afraid of losing job due to mental health condition needing advice..

revitalized · 11-08-2009, 06:37 AM

Hello everyone, I have just been having a really serious problem as of late due to my mental health condition.

I have been battling with depression and I have a chemical imbalance, and it makes it pretty much impossible to concentrate.

I just had my first week on the job at a retail clothing store, and I have to remember a lot of things such as style numbers for different types of clothing because I am focusing on stock replenishment to get clothing out on the floor and so forth.

I have awful memory due to my condition so I can't remember a lot of things they have told me in training so I get reminded a lot, and today my manager told me that I need to be faster in terms of getting things done so I am fearing that it might be hard to keep my job, but I dont know what to do..

I havn't had time to go back to my doctor to get some more cipralex anti-depressants, but I remember when I was on those after 2-3 weeks my concentration was improving.

on top of this, my friend is always wanting to smoke pot, and I am trying my best to avoid him now because my mind feels extremely dull due to smoking it on a regular basis.

I figured I would come here for some good advice, I have committed to stop smoking pot, but I don't know what to do to get my brain back to normal and back to being able to remember things.

I hope I can get some advice.

15 Storeys High · 11-08-2009, 08:38 AM

You need to go to your doctor and get back on the anti-depressants is the simple answer. You could also try explaining to your boss that you've been unwell but are taking steps to improve it and ask if they could please take that into consideration.

offplanet · 11-08-2009, 09:31 AM

Definitely dont smoke pot, because keeping your job is vital. Don't let your friend talk you into jeopardizing your career (of course, he doesn't mean to!) Enlist his support in this by explaining that you need to keep your mind alert for your job. I also have had those difficulties with memory and concentration. You need to keep paper or notepad and pen on you, and write things down, so as not to rely on your memory alone. Once you've been in the job longer, it'll become more routine, and not such a struggle to remember, so make an all out effort in these first few months. And make a point of getting to the doctor and get back onto those pills which help.

I'd be wary of telling the manager anything about your mental condition in case he fires you. Where I live we have disability support job agencies who can find people jobs with disability friendly employers, and support them on the job, liaise with employers etc. Do you have anything like that where you are? I'm thinking only as a last resort if you did get fired from your job, which of course I sincerely hope you don't. It's such a pity that people like us who really want to succeed at work have to struggle along whilst trying to keep our difficulties a secret from those around us, and being often misunderstood or misjudged.

I myself am a very good hard worker, honest and reliable and painstaking, yet I've had trouble with concentration and memory, and also confusion. I try to make up for my confusedness by being extra cooperative and willing to jump in and help my workmates, and thankfully, I think I come out ahead. Kind of like the story of the hare and the tortoise...slow and steady. Thankfully also, having been doing the same job for a while now, it comes easier. I think there's a place for people like us. Hang in there. Do your best, and show your manager that you're a good worker. Is it possible to somehow get access to the info you got in your training, so you can go over it?
All the best,
Offplanet
PS, there are some sites online where you can get memory training.

11-08-2009, 06:37 AM	#1
revitalized Offline Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 204	afraid of losing job due to mental health condition needing advice.. Hello everyone, I have just been having a really serious problem as of late due to my mental health condition. I have been battling with depression and I have a chemical imbalance, and it makes it pretty much impossible to concentrate. I just had my first week on the job at a retail clothing store, and I have to remember a lot of things such as style numbers for different types of clothing because I am focusing on stock replenishment to get clothing out on the floor and so forth. I have awful memory due to my condition so I can't remember a lot of things they have told me in training so I get reminded a lot, and today my manager told me that I need to be faster in terms of getting things done so I am fearing that it might be hard to keep my job, but I dont know what to do.. I havn't had time to go back to my doctor to get some more cipralex anti-depressants, but I remember when I was on those after 2-3 weeks my concentration was improving. on top of this, my friend is always wanting to smoke pot, and I am trying my best to avoid him now because my mind feels extremely dull due to smoking it on a regular basis. I figured I would come here for some good advice, I have committed to stop smoking pot, but I don't know what to do to get my brain back to normal and back to being able to remember things. I hope I can get some advice.

11-08-2009, 08:38 AM	#2
15 Storeys High Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK Gender: Male Age: 30 Posts: 1,288	You need to go to your doctor and get back on the anti-depressants is the simple answer. You could also try explaining to your boss that you've been unwell but are taking steps to improve it and ask if they could please take that into consideration. __________________ You cannot do a kindness too soon for you'll never know how soon it will be too late. - Emerson

11-08-2009, 09:31 AM	#3
offplanet Offline Silver Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 358	Definitely dont smoke pot, because keeping your job is vital. Don't let your friend talk you into jeopardizing your career (of course, he doesn't mean to!) Enlist his support in this by explaining that you need to keep your mind alert for your job. I also have had those difficulties with memory and concentration. You need to keep paper or notepad and pen on you, and write things down, so as not to rely on your memory alone. Once you've been in the job longer, it'll become more routine, and not such a struggle to remember, so make an all out effort in these first few months. And make a point of getting to the doctor and get back onto those pills which help. I'd be wary of telling the manager anything about your mental condition in case he fires you. Where I live we have disability support job agencies who can find people jobs with disability friendly employers, and support them on the job, liaise with employers etc. Do you have anything like that where you are? I'm thinking only as a last resort if you did get fired from your job, which of course I sincerely hope you don't. It's such a pity that people like us who really want to succeed at work have to struggle along whilst trying to keep our difficulties a secret from those around us, and being often misunderstood or misjudged. I myself am a very good hard worker, honest and reliable and painstaking, yet I've had trouble with concentration and memory, and also confusion. I try to make up for my confusedness by being extra cooperative and willing to jump in and help my workmates, and thankfully, I think I come out ahead. Kind of like the story of the hare and the tortoise...slow and steady. Thankfully also, having been doing the same job for a while now, it comes easier. I think there's a place for people like us. Hang in there. Do your best, and show your manager that you're a good worker. Is it possible to somehow get access to the info you got in your training, so you can go over it? All the best, Offplanet PS, there are some sites online where you can get memory training.