TO WORK AND TO LOVE: THE BALANCE WE SEEK
The ability to work and to love--a quote often attributed to the founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud--are hallmarks of mental wellness and high functioning in society. Those who suffer from mental/emotional disorders often have a lack of of self-esteem, a feeling of not belonging, and a feeling of meaninglessness in their lives. Negativity can foster isolation, loneliness and even suicidality; a positive approach can win acqaintances, friends, better family relationships and ultimately, the ability to love others and work effectively.
The satisfaction of doing well at work and the willingness to love oneself and move on to unconditional love are daunting challenges for many, but those who are diagnosed with a mental illness find more obstacles along the way.
For example, to work as a member of a team, one must have the ability to get along smoothly with others, maintain the consistency and concentration required for meeting project quotas and deadlines, and to focus on the work at hand. Help from the employer, however, is increasingly available.
Over the past two decades, employee assistance programs (EAPs) have become available to direct the troubled employee to avenues beneficial to solving employee problems, such as depression, substance abuse, and family issues. Usually the employee is referred to the EAP by a supervisor. The recommendations given by an EAP are usually related to the amount of money it takes to maintain an employee who is out of sync as opposed to restoring him to fuller functioning in the workplace. To learn more about EAP, check out http://eap-association.com
Grassroots and organized support systems work to provide empowerment of the self at work and at home in a variety of approaches. For example, at http://mentalwellness.com/dollars/dsq4.h... one can learn about an outstanding New York organization which provides support and strategies for living on often inadequate incomes. Shared information on economic strategies, such as where the best thrift stores are, how to apply for disability, and where to look for economic housing and work, provide sources of self-esteem and a feeling of belonging as well. Of course all this provides a foundation of skills to help the person along in the ability to work, love and care about others from an increasingly compassionate standpoint.
Caring relationships are often difficult for those with mental illness. Many are notorious for blatant self-centeredness and a tendency to allow the illness to become the main topic of conversation. Endless monologues on current meds, pdocs and topics centered around the self put distance between the person with mental illness and the person with whom one wants to begin and maintain a healthy relationship.
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