My Doctor and my councillor and a few other people who like me are all telling me I should find another job because my current job is causing me physical and mental strain and is having a very negative effect on my mood in general. I know they are right and that it will only get worse if I stay.
Despite this I can not build up motivation to look for something else and I am also aware that I have been in my job nearly five years so I do have greater employment and income security, despite it taking away so much from my life.
I quit my old job before finding a new one and got my current job after just five weeks. I am really tempted to quit now and try my luck. However the danger is I won't find anything else, but I know if I stay I will deteriorate further and may loose my job anyway.
Does anyone have any thoughts or experience of this? What is it like to be long term unemployed? I think leaving my job would be a great relief but I'm concerned it may cause more stress.
Do you feel that you could discuss your current health situation with your employer and find a solution to reducing stress and physical strain with them? Of course, you would have to be supported by your doctor. Some countries have laws that prevent people with disabilities from losing their jobs. Employers have to accommodate them. You might even qualify for short term or long term disability. Do not quit your job.
The more jobs you quit or get fired from, the harder it is to find new employment. You also need to have some good work references from co-workers and former employers.
It is never wise to quit a job unless you have some other job lined up to go to. You could end up homeless and without funds.
My Doctor and my councillor and a few other people who like me are all telling me I should find another job because my current job is causing me physical and mental strain and is having a very negative effect on my mood in general. I know they are right and that it will only get worse if I stay.
Despite this I can not build up motivation to look for something else and I am also aware that I have been in my job nearly five years so I do have greater employment and income security, despite it taking away so much from my life.
I quit my old job before finding a new one and got my current job after just five weeks. I am really tempted to quit now and try my luck. However the danger is I won't find anything else, but I know if I stay I will deteriorate further and may loose my job anyway.
Does anyone have any thoughts or experience of this? What is it like to be long term unemployed? I think leaving my job would be a great relief but I'm concerned it may cause more stress.
I'd say do it the other way round. By that I mean find a new job, then quit your current one. I would spend some time in the evenings (or whichever part of the day you're away from work) looking for a new job.
The reality is that I hate the job I do and the customers but I like alot of the people I work with and they seem to like me. My Doctor has written to my work and told them my issues but I am to stubborn and proud to accept help. Accepting help feel like failure. Quitting would be more stupid than asking for help. I'm ashamed of admitting weakness, even though my Doctor and the company Doctor think its remarkable I've stuck it out so long.
" I am to stubborn and proud to accept help. "
Everybody but god needs help. Are you god?
No I'm scared! I don't know what to do.
Accept help. You've got nothing to lose by doing that.
Oh, I meant to add that pride doesn't put food on the table.
Micheal,
A suggestion:
Take some time off sick from your current job. Go away if you can, or at least force youself to do something different for some of your sick period. Back to work. Book annual leave when you are calmer and focused on getting the new job. Use leave to prepare for and attend interviews etc.
Depending on severity of your stress, you have several options open to you so no need to panic!
Most people are advising me to stay and use the employment rights I have within my job to try and make it easier. It wasn't today so I left after 3 hours and went home and slept on the settee most of the day which was nice, but not a long term plan. I have not been on holiday since about 1997. That might be a start.
Excellent summation!
Wind thro' hair, watching waves, rock climing, something non linear. (That's just the sick leave!)
Try and assess what it is that you don't like about work. With me it was "people politics" e.g. I had a chair taken away from me 'coz people on my grade couldn't have a chair of that type; my managers told me to do things and then stopped me from doing them (this was partially my literalism too); I got banned from a government department for speaking (I was supposed to "observe" (in silence)) in a meeting; being refused leave because "we're too busy at the moment" (for several years)(this could constitute bullying, but lets not go there).
Customers can be ars*s but at least your not stuck with them all day, every day.
Hope these examples help you hone your thinking to your likes and dislikes.
I think you ought to find a new job before you quit your old one. That way, there won't be so much uncertainty when you quit.
Be prepared for negative reaction to change, even positive change--Aspie brains often don't like upheaval. Take extra care to make sure your mood stays on an even keel, that you're thinking logically, and that you're taking time off to relax and be peaceful.
No I'm scared! I don't know what to do.
I was scared too... It meant the possibility of financial disaster for me if I just quite... And when it did come time to make the decision... it really wasn't mine to make... You can say "stress" made it for me.
And as it turns out years later... It was the best decision that could be made (to quit) wish I had done it sooner... money isn't everything...
Parenting was more important. And so was finding a job that I enjoy...
Sometimes there is opportunity on the flip-side of disaster! 
Look for it... Good luck... I know it won't be easy, but perhaps worth it?
Someone else suggested looking for a job while you are still working.
If a lay-off can be a solution, perhaps un-employment benefits can hold you over for a while... And on the plus-side, if you have a horrid commute... POOF!, gone... I sure don't miss mine!
My regards, Beammeup
Adding to my earlier post....
Oh, I should add that I began the process of using: “Employment rights” to ask for accommodations even though the concept of such does not agree with me.
Lose / lose for both parties... Looking back it was obvious that my worth to the company was not in what I was being asked of me to do -- My gift wasted I’ll say -- Agreements were made to accommodate me, and my handicap(gift) was acknowledged. Looking back. It was me who “accommodated” the company.
Off topic: Next letter I get from my kids’ school referring to "concerns". I’ll send a letter back to let them know we will try to ACCOMMODATE!!! Sorry, got a little off track here...........
Moral: Don’t ask for, or make "Accommodations", sort of like not following your heart... unless you can keep smiling and feeling good about your contribution while everyone is accomodating...
Phittt, hate that word!
Respectful regards, Beammeup