NomDePlume
07-27-2016, 08:42 AM
Hi everyone,
I was writing to ask for advice anyone here might be able to give:
If I give a bit of my background; I'm currently 33 years old, whilst I've suffered from depression and anxiety all of my life the last 5 years or so have been a absolute low point for me. I've been unemployed for the entire time, I very rarely leave the house because I have no reason to do so.
I've entirely lost contact with any past friends and the majority of my family; whole months can go by without me interacting with anyone. My parents emigrated some years ago but allow me to remain in the family home (unaware of the severity of my condition) so I've not needed to worry about bills, but this has in turn made me much worse (as regards anxiety) than I would otherwise have been because it's meant that my world has become incredibly small. I'm currently seeing an NHS provided psychologist on a weekly basis but nothing else.
After years of social isolation and unemployment as a result of social anxiety and a subsequent depression, whenever I have periods of feeling ‘better’ or at least more positive I’ve found myself with no ways to re-join society; I thought I might volunteer to feel as though I was doing something and gain experience but I have no references at all due to the years of isolation; when seeking volunteer or part-time work organisations I’ve contacted reply with standard forms to fill in which don’t leave me much chance to explain my situation. So I’m unable to do anything positive which then feeds back into my depression and feeling of isolation. I feel I’m in a terrible rut I can’t escape from.
The idea of going to the jobcentre for advice terrifies me as I know they have very poor reputation indeed for helping people with mental health issues. I attended a Mind course for anxiety sufferers recently where a woman who’d been an NHS manager before leaving work for five years for a mental health condition told a story of going to the jobcentre and being told frankly she’d only be good for stacking shelves in Poundland if she was lucky, so I with less experience than her would have no chance at all. I worry I’m unemployable and useless and at times I feel there’s little point carrying on.
I have no idea how to escape this situation and was wondering if anyone had any advice.
Thanks.
I was writing to ask for advice anyone here might be able to give:
If I give a bit of my background; I'm currently 33 years old, whilst I've suffered from depression and anxiety all of my life the last 5 years or so have been a absolute low point for me. I've been unemployed for the entire time, I very rarely leave the house because I have no reason to do so.
I've entirely lost contact with any past friends and the majority of my family; whole months can go by without me interacting with anyone. My parents emigrated some years ago but allow me to remain in the family home (unaware of the severity of my condition) so I've not needed to worry about bills, but this has in turn made me much worse (as regards anxiety) than I would otherwise have been because it's meant that my world has become incredibly small. I'm currently seeing an NHS provided psychologist on a weekly basis but nothing else.
After years of social isolation and unemployment as a result of social anxiety and a subsequent depression, whenever I have periods of feeling ‘better’ or at least more positive I’ve found myself with no ways to re-join society; I thought I might volunteer to feel as though I was doing something and gain experience but I have no references at all due to the years of isolation; when seeking volunteer or part-time work organisations I’ve contacted reply with standard forms to fill in which don’t leave me much chance to explain my situation. So I’m unable to do anything positive which then feeds back into my depression and feeling of isolation. I feel I’m in a terrible rut I can’t escape from.
The idea of going to the jobcentre for advice terrifies me as I know they have very poor reputation indeed for helping people with mental health issues. I attended a Mind course for anxiety sufferers recently where a woman who’d been an NHS manager before leaving work for five years for a mental health condition told a story of going to the jobcentre and being told frankly she’d only be good for stacking shelves in Poundland if she was lucky, so I with less experience than her would have no chance at all. I worry I’m unemployable and useless and at times I feel there’s little point carrying on.
I have no idea how to escape this situation and was wondering if anyone had any advice.
Thanks.