I'm having problems finding myself. I can't decide what kind of career I want to do. I can't concentrate, my mind wonders. Been to my doctor about this, prescribed anti depressants and went to therapy and nothing seems to work. Been on anti depressants for 4 years and when I sent to therapy they diagnosed me with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I don't seem to want to do anything and can't focus on anything.
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how do you find yourself?
- Thread starter newtohobby
- Start date
newtohobby said:I'm having problems finding myself. I can't decide what kind of career I want to do. I can't concentrate, my mind wonders. Been to my doctor about this, prescribed anti depressants and went to therapy and nothing seems to work. Been on anti depressants for 4 years and when I sent to therapy they diagnosed me with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I don't seem to want to do anything and can't focus on anything.
it's basically a blockage it happens sometimes, some meds will help with the proccess sometimes you just need to find something that gets your mojo flowing.
I have had that happen to me on and off, and my doctor said it was because I wasn't challenged so I basically find things that challenge me and keep me on my toes.
Have you seen the movie Numb that might help you understand a little bit more of what is happen and also give you a good laugh.
No one can tell you how to motivate yourself, but nothing beats drug-assisted psychonautics for getting in touch with the inner self (which is probably what you need to do).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychonaut#Hallucinogens.2Fentheogens
But it's not for the faint of heart and anti-depressants can cause complications. The level of honesty and clarity that can be achieved is worth it, IMO.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychonaut#Hallucinogens.2Fentheogens
But it's not for the faint of heart and anti-depressants can cause complications. The level of honesty and clarity that can be achieved is worth it, IMO.
Dude, that is one hell of a question. I think at some point we all go through this, well at least I know I have, and my friends have as well.
I have come to the conclusion that I will never be an astronaut, a race car driver or a fireman, the three things I have wanted to do since I was a child. Am I happy with my career? No, not at all, however it does provide me with an income to do the things that I enjoy doing. I have taken the approach now that I work to live, not live to work. As long as I keep thinking that, my job is bearable and I can continue concentrating on my hobbies and my kids, (the two things that do give me joy). This is what gets me through the day.
As far as not wanting to do anything, what do you mean? When I was at the height of my depression, if there was a million dollars on the table beside me, it would have been too difficult to reach over and grab it. Maybe a change of anti's is in need? Maybe they have to be piggy backed with something else? I don't know.
What does make you happy? Family, friends, wood working, comic books, photography, painting? It really doesn't matter as long as you can use something to take your mind off your problems. I myself light a pipe and go hiking; sometimes for hours, with nowhere in particular to go. It allows my mind to wander freely, and with the added exercise, sometimes things come to light.
I wish I could be more help, good luck. If you wish to chat, PM me, I have been there.
I have come to the conclusion that I will never be an astronaut, a race car driver or a fireman, the three things I have wanted to do since I was a child. Am I happy with my career? No, not at all, however it does provide me with an income to do the things that I enjoy doing. I have taken the approach now that I work to live, not live to work. As long as I keep thinking that, my job is bearable and I can continue concentrating on my hobbies and my kids, (the two things that do give me joy). This is what gets me through the day.
As far as not wanting to do anything, what do you mean? When I was at the height of my depression, if there was a million dollars on the table beside me, it would have been too difficult to reach over and grab it. Maybe a change of anti's is in need? Maybe they have to be piggy backed with something else? I don't know.
What does make you happy? Family, friends, wood working, comic books, photography, painting? It really doesn't matter as long as you can use something to take your mind off your problems. I myself light a pipe and go hiking; sometimes for hours, with nowhere in particular to go. It allows my mind to wander freely, and with the added exercise, sometimes things come to light.
I wish I could be more help, good luck. If you wish to chat, PM me, I have been there.
rubmeister100 said:As Miine said, you gotta have a goal or something to look forward to and work towards. Otehrwise life's pleasures tend to lose their effect.
Easy to say, but find something to work towards ahead of the daily grind.
For me is was getting in touch with my spiritual self of practing buddhism, then everything else fell into place.
tommorow is my member ceremony for certificate and when I am ready to completely devote myself to the pratice I can receive Gohonzon.
I do not need people messaging me about it if you want to know about it go to www.sgi.org
As for the anti-depressants there is many kinds out there you can try all of them and sometimes none of them will work, for me I got lucky with the threapist I was seeing and being able to really get to route of my problem she is fantastic, I didn't wnat to go on pills for my whole life til one day I said I have to try anything even if it does not work, but I have done so much inner work the anit depressants hasn't done much to me at all.
now I am coming off them after 4 months of being on them. because I don't need them because I found my inner passion.
the fact is that put a serious light on me of really discover what i want my world to be. of course it's not easy but it sure has made me enjoy life more.
IMHO, get off the prescribed drugs! They obviously aren't working if you have been taking them for 4 years. It is very hard to move forward with a clouded mind. Find a good therapist. (One that you can communicate with and have respect for.)
You are probably the youngest child in your family and have elders that always made your decisions for you,you are trying to make decisions to please other people which creates your anxiety and why you can't seem to move forward.
Anxiety is a state of mind, you just need to find the help you are already asking for (Career, mentorship) and take it one day at at time.
Don't try to do everything at once, or you will fail at everything.
Don't try to prove anything