Holding Down A Job With Schizophrenia

Living with schizoaffective disorder has made it more difficult for me to hold down a steady job. In this video, I discuss some reasons for why this is, and some of the barriers people living with chronic mental illness may face to remaining employed. I also provide some ways for employers to try to address and reduce these barriers and to meaningfully support the mental health of their employees.

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#schizophrenia #schizoaffective #schizoaffectivedisorder #mentalhealth #mentalillness #employment

[LivingWellAfterSchizophrenia]

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[bliven]

I’m 58 schizoaffective snd have been cleaning OR’s part time at night for almost 3 years ( I’m very proud- thanks to finally getting meds adjusted to a good place). I’ve always been envious of people who have been at jobs for years. I had dozens. But cleaning by myself has worked well. Low pay but accomplishment feels good. Still embarrassed because I’ve had jobs where I was in charge of multimillion dollar budgets and here I am. But happiness for how far I’ve come. And proud of all of you folks speaking up. Literally decades I thought it was just me. Thank you.

[brokenroot]

I am 44 years old with Bipolar type 1, and I have filled out over 60 W2's in my life. For those not in the US, that's a form you fill out to let the IRS know you work at a place so they can tax you. You sharing this is very helpful. I now work for a Psychiatric hospital, and am going to school to become a mental health therapist.

[lindsay]

GIRL SAME. I have CPTSD and bipolar 2. Jobs and working have always made up the most stressful area of my life.

[FUDGEWILLI]

I’m schizoaffective and I’ve been job hopping since 2015. Good to know I’m not the only one.

[contrarianbarbarian]

Since we’re adding info, 40, schizoaffective, I’ve given up completely on working. Keeping myself out of the hell that is a mental hospital by taking care of my home and cats and sanity is the best I can do. I do more where I can, free. I just hope y’all understand, I’m not a hermit cause I don’t like you…

[newdamage]

I actually have the opposite problem. I have a job that I have been at for years because I decided for my mental health I was going to do what is best for me and not take on more than I could handle because of pressure from society. The downside is I have felt looked down upon quite a lot by family and people my age because I haven't "moved up". I am not a real high functioning person and that is just reality so instead of going through job after job I stayed where I felt I belonged and it has allowed me to stay employed regularly when I know I wouldn't have been at other jobs. The downside is of course the condescension I get from people on a regular basis but as I get older I get better at ignoring that. Thanks for this video I needed it today!

[GothWaffles]

I struggle with this too. I have Schizoaffective and CPTSD and it can be severely difficult to consistently show up and give it your all everyday. It’s so hard

[contrarianbarbarian]

Thank you. It’s not that I don’t want to work, it’s that it’s impossible given the parameters set by any reasonable employer. Read an article once that stated 85% of schizophrenics want to work but are unable.

[pizzapie]

I'm so glad that I found this channel! I was diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder in 2017 and I have had difficulty finding and holding onto a job. I'm glad I'm not the only one 😌

[bradywilson]

I think the work place itself causes mental illness. I have felt my place of work at times has made me feel I'm losing my mind. You putting yourself out there with these videos I think is inspiring for those of us with mental health issues to take positive action. It seems making these videos is a type of therapy for you. Which is very cool. I wish you and yours the best of health.

[jamesnderitu]

Been there done that, got the t-shirt.
My last employer found out about my Schizophrenia and I was asked to resign.

[mackenzierempel]

Thank you for posting this. I felt alone. I struggled with maintaining a job and with remaining in university. I dropped out of university because of my Schizophrenia and it made jobs difficult.

[BergenholtzChannel]

I have had a similar problem. There are just too many people who can replace a person who becomes too much trouble for an employer. I am so happy you have found your perfect spot. We have all benefitted from your work here.

[mimineko]

I have hopped through three jobs in the past two years.
It’s always been because of my disability I keep being fired or demoted for being slow.

[saggguy]

I’m a chronic job-hopper too! I don’t have schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder but I do have bipolar disorder and ADHD. Employment often takes such a toll on my mental health that I have no choice but to leave my jobs. With every one, I end up hitting a wall and I simply cannot keep going. Many of these jobs have ended with me quitting suddenly without giving notice, because after I get to this point I literally cannot go to work for another day (let alone two weeks).

I always thought there was something wrong with me, but I’ve come to understand that it’s not me that’s broken, it’s the system that doesn’t accommodate brains like mine. I burn out fast because it’s ten times more work for me to get through a work day than it is for a neurotypical person. I’m doing my best now to get by on part-time employment and even though money’s tight it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made for myself.

[Jaguncy]

I have bipolar disorder, I can't stress how dreadful it is to have to try to keep a job for long periods of time. The 5 to 6 months is my limit. I start to lose my mind over staying in one place, having to go there everyday and it sucks. Ppl be judging me like not professional or competent, not a good employee and things like that cuz in there eyes, if you can't hold a job down for at least 2 years, you must not be good enough or have "something wrong".

Even my family say shit like that. I just cannot, it kills me and my suicidal ideation go through the roof when I'm getting close to the 6 months mark of being in a job

[laurabenditt]

I been working as a McDonald's Janitor since March 2022, and most days I just dont have the mental strength to keep working there everyday, even though my hours are VERY short due to college students being away for the summer. Hopefully I will have more hours real soon though, but honestly? Not looking forward to it as it will just drain more of my mental stamina I fear.

I don't know how to "spice things up" at my work place, as it is the same routine day in and day out, but I am trying very hard to sustain myself from having mental episodes. Even mental breakdowns.

I am very thankful I held a job this long, as I dont normally have delusions or hallucations. But I do hear voices every now and again. It is exhausting to live sometimes.

[mosaicowlstudios]

I learned to NEVER reveal my diagnosis to anyone at work, except for very special circumstances. Every time I've confided my diagnosis to my employer, I ended up not having that job much longer.

[joannekerr]

Lauren you should definitely not feel any shame around this. I've been dealing with mental health issues for my entire adult life and the only reason I am financially stable right now is because my wonderful husband was able to create a family business for us. I was never able to keep a job longer than a year or two when working at regular jobs. Stigma is real, coming out of hospitalization and dealing with symptoms are all a huge problem!