More Job Woes. Need Advice. After all of my recent fuss, I think I should quit.

[Denninmi]

Morally, it would be the "right thing" to do. My boss has been beyond nice to me. And it's extremely unfair of me to come here, be highly ineffective, not get things done.

"but a fear is in your soul" -- a line from a song I like. And it is, one of my biggest fears. It would be an unprecedented disaster for me financially, and probably in terms of my family, who would disown me, if I lost my job at this point. I NEED the paycheck.

But, I'm an ineffective mess who can't concentrate, can't perform, can't function. I spend most of my time either doing nothing or crying about the fact I do nothing. Everything is going to hell, and clients are noticing and complaining. It puts my employer in a very, very bad spot. And it's really unfair to him.

What to do? Do the morally right thing, even though it would be personally ruinous? Or do what feels wrong to me, but try and ride it out and hope I improve rapidly enough to function?

Help, please!

[LynneSin]

1. Honestly, been there done that and what you need is to work with a therapist

I felt that way about 11 years ago with the job I had prior to this one. And once I got in such a negative funk it really impacted my job to the point that the people who were contracting our group asked that I be placed elsewhere.

I ended up on prozac for about 11 months and I'll say this much - IT SAVED MY LIFE!!!

It took about a month or so to kick in but when it did and I was placed in my new position, my performance really started to improve and I was able to regroup and get my life back together again.

My life is still not perfect but the job where I was placed next hired me 3 months later and I've been happy with them now for 11 years.

Not saying that prozac is the answer but talk with a doctor about your issues. Not sure where you work but some companies have 'life-help' programs you can use to talk to someone and figure out how to get your life back on track. I know co-workers who have used that and say it was a life-saver.

The only issue I had with prozac was that it made me very unemotional for the 11 months I was on it. 911 happened during that time period and I just looked at it and though 'eh, whatever'. Normally stuff like that has me bawling my eyes out. So after 11 months when my life was back in order I asked to be taken off of it and it was all good!

[Denninmi]

2. Oh, yes ma'am, that's all being set up.

I'm seeing psyc now. She has diagnosed me as bipolar.

And I took my first dose of a "mood stabilizer" drug last night. Going to do a more intensive treatment program as soon as I get various exams and labs done next week.

Just don't know what the "right thing" to do is RE the job situation.

[LynneSin]

3. Personally if you can manage thru the next month I think you'll be fine

It takes about a month for this stuff to kick in. It was 911 when I realized my prozac was working.

Maybe you can take a 1-2 week medical time off just to allow you to get yourself 'organized' so to speak. Maybe let your boss know you are getting help, it seems like the boss is a good person who will help you work thru this.

[DebJ]

4. Hi. I sent you a pm.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. I know what you are talking about! *hugs* Can you possibly take a medical leave? If you can

get on the right meds, you will even out and be in a place where you can work again. If not you can look into applying for SSI or SSDI, just be forewarned that many people have to apply a few times before being accepted into one of the programs.

[HopeHoops]

5. Drugs can help. I take an anti-depressant of the SSRI sort (citalopram). It does help.

Talk to your doctor about it. You might be amazed by the difference and I don't even take a very large dose now.

[elleng]

6. It WILL improve, Den,

as you do; your boss acknowledged this by 'accommodating' your changed circumstances. Boss knows how valuable you are when you're functioning properly.

To do it otherwise would be hopeless for all; to 'stay the course' enables hope for everyone.

[dawg]

8. I would say don't quit.

Your boss has shown you a kindness by being patient with you. Accept his graciousness - it is a rare and precious thing in this world.

If it gets to the point that he really has to let you go, he will do so. Business owners are used to making the tough choices that have to be made. But jobs are too hard to come by these days to just give one up. Especially when the boss is apparently a pretty nice guy.

[Tobin S.]

9. You hit it right on the head

I agree 100%.