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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by roo on April 18, 2001, at 13:15:35
Does anyone out there experience a double-edged sword
with their depression? In some ways, depression and
under achieiving in the job world can go hand in hand. My
depression often leaves me too wrung out for much ambition.
However, working a dull, mind numbing, easy and boring
job often causes me to feel depressed and understimulated.
Also, if I'm not busy enough in my job (which is often),
my mind turns inward to negative thoughts (an idle mind
is the devil's workshop). Can anyone relate to this at
all?
Posted by Greg A. on April 18, 2001, at 14:30:24
In reply to Understimulation on the job and Depression, posted by roo on April 18, 2001, at 13:15:35
Good thought Roo.
I can definitely relate. I have a professional type job that leaves me high and dry as far as sense of accomplishment goes. I’m in a rut. I could have probably advanced much further in my work if I had the confidence to go for it. But depression and anxiety have been with me for many years and I settle for staying where I am. Sometimes even that seems too much but often I find I am bored at work and looking for something more stimulating to do. If this keeps up for too long I begin to feel depressed, like you.
I find myself waiting for retirement but also wondering if that will be worse than where I am. At least in my work environment I am forced to relate to people and to keep up a routine. Would I be happier without that? I’m not sure. I often think that if I was confident that depressive episodes were a thing of the past, or would be mild and short, I would take some chances and see where I land. I guess I’m just scared that a change will leave me worse off than I am now.
I think a lot of people who suffer depression are intelligent and very capable. They often have greater insight into their behaviour and that of others that most. When the depression is absent, they are bored with what they do, because they are capable of so much more.
Posted by mist on April 18, 2001, at 14:39:14
In reply to Understimulation on the job and Depression, posted by roo on April 18, 2001, at 13:15:35
I can relate somewhat to what you’re saying, although I seem to be able to please employers in my field even when I'm not that impressed with my own output.
However, I don’t put a lot of energy into my career and don’t feel energized or excited by work. Sometimes I prefer “mindless” work so I can space out (it depends on the job and how much positive feedback you get for it), but now I’m overqualified to get that kind of work even if I wanted it.
In general I think the environment and expectations in the average workplace aren’t particularly conducive to a high level of mental health.
>Does anyone out there experience a double-edged sword
> with their depression? In some ways, depression and
> under achieiving in the job world can go hand in hand. My
> depression often leaves me too wrung out for much ambition.
> However, working a dull, mind numbing, easy and boring
> job often causes me to feel depressed and understimulated.
> Also, if I'm not busy enough in my job (which is often),
> my mind turns inward to negative thoughts (an idle mind
> is the devil's workshop). Can anyone relate to this at
> all?
Posted by sar on April 19, 2001, at 0:39:46
In reply to Understimulation on the job and Depression, posted by roo on April 18, 2001, at 13:15:35
Hi Roo,
I just arrived home from my second day of training at a six-dollar per hour job. I was shown the highly important tasks of removing thief-proof "keepers" from CDs, desensitizing electromagnetic strips on merchandise, and we had an at-length discussion regarding the "exchange toggle" key on the cash register.
I have the education and experience to get a better job but i aint got the energy or staying power to do it. This is about all I can manage right now...I do find these jobs numbing and depressing sometimes, all the pointless crap and minutiae, but right now it's a reason to bathe more frequently, to wash my clothes, to halfway remember how to carry on a conversation, and it's gonna pay for my therapy.
& also I wouldn't feel too bad if I quit this job anytime soon. I've found that depression makes me antsy, and if I were tied down to a good job I'd just feel terrible for not being fully committed to it.
yr fellow automaton :),
sar
Posted by ChrisK on April 19, 2001, at 5:13:15
In reply to Understimulation on the job and Depression, posted by roo on April 18, 2001, at 13:15:35
I lost three good jobs in a 5 year period due to my depression (although I didn't realize that was the problem at the time). I have a degree in Chemical Engineering but spent most of the last five years jobless. I eventually did get disabilty which helps pay the bills. About 6 months ago I decided that I was ready to start working again but knew that engineering was out of the question. I took a part time job as a classroom assitant for retarded citizens. It's not exactly mentally challenging but it gets me out and socializing. I'm now considering going to a tech school this fall so that I can find a job more stimulating.
I don't think I'll ever get back to doing anything that I learned in college but as I continue to get better I do think I will be able to handle jobs more challenging than what I currently do.
Posted by Kingfish on April 19, 2001, at 10:21:45
In reply to Re: Understimulation on the job and Depression, posted by ChrisK on April 19, 2001, at 5:13:15
Absolutely!! But I also agree with Mist - the workplace isn't (wasn't) really conducive for my mental health either, so I just let it go and didn't really worry about my advancement (or lack of). Instead, I have tried to concentrate on my "hobbies" (i.e. writing). I freelance now (doing my old workplace work) which is better for me, but I realize I'm very fortunate to be able to do so.
I think almost all, if not all, folks with major mood disorders, are creative, intelligent, independents at heart and don't quite fit into the traditional workplace.
- K.
