Support worker role wrong choice for me

[Carpman]

Been an engineer for last 25 years, haven’t worked since March so took a roll as support worker for people with disabilities for a charity, I worked Friday/ sat and Sunday, I haven’t slept since Thursday night worrying about the job, my mind has really been in a bad place, have spoken with my therapist and decided not to take job, anyone else had experience similar to myself, many thanks, damian.

 

[DharmaGirl]

I can't work at all due to PTSD. Just can't do it.

 

[Eagle3]

I'm in this position right now, except my degree and training is all in mental health. I took a job at a residential treatment center as a behavior support/direct care, and lasted about 2 weeks. Could NOT do it. Turns out between my PTSD and my Autism, I can't deal with people at the therapeutic level for any real length of time. Maybe an hour or two a day, 2-3 days a week, but not full-time. Right now I'm working at a residential facility for IDD individuals, but I work in the barn, taking care of the therapeutic riding horses. MUCH easier on me mentally, enjoying the physical work, but the pay is total crap. Can't live on this. Have to find other work, which is damn near impossible for me.

So no, you aren't alone in this. Even having TONS in common with clients doesn't mean you can care for them as full-time work. Lots of us can't handle the stress of their issues on top of our own.

 

[Carpman]

Yes I think you’re right, last 3 nights been ruminating about the patients, it’s really hit me, I’m happiest when around animals:)

 

[Mach123]

I have handicapped adult autistic daughters and I can't do it either. I do and I always have, but I can't. I go to the functions sometimes, I've written quite a lot about it.

My daughters don't depress me. The whole thing does. I go to about 5 handicapped functions a year, with them, and it makes me depressed. I thought I'd work in the field but I can't in spite of my years and years of experience.

 

[Nessa7]

I can't work, but I do a lot of mental health related volunteer work. I feel really fulfilled and am good at it, but the stress is still very hard to deal with and some things can be very triggering. Last week was a particularly intense one, and I spent my weekend doing my best to avoid even making light casual conversation with people. If I didn't have the freedom to set my own schedule and choose my responsibilities, I don't think I could keep doing it.

 

[Friday]

I have a list of things as long as my arm you couldn’t pay me to do (literally); a much longer list of things I will do for the money for a limited period of time before I lose my ever lovin’ mind; some things I enjoy the hell out of for brief periods of time but longer than that shreds me; regular work; and work I would pay to do & am always sort of convinced I’m stealing to be paid to do it. ;)

Figuring out where things fall on that spectrum? Takes some trial and error. Because no matter how much I think I’ll love/hate, &/or be amazing at / suck at, & what the short & long term costs will be? Until the rubber meets the road and I actually DO it, I don’t know.