Is anyone able to work while depressed?

[masonmoore0824]

I have recently left 2 separate jobs due to depression and anxiety and I'm not sure where to go from here. Is anyone able to still work while dealing with major depression and anxiety? Right now I feel completely debilitated with anxiety and depression even though I'm working with a psychiatrist and therapist.

[Ankhsious]

Yes and no. In the very acute stage of panic and anxiety I had to leave work but I was 'fortunate' enough to be on medical leave. It took me 3 months and I went back to full responsibility.

I would say focus on getting better first and trust that the strong you will have no trouble working. If, on the road to recovery you feel 'strong enough' but not 100% you may benefit from going back to work.

The best advice I can give you is that whether working or not, your best chance of success will be to focus one day at a time. "What is today's work? What limiting belief am I going to discover today? What light is going to peer through the darkness today, will it be something my kid's do? A flower I notice?"

[Ricky3]

I like Ankhsious's "yes and no" response. Spot on. It's so, so difficult. I find that if I can get through the morning the afternoon lightens up. Don't know if that's true of anyone else. I think, for me, it's getting past the dread of trying to work and how I'm going to feel (I wake with this dread and a million other worries that also subside a bit as the day goes on. Or at least they all don't feel so insurmountable) I try to take the day one moment or one step at a time and not let the dread sneak in. Anxiety makes it hard to focus as I'm sure you know. My job is very stressful even to my non-anxious/depressed colleagues and recently has become much more so. I'm struggling not to have to take a leave. I truly feel your pain and wish you the best.

[Mmm]

Last year I quit my job after struggling with depression for a while. I took the next couple months off, which helped at first but then I found the nothingness was just as much a source of anxiety as the work was. I've had a couple part-time jobs since then. I found personally that certain types of jobs can really accentuate my depression while others help alleviate it. Surprisingly, I found that jobs that kept me more socially engaged were much more helpful for me (I say surprising because my anxiety definitely has a strong social element to it). Whereas office jobs have been really hard for me as it is far easier in those jobs for my mind to fixate on bad feelings/thoughts. This was even true for an office job I had in a field I was very passionate about. It obviously depends on the individual but I think that considering the type of work is definitely something to keep in mind. And also to consider that your instincts might not lead you in the best direction. (For example, my instinct tells me I want to sit alone all day in front of a screen but experience has taught me that engaging with the world is better for me, even if it does scare me).
Working with anxiety/depression is super difficult though, and I sympathize. Don't feel bad on yourself if you do have to quit. Looking after yourself is most important and quitting might be the best thing to do even if it might feel like a failure at the time.

[Ankhsious]

Today I am thinking our subconscious makes a decision for us as to whether the universe is friendly and loving or hostile and cold.

Sure it's easy to say "be positive" and "be grateful" and these things definitely help but the subconscious decides for itself.

For this reason I think that a healthy job environment with supportive social connection is better than not working because it retrains the subconscious.

I have resolved to try to find such an environment even if it means volunteering.

[Kayleigh Adams]

I'm glad i'm not alone with feeling like this. Almost all jobs i've had, i've left due to my Depression and Anxiety. It' awful not being able to hold a job down, makes me feel really guilty.

I'm off work at the minute and am currently trying to decide whether or not I can go back. I work 4 12 hour shifts a week, including 2 days and 2 night shifts. It has completely ruined my sleep pattern. I spend my days off catching up on sleep, I rarely go out anymore. I've been doing this for a little over a year.

[glamorousxx8]

I definitely know how you feel..I have had a job at Macys, and one other job in the past year and have left them both within a week of working because of my social anxiety. It feels good to read that I am not the only one that has trouble keeping jobs. I feel like everyone around me has a steady income except me.

[superchick22684]

I have recently left 2 separate jobs due to depression and anxiety and I'm not sure where to go from here. Is anyone able to still work while dealing with major depression and anxiety? Right now I feel completely debilitated with anxiety and depression even though I'm working with a psychiatrist and therapist.

I have dysthymia (persistent mild depression) and some form of anxiety (used to be panic disorder but acts more like gad nowadays) and I work but some days its a struggle. The field I work in involves me having a lot of contact with the public so that is what makes it a struggle at times. I see a psych and therapist and have two medications that I use to help deal with symptoms (Cymbalta and Buspirone). I also try and use various coping skills and yoga to get through the really bad moments.

