I have quit jobs in the past and have struggled to hold down jobs. For me it was mainly anxiety, depression and self harm that was the reason behind it, maybe it is all part of BPD. I have been diagnosed with it still not sure on what it is. But yeah, it's caused me alot of issues at work, been off for almost 5 years. Trying to get back into work, part time, but nobody wants to know. If your thinking of leaving work, think very carefully, becuase it can cause a lot of issues trying to get back into work if you leave through illness like me. I wish i would have stuck it out a bit longer, who knows what would have happened, makes me sad. Anyway i hope this helps. Hugs
I haven't been diagnosed with BPD but my psychologist thinks that I have it. I was sacked from my last job because I was constantly being admitted to hospital because I was suicidal or having trips to A&E for overdoses and general poor mental health. I don't think struggling to work is confined to BPD, it's hard with any mental illness but it isn't impossible to work well. Although I was and continue to be quite ill at that point, work was still beneficial for me as it helped me to have a routine and something to get up for in the morning. Do you enjoy your work? Can you speak to your manager if you are struggling? Take care.
I put it down on paper and then the ghost does not ache so much.
Don't try to calm the storm, calm yourself, the storm will pass.
I've been in my job almost 5 years. I've started struggling mostly over the past 2 years I'd say.
Initially it was just hard & concentration but this year alone I've had 40+ days off sick due to MH issues, namely BPD stuff. Today I've been told I'll have to be off sick again as I'm going into crisis housing (again due to my BPD stuff). I think eventually I will have to bite the bullet & quit but at the mo its the one thing keeping me sane!!
My main issues are concentrating, keeping myself level & generally being around and with people. I'm hoping I'll be able to hold on to it & keep going.
Hope you're able to keep going, do you have ongoing support?
Previously unicorn-tears
In a burst of light that blinded every angel
As if the sky had blown the heavens into stars
You felt the gravity of tempered grace,
falling into empty space
With no-one there to catch you in their arms
Kahlia1981 & silentgirl are my RYL sisters Plumeria Sister
I am diagnosed with BPD, have just applied for my first paid job but done lots of work experience before this. I've been okay holding it down, found it difficult when I was struggling emotionally but I didn't have to leave. Although I went into a crisis period while working. I was honest with them about my difficulties and they were really lovely about it, even offering me time out if I needed.
As another person who has already replied to your thread has said [sorry ive forgotten who it was] i also think that work can be hard with any mental illness and of course BPD too.
i have been told by some before that i have traits of BPD and others have diagnosed me with the full disorder.
i have been given many labels over time so nowadays just stick with Chronic Anxiety and Depression when asked publically and for form filing etc [as agreed with my CPN] but it seems to depend who you ask what label i get or whether i have one at all!
But i do agree i probably do have most of the traits of BPD if not the full disorder [that some have previously diagnosed me with] so i will try and answer your question.
Before i started paid work just over 3 years ago i was very anxious about it and did not believe it was for me and also felt very angry with times for others suggesting it to me as i did not believe i would cope especially given both a physical disability and my mental health problems and i just felt they did not understand.
However eventually i did get a job and negotiated with my employer to work part time not full time and so work four hours a day Monday to Friday.This was because i was concerned about how my mental health especially would cope and also had only done once a week voluntary a work previously.
Working part time has helped me greatly and has also i feel actually benefited my mental health most of the time and helped my BPD or BPD like traits as it has given me more structure, made me feel better about myself and also made me less isolated in life.i also really actually enjoy my work most of the time and i feel that this is so important too.
To be honest at times i have thought i may have to quit and im not gonna lie cos as you know its never gonna be easy.
i also had two periods of illness where i took time off for my mental health.i desperately needed this time off and on both occasions had doctors notes.This was a two week period and then at a seperate time somewhat down the line a six week period [well four weeks then a few days in work and another two weeks off that time as found had gone back too soon].
