Some Questions

[trying2movefwd]

What is your job?
How did you get your job?
How many hours do you work?
Do you like your job?
What advice would you give someone with PTSD who is seeking out employment, what has worked for you and what has not?
If not employed did you try to work and if so how long?
(Especially interested in those with dissociative subtype PTSD) But welcome everyone 's response. :)

 

[trying2movefwd]

Hello.

 

[sun seeker]

I'm self employed, which gives me some flexibility. It's good to be able to change things around when a crisis comes up (although I'm currently in a situation where I really need a break and there is no one to take over for me, so it's not a foolproof method).

 

[TinkerG]

What is your job?
How did you get your job?
How many hours do you work?
Do you like your job?
What advice would you give someone with PTSD who is seeking out employment, what has worked for you and what has not?
If not employed did you try to work and if so how long?

I work for myself as an artist - but that is new, until recently I worked from home in 3D object creation for gaming... I used to be in information technology at a law firm but that was early on in my diagnosis and I was lucky if I showed up on a day to day basis - I lost the job within 90 days, I just wasn't ready for it. I was on call 24/7, it was high stress and I had a very rigid schedule...before I had PTSD, it was the perfect job for me ... but not after. I then worked part time and went back to school, another bad idea for me. Eventually, I figured out that working for someone else on their schedule was not going to work for me so I got into 3D object creation work for hire - self employed - and that allowed me to do what I could when I could. To get into that field I took a couple classes at a community college, built a portfolio and then started looking for work through advertising and so on. I got tired of 3D pretty quick - I was in the business 5 years. I do not think I could work for someone else even today.

My advice would be to talk to your therapist, or if you have and they dont give you give you any ideas, then try whatever you think you can handle because you dont know until you try those things whether or not you can handle them. Using common sense when making these decisions, of course, start slow - part time or volunteer in the field you want to be in. Allow wiggle room with your schedule if you can. Consider whether or not its advisable to tell your employer... back when I started all this, if I told my employer I would not have a job - hopefully that has changed by now.

Hope this helps!

 

[SpiritFree]

I am a Clerk for my county.

I took a test and barely passed then my name was sent out to different departments. Had numerous interviews until this particular job hired me.

I work 8 hours however I was suppose to work 9 hours and get every other Friday off as I was told but now it change.

No I do not like my job

First seek a part time just to adjust, do not be like me. The job I have now is Full Time and is not allowed to go Part Time. Also I have worked in fast pace environment but the difference now compare to my other job was my previous jobs were quiet, did not see people passing by my cubicle every single minutes (due to Kitchen being next to my department) and phones ringing off the hook almost the whole day. Phones in previous jobs only got heavy around 3-4 pm unlike here starting at morning nonstop. Also coworker talking and supervisor instructing orally, which I tend to forget. I regret for accepting this job. I realize I rather go part time than full time. I suggest that to everyone until you can adjust the working environment.

 

[Friday]

I haven't been able to work-work for about 5 years, now. First couple years because of stalking. Next couple because symptoms were too heavy.

I mostly live off barter economy. Some day labor. Some selling stuff.

I made my son's lunch money for school selling my blood last year. Technically he qualifies for the free lunch program, but everything is automated these days, so my ex calls or logs in online and gets him dropped for it, and I've got a hungry, sad, & embarrassed kiddo on my hands if I depend on that program. So I needed to come up with something steady, and I could make about $4o a week doing that. I do a lot of that sort of thing. Find individual sources of income for specific needs, or barter for specific need/wants.

Not the first time I've done this / been unable to work-work. I usually start off going back to work with a series of burner-jobs. AKA jobs I plan on losing, often in quick succession, not in my field so I don't really give a damn what people think of me / what my reputation is. Although a few times I went back to school, instead. After my son was born, for example, I was mostly symptom free but I couldn't afford to work; daycare in my area cost more than I could have made (min $1600 per month, avg $2500 a month). Student aid, meanwhile, paid me far more than minimum wage and I only had to cover childcare while I was physically in class (about 10 hours a week, instead of 50+), and the university subsidized childcare expenses.

It is what it is.

I've made 6 figures in a year. I've made nothing in a year. I can usually figure something out.

 

[Craig30]

I work full time in engineering I'm a technician on robotics.I'm a trade qualified fitter machinist

I don't like my job but my advice is do something your good at be a good worker and don't disclose your history until they know you.

 

[screen-name]

I do sales from home. I still have to go out and meet with people but I set the schedule and I don't have to bother with people like in an office. I don't tell anyone about my issues. There are different ways to go about it, but it's got a stigma of being unable to handle things and dangerous.

Working from home is good for me except that I'm an extrovert. If that's you too then you must plan ways to see people socially or you'll start to feel worse.