The only reason I'm really able to work is because I have to keep my mind busy or my symptoms get worse. I won't deny it there are some days when trying to focus is a nightmare but then I divide tasks up into small parts to make things feel less daunting. Sometimes getting out of bed in the morning is a struggle too but every day that I'm able to get out of bed is a small victory.

Don't feel bad about not having steady employment, your medical/mental health is more important at this point in time. When you start feeling better then you can evaluate whether going back to work is an option.

[MiST]

I work from home and only have to venture in the studio about twice a month to record session artists so i'm lucky like that, but some days are tough due feeling so low i just cant get anything done, that's when a spot of mindfullness meditation comes in handy.

[luser]

Work is rough. For everyone. But can be nearly impossible with anxiety and depression.

I had to quit a high paying job due to both anxiety and depression. I had major anxiety for 7 years before I took the job, and then worked there for 3 years. It was brutal. But there were good parts to it as well. If you're like me, you need to keep the mind occupied or things go to shitsville really fast. One of the good things about the job is it kept my mind occupied the whole time I was there and alot of the time I would work off-hours too.

In the end, it's not fair and it can be brutal. Although, some people get better, or at least get used to it.

I've been off work for 1.5 years now and have to take another high-stress job to pay off debt. I'm totally unprepared and at least as bad as when I quit my last one. Scares the shit out of me all the time.

But who knows what will happen?

Maybe your next job will be a winner?

By the way, I was homeless for a while after I quit my last job. Also lived in a halfway house. Those experiences gave me the knowledge that keeping a job -- even if it's unbearable -- are better than the alternatives!

[glamorousxx8]

I have dysthymia (persistent mild depression) and some form of anxiety (used to be panic disorder but acts more like gad nowadays) and I work but some days its a struggle. The field I work in involves me having a lot of contact with the public so that is what makes it a struggle at times. I see a psych and therapist and have two medications that I use to help deal with symptoms (Cymbalta and Buspirone). I also try and use various coping skills and yoga to get through the really bad moments.

The only reason I'm really able to work is because I have to keep my mind busy or my symptoms get worse. I won't deny it there are some days when trying to focus is a nightmare but then I divide tasks up into small parts to make things feel less daunting. Sometimes getting out of bed in the morning is a struggle too but every day that I'm able to get out of bed is a small victory.

Don't feel bad about not having steady employment, your medical/mental health is more important at this point in time. When you start feeling better then you can evaluate whether going back to work is an option.


Does Yoga really calm you down? I sometimes have a hard time containing and getting rid of negative thoughts and I always wanted to give yoga a try but never really thought it would work.

[MiST]

Both Yoga and meditation work as they help bring you into the moment, they hold your focus and attention.

[superchick22684]

I find yoga to be calming but you have to remember different coping methods/practices work for different people. I find that its really great for relieving stress and tension especially in the muscles. I'm one of those people that when I'm stressed I can feel it in my neck and shoulders.

One of the great things about yoga is when I'm doing it all of my focus goes to my breath and concentrating on getting into and transitioning to other poses. During that 30 minutes or so that I'm doing yoga those two things are my sole focus and I lock all other thoughts out of my mind.

I use yoga dvd's so when I'm doing them there's always a point at the end where you lay quietly and relax all your muscles. By far the best part of the practice. I can usually get anywhere from a few hours of calm to about a day of calm from doing 30 minutes to an hour of it.

I'm not saying yoga has completely fixed my anxiety or anything but it helps me. Just one of the tools that I keep in my toolbox.

[Danieleisler]

Hi everyone,I'm a 19yr old male whose never had anxiety or panic attacks but recently had one about a month ago while Driving and needed oxygen now since then everyday has been non stop anxiety and I feel like I'm going crazy.im currently on the 8th day of Zoloft 25mg and no relief yet and I just feel like there's no end in sight.i can't work the anxiety is to overwhelming for me I just want to be back to normal.im a hands on type of guy so I'm really not used to this.please reply need someone to relate of talk to

[RoderickLariviere]

My problem is depression. In is impossible on the part of me to work while I am depressed. For this, at the time of depression I take anti-depressant medicines that help me to handle the issue easily and get rid of my depression.

