Has anybody had to leave a job due to stress levels? - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

wobbly · 01-24-2004, 07:22 AM

Hi everybody--
Well, as you probably figured out from my last post, I am in a total crunch at work. But the bigger problem is that my job is just stressful. I've been there 6.5 years and I'm pretty burned out, so that stresses me, none of my projects ever go smoothly which is another source of stress, and the atmosphere in there is rancorous and corrosive, which is stressful too. I have been looking at the want ads every week and there is never anything in them! My other big problem is that aside from the job itself, I have a cushy thing going--retaining my benefits even though working part time, making pretty big bucks, knowing the job cold so no worries about learning new skills with this pancake of a brain I have now. But my gut tells me I should get out despite all the perks because it's too stressful for me to deal with with my illness. It's not that I don't want to work at all--I just need a low-stress, calm environment where I can leave the job at work when I walk out of there.
For those who've left a "good" job, how did you cope with it? Were you scared? Did it hurt things financially? In the end do you feel like it was a good decision? I need some advice from those who've been there!
Thanks!

HoosierBj · 01-24-2004, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wobbly

For those who've left a "good" job, how did you cope with it? Were you scared? Did it hurt things financially? In the end do you feel like it was a good decision? I need some advice from those who've been there!
Thanks!

I worked for a company that served as a health insurance intermediary for small self-insured businesses.
The last 2 years were a nightmare. A VERY tough young "going to the top" female supervisor. I'm bipolar, menopausal and a perfectionist. My memory, proofreading skills & cognitive ability have all gone down the tubes. I can't do the job to her satisfaction, and my menopausal symptoms aren't helping. The stress of NOT doing a great job for the first time in my life, added to the real pressure from her to perform? It was awful.

I just plain waited too long to get out (or transfer elsewhere). I ended up with GERD, some nights I'd wake up choking from it, some nights I'd take my lithium and wake up just in time to throw it up. (sorry for the imagary..)
Plus, my Dad died a year before I left, and once I broke through my lithium plateau to grieve, it took me longer to deal with the very normal depression involved there.

I resigned in March of 2002 so it'll be two years since I've worked at a "real job". And you know what? Up until a few months ago I coped just fine not working. I could relax, my cognitive problems didn't stick out like a sore thumb, my stomach has gotten better, I'm not nervous all the time.

Was I scared? Honestly I was in so much distress by the time I left that nothing could have been worse than having to keep going back to that place. Keep in mind that I hadn't disclosed my Bipolar disorder at work, and truthfully I don't thnk it would have helped - my Boss cared only about the job. My husband just wanted me to do what I needed to do for my health.

It didn't hurt REALLY bad financially. Both our cars are old & paid off. (A mixed blessing) We have a modest home with a decent mortgage payment amount and did end up refinancing for a better rate. We don't have children.
Without my salary we're in a lower tax bracket, and I don't have to spend money on clothes, nylons, gas & lunches. I'm also pretty thrifty.
I do know that I'm going to have so do SOMEthing finally tho. If we ever have a car payment, or something unforeseen happens, it will do us in.

For me it was a good decision at the time. If I was still single I honestly don't know what I would have done.

Every situation is so different. Advice in this situation would really have to depend on your very real situation personally. My meds are given by my GP and I haven't seen a counselor or psychiatrist in years... But if I had to do it all over again I DO think I would have talked to someone professional about it first. Maybe there were alternatives I hadn't considered?

I am so sorry this is so long. I had put alot of pride in working from the age of 19, supporting myself, contributing financially to our home.
Then, boom - after 18 years it just blew up... My pride is still dealing with it, but I do honestly feel better overall...

pillbug · 01-25-2004, 09:26 PM

I am only 25 but by the age of twenty one I was making more money than my mom who had been at the same job for 20yrs. I was a great sales person and I got a better offer so I changed jobs. In my new job I had more seniority as not only a sales person but the office mgr. I was the only girl in the office full of men because I sold industrial tools. I had always been able to handle the stress and high work loads before but I couldn't do it anymore. I was engaged, living alone, new car, supporting myself. I changed jobs again at another company with less seniority. I couldn't take it there either and it was the easiest job I ever had, you practically just had to show up. This is when I was hospitalized the first time. I lost my apartment, my car, and my independance. I moved in with my fiance. I took a break, then jot a part time job at a clothing department as an assistant manager. That lasted 4 monthes I couldn't take it. I got another job as a secretary I thought there won't be any stress, I was wrong! I was hospitalized again and I lost my job. We lost our house. My husband and I now live in a one room apartment, part of my parents garage.

I know my story is long but I started out doing so well and with every job it got worse. I can't even leave the house by myself. Good Luck to You. I went through four jobs and right now it looks like I will never be able to work again. It doesn't make since I have a high IQ did well in High school and the two years of college I went I did well to.

twisten · 01-26-2004, 09:54 AM

Hi Wobbly. I don't have bi-polar but I do have crohn's disease. I also had to leave my job last summer because the stress would make the crohns flare up. Now I'm seeing a job rehabilitation councillor and trying to find a careeer that I can manage. I was thinking of going into the mental health field but after reading what you guys go through on here I'm not sure if that is for me. I have a very soft (for lack of a better word) personality and I would have trouble leaving my work at work and everyone tells me you have to be able to do that. Good luck and I hope you find your answer soon.