Does anyone have bad depression and work? How do you do it?

[ASecretLemonadeDrinker]

I haven't worked for about 5 years, mainly through having the DCs but having depression doesn't help. I have an interview tomorrow for a job - just 2 hours a day cleaning and I am starting to panic. I have real problems getting out - no idea why exactly, I am not scared of anything happening, it just seems so much. It was a real battle to get DS to nursery and TBH I didn't make it every day (he starts school in sept which is really worrying me too). How on earth do you manage to not get too under pressure and retreat with something you have to go out and do? I am already planning to have everything ready the night before (hard to get it together with 3 DSs during the day) so it's one less obstacle, but I am terrified I won't cope with it.

Do you have to put yourself through this ordeal, as in are your desperate for the money. It just sounds to me that you have enough on your plate coping with 3 or is it 4 children and battling depression into the mix. I know it's important to push yourself sometimes when you don't feel like it, but this just sounds to me a bit much at this present time.

3 DSs. We don't really need the money but it would help. I just think it's been years now and I am not sure I'll ever be 'ready' and that I should just jump in at the deep end and see if it helps.

I think if you feel you want to try it then do - but just tell yourself that it doesn't matter if it doesn't work out or you don't want to continue with it. I found it really hard starting a job after anxiety and worried about coping and I just told myself that I would try but could also leave then and there if I didn't like it and I'd never have to see the people again. As it happens, the first few shifts were difficult, but I've found having a job makes me feel much more 'normal' and it has built up my self-confidence a lot.

That's it - I have my little bubble now and sometimes I think I am OK, then I see normal people and I realise how depressed/isolated etc. I am. Sometimes I just want to catapult myself into normality, see if it kicks the depression abit. I am scared I'll end up worse off though, that come quarter to five I'll be a gibbering wreck under the duvet getting DH to ring in and tell them I am sick, again... but I won't know until I try I guess.

Meant to add that I know anxiety and depression aren't the same thing and I have no experience of depression so can't comment on that, just letting you know how I managed to deal with my own issues and getting back to work.

Then if it makes you feel worse, it isn't quite the right time. I had one job I struggled through for about 2 weeks and just couldn't deal with it at the time so I posted a letter through the door one night saying I wasn't going back. Felt terrible about it at the time, but hey I'm sure they got over it!

Agree with PiggyMad. Working again made me get out there and really helped my confidence and realise that actually most people are really really nice and helpful. Also thats that guilt trip/responsibility thing about HAVING to get up and go to work whether you feel like it or not. Go for it! :-)

Yes, something new to occupy your mind can be a great help.