Employment with Anxiety

[lady_p_gold]

I am at my wits end to know what to do about my son who suffers from anxiety and stress. He has had everything, psychiatrists, cognitive therapy, medication etc. etc. but the thing is it comes and goes, and he tries to work but always ends up not being able to continue. He is not lazy and does receive a small benefit from disability, but of course you are then in the benefit trap. He wants to work, but what job can you do when you cannot always be sure that you will not have a bad couple of weeks and be unable to fulfil any obligations? Does anyone else manage to have a job with these problems ? He is so worried about the future and how he will support himself, let alone a family.

[Seadragon]

This is really sad, it must be so frustrating for your son and yourself to see him go through this. I wish I could offer some good advice and I am trying to think of a job which can accommodate his situation? Writing I suppose, maybe he has an untapped gift for writing? Be it novels of whatever genre or short stories for magazines if he has not tried this? And if the periods he suffers are not long maybe self-employed work such as gardening with a partner who could cover the times he is unable to? I'm sorry if I'm not much help. I wish you and your son all the best.

[Scarlett]

I have a few friends with depression and the best thing they ever did is have a job. And if they cannot find a job which will understand them, they retrain at college. I teach many adults who have had mental health problems or have been in rehab and most courses are very understanding about their needs. What would he most love to do for a job? If he is not yet quailfied in this, he could find a course and ask to join so long as they understand it may take him longer to complete it. One friend I have is a self employed videographer. So he makes films and edits them. He can do weddings and events, and this means he is his own boss, so can work pretty much on his own terms which relieves a lot of job-related stress. Your son could also join a temp agency where he can try lots of different jobs, and it's not the end of the world if he can't do the work they give him on that occasion.
More importantly he needs to work out why he is feeling so anxious. My best friend has codnitive therapy for depression and she phones me when she is feeling low and we chat until she feels better. It really is that simple for her- laughing, and the promise that we will get together soon and make some funny films etc. Does your son have a good friend? Is he doing what he truly wants to? I am sure his anxiety is only temporary.

[cyclequeen]

I agree this is so sad & difficult for you all, I had a similar situation with my son although his was a physical condition in a way easier to deal with than this. So I do know how desperate & helpless you feel as a mother. How about some temp work? maybe this could work for him when he is going through a good phase. I know what you mean about the benefit trap as once he gets work he loses his benefit & then has to sign on all over again. I do hope he can get into some kind of work as it may make him feel better & help with his condition. What about voluntary work, there is plenty to choose from maybe try citizens adivce to see what is avaialble in your area. Take care & I hope things improve for you all. x

[al1623]

hope i can help you here.
first of all the situation its self is wrong. you need to get out of the mind set of letting anxiety rule our life.
anxiety ruled my whole life for5 years non stop and very nearly cost me my life.
i understand its horrible. forget psychiatrists, cognitive therapy, medication that can never help. basically its a cycle he needs to break.

the best way out of this is to do a programme called the linden method. google it and visit the linden web site...all i can say is the day i did,was the best day ever. it works.
cost me £125 but in truth i would have paid £5000 for it.

if i can be of anymore help please please just e mail me.

take care and think of the future.

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