Posted by super on April 19, 2001, at 12:43:24
In reply to Understimulation on the job and Depression, posted by roo on April 18, 2001, at 13:15:35
Yes, yes, yes! My thoughts exactly. It's hard to pull apart the various threads of my dissatisfaction with my job, and it's difficult to discern whether my depression causes a lack of success in my job (and thus more depression), or whether a shitty job contributes to my depression. So I don't have any answers for you, but I can relate.
> Does anyone out there experience a double-edged sword
> with their depression? In some ways, depression and
> under achieiving in the job world can go hand in hand. My
> depression often leaves me too wrung out for much ambition.
> However, working a dull, mind numbing, easy and boring
> job often causes me to feel depressed and understimulated.
> Also, if I'm not busy enough in my job (which is often),
> my mind turns inward to negative thoughts (an idle mind
> is the devil's workshop). Can anyone relate to this at
> all?
Posted by roo on April 20, 2001, at 8:39:52
In reply to Re: Understimulation on the job and Depression, posted by super on April 19, 2001, at 12:43:24
Thanks for all your responses...it helps to know
people can relate. I go in and out of phases of
being upset about my job (I guess everyone does)...
sometimes I'll be like "I am NOT my job" and really
focus more on my life outside of work. I've got a lot
of stuff going on outside of work...I'm a freelance
writer....I paint...I have animals...I'm usually taking
a few classes (at the moment web page design and
mindfulness meditation)...but I have my most vital
energy in the daytime...and to spend 8 of those hours
at a boring job really drains and depresses me. And then
sometimes I think "What is it about me that attracts
these boring mindless jobs? Why do I continually find
myself in these situations?"...basically asking myself
"What is the lesson here?". I make half way decent money,
but my work isn't challenging. I am scared of stress b/c
I don't deal with it well at all (can't think straight,
burst into tears, etc), so I avoid more challenging work.
I'm really right brained and creative, and artists dont'
make much money....I have a hard time thinking in a linear,
abstract, logical, problem solving kind of way...Oh my lord, I am rambling...sorry about that...guess
I'm just a lost soul in the forrest of "where do I fit
in in this world? How can I contribute and get paid for
it and actually like what I'm doing and not be too
stressed out?"
Posted by mist on April 20, 2001, at 13:09:25
In reply to Re: Understimulation on the job and Depression, posted by roo on April 20, 2001, at 8:39:52
I think I'm the artistic personality type as well, as described in The Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People--I forget who the author it.
Sometimes I think if I could just work with other creative people, or at least those with a stronger enthusiasm for the arts and artists than most people I've worked with have had, it would make a big difference.
Even if the work itself wasn't that exciting, at least the water cooler chitchat would be less deadening.
Thanks for all your responses...it helps to know
> people can relate. I go in and out of phases of
> being upset about my job (I guess everyone does)...
> sometimes I'll be like "I am NOT my job" and really
> focus more on my life outside of work. I've got a lot
> of stuff going on outside of work...I'm a freelance
> writer....I paint...I have animals...I'm usually taking
> a few classes (at the moment web page design and
> mindfulness meditation)...but I have my most vital
> energy in the daytime...and to spend 8 of those hours
> at a boring job really drains and depresses me. And then
> sometimes I think "What is it about me that attracts
> these boring mindless jobs? Why do I continually find
> myself in these situations?"...basically asking myself
> "What is the lesson here?". I make half way decent money,
> but my work isn't challenging. I am scared of stress b/c
> I don't deal with it well at all (can't think straight,
> burst into tears, etc), so I avoid more challenging work.
> I'm really right brained and creative, and artists dont'
> make much money....I have a hard time thinking in a linear,
> abstract, logical, problem solving kind of way...
>
> Oh my lord, I am rambling...sorry about that...guess
> I'm just a lost soul in the forrest of "where do I fit
> in in this world? How can I contribute and get paid for
> it and actually like what I'm doing and not be too
> stressed out?"
Posted by Noa on April 23, 2001, at 11:39:31
In reply to Re: Understimulation on the job and Depression, posted by roo on April 20, 2001, at 8:39:52
Have you thought of consulting a career counselor?
Posted by roo on April 23, 2001, at 13:48:40
In reply to Re: Understimulation on the job and Depression » roo, posted by Noa on April 23, 2001, at 11:39:31
Maybe i'll try that...
Posted by kazoo on May 5, 2001, at 23:37:49
In reply to Understimulation on the job and Depression, posted by roo on April 18, 2001, at 13:15:35
> Does anyone out there experience a double-edged sword
> with their depression? In some ways, depression and
> under achieiving in the job world can go hand in hand. My
> depression often leaves me too wrung out for much ambition.
> However, working a dull, mind numbing, easy and boring
> job often causes me to feel depressed and understimulated.
> Also, if I'm not busy enough in my job (which is often),
> my mind turns inward to negative thoughts (an idle mind
> is the devil's workshop). Can anyone relate to this at
> all?^^^^^^^^^^
"Under-stimulation" at a job? Surely you must be talking about the U.S. Postal Service, or any career in any insurance company.
Can one become depressed at a job, but not at home? Or would the opposite be true, also? Or is this depression a full-time, equal-opportunity, yes-we-have-no-bananas ordeal?
I'm stumped, and I've been stumped all my life, and, by golly, I can't seem to find a drug to un-stump me. Maybe I should consult with a botanist. I don't seem to wilt correctly in the sun.
(a stumped) kazoo
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