job causing depression
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job causing depression
| Mon, 01-10-2005 - 4:17pm |
Is there anyone out there who feels that their job is causing their depression? I feel like that. I changed careers and started teaching in August. I have been miserable ever since. I try my best at it and try to fake being happy, but I can barely get up in the morning to go to work. I cry every day, when noone is looking. I've been this way since August and don't know how I will make it to mid-June. My kids go to this school and I know a lot of people there. I feel so guilty about the way I am feeling. I should be grateful I have a job. I have trouble sleeping, am anxious. I even tried to resign a few months ago but my principal said she wanted me to stay and that I should see a dr for the anxiety..I did that and he gave me medication, but I feel like it is getting worse. I am fine when we are on a break (such as Christmas break) so I am sure that this new job is what is causing me the problems. I'm usually an optimistic person and I have been feeling so down since August. If I resign, I have no other job lined up yet...although I am sending out resumes. Anyway, does anyone have advice on how I can cope or would you consider resigning if you felt your health was being affected? Is there anyone out there in a similar situation?

Hi there.
Well I do know that your job can add to your depression, it certainly did in my case.
*hugs
Hey, I can agree that jobs can contribute to your depression. It may not be the only thing to make you depressed however. There just may be fewer stressors when you are on break, or your family may simply make you feel less depressed. That is my experience, when I visit home, I have a good time with my family, it is hard for them to figure that I am depressed.
Is there counseling available at your work? There is often stuff you can get that is free, and confidential. Just a thought.
I hope that you find some help. Work can so contribute to depression. I am sorry that I can't be of more help.
Sending hugs and good thoughts your way.
Take care,
Lisa-)
Co-CL Depression Support Board
Diane
I haven't had a job cause me to be depressed, but i've been depressed at work and had the stress of work cause some anxiety and depression. I'm also a teacher.
I want you to know that I feel like the principal overstepped her bounds. If you are a teacher you are hired by a school board. The principal can not tell you to stay and see a doctor. If you feel you are in the wrong place, and it is detrimental to your health, then YOU have the right to do with yourself what YOU choose.
Another solution is to take an unspecified leave of absence for health reasons. If she won't listen to your needs go to your human resources person, but you have to speak up for you.
I'm so sorry that you didn't enjoy teaching we need so many good teachers, I'm sure you make a good one. I'd rather have a happy, healthy, good teacher who was able to do her best possible for her classroom, than a good teacher who was having a difficult time making it through each day. That is why I have taken an extended leave of absence from my kids. It was one of the hardest things i have had to do. But I had to, if not for me for them. They needed someone who was there to teach them and focus on them. I can't do or be that right now. I'm sharing this so you know that you are not alone.
So if you can't think of youself(and ((((you)))) are the most important person here by the way) right now, maybe it would help you to think of them. And if your principal isn't thinking of them then she just plain and simple isn't doing her job.
(((hugs)))
I hope things get better real soon:)
mel
Edited 1/11/2005 3:45 pm ET ET by mel_1025
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Considering how much time most of us spend at our jobs, it's no wonder they cause us grief! My case is even funnier because I work for a mental health organization. My supervisor knew I was going to counseling. I did really well for awhile, but you know how it is - things pile up and you start backsliding and before you even realize it, you're in the pit.
Last summer I got in the pit and didn't even really know it. Apparently I was being less than congenial to my coworkers. But instead of them asking me "are you all right?" it was, let's report Svetlana to her supervisor. I had a complete meltdown and almost quit right then. I was sitting there sobbing hysterically in my supervisor's office and she didn't even offer me a tissue. I said, look, I've been having problems lately.
And she said to me, "you're just using your depression as an excuse for your lousy attitude."
Oh, right. I'm sitting here in hysterics, which is not a usual state of mind for me, and she's accusing me of using it as an excuse. Whatever.
I did have my former psychologist (who unfortunately moved to another state) do an ADA review for me at my supervisor's request. She pointed out that there were management issues that needed to be addressed, not just my mental state. (If you think any of those management issues have been addressed, think again.) Anyhow, while some of her suggestions were largely ignored, I have been more open with my coworkers about when I'm not well, and they have been more sensitive to it. While it was a lousy situation, we have opened up the channels of communication a little more, and that seems to have helped.
Since we have access to the state's Employee Assistance Program, I was able to get six counseling sessions at no cost, so I did that.
In the meantime, my job is still boring, which is why I have time to post to discussion boards (lol).
I started graduate school last semester, and that helped me immensely, in having some intellectual activity. I'm like a border collie - if my brain ain't workin, I ain't happy, and when I ain't happy... well, you know the rest.
I did look for another job for about a year, but nothing came of it. I've been at my job long enough to have 4 weeks vacation, so I'm thinking I might want to keep that while I'm in graduate school. In the meantime, I'm still exploring employment opportunities at the university, because employees get a MAJOR tuition discount. I guess we'll see.
Good luck and hugs to all of you with lousy jobs.
I'm glad you were able to do what was right for you. Don't feel bad about not reaching out. I've worked where i work for 10 years; the staff is under 40 people and we are very close. I had trouble reaching out to very many people. only 2 in the end. I think it depends on how you feel, and when you feel so bad, it is just plain hard to talk about it. Don't be hard on yourself (I know easy to say). Just take care of you. I'm not sure what state you're in, but the principal should have been observing first year teachers more frequently than that, whether in the contract or not. It's just plain old good administrating. That's one of the first things I learned. You MBWA = manage by walking around. I'm sorry for all you've been through. Good luck looking for a job. What are you looking for now by the way? Please keep us posted on how you are doing both on the hunt and with how you are feeling. Everyone here is very supportive and will help as they can.
mel
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