Back on the workforce horse
February 9, 2013 7:37 AM Subscribe
I'm someone who's been struggling off and on with PTSD and depression for about 12 years. The last couple of years have been particularly challenging, but I can see light at the end of the tunnel and am looking at venturing back into the workforce. I'm a bit nervous about how it'll go and am hoping for advice!
I lucked into an interview for an admin assistant job through a friend of a friend (which, yay! my poor rape-derailed resumé is a bit messy and episodic because my post-college years are only freelance projects in a totally different industry plus work-from-home internet stuff, and it's easier to explain in person than in advance in a cover letter; I've done admin stuff in a low-key office before, but not recently). I can't be the only person who basically had to hide at home trying to put themselves back together before setting out back into the world, and I'm looking for tips from others of you: what helped you get more confident about your own capability and competence when you were feeling very tentative about going back to work after a PTSD hiatus?
My current treatment situation is: no money for a therapist at the moment, but the last one set me loose with a lot of CBT skills and workbooks to keep practicing them; a robust peer support network; clonazepam to take on an as-needed basis if panic arises. It is feeling pretty stable for once, which is why I am looking at outside-the-house work again.
I lucked into an interview for an admin assistant job through a friend of a friend (which, yay! my poor rape-derailed resumé is a bit messy and episodic because my post-college years are only freelance projects in a totally different industry plus work-from-home internet stuff, and it's easier to explain in person than in advance in a cover letter; I've done admin stuff in a low-key office before, but not recently). I can't be the only person who basically had to hide at home trying to put themselves back together before setting out back into the world, and I'm looking for tips from others of you: what helped you get more confident about your own capability and competence when you were feeling very tentative about going back to work after a PTSD hiatus?
My current treatment situation is: no money for a therapist at the moment, but the last one set me loose with a lot of CBT skills and workbooks to keep practicing them; a robust peer support network; clonazepam to take on an as-needed basis if panic arises. It is feeling pretty stable for once, which is why I am looking at outside-the-house work again.
Sounds like you are doing well with equipping yourself with tools to help. Would it be possible for you to start out with half days for a week or two so that you can get used to it slowly? Other than that, I think just be kind to yourself and try not to over think stuff. You will make mistakes but everyone in a new job does at some point.
Good luck!
posted by dawkins_7 at 6:19 PM on February 9, 2013
Good luck!
posted by dawkins_7 at 6:19 PM on February 9, 2013
It can feel very strange to be back in an office if you haven't been in that environment for a long while. I would recommend doing volunteer office work before starting the job, if you can. That could help you make the adjustment in a context that would likely be more forgiving and low pressure than a new job. If you can't do that, at least make sure you're up and out of the house as much as possible before you start work, so that you are used to being amongst people and out of your cocoon.
It sounds like you have a lot of social and psychological resources. Use those resources and go easy on yourself, especially at the beginning. Try to start your first job with an optimistic attitude. I suspect you are coming into this position having gained strength and perspective from your interval of illness.
Good luck!
posted by reren at 7:05 AM on February 10, 2013
It sounds like you have a lot of social and psychological resources. Use those resources and go easy on yourself, especially at the beginning. Try to start your first job with an optimistic attitude. I suspect you are coming into this position having gained strength and perspective from your interval of illness.
Good luck!
posted by reren at 7:05 AM on February 10, 2013
« Older Still trying to visit Austin, having trouble... | Stacking, storing, eating, lidded bowls Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by marimeko at 9:13 AM on February 9, 2013 [1 favorite]