Posted by rainyday on February 12, 2004, at 15:02:38
In reply to Getting a Job, posted by Parisss on February 11, 2004, at 22:25:59
> Does anyone else here feel the panic over applying for jobs? That area where you put your last job and why you left?
>
Every single time I change jobs - whether it was due to a bipolar incident or not. I am petrified of screwing up another job, but more afraid of letting my potential employer know about my condition. The public distrust and paranoia about mental health is real and alive.> Last job for me: I was fired. I got too depressed to face the day, I had become such an overachiever and was expected as my norm to do more than a normal days work. My daughter got her deployment papers and I just could not face going to work. I could not face crying at work. 3 days of no-call, no-show... and I was fired.
>Last job before this one I quit before they got a chance to fire me: I think I beat them by hours...
> The job before it was a 15 year career job that I ended up with a disability from. So, what do I put there? I left because I am Bipolar?
>
> Fired and Bipolar... file 13..
> I don't like to lie, I don't like to fill out applications. I panic over how ignorant the general public is about mental illness and how few resources we have to be functional w/o relying on Uncle Sam. I panic over the days I may not be able to act "normal" and just get fired again.
>I am going forward with the presumption that an employer will not understand that being bipolar does not mean you are dangerous or untrustworthy. I have used the "I have a chronic condition that sometimes prevents me from carrying out my job" line. That sure shuts 'em up.
> Anyone else?
>
poster:rainyday
thread:312287
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040211/msgs/312510.html