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Heading Back Into The Workforce

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ragdoll

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It's been a few years since I've created a thread. I'm feeling heavy hearted after reading my past threads and status content. I still feel very much the same. Stuck, lost, afraid, overwhelmed, tired etc. I have regained a sense of achievement. The depression has lifted. However, the anxiety tends to have a strong hold on my every day living. Anxiety has always lingered like a storm in a teacup - or so I thought, and has manifested into a tornado.

Therapy sessions have continued with the same psychologist since my demise into this place of uncertainty approximately in 2009. Admittedly, our sessions have been somewhat spasmodic over the last few years, yet I'm still hanging in there :oops:
My most recent appointment hit me with the acknowledgement that my coping skills have been hindering the healing process of my PTSD. My methods of coping had failed me.
Exposure to everyday activities - shopping, house work, kids sporting events and to be somewhat social have fallen in a heap with a huge thud! My general philosophy to "accept the setbacks, reflect and focus on the positives again" has been replaced with an overwhelming sense of despair.

Divulgement of what had been occurring over the past few months since our last appointment lead to the conclusion my anxiety had generalised. That fight and flight response is in damage control and taking over my everyday existence. Turning up, getting the task done then taking off isn't working anymore. The façade everything is ok has been exposed. My family and home life has suffered. Although I was "out there" behind my home walls is completely different. Cracks have formed in in my once close and strong relationship with my husband :cry: We are still focused on each other and our family though. :D

So now I have to look at my exposure without "resentment". I have to choose one of many outside tasks and to become more focus instead of just coping. I've chosen one. A job I started 10 months ago. Financially I had to find work. The stress on my husband to be the main breadwinner had become too much. I also hold the hope it can be a good outcome for the future. I am doing book keeping/accounts administration for a small business with a very understanding boss. On average about 6 hours a week and very minimal outside contact. I have really struggled to keep a balance. And I mean really struggled :giggle:

I know it will get easier as time passes yet my head is spinning. I'm tired of this fight. I'm tired of struggling. I'm wondering how other sufferers have managed heading back out into the workforce with paying the price.
 
Thanks for sharing this, I found your story to be inspiring.

I have not worked so far this year, and I feel guilt for that often. Last year I was a substitute teacher, on call, and only for one specific elementary school. I thought that it would help me to ease back into the work force and it was not a regular job with set hours so it would not be too stressful. It went well as long as I only worked one or two days a week, but when I was asked to sub for a teacher who had knee surgery and was out for a whole week, it really put a huge strain on me and I was a train wreck for about a week and a half afterwards. I became short in my speech with my family, I had an extra short fuse, I kept losing things and forgetting things, and I became totally disorganized. At school I stuck to my lesson plans, and was somehow able to stay on task and on schedule, but then when I got off work, I was angry for no apparent reason and hated myself, it was awful. I don't work now. I am in no shape to hold down a job right now, but I think about it longingly sometimes.

From reading your post, I see a lot of struggles that I know very well too. I also see a lot of strength and resilience. Your are very resourceful for finding work that you will be able to fit into your life as it is. Good stuff. Thank you for sharing.
 
Thank you for your responses. So far I'm not doing so well. Out of 8 days I've turned up once to work before my set time. This was only because my car was being serviced and I had no other way to get to work other than the lift I was offered.

I feel I am spiraling out of control. My anxiety has intensified since this challenge has been given to me. I felt it was bad before, yet now I'm finding myself constantly exhausted. Panic attacks have reared their ugly head again during situations I have managed before.
I'm snapping at my children and husband over the silliest things. Dreams are intensifying. The constant heavy thumping in my chest feels stronger than ever before. Facing basic chores is overwhelming. Trying to move to achieve anything has me feeling as if I'm stuck in concrete.
Searching for ways to relax eg meditation intensifies the thumping in my chest.
Tired of my days slipping away along with the will to keep moving forward :(
 
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