Living With Depression is a Full-Time Job

I have pretty much resigned myself to the fact that depression could well cost me another job. After working eight years at a behavioral health provider, I was let go after failing to call in during an episode of depression. Hard to call in when you can't wake up before noon. If a behavioral health organization won't even support you after eight years of exceptional service, there is still a tremendous problem with stigma. Although I am not sure stigma is the right term. I honestly think it has more to do with a culture that expects optimal output with minimal return. As the agency grew, the atmosphere of "family" ceased to exist.
I've been homeless twice, which is in a way a blessing, because I now know that I can survive that too.
The one constant upon which I have been able to rely has been my faith. I have never been without some glimmer of hope. Even in the darkest times of suicidal thoughts and oppressive fatigue, a still small voice always reminds me, "this too, shall pass"!
And for everyone here who has, is, or will be faced with this illness, I offer my prayers and support. God bless!

I hear you. I'm in the same boat.
About the employment gaps...all you have to say is that you took time away from work for medical reasons and you have your doctor's clearance to go back to work. Legally, a potential employer is not allowed to ask you for specifics. It also helps to put things you've done during the gap to show that you weren't just sitting around and doing nothing. I struggled with this, too, because I thought that being honest and open about my own diagnoses would help, but it's worked against me. I know your frustration: I feel it, too. I have gone back to school, which will help me when I look for a job.
You're currently in the trap I was in: the "all or nothing" thinking. The depression is the one telling you that nobody will hire you because you have a medical condition. It's the depression that's making a big deal out of your depression. (Depression is kind of narcissistic that way.) It took me a long time to get past that thinking process, because I realized that when I was thinking that way, the depression was in charge and not me. Depression is a liar and I could choose to listen to a liar or I could choose to ignore the lies. (Which we know is easier said than done, but not impossible.)
Good luck to you. I hate this stigma as much as you do.

Thank you for this article! My boyfriend is struggling with money running out and going back to work. He had great jobs when he was on medication but he hasn't been on medication for a year now and does not want to go back on them. He's got a job he can do at home but it's not steady. He's fine with looking for jobs, but when it comes time to call about the job, he's very anxious.
I have also posted your article on my site, hope you don't mind.

Thank you for such a wonderful article.
Although I have bipolar not depression I too can relate to problems caused by gaps in employment history. Whether to disclose and face possible discrimination or to do my best to hide it is a tricky issue for me. I am now only planning to go for consumer/peer work positions in mental health. I am not in paid work now, but when I can (my physical health has been bad as of late) I do three days of more a week volunteering in mental health. I am doing research and finally getting to use the skills I got at university. It's still hard for me not to be ashamed and blame myself for not having paid work
In Australia many consumers are living in poverty. There is a lot of stigma and discrimination around mental health and Disability Employment Services make matters worse. Many consumers are forced to use one by Centrelink (otherwise they take away your 'dole' called Newstart (ironically). They get paid $725 million per annum by the government (they are private) and they get less then 20% of their clients work. We have one of the lowest rates of consumers working in OECD countries.
Although I am so much luckier then that my partner and I can't get a home loan because I exist. As a single man they will lend him $150k more then if he is with me so economically I am $150k less then worthless. Although I believe my mental illness had helped me become a better person I feel like a financial burden in those I love because I could not get paid work. I am greatful my partner and my parents help me have a good quality of life.

thank you for sharing.....hate living with depression

talk

We are stronger than everyone thinks, yet society has yet to catch up. As a man I chose to get my degree later in life while raising children with my wife. Complete focus was needed on school work because I failed in my young adult life to understand my limitations with ADHD. It was all about finding the right support system. Yet the gap in my resume also prevented me from getting those jobs I felt I was a perfect fit for. We find ourselves worrying so much about what others think and following the guidelines to the perfect interview that we lose sight of who we are. I am a father a husband a friend. After several interviews where I felt I said the right things failed I stuck to my truth not bringing up past accomplishments in work but my accomplishments in life. This change in philosophy helped land a job. Depression is still there because I have yet to find a job that utilizes my talents to shine like a star. But its the choice I personally make to swim against the stream. But I have to remind myseof daily " I am not entitled and if I didnt get the job adjustments have to be made on my part. Believe in you all else will fall into place