[BettyClark]

No I can't work in depression. When I feel depressed I take a small rest and my anti depressants...
But you can make yourself busy to stay away from depression.

[Lauren123]

I think it completely depends on the pressure of the job and how severe the anxiety/depression is. When I was younger I was signed off college due to severe anxiety but managed a part time (20 hours) job during this time which was probably more hours than being in college. I've never been able to cope with jobs like waitressing or bar work which are more fast paced then admin etc

[jbean21]

Really enjoyed reading this. You spoke about a lot of feelings I am having regarding work. I am not a social person in the typical sense of social butterfly, likes to be with a group. Not at all. However, when I was working, I did find having opportunities to talk with people who I felt comfortable with was very helpful. My anxiety, however, tries to tell me that I need to be locked away in a closet working with no social interaction. I also liked your comment that sometimes our "instincts" can lead us astray. It seems that our society places a great deal of emphasis on our gut instincts, but what if your gut instinct says to do things that also seem counterproductive, like quit your job? It sort of leaves the anxiety-sufferer in a position where she can't trust herself.

That being said, I did have to quit my job recently. It was more than I could handle. The environment was an anxiety trigger and I still haven't recovered. So, I can certainly say that different types of jobs can accentuate depression and anxiety. You might not be able to find the perfect job, but working with a professional to discover positive and negative work environments can knock out some of the issue.

[The Intolerable Kid]

Sure, I do it all the time. Work is primarily what causes my anxiety and depression, so it's more or less inescapable while I'm there. Or, to use my Father's observation, "That's why they call it work." In his generation you were simply expected to grit your teeth and resolutely march forward no matter what. I try and follow his example, it's certainly not easy. Makes me respect him more, though, for working all those years to support a wife and 3 kids.

[cloudy black]

yes work is impossible when you have both anxiety and depression. i lost so much weight down to under 7 stone (dont do Kg sorry!) which was i guess the beginning of the tangible signs of anxiety and depression. although for the longest time i didnt realise that i had anxiety. its only now years later that i realise that i had acute anxiety and if i had stayed in work i am pretty sure i would have become manic depressive/bi polar. it was only when i met Ricky who had manic depression and talked about his life that i realised shit that sounds just like me. suffice it to say his life was a mess everything became unworkable and sadly he committed suicide.

[dotcom02]

My work is the only thing that keeps my happy. It distracts me from the world and my thoughts for a good part of the day.

[cloudy black]

i find work triggers me and though i am not afraid of hard work never have been and never will be. but i have always found it difficult to be around people for any length of time i get overwhelmed mentally and physically. now i help out regularly as a volunteer a couple of times most weeks. i felt far more frequently suicidal in work than out of it. i have tried in the 90's and the naughties to change this. i feel such a failure for never being able to get a grip of it and move on.

[MiST]

Yes, but it's pretty depressing..LOL

[salvator here]

I haven't been able to hold down a job for years. I'm applying at grocery stores and hoping 1 will take a chance and hire me even part time. I've selected places that I see hire people with disabilities so I don't have to lie from the start and pretend (so to speak). I'm tired of being stuck in the this cycle of immobility and self pity, so its high time to give this all I got before its too late. There is nobody to rescue me, so I must put together some future for myself. It is better to have tried and failed than to never have tried at all. So they say!!

[salvator here]

Feeling totally hopeless!

Another week flew by and not even a single call back. I've been only applying for just the basic 'entry level' jobs, and, still feel as I'm overreaching. I really want to work again, and being unemployed for well over a decade has only made me worse. Right now I'm feeling as my situation is heading even further down the crapper. I have a huge gap in my employment history and no (logical) way to explain it away. I've just simply been unable to work due to all my conditions. I can say this or I'll never get hired anywhere. I've done the whole "worked for family" and "worked freelance type jobs", but honestly, its not really believable. As I say, I not really fussy, and I'm willing to do anything at all for minimum wage. Trouble is, I've not been very reliable as far as work went in the past (I used to have to call out), and now, employers will fire you in a heartbeat.

