It’s not mostly the job that stresses me. It’s the social situations and work relationships. This year I’ve had over 5 jobs most of which I’ve quit. Now I’m going down the same road. I feel it.
Maybe you could work less instead of giving up completely? Work can be a good thing if you can manage the stress.
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I’ve tried that before. I’ve quit every job regardless of the hours.
I’m sorry this is so difficult for you. If you do decide to quit working I hope you don’t isolate too. That can make you quite lonely… Maybe you could try volunteering? Maybe that would be easier and more fulfilling.
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I could do. But then I don’t qualify for benefits here so I’m stuck.
Oh… that sucks. 
hope you find a solution to this, sorry I can’t be of more help.
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You work in IT right? Could you look into working from home? That’s what my friend does for Blackboard.
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Maybe some sort of freelance work would be good for you? So you don’t have to deal with the same people on a regular basis and can set your own schedule and work load.
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@anon80629714 Do you want to stop working?
You can ask your job for certain accommodations.
Only you would know if you need to stop working, a workplace setting can be quite stressful for someone afflicted with a severe mental illness.
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Working gives me a sense of purpose and I love it I do it to prove to myself I can but every time I start a job it ends horribly.
Wanting to work is one thing, I wish that I could go back to my old job and work, but the stress would destabilize me further.
I don’t work because I’m not capable of working - you have to know what you are capable of doing.
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I’m convinced that if I went off meds I wouldn’t have symptoms if I were not working. Proof is in the fact that while i was on a reduced dose I was fine At home. The instability was at work.
When I’m in a low stress environment, I don’t feel the need for medication either. Although I still get a little suicidal sometimes not being on mood stabilizers, it’s not enough to warrant taking lithium or lamictal for. I’ve been off my mood stabilizers and anti-depressants for at least 5 months now and I’m doing alright. Once I start looking for a job again though, I’ll probably find a pdoc and start my medications back.
There’s always the danger of a relapse off meds though and the catastrophic consequences that come with that. Just be careful whatever you decide. I’m very cautious about analyzing my mood and thoughts to ensure that I’m not entering an episode, in which case I would immediately go to a doctor and request enough seroquel for a couple weeks to ensure that I don’t end up in the psyche ward.
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