SAD and work

Me,
I work 40 hours a week. In the wintertime, it is a struggle. I'm tired a lot. I've had to be more deliberate in how I use my time after work and on weekends. Sometimes the most productive thing I can do is get a hot bath and lie down. It's been even more of a strain since my body has been hurting with the fibromyalgia.

I still manage, though.

I'm slower sometimes in the winter, mentally and physically. I'm fortunate in that I can sometimes choose to do less-demanding work until my brain and body is ready to work on that "big project."

I break things into step-by-step bits, rather than take on the whole task at once. It keeps me from panicking. I write everything down and make lists, too... that also helps.

I don't have kids. Maybe someone else will have more to say. Depending on how old the kids are, perhaps this is a chance to ask them to take on greater responsibility around the house -- explain that they'd really be helping you and that you do a lot to help them... It could be a learning experience for them. It's going to require some re-structuring of everyone else's life in order to take some strain off of you, too!

I don't know about NHS. Don't know about classifying it as bi-polar.

Hrm, maybe think about what hours you could commit to... Are you sure you want to try taking on a full-time job or could part-time work? Maybe there's a less-demanding part-time job, something you'd feel more comfortable -- maybe even enjoy doing.

I love my job, honestly. I'm a receptionist for a religious organization. It's tough to deal with people and sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming, but I'm stronger than I thought I was.

Me, don't think this is "all or nothing." Take some time, look at some classifieds, get a sense of what's out there and see how it matches up your comfort-level... see if there may be a job you could end up enjoying...

Maybe someone else can offer something. It is difficult, working with SAD... but enjoying my job makes it easier for me. Actually, I'm learning a lot from folks who have fibromyalgia so badly that they're on disability and I'm fearful of having to lose my job, because I've found that the work world doesn't necessarily have to be cruel and unforgiving... but can be a great way to have a better social life and a source of self-satisfaction.

Good luck to you!

Heather

I don't really know what you mean by a registered condition. I haven't heard of anyone getting disability allowance for having SAD. I wouldn't think ths SAD is categorised like this.

believe it or not i worked in a mental hospital when my brain went bang!! typical, a lot of help they were - didnt even recognise it!!!

I was absolutely shattered. So very very tired at lunchtime (again!!), I really needed a sleep. As I was out in the public area all the time, I asked for a spare room to use at lunchtime so that I could relax. I got tireder and tireder and tireder and ended up falling asleep on the bus on the way home numerous times - I had to ask a fellow regular traveller to wake me up at the stop if I dropped off.

In the end I couldnt cope any more and had outbursts and depression. I needed help and got none. At the end of my maternity leave I couldnt face going back as I was still absolutely shattered.

I would love to be a midwife, but I cant do shifts and most of the hospital here is so dark. Cant manage the training around the kids either.

Am starting to think about alternative health. But again the training puts me off - is my brain strong enough, and fitting it in is absolutely impossible with the kids school run three times a day!! (takes 2.5 hours a day!)

It would be easier if I could just think of myself, but it isnt possible yet. Love my kids though, so cant get rid of them lol

Hugs

Me x

Yes PI

Im between the 'devil and the deep blue sea'.

Want to try but I dont want to get ill again.

On a positive note, I saw my first daffodils of the year today. They stood proud in the sun. Wonderful

Me x

Any form of mental health problem is a disability, and personally I’m currently entitled to Income Support with Disability Premium when I am unemployed and not able to do paid work because of the effects of SAD.

Thanks Joel.

Me x