Finding job with significant MH disorder

[tryinto]

Hi,

Please be kind, I'm looking for some reasonable advice - dont use this thread to fire out nasty, unhelpful comments under the facade of "just being honest".

I have been unemployed for 3 years and am looking to get back into work as DH and I are discussing separation and divorce. Notwithstanding that, I have been looking to return to work in any event.

I've got masters level qualifications and have been employed at this level in a profession for 4 years (think architect, chartered accountant, solicitor) but have not worked at this level for 9 years.

For 6 years I've worked with agencies, employed in temporary contracts in various areas: a local council at a low band, 4-5 i think and a plant machinery production factory as a team administrator where i was made redundant after 10 months.

I have severe MH conditions that impact me despite being on medication and having been engaged in therapy/ under care of Consultant Psychiatrist as an out patient for several months in the past.

I have severe GAD including social anxiety and a phobia which impacts me every moment of every day. I have moderate to severe depression. I have IBS which affects me daily. I am not able to drive due to my GAD as I get panic attacks.

Ive been assessed for ADHD and ADD but i dont have those.

I have sought help, I exercise daily, am physically try to get sleep and eat well and I take medication. I have not found the right treatment and I am have re-referred myself back to NHS MH team for the 5th time in the last 10 years trying to get the help I need to function better.

I'm in a very bad place mentally at the moment and am getting desperate for help but the wait for treatment is taking a long time and we dont have the funds to use on private therapy which i've had in the past.

I am not able to work as a professional any more as I feel certain (my husband and the one or two friends I have left from my professional role have also agreed) I am not capable of returning to it and perform at the level required.

In the jobs i have had in the last 9 years, I can't speak in front of people at work, I get panic attacks eg if i am asked to give a quick team issue summary on an issue in a meeting. I can't seem to get on with a lot of people i work with but i get on with some. I get stressed and confused by instructions or forget instructions and panic. I struggled to communicate verbally without getting flustered and into a panic mode.

I really need to find a job. I read recently on a thread that if you've been out of work "just get a job stacking shelves" and I applied to Tesco (pitched CV correctly) for a minimum wage job but didnt get asked for an interview.

I've applied for countless customer service agent jobs as I'd like to work at home but am getting no-where.

I'm in my 40s and am so worried i wont be able to get a job and be financially independent and able to keep stable employment.

Can anyone suggest anything or tell me about what they've done if they are in similar circumstances?

Thank you so much.

Hi op, no answers but didn't want to read and run. I'm late 40's and I've not worked for a number of years (I've been a sahm). I'm sorry to hear you are struggling with this. I have a mental health difficulty too and I have always worked in jobs below my actual ability (in terms of educational ability) due to my mental health. I'm not sure if there are work advisors connected to the NHS mental health service - I had this mentioned to me but I haven't followed it up so far. Added to this, I am in the midst of the peri-menopause and I think this is aggravating my existing condition.

I'm hoping to do some voluntary work shortly and I'm also hoping to launch a hobby business. I really don't know how to move forward with this as I only want/need to work a couple of days a week but this is more in relation to needing a structure to my week and perhaps a bit of social interaction. It is so difficult to know what to do for the best.

Watching your thread with interest and wishing you all the best.

Have you thought about a casual work from home audio typist job? You can take on as many hours as you want so it would be flexible with your health issues. Also, you wouldn't need to speak to anyone. I think there are some recommended companies and more info in the Money threads.

Obviously it goes without saying, make sure you're claiming PIP (if you're not already). It's not means-tested so you can work and have savings without it affecting it.

Have you considered remedial hypnosis for the phobia and the GAD? Both respond very well in most cases. Hypnosis is also a medically approved treatment for IBS.

I empathise OP as I’m in a very similar position to you and share a lot of your difficulties. My MH and lack of employment is also exacerbated by menopause (the joys of being a woman in her 40s) similar to @creamonice.
Is that something worth investigating in case it’s affecting you as well?

Menopause has definitely made my existing condition worse without a doubt. My anxiety has ramped up no end. It's rubbish. I need a skilled practitioner to help me unravel it...that's like finding a needle in a haystack I think. Sorry to hear you are struggling too WordleAddict.