Has anyone on here had any experience of their psychiatrist trying to force them back into work when theyre not ready?

[Survivor3]

Hiya folks!, so on Wednesday the 5th of June I had a p-doc appointment. It was OK I guess apart from my own insecurities of not really trusting them. He mentioned that in 4-6 months time he's going to see me again and he's going to discuss how I spend my time??

I thought to myself, I go too the gym, read, go to the Buddhist centre, do courses, play my saxophone, take care of domestic duties, and try to have a social life... and they know that... what more do they want me to do??

I mean he didn't say to me "we want to send you back to work" but that's what I felt it was leading to.

My life is Soooo much better than it used to be due to meds now working and my own personal efforts but I don't think I can be responsible for earning my own income. Quite frankly I still suffer from pretty serious mental illness.

Only today at the end of my Buddhist studies a lady started talking to me about whether I might suffer from some kind of autism/aspergers. My reply was I don't know, if that maybe correct or whether the way I am/present myself is because of an under developed and abused/traumatised personality as a child and adult??

Do I think volunteering maybe an option in the future for 1 or 2 days a week? Possibly. But actually coming off disability benefits and working scares the shit out of me and seems cruel and wrong...

Now I'm just exhausted from writing this post!!

So, i would really appreciate other people on here to share their experiences, thoughts and feelings on this.

It would really help me out!!

 

[Friday]

He mentioned that in 4-6 months time he's going to see me again and he's going to discuss how I spend my time??

Perhaps start keeping a sharing-journal?

I do that / have done that with

1. My pain meds because I’m a quirky number of them. Not enough for 24/7 support, (which is what the medical audits recommend), too much for flare up pain (because I use them for athletic activities, whilst I wait on joint replacement).
- My year round, daily schedule, & pain meds used. (0)
- My year round athletics, & pain meds used. (X)
- Seasonal sports, & pain meds used. (Y)
- Occasional injuries, & pain meds used. (Z)
- Overview of my school, work, volunteering, (& childcare, when it was relevant).

2. Diet & activity, for a few months before seeing/working with a nutritionist/dietician

3. A few other things

^^^ This is why I can so easily reference that my “normal” looks like 14+ hours of moderate to intense exercise per day (4 hours of play, 10 hours of work), 6 hours of downtime, & 4 hours of sleep… and a dozen other metrics I periodically mention on here; because I’ve spent years charting them for doctors.

They’re just handy dandy quick sheets for docs to easily reference what my life “looks like”, and better be able to recommend support, changes, or to back up their own recommendations to their supervisors.

He durn may well want you -in this moment, without 4 months of data to look at- want you to return to work. (Or he may think you’re doing too much, already. No idea.) That he’s giving you a heads up that you’ll be discussing how time is spent in 4 months? Gives you a fantastic opportunity to present him with what you’re doing NOW, as well as how you were doing a year, or whenever, ago…. AS WELL AS… Where you might hope to be “later”. Dreams, fears, obstacles, realistic goals, etc.

 

[Sideways]

He mentioned that in 4-6 months time he's going to see me again and he's going to discuss how I spend my time??

4-6 months is a good chunk of time, so whatever the case, it certainly isn’t something they sound like they’re pushing quickly.

I’ve not had the experience of work being pushed on me (it’s always been the other way round - “No, terrible idea Sideways, you’re not ready!”). But I’ve routinely have conversations about how I’m spending my time - most appointments to be honest!

It doesn’t necessarily need to be something to be fearful of - it could be a conversation to look forward to..? Your pdoc may have ideas of what they think you might be ready for (in 4-6 months from where you are now).

Alternatively, they may just want to have a conversation about what you are doing...because, knowing your function is a big part of their assessment of how well (or unwell) you are.

Is there a reason that you’ve interpreted this as your pdoc deciding you’re ready to go back to work? Has getting back to work been part of your conversation with them to date? It sounds like, in your mind there’s a tension between your reality and your pdoc’s perception. If that’s been your experience, maybe tracking your symptom load for a while might help give your pdoc better insight into where you are at the moment?

 

[Survivor3]

Yeah I understand what your saying @Friday.
I can show him my calendar/diary as a really easy way of them instantly seeing how busy I am doing stuff every week.

 

[Survivor3]

@Sideways Thanks for your reply. No there's never been any talk upto this point about going back to work. He did talk to me 6 months ago about the possibility of doing voluntary work. I was surprised he asked me about talking about how I spend my time because I've already told him. It's very rare that I have a day doing nothing. Like 3 times a month max.

And I have to admit there's still a level of distrust and paranoia from me towards them because of the complaint I made. I really laid into them and their behaviour changed toward me, they actually became respectful and professional and nice. Still don't trust very much though. Maybe I felt like they're now trying to get rid of me?

 

[Sideways]

Still don't trust very much though.

This is helpful insight to have. It means you know in advance that you’re seeing things through that lens, which may not be realistic.

did talk to me 6 months ago about the possibility of doing voluntary work.

Is this something you might be interested in?

Voluntary work is what I stuck with for quite a long period when I was on disability. It was incredibly helpful to both my recovery, and slowly rebuilding my work muscles. I also used it to change the type of work I was doing entirely - I dabbled in a few different things before finally finding the industry and type of role that gave me both meaning and joy.

 

[Survivor3]

This is helpful insight to have. It means you know in advance that you’re seeing things through that lens, which may not be realistic.

Is this something you might be interested in?

Voluntary work is what I stuck with for quite a long period when I was on disability. It was incredibly helpful to both my recovery, and slowly rebuilding my work muscles. I also used it to change the type of work I was doing entirely - I dabbled in a few different things before finally finding the industry and type of role that gave me both meaning and joy.

Yes I think I might be interested in some kind of voluntary work . It would be good on a number of levels.

- getting some work experience.

- useful for references.

- structure and character building.

 

[Sideways]

It would be good on a number of levels.

- build up self confidence in ability to work again, so that if you get to the point where you want to work, you know you can.

 

[Movingforward10]

I mean he didn't say to me "we want to send you back to work" but that's what I felt it was leading to.

It sounds like you are worrying about something when you’re not sure if that is what he was saying.
is there a way of asking? So that you know rather than guessing and then worrying?

volunteering may be a great thing. And maybe THAT is the thing he was going to suggest at the next appointment?

 

[Survivor3]

I've been reading on the Internet how the newly elected Labour government is going to be targeting alot of people with mental health problems to try and send them back into work. Stopping (pip) cash benefits and replacing it with vouchers. Offering (or making people do) therapy (cbt- I bet). Scary!! It's going to be interesting.

 

[Teasel]

Where did you read this?

 

[Survivor3]

Where did you read this?

It was on my Google newsfeed. The stuff about (pip) comes up when you Google pip benefit changes.