Need to get back to work

[Dolly292]

Hi, I had PP 3 & a half years ago immediately after the birth of my son, which was my first experience of any serious mental health episode. It took me a long time to recover, but finally came off antipsychotics (which I found impossibly sedating) when he was just under 2.

I went back to my job teaching 3 days a week for about a year after I came off the drugs (but it was a tutoring type job). However, looking back it wasn't good for me. I had a lot of students with low mood, social problems and the management changed quite significantly.

Around about this time last year I was told we were going to have a restructure and I was asked to teach students in the referral unit school that my team were linked to. (This is a behavioural school) Teachers are verbally abused daily, sometimes physically assaulted.

A long story short, the anxiety of this made me struggle to sleep, I ended up at a &e & then ultimately had to start taking quetiapine 100mg, now reduced to 50mg. I was signed off sick and 9 months later, I have now officially left my previous teaching job.

I think I still feel fairly sedated at 50mg, but as it's been 9 months, it's hard to remember what normal is like. Generally I hate taking the drugs, whilst I accept I need it atmo & the risk of replase is there. My confidence is severely knocked and now I've also been out of work for months. My mood fluctuates, but I'm often low.

I don't feel I am strong enough to go back into teaching or any job that is very demanding of me.

My question is, has anyone else had a similar experience? Whereby your health meant that you had to change job? & what do you do for work?

I should also say, I'm not looking to take on a huge career change at this stage. I don't feel up to it yet. I still want to be around for my 3 & half year old.

I have been wondering whether just getting a job at a garden centre a few days a week or something would be a good thing. But of course, it won't pay very much, and I don't really have any skills beyond teaching to demand a higher salary.

But I really think something low stress is the way forward, but what? Any ideas for work would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[MotherOfBears]

I don’t have any ideas about what could be your next move, but I do sympathise. I’m in a similar position. I have a mood episode every two or three weeks so working a “normal” job is impossible at the moment. It’s so hard, knocks confidence and also is hard to cope financially

[Ellie_at_APP Partner]

Hi Dolly292

Welcome to the forum. I’m really sorry to hear about your difficulties at work, it sounds like the changes you were expected to cope with were really stressful. I’m sorry it lead to you having to go back on medication and that you haven’t worked since.

It is hard to change career isn’t it? I didn’t have experience of leaving work because of stress, but I did change career by working for APP in peer support. I don’t regret the decision at all, it is really rewarding and so good to turn something so difficult into something positive to support others. I thought I’d mention it as it may be something that appeals to you. I know the NHS are employing peer support workers now too, and other organisations like Mind may be recruiting too. We dont have any roles at the moment though.

I hope you can find something that works for you, that isn’t too stressful. Your health and wellbeing has to come first.

Take care

[Survivedwithcolor]

I too was a primary school teacher here in the US and I had to resign after getting PP. I went back too soon, tried to make it work but ultimately could not. It’s far too stressful a job. I couldn’t cope and I kept relapsing. I loved teaching and it was a terrible blow to my identity.

I stayed home for some years to raise my kids. Eventually I started a small home business as a pet sitter. I am very experienced with animals and got some online training in health and first aid. I went to people’s homes to walk their dogs while they were at work or take care of them while they were on vacation. It’s not a job that makes you rich but it’s fun, not very stressful and it’s very flexible as long as you’re ok working evenings, weekends and holidays. I kept my business for ten years until I was needed to help with some other family things.

You can reinvent yourself if you need to! There are many small businesses operating online these days. Also, just because you’re a teacher doesn’t mean you can’t do other things. You have a college degree. Many businesses will train you to do what they do specifically.

[yougotthis1 Volunteer]

Hi Dolly292 ,

Thank you for your post, I know that is something that resonates with so many of us who have had PP.

I’m sorry that you ended up having to leave your job, it sounds really stressful but it sounds like you made the right decision. I think anyone, regardless of having PP would have struggled under those circumstances.

I used to work in Finance, and knew that I wouldn’t feel able to return to that field after having my son. I too felt it would be too demanding, and like you didn’t have qualifications related to any other field.

I wanted to build my confidence, so started volunteering in areas where I had passion. I think this can be a great place to start to find out what would feel comfortable before committing to a paid role.

After about a year and a half of volunteering I came across a paid role as a peer support worker, a job that I got due to my volunteering experience. I absolutely love my new job and it is the perfect fit for me.

However, if volunteering doesn’t feel like an option, I would suggest looking for a job that you would find low stress as you say. I think that would build up your confidence in the workplace, which is so important after PP.

There are also lots of free courses available online, if you feel like having skills outside of teaching could give you more options. I took a Level 2 Counselling Skills course and it gave me both skills and a recognised qualification outside of finance, which also boosted my confidence.

It’s important to trust your instincts and go at a pace that is right for you. It might be small steps, but it will be in the right direction. You will get there.

Wishing you all the best on your journey.

Xx

[JosephineFay]

Hello there could really emphasise with your story. I have been on and off medication and have had 7 significant relapses. In each case I thought that I was experiencing work place bullying but I think that my mental health state also didn't make life easy. So whilst definitely my colleagues weren't the easiest some of what I experienced may have been psychosis. The shame was I left quite a few really good and enjoyable jobs. At the moment I am experiencing really horrendous side effects from the antipsychotic Haloperidol which is giving me horrendous side effects. I get about 3 to 4 hours of sleep a night and I totally understand the heavy sedating you are referring to. I feel the same. I have had some good jobs but now I don't have the energy to do a 9 to 5 and work in retail 4 hours a day , 20 hours a week.

This is not the job that I had hoped to do in my future and ideally I'd like to work in peer support for other mums either having babies and experiencing pp or something similar such as an expert by experience

I have found ppp so destructive to my personal life and jobs and agree with others that finding something that's not too stressful can help keep the relapses at bay.

[The_Wes_Anderson_Fan Volunteer]

Hi Dolly292I do like your moniker!

I re-assessed my life a bit after PP. I decided to be far less ambitious.

My health comes first before any stressful job. If my job was too stressful, I would walk away.

I am very lucky in that my husband agrees health is more important than wealth.

I don't accept any jobs where they imply that they want you to work longer than your allotted hours. I find employers who prioritise work life balance as important.

The garden centre job sounds perfect while you are recovering. I don't know if you have a partner who can support you while you take a lower paid job.

I had PP about 20 years ago. I was a zombie and totally lost my confidence, but over time, I managed to become me again.

You are an intelligent person so there may be another opportunity for you to use your skills in the future. Perhaps a Teaching Assistant in a primary school would be more gentle and uplifting?

You sound like you've had a tough time, you deserve a lucky break.

Lots of Love X