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I can’t seem to handle work anymore

Jimmy19New Contributor09 Nov 2025, 7:28 am AEDT

I can’t seem to handle work anymore

I’m bipolar and have anxiety, and no matter what job I try, it eventually becomes too much. I start feeling trapped, overwhelmed, and like I need to escape. This time it built up until I completely broke down in my car outside work.

My psychiatrist brushed it off, said it was just anxiety and didn't offer any support. I ended up quitting the next day. That makes it 12 jobs in two years.

I’ve got a referral to a new psychiatrist, but the waitlist is long. My psychologist appointment is still a few weeks away. Right now I just feel lost, stuck between doctors and unsure how to move forward.

Has anyone else been through this? How did you start to rebuild when work kept breaking you down?

4 replies

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In response to: I can’t seem to handle work anymore

DogMan79Senior Contributor09 Nov 2025, 11:00 am AEDT

Re: I can’t seem to handle work anymore

Hi @Jimmy19

Return to work and assistance maintaining employment are two major goals of the NDIS

If you qualify for that, it's the kind of thing which they actually like to do

In response to: I can’t seem to handle work anymore

FearofUnknownSenior Contributor09 Nov 2025, 4:36 pm AEDT

Re: I can’t seem to handle work anymore

The same with me. I quit my Dream Job at eight months because it was making feel unsafe (Negative Bias at work). You can read the details here: I quit work by accident . I can understand why you quit your job the next day.

But 12 jobs in 2 years? And no Doctor on your side? That definitely is hard. Are you taking any medication at the moment? Because when I was prescribed a new medication, it really helped to suppress a lot of the symptoms that makes going to work difficult.

Perhaps you need more medication too. Then you can rebuild your motivation to work.

In response to: I can’t seem to handle work anymore

chupachubs_25Casual Contributor09 Nov 2025, 9:32 pm AEDT

Re: I can’t seem to handle work anymore

@Jimmy19 Sorry you were brushed off by the psychiatrist. That must have felt horrible.

Trying to work while also having to experience anxiety and bipolar does not sound easy at all. I don't know what type of work you have been doing so far, but I wonder if freelancing might be an option?

It might be easier to deal with because you'll have more control of when and maybe even where you work. So if there are days when you're feeling low because of your bipolar and anxiety, that you can use it to rest instead?

There's only so much medication can do, but maybe your new psychiatrist can help you find some that work better with you, too.

In response to: Re: I can’t seem to handle work anymore

OaktreeSenior Contributor10 Nov 2025, 10:21 pm AEDT

Re: I can’t seem to handle work anymore

@Jimmy19

I have bipolar and anxiety too. I have tried a number of times to work over the years, but I have always ended up in a burnt-out heap. I get too ambitious and put too much pressure on myself and then as you say I end up feeling really overwhelmed and end up quitting. I have never been this well in the past though so I am hoping things might be different now. I am considering trying again and putting my toes back into the employment waters.

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