My name is Courtney and I have schizophrenia. I was diagnosed in 2021 after being in psychosis. I was holding a job by a thread, I was having auditory hallucinations and persecutory delusions that the government was following me and spying on me.
If you would have told me two years ago I would have meaningful and stable work right now, I would have laughed in your face. I am a Direct Support Professional and work with adults with brain injury. I work 30 hours a week with the support of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. I see a job coach weekly to go over any concerns or problems I may be facing in my job with my tasks or coworkers.
I go to a First Episode Psychosis clinic weekly to see my therapist and typically either weekly or bi-weekly with the psychiatrist. There are two groups during the week, however with my work schedule I can only make one group.
Here is a list of my suggestions of things to do if you are looking to get back into the workforce and want to remain stable.
1. Take your meds!
So important. You need to stay on top of this. It doesn’t matter what the medication is, take it at the same time every day. If your work schedule conflicts with your medication schedule (like mine does) take right when you get home.
2. Go to all your appointments.
Another very important one. Especially for your psych appointments. If you need to reschedule, that’s OK, but just don’t skip it or no show.
3. Participate in therapy.
Therapy is hard. Opening up is hard. Talking about hallucinations and delusions is hard, especially when you aren’t at the point in your journey where you realize that you are sick. So, take it as slow as you need to, but don’t totally shut therapy down.
4. Take breaks when needed.
If you’re having a rough time, be real. Go to your boss and ask to step out. You don’t need to tell them about your illness, just simply say “Hey, I need to take 10.” If you have a half decent superior, they won’t say no to that.
5. Get enough sleep.
Get that 8 hours in. You deserve and need it.
6. Exercise
Whether it’s just a walk or you want to actually go to the gym, get the heart pumping and those legs moving.
7. If you need help at work, ask for it.
If you need reasonable accommodations, ask for it through HR or whoever it goes through at your job.
These are the things I utilize to be able to hold down a full time job while having a severe mental illness. I hope this was helpful.
