New Job- Managing illness at work

Hello Bec,

Having a job and not feeling like you can tell your boss you have issues with your mental health at times can be hard.

Is almost like a gamble.

Will they be great and support me ? or will they not want me at the work place?

Ive always thought honesty is the key, because wouldn't it be great if you found a work place that would support you so 😄

Im wondering if you could find a job that has repeated tasks if this might help- like at a factory -for just an example. If you do the same thing in your work role each day it might help with memory.

How do you take care of your mental health? This will give us all an idea too on other suggestions we can offer 🙂

Baboo

For the past while I've actually been really well. These days the most important thing I think is taking my medications and avoiding the temptation to stay at home and do nothing all day. I just really lack any drive or determination these days and if I didn't force myself I wouldn't really do much with my time. So keeping a routine, going to work, doing some study, making sure I see my friends, cooking healthy food, keeping ontop of everything. Having social contact with my friends and feeling like I'm achieving things at work is also important.

I'd been quite ill for a number of years, but now I'm feeling a lot better so I'm trying to get my life back on track.

I'm working in administration and doing a job that is below what my abilities used to be, so my self esteem is also taking a bit of a booting struggling with a job I would of in the past found super easy.

Once I'm on a task I'm fine, it's just remembering all the tasks I need to do in a day, multi-tasking or transitioning from one task to the next is hard.

The best thing out of all this is that your aware of it.

And it looks like your doing the right things too, like making sure your out doing the things you need to- and staying in contact with friends.

Do you have to make your self "to do lists" at work? i do wayyy to much, i end up with little posted notes to myself every where.

Well at least you do have a job too! Pat your self on the back for that one.

Hi @Former-Member

I just read your posts and wanted to check in to see how things are?

You're certainly not alone trying to manage a MI and work. I wanted to point out this thread that might be of interest to you.

There's a few members who have spoken about work recently that you might like to connet with. I think @kato might have gone back to work recently, @Pixie has also given some wonderful advice re working with a MI. @Crazy_Bug_Lady has had some difficulties with her workplace that she is currently working through, and @Former-Member was also thinking about returning to work. I think @Appleblossom works too. Perhaps some of these members can share there thoughts about working and MI.

CB

@Former-Member

You seem very clear about the difficulties ie short term recall, and transitioning and setting up a new focus. I have experienced this and I think it is a function of being in overwhelm and having to sift through mental noise to focus on task. List, lists, ahhh lists. Apparently lists can quite normal and it is the attitude we take to things that matters most.

My exhusband did not tell work in Australia about his MI as it was not a supportive work culture. We started a company and made enough money so that we each have a small home and can follow our creative interests. I can be creative and call it early retirement for us both. I see that as success, but it may not help you.

The work I have done since I left the Public Service has been professional, independant, varied and basically it has not been appropriate to mention MH issues. It is just do the job. I have physical issues as well as MH and can only manage very part-time (eg 2 hour per week) at present but as the empty nest syndrome kicks in I am sure I will have energy for more work paid or unpaid.

You might be in a position where a supervisor is sympathetic and if you can stipulate parameters that help you operate at your best, such as no casual interruptions etc. They might help. A lot depends on the environment but admin should be somewhat accomodating.

Thanks for your replies everyone. I'll respond in full later.

I just need to blow of steam.

F my boss

F mental illness

and F trying to work with mental illness.

Note to self. Never disclose to a boss again.

Sorry you had a shit to deal with.

Bottom line .. if the govt is serious about disability it has to be better dealt with in work force.. it is so much easier for the average person to relate to when it is physical but that should not really matter .. it is what working against stigma is about.

I now have a cup of tea and a cat purring on my lap.

Things are better. 🙂

There's something so therapeutic about patting a cat! Despite the fact that she's the one purring - I always feel that I get much more out of it than she does!

I'm glad you're looking after yourself and feeling comforted.