Apart from HR tightening up their absence rules which caused a bit of worry at times the people in my local office [HR and head office are based in a different part of a country] were actually really supportive and understanding during these times in my case and of that i needed time off.
And my employer is also aware that i have mental health appointments and are generally happy to re-jig my hours a bit and accomodate things on the rare occasion that i have an appointment which falls inside my working hours [CPN and mental health team are aware of my work and how important it is to me and especially as i work part time try to keep things as best we can out of my working hours].
So my answer to your question personally is that i believe people with BPD or most illnesses can certainly work though i think you should also be careful to monitor how you are doing and try and get extra support early/talk to your employer if you realise you are starting to really struggle for any reason.
It may also be necessary depending on your circumstances i guess to take time off now and again and though i feel a failure that i did i think its important people try not to feel like that cos at least they are doing their best.
i think it helps if you and your employer can work together and if they can be sympathetic.There are also requirements on employers to make adjustments/be more flexible these days when someone is ill, has difficult personal circumstances etc and i think it helps if both employers and employees can be aware of that.
There are also other things employers can do to help employees.For example once i had taken an overdose which led to me missing a day off work and my employer found out about it on my return [i was emotional and blurted it out when they said 'oh so you not been feeling very good then....' in my return to work meeting which we have to have after being off.But they then referred me to the employee support service and i was then given short term counselling by them too - four - six weeks [cannot remember which but they couldnt offer more] so there may be other things they can do to help you even if only in the short term.
However having said all that i realise my example is probably one which would feature good practice by my employer most of the time and i realise most are not like that.i am moving at the end of the month to a totally different place to live and i can only hope i get people as understanding as my employer has been much of the time.....
Good luck with all this.Sorry for the lengthy reply.If you feel you are struggling at work at the moment due to things that are going on for you do you think you could maybe talk to anyone at work to maybe get their advice and see if there is anyway your work can support/assist you more?Or is there anyone outside work you feel you could maybe talk to to offload or get someone elses perspective/advice from someone outside your situation about what might be best for you to do?
Dont push yourself too hard.i hope that you find your way through this.
xx xx
Last edited by Sleepless123 : 04-09-2010 at 08:38 PM.
Reason: To add a bit
i do not always manage to be around but i wish you all the very best - love and luck to you all!
I haven't been diagnosed, but have been told my personality is the problem.
In general my mental health has led to me leaving school, and taking time out of uni. My work were very good and allowed me (a few years back) to work just a Saturday instead of a Saturday and a Sunday. I also got weekday when I took time out of uni and during my summers. But due to hospitalisation and my decrease in mental health I had to leave my job (was my own decision). My work know I left due to my health, and said that when I am better they will try and fit me back into the team if I want to come back.
I find it hard to deal with, but my work have always been very understanding and accommodating. Mainly because I know I am reliable and such, that when I got really ill they would know I wasn't taking the piss etc.
I always wonder if I wasn't 'ill' or if my personality wasn't what they know think is the 'problem' how I would have functioned, what things I would have done etc.
well...i have been talking to my parents tonight,and they are happy for me to carry on with the 'options team' who i see through CMHT...and to focus on the volunteering and my future career path....they will support me,and don't want me to stay at my current job if its getting me down etc all the time.
however im going to discuss it with my CPN on monday, but i probably will be handing my notice in.
i guess everyone is different in how they cope at work,so maybe it was silly to ask such a daft question.
thanks for all your replies though
xxx
i think it's good you're discussing this with your MH team and your parents.
It's a difficult decision to make.
I haven't worked for 11 years due to my mental health. I have bpd. I am now in the situation where I;m ready to do some sort of work again so I'm starting off with vol work. It's hard though, getting back into work again.
Think about it really seriously before you give it up because once you;ve left you'll have to explain gaps on your CV and it's hard to get a job if you're not working.
i did it, i left work....and tbh i feel better for doing it as i was quite miserable..but going to look towards a fresh start and focus on getting better :)
thanks for all ur replies guys
xx
