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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jodie on January 29, 2003, at 23:30:19
I have been unemployed now since July 2002. I was fired because I had severe bronchitis, and the flu, so I missed a week. I went to the Dr. twice that week, and had Dr.'s notes. My employer even called me mid week to check on me. They said they were concerned, and to take as long as I need to get well. I came into work the following Monday, and was told I could either resign, with a possibility of being hired back, or be terminated. I was furious! I would not resign. I had worked there for a year, and hardly ever missed work, or never late. I was employee of the month a few times. I was always told I was doing a wonderful job. It was at an insurance agency. I had just received a promotion a week before I got sick. I found out the presidentof the companies daughter, ended up working there shortly after my termination, and took my job. I went ahead and filed for unemployment. They tried to fight it, but I won. The unemployment office said I was fired for an unjust cause. My unemployment ran out a few weeks ago.
Now, I have to, or should have already started to look for another job. I'm just really scared. Before my last job, I was always having to look for a new job. Because of poor choices in my part, I lost lots of great jobs. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, now its ADD. I just can't get motivated to go out and get a job. I have a hard time getting to sleep, and can't get my but out of bed. I know that it has a lot to do with my mental illness (bipolar or ADD), but I just feel better staying at home. I feel more secure, and I hate dealing with people.
I pay child support, so I'm so lucky to have a fiance' who helps me with that right now. But I still need to do this stuff on my own. I honestly don't think I can even hold down a job right now. I don't want to be this lazy bum. Thats how I feel.
Sorry, I'm just venting... but does anyone else have/had this problem? What do I do if I go out into the working word and fail time, and time again? What do I do?
I guess I better shut up, I sound pretty lazy, and like I'm trying to get pitty. All I've been doing is posting here with nothing but complaints this past week. I sound like I'm trying to get everyone to feel sorry for me.
Posted by tina on January 30, 2003, at 9:40:20
In reply to Scared to get a job!!!, posted by jodie on January 29, 2003, at 23:30:19
I can't count the number of jobs I've left or been let go from because of my anxiety and bipolar illness. Either I can't handle it and quit or something else happens. I know exactly how you feel about getting another job. First you're smarting from the horrible way you were treated in the termination of your last position and you're also fearing the possiblity that your next work environment won't be safe either.
Second, the depression and inability to make yourself get up and even go looking. I know that feeling too. I was in that position just about a year and a half ago so I got a very part time position at a little store just to ease me back into the work world. I had been unemployed for 6 months before getting this job.
Now, I have to go out and look for another job because the amount of hours available are so low that I can't look forward to paychecks anymore. But, it's a terrifying prospect. Starting all over again, the fear of others finding out about my illness, just overcoming the depression and anxiety enough to even put a resume in anywhere. I would sit in my car with my resumes in my hand and cry because I just couldn't even go into the places and drop it off. I was paralyzed with fear but the need for money overcame that. For some reason, I really don't know what, I managed to get this job and have held it for more than a year.
The thing that helps is it's part time. I have days where I can lay around and hide from the world and then days where I have to make myself go to work and deal with people.
Can you do that? Something part time?? It might just take some of the pressure off until you feel stronger.
Basically I'm saying you aren't alone in feeling this way. I've been there. Hang in and do what you can for now until you're stronger. There's nothing lazy or complainy in that.
good luck
tina
Posted by agencypanic on January 30, 2003, at 10:32:14
In reply to Re: Scared to get a job!!!, posted by tina on January 30, 2003, at 9:40:20
Yes, I agree that if you could find a part-time job to ease yourself back into it, that would be good.
Alternatively, maybe you can find some type of online, work from home job. Then you'd be able to decide when you wanted
to face the public. I do some translation work this way, although I have to say that it isn't nearly enough to get me by.
I am also looking for work, which at this moment isn't the easiest thing to find. That's where I worry for you, because the market is
such that I feel that I ALMOST have to accept any job that I find, and this can mean that I'll have to take another bad job.
One thing that you can do to help yourself and gather leads-- perhaps you're already doing this-- is make use of the online job
sites like monster.com, hotjobs.com etc. Sometimes you can then apply for positions via the internet and not have to worry about running
here and there to apply. I realize that this is both good and bad, because part of the problem is getting out of the house. If it's 'simply' a
matter of getting used to being around people again and the $$ aren't so essential at the moment, maybe you could find a place to volunteer at.
Pick a place or issue that concerns you and volunteer. Sometimes these volunteer jobs can lead to real ones.
Okay, all that said, I really do empathize and while I'm apparently good at giving advice, or posting long responses,
I find myself in a very similar position as you. Good luck!
Posted by jodie on January 30, 2003, at 13:02:11
In reply to Scared to get a job!!!, posted by jodie on January 29, 2003, at 23:30:19
Thank you for your support! I know if I find a job, it will have to be part time right now. I know a full time job would be way to much for me at the time.
I was looking in my local newspaper in the classifieds this morning, there isn't many jobs available right now at all! I have already made a resume, I did this about 3 months ago. They have been sitting in my den. I haven't sent out a single one.
I think maybe a job at a coffehouse would be nice, maybe like starbucks. Everytime I go in there it seems like such a nice quiet atmosphere. I think I just may go out today, and give them my resume. Or..maybe not. I don't feel very well, and its really cold outside (just an example of how often I make up excuses). But really, I'm doing it! I'm on my way out the door!!! I could use a chai latte' right now anyway! :-)
Good luck to both of you!! Thanks again. I feel better!
jodie
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