I'm just totally at a loss on what to do at 42 years old and little education other than a high school diploma!

That being said, I'm holding to what you told me, Dahila. I've been thinking about this every day in fact when things seem bleak, and also realize you are also struggling yourself.

Quote from Dahila in her thread "Guided Meditation"

"you will get up and it does not matter how many times you fall. Get up and never give up."

[ecs4455]

Hi Salvator,

I am new to this site, and was browsing recent posts and came across yours.

First all I just want to tell you to hang in there and be strong, things can and will get better.

In regards to your job search: good for you for getting out there and applying to jobs. If you are just looking for a chance to get back into the work force and get a job on your resume again I would recommend looking at some fast-food restaurants, most all of those places are always hiring and willing to give someone a chance because well...they often have a hard time finding employees. Second, have you looked into any government or state run careers offices, or job works programs? I don't know what state you live in, but every state has some form of state run offices that assist people trying to get back into the labor force. Even those who have not worked in a long time such as yourself. I would recommend a google search to find the local branch of your state workforce office. You can stop by there and they would be glad to assist you with making your resume look as good as possible, they can also help point you to employers they work with that are looking for applicants. I would recommend giving this option a shot.

Best of luck to you my friend. Hang in there, and stay strong.

[Ponder]

Srry things are not going the way you would like Salvator. It's certainly a "competitive" world out there. I know America is pretty ruthless when it comes to looking after it's "poorer" citizens who are not employed. We still have TV docos over here, depicting the homeless being ejected from hospitals back into the streets. Typically a taxi is called and will come pick the pacified drug induced patient up and drop them a ways off.

Of course one could reason how blessed such poor people are to be afforded the abundance of soup kitchens the tax payers have worked so hard to provide. Despite the very long lines & sub zero temps, shelters are available for those lucky few who can prove their worth during the interview process to get in through the door.

I myself am 47, happy with the soup kitchens, on a pension and content to do free lance work here and there.

I'm curious given the tough stance on unemployment and welfare dependency in your neck of the world, that if you have not worked for so long ... how have you been getting by and what's been the sudden drive to jump into the ring otherwise known as the work force?

I take my hat off to you as well, but not for reasons so typically given.

[salvator here]

ecs4455 ~ Welcome to the forum. I want to sincerely thank you for your posting. I'm very grateful for your care and advice. I am working with social services currently, so I am getting some assistance with this. I'm sort of hitting a brick wall even with them. I'm applying anywhere and everywhere and food service is on the list, although not my first choice only because I have worked at 2 fast food places and struggled, but I'm not proud either, I'll do anything. My main dilemma is telling the truth about what I'm dealing with from the beginning, or not, and hope for the best. I won't give up easily though and I will try to always stay strong.

Ponder ~ Thank you for your kind words. Luckily, that depiction of people being ejected from hospital and the long lines at soup kitchens is actually a rarity. I do think that is indeed happening, where I currently reside is not that bad here. What might be best is to take your advice and give the unloading another try and create a thread and tell my story. I've been relying on family 100%. I can't complain - I have food on the table and a roof over my head and internet. I have an old car; fine for local driving. We do use food banks every week and food stamps. I am blessed though and live according to my means! That being said, last year, I was of a different mindset, and working again was not even a consideration. I was going to go full speed ahead to get disability. I had appointments made with my neuropsychiatrist to get everything documented. Believe it or not, I've flown under the radar for much of my life, and also don't have everything documented medically. I don't receive any welfare as I don't have kids, and my normal living expenses are payed. My family won't be alive forever though, so I must prepare now.

Again, thanks guys for your concern and I'm optimistic things will look up this year. There is of course a lot more to the story, but I think I will safe it for the right place and time.

PS: No reply needed here really. I've been reading practically every single thread here in a search on unemployment / employment, and there is already lot of helpful advice about similar experiences from/by others.

[Ponder]

No need felt, other than reaping the benefits of participating in the domain. I can respect and appreciate your views there. Each of us has our own unique perspective that reveals the world in different ways. It took a huge effort and some advocacy for me to be allocated a pension. I have made many threads on the topic of long term unemployment, suicide and the "work force." Although rather confronting I have no issue with posting under the headings as entitled in this thread:

Is anyone able to work while depressed?

Not really. I think most people just show up and call that a day of work, yet debatable as the days results may be, asking oneself "Why?" - always yielded me more than what I cared for the product being made. I never saw the point in sticking at a place I was not happy to work in. I went through many jobs when under the spell of compulsive citizenship. Those in the know will know what I mean.

Not being tied down and content with the side of the road gave me a lot of freedom in my younger days. The world was also very much a different place. Defining what "work" really means in a competitive world and the context in which we seek to gain the things we do, makes such an act either a restriction or contribution. It is without a doubt that our past experiences and the way we choose to hold them, impact on the manner in which we embark to a day at work and seek "whatever" it is that we "seek".

Given the high numbers sifting though forums like these, the age of newcomers and the increasing number of "medicated" workers ... the pressure in today's work force is seeing depression on the rise as much as tent cities (quickly carpeted) in the west. We typically only tend to look where it's easiest to see. (ego - self interest and all those attractive beliefs and ideals typically taught and sold - appropriately blinkered with cheap obsolescent bling bling)

Thankfully I have "worked hard" to emplace myself in a position that's well suited to live in a reality that "works" well for me. In that regard, I have gone from rock bottom fighting my way from employment agency to employment agency to now forming a world view that sees the world work for me.

If that's to be taken personally, then that's something for that individual to work on ... not my issue. Facebook is currently full of people screaming at each other in an attempt to justify each position. Like I said ... redefining what "work" really means and what ones personal contribution should or should not be, can work wonders with regard to waking up each day and choosing whether to feel depressed or looking forward to owning what ever the day may bring.

Again ... no need felt, other than reaping the benefits of participating in the domain.

I've actually been feeling more charged since doing so. Others here know I typically don't stray far from my thread.

I guess I kind of changed the meaning of how the word work; works for me.

Peace out, best wishes and all that.

[Other shoe]

One of my biggest challenges is work. I have to come out of my cave and face others who are certain to see all of my crazy flaws and fears. This is what my mind tells me anyway. I have learned to just get out there and face it. The nonsense in my head becomes discredited once I interact with others. The anxiety of going is always worse than the truth I face. The more I do it, the easier it gets. Staying in and being a recluse only adds to anxiety and paranoia. I am always relieved and renewed whenever I tell mind mind to stop and let reality happen. This is where I also find others who seemed threatening turn out to be folks with worries much like my own. We are not alone and the actual fears we cower from are often just trivial in truth. I'm not saying it's easy, but to power through, take a chance, and realize some overreactions is hugely rewarding!

[salvator here]

Well.. here I am over a month later, and I'm still no further ahead whatsoever. I have applications everywhere and not a single call back. I even gave up all self respect and went crawling back to old employers from over a decade ago. Of course, the embarrassment and shame is outrageous for me when they realize that I am still looking for entry level jobs, and not stable in a career by now. Of course, they have no idea what I've been through over the last decade. I've suffered 2 mental breakdown that I was hospitalized for and just barely maintained to get through each day with what I'm dealing with mentally. I will never tell them what I've gone through and give people that satisfaction, because I know people from my past would love to see just what I've amounted to (nothing). It been one 'set back' after another over the years, and it almost broke me totally. In some ways I feel stronger, but overall, I feel like one big failure and a disgrace.

Sorry I've been MIA lately, but I've found myself in a very dark place and I've barely been able to stay sane and keep my head up. I see no point in going into it all and perpetuating my negativity on others.

Anyway, I hope everyone is doing alright here, and I didn't want people that tried to help me to think I was (am) ungrateful.

Best wishes to all here.

[tmex]

am study just fine with any amount of depression, you just have to find a motivation to keep you going

[vancedwight]

Hi there, depression is the mental illness and I think one cannot able to work in depression.

[MainerMikeBrown]

I do volunteer work instead of paying work because that way if I'm feeling depressed and am having a bad day emotionally, I can take the day off if I'm scheduled to work as a volunteer that day.

[MariaKate]

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[Abel101]

I am not able to do anything when I am down.

[MainerMikeBrown]

Some people can't handle working when other areas of their lives are stressing them out.

[AngelaEvers]

Very true. I agree.