What is your occupation??

I was just wondering what ya'll do for a living? I know there are a lot of people who go about their lives living with depression and anxiety and accomplish a lot! You people deserve an incredible amount of respect!! You show a lot of courage. People tend to think those that are mentally ill can't hold down a job or do anythign else worthy of praise. That is simply not true. I am living proof! I have had a horrible time getting through my days sometimes but I still have managed to pull off almost straight A's at my University, even being nominated into the political science honors society. I do, however, worry a great deal about what I am going to do after college. I am not sure if I can adjust to being on my own and holding down a full-time job. I would like to hear from any of you about what you do for a living and any successes you've had. I hope this will offer me the inspiration I need to look forward to a brighter future than I do at current. Please don't be shy and respond!

I work for a company that gives residential home care to mentally/physically challenged children or adults. I love what I do and find the job very rewarding. I am also on disability but not due to mental illness. I have had many bouts with severe rheumatoid arthritis....but I am still able to work as long as I can put one foot in front of the other

Kathy

I started out working in the classified advertising dept. of my local newspaper...that was back in 95!! Then I moved on to a local large corporation in my hometown and worked in the customer service department. I won't go into details about what I did and what departments I had to work w/....it was numerous. Customer Service really implies little about the workload at that particular company! I was there 5 years and then left to become a stay-at-home mom to my then, 2yr. old daughter...and soon after gave birth to my 2nd daughter. Now my daughters are ages 6 1/2 and 4yrs. and I'm still a stay-at-home mom. Being someone who deals w/ OCPD...you can guess that I push myself in my environment. My friends always comment on the things I accomplish around my home for someone who is home w/ her children. Believe me...it's not all about sitting in front of the tv watching soaps and eating bon bons. It's what you make it...and it's very hard and challenging work to run a household and raise your children, etc.!! I am hoping to go back to work, at least part-time, in the near future.

Thank you all for sharing. I appreciate it.

Student....I'm only 15

Well, I am 21 and also a student, although in college. But we both know that being a student is not an easy task. There is a lot of pressure to do well and to perform, just as there is in the job market. Thanks for sharing!

I'm a retired science teacher/wrestling coach. I still teach college part time and do a variety of paid and volunteer jobs.
Jim S

Well, I'm a mental health professional.... Don't flame it, people like.... HaVok and Lat. I'm a fighter for the cause, actually trying to help people.

Well I commend you Mr. Yowler. I know there are a lot of mental health professionals that do VERY good work. I have witnessed it and benefited from it myself. How did you get into doing this? I've heard that to do a job such as that it is required for you to be mentally sound, which I am not so sure I always am. I say this because I've considered doing something like that, mainly because its all I'm interested in because my depression/anxiety just consume my thoughts completely. Plus, it is fascinating stuff to learn about how we think. Feel free to ramble on...