Having A Job And PTSD

[shadow-light]

I was just wondering how people cope with work, etc. while struggling with the symptoms of PTSD.


I have so far never managed to hold down a job for longer than 2 weeks due to my mental health :wall: . This means that I have no income, my boyfriend also has no income as he's essentially become my carer. Due to this we are not only struggling to pay bills but are actually loosing our flat in a few weeks. :eek:


So basically I really need to get back to working... So, how do others manage it? are there any tips and tricks that I am missing? Or maybe there are types of work that are more suitable than others?

any advise/opinions would be most welcome :smile:

 

[Hemels]

Hi Shadow-light, :hello:

I manage to have a job, although I am being very honest with you here - It is HARD work! :mad: I have issues walking outside in wide open spaces and crowded spaces so getting to and from work seem to be a major issue for me. I have found a way to work around it but it's just blocking myself from being triggered so i don't end up having an anxiety attack. I tend to put my music on really LOUD and ignore everything but it. My autopilot seems to kick in and I walk to work.

I am a Comptuer Technician, I do the job I love and which is my hobbie too, I do believe this is the main and ONLY reason I go to work everyday because I actually do enjoy it. I work with some great understanding people that all know about my C-PTSD and are all great to get on with. When i'm down they try to chear me up by doing little silly things. I do have to say having a job is good for a small break but I do come accross lots of my triggers there and still can suffer quiet bad.

I'm sorry if this doesn't help in any which way or form, I just read it back and it sounds like I'm babbling :crazy:

Hemmy xXx

 

[Manic11]

I have a hard time with work. I have a hard time being physically close to men. I work in retail. I constantly dissociate and have panic attacks at work. It's really hard. Most of the time, I will just go to the bathroom so I can have a breather. I also a have a ring I use to ground myself. I never go to work without it....actually I never go anywhere without it. Whenever I get really nervous at work, I touch my ring and try to ground myself.
Another thing that helps me is writing down what is bothering me. Venting about the problem.
If you're able to go for a walk that can help too.
I'll try to figure out more that helps today.
I hope this helps at least a little bit...

Take care.

Manic

 

[shadow-light]

I've just booked an appointment to see a disability employment adviser next week, I have been putting it off as people from the jobcentre and CAB keep telling me that PTSD is not a disability and I'm sick of arguing, but things are getting desperate now.


Thankyou for the replies, it's good to know that sustained employment is possible.

 

[TLight]

Good luck on your appt. I've thought about going that route when I feel I'm ready to return. I've been on SSD for over a year now........but what to be productive, but at the same time I'm terrified of going back to work. I don't want to relapse.........could be the end of me.

Where do disability counselors get off claiming that PTSD is not a disability? I just don't get it.........all the brain research, etc. etc. Ignorance is astounding to me.

 

[Gunchief]

I have been working at the my present job for 8 years, it is not easy some days. A trigger here or there and I am off on the rollercoaster, I then try to find a quiet place or totally absorb myself in a project, completely disassociating. Thats the tough part, until 4 months ago I thought I was going crazy now I know better.
I have lost 3 jobs and blown countless interviews because of PTSD related issues, never knowing what the hell was wrong.
Dave

 

[cherryblossom]

I work full time in a pretty stressful job. Most times it is hell. I've been in the same job for over 10 years, and started way before I was diagnosed with PTSD, and before I had any 'problem' symptoms. But it is the only profession I know, and I have to keep a roof over my head, so I continue. I've had time off sick due to PTSD. I was off for 6 months last year. My work are non too sympathetic, and offer no support. But I continue. If I'm being honest, I know that work stresses me, to the point that I do not have any energy left to deal with my trauma. But, like I said, I have a mortgage to pay, so I work. Obviously, I would not recommend you get into this type of situation, because it is a daily struggle.

If you are going to go work, can I suggest you find something that causes the least amount of stress. Identify your triggers, and then try to find a job that will keep your stress to a minimum. Maybe think about your hobbies or interests - is there paid work in those areas? Is working from home an option? Everyone is different, and I wish you well in finding something that suits you.

Regards, CB

 

[the racha]

Hey, shadow-light. Sorry to hear that you're having a rough time of it. I agree with you and everyone else: it is not easy at all to maintain a "normal" work life with PTSD. I have been working for about the past two months (after not working for about 8 months), and recently had to ask for two weeks off because I suffered a pretty crappy setback.

I am learning as I go along, and do have some advice that I hope will help:

1. Try to find a job where you can work from home. I know that this is not easy, but I have managed to do it and it cuts down on the stress for me enormously. Not having to interact with people every couple of minutes, not having to "dress up" or worry about my appearance too much, being able to take time-outs or walk when I need to, etc. There is a drawback, though: you have to really be on top of scheduling and taking care of yourself or you'll end up at home all day, every day.

2. Try creating a "safe-routine" or "safe place" for yourself, that you can take with you wherever you go. The ring example is a good one; you could also pick a song or something that you can listen to or hum to yourself that will help you to calm down.

3. I know this is not ideal, but what about a part-time job?

4. Once you do find a job, as I am learning the hard way, it is even MORE important to stick to taking care of yourself. When i slack off on the yoga, exercise, and meditation believe me, I feel it. Sometimes I wonder if there are enough hours in the day just for me to do the things I need to do to keep my PTSD in check.

5. If you feel like you are on the "road to overload," listen to your body and rest-up. I know a lot of bosses expect us to "tough it out," but if they had PTSD they would understand how wrong they were. Just the other day, during my setback, a friend of mine mentioned that it would be good for me to "stay busy" to keep my mind off of my trauma. Ha! It was all of that "staying busy" that put me in the psych ward!

Good luck.

racha

 

[shadow-light]

thankyou for all the replies

I am going to write out a list of triggers for the DEA next week as I feel that may help them to help me.

We loose our flat on the 15th of August so working from home isn't really an option as I do not know where I will be living in a few weeks.

I like the ring idea. I will try to find something similar that I can use.

 

[Maze7]

My career pretty much ended when I got PTSD and I was 20. I was only able to volunteer after the PTSD in a job where I was sitting down, I did work a few times and they lasted from 3 weeks to 1 month and then I just emotionally collapsed after these times and could not deal with it.
I guess it depend on how bad your PTSD is. I could only work when I was on antideppressants and finding a job that avoided triggers helped.

 

[LoveWins]

I am yet to manage to hold down a job longer than a month or so post trauma, but these experiences in the workplace have given me a bit of a rough plan of what not to do once I'm ready to get back into work again from here

At the time I had these jobs I didn't know I had PTSD and I was kind of in denial, so I was diving straight into full time work, very long hours, lots of people around. This as you can imagine made me a lot worse. This time I am going to begin by volunteering where there will be less pressure and more freedom, and gradually work my way up to building a career again in conjunction with my therapy

As the others have said, it's very tough. But I know a lot of us have managed to get back into work and do a great job with it. Good luck

 

[SunnyBrookFarm]

I work full-time (and have a side job) and yes, I am exhausted. I often do not have time to do what I need to do for my mind and body - but I have no choice at the moment. I have too many bills, and too many people depending on me to check out at this point. However, within the next couple of years - things will be different (my mother will hopefully be approved for SSDI - my mortgage will be paid off etc.) and if I am not feeling better about work by then - I am going to make some changes.

I work in a high stress environment - I don't recommend it at all. If your going to try to go back to work - I would definately try to find something that you enjoy and can be as flexible as possible.

By the way - there is nothing wrong with not being able to work - this is why my mom is in the SSDI appeal process (because of other mental disorders) and trust me - there is NO way she could work.