you able to work?

I worked up until a year ago, despite my mental health being poor. Sadly it has got worse and I was signed off. I hope to go back one day.

Sorry, I don’t have personal experience. But it’s possible working in the right place with the right hours might help your mental health. What do you want to do? Can you volunteer doing something related to test the waters? Good luck!

I think the answer is " it depends". The best thing I ever did was go back to work when I had PND and PTSD....but I had a very supportive employer and it is a job that is very intellectual/rational so I find it always soothes my brain anyway.
I think the wrong environment could make it worse but with a supportive environment it can be really beneficial

Approach your local authority for info about specialist employment officers ( these are separate to job centres) lots of areas have them, for negotiating hours and employment that suits, managing any benefits, if relevant as well as supporting with CVs and applications. Employment in some shape or form should definitely be an option for you. Good luck 🤞

No one on here can really tell you as everyone will be different.

For the past couple of years whenever this chat has cropped up, it’s always been a firm no and reasons why. Mainly around working with other people.

I’ve been in this stage on and off for many years. At times I’ve worked full time and studied part time. And then a thousand steps back.

Mostly I just work for myself. Which of course although it gives me the flexibility it also has many downfalls.

For many I suspect that the rigours and routines of a 9 to 5 are just not possible.
In the case of a family member, he had some good days and worked on those (best described as freelance gardening) but was not in a position to commit to anything fixed.

It’s certainly possible. Routine may help your mental health, but on the other hand unsupportive colleagues or work stresses may go on to negatively impact your mental health. Everyone’s different

I've been diagnosed with the same list. I managed to work up until ds was born 5 years ago with ptsd, gad and attachment issues. It was hard at points, I have limited self esteem relating to my trauma and also my childhood. Then on top of everything else I had a traumatic birth (flashbacks to the original trauma/postpartum psychosis/pnd) and lost the plot. I've got 1 more year of my University course and then I'm planning on trying to go back. Terrified at the thought though. I've managed voluntary stuff, I sit on committees relating to my previous field including chairing one and studying again so I'm hopeful it's doable.

It's a really shit situation you are in, and as someone who's been there too, I know how impossible it feels to get out of it. However I found that once I started to work again, it honestly helped my mental state so much, as it proved that I was capable of achieving things, which is quite often what the illness makes you feel like you can't do. Even if it's just one day a week, I'd say it would be a really good place to start, even if it just proves to yourself that you can be 'normal' again.

I've been psyching myself up to apply for jobs and then something will stress me out or there will be a trigger for a panic attack and I'm rendered useless for the next two days. I hate it.

Likewise I'll be motivated to look into volunteering and feel positive but then get overwhelmed having to rush out of the door to drop/pick up from nursery or do the weekly shop and wonder who I'm kidding by telling my self I can hold down a job

I'm not single, my other half works and we don't struggle so I don't need to work but me wanting to is mostly about wanting to lead a functioning life

I've had therapy which worked for a short period but then I declined once it finished. I don't get on well with SSRI's. I feel doomed to the miserable existence I'm living and I hate it.

Struggling with mental health is awful and I'd echo PP: ensure you have the right medical support in place, look for a role (even volunteering) where hours are flexible to help ease you back into it and don't beat yourself up too much.

I'd also look into ways of building personal resilience for those days when you are struggling with getting your DC to nursery - don't let that get to a stage where its impacting your mental health even worse. You need to find coping mechanisms or techniques so running late isn't the end of the world.

Good luck!

I think it can actually help your mental health as a pp said. Although it probably depends on the type of work, colleagues, manager etc. Some are more supportive than others. Also do not expect too much of yourself too soon. Maybe start with part time in a role that is less stressful.

Thank you for the replies by the way, and un-mumsnetty hugs to those of you who can relate to where I'm coming from.

I'm a regular poster but NC because this one is a bit miserable and self pitying

I lose the plot over the smallest of things these days, a minor inconvenience or perceived judgement reduces me to a stressed out and tearful mess. If any employer were privy to me on a bad day I think they'd send me packing with a P45 in hand.

To the poster who asked what I want to do, ideally I'd like to work in criminology. I realise I've probably set the bar a bit high for somebody in such a shit place currently

I would do anything though to be honest. I wouldn't turn my nose up at voluntary work, shop work, admin etc.

It's just the being able to hold it down..

Surely it depends on the job, ab=nd the hours. You may find you can cope with a local job part time but not full time, or ok if you can walk there but not if it,s an hours commute. Volunteering sounds like a great start.

I wouldn't say my MH was v.poor but I do have GAD,SAD resulting in moderate depression in the winter.I work very long hours and find the adrenaline of a very busy day keeps my mind focused on something else.I feel like a normal person as you refer to.
Left to my own devices I would hibernate all winter hence I have found lockdown easy as I quite like being left alone.Work gives me structure too and the physical nature of my job helps me to sleep.
You need to find something you love doing I think.Perhaps voluntary to start with to build up your confidence.Good luck.

I think the key thing here is to get back into therapy and find a medication regime that works for you. As you describe your symptoms, i don't see how you'd be able to manage in a work environment without putting far too much pressure on yourself and making yourself more unwell.

I'd work on a more substantial recovery first, and then think about work.

I actually reached out to an employment support service I was signposted to by my then-therapist.

After two telephone appointments with them I'm ashamed to say I stacked it. They seemed focussed on CV writing and suchlike which I have no trouble with. I found myself dreading the calls which made me anxious so I just stopped answering. I struggle to advocate for myself (which never used to be an issue)

Also try to build your confidence up daily. Write 1 thing you achieved every day. Even if it's something small. You're doing really well considering your mental health challenges. I think being at work will be easier in a way than being at home.

Yeah i really think you need to go back to therapy first. Trying and not being able to manage would really set you back, i think, so maybe put it off until you're on a more even keel.

It all depends, but in general work is good for mental health. Getting out, change of people, scenery, getting your mind into different tasks, sense of accomplishment.

I worked in a place which was v supportive of people who struggled with mental health, from the most senior to the front line. For those who had major MH issues, having a purpose, a schedule, and in some cases a low stress job, really helped them.

Most larger employers have a big focus on supporting good mental health.

I'm quite gutted that my therapy came to an end as my PTSD is complex and we only worked through a small portion of it. The therapist I saw was through IAPT and generally the waiting lists are long. I was fortunate to be seen relatively quickly as I was postpartum when I self referred.

When my therapy was coming to an end the therapist said I can re-refer later on if I need to but there is a mandatory "cooling off period" of 6 (I think?) months before I can ask to be seen again.

Perhaps speaking to my GP is a good idea. I've had no success with sertraline or citalopram but there may be other options.

If anxiety is a big problem for you, you might find an ad hoc beta blocker really useful.

I forgot to include in my opening post that I have a prescription for Propanolol (beta blockers) to take as and when needed

They do help bring me down from a panic attack which is great, but they do nothing for the depersonalisation that encases them.

I think if it weren't for the rest of my MH symptoms (overly stressed, irritability, depersonalisation, depression, generalised anxiety) then I would manage very well with just the beta blockers for panic attacks.

I managed while I was quite unwell, although it's in a low paid job that's fairly easy. I don't know I would cope in a more stressful role. It's definitely held me back. At the moment, I am fairly stable, although any kind of upset or change can shake me quite badly.

My therapist was querying whether I also have OCD traits (as if I need any more labels)

Not the cleaning type, but intrusive and racing thoughts.

I can never seem to switch off, that's probably what perpetuates the depersonalisation really.

I'm going to give my GP a call on Monday and see whether they'll see me with a view to exploring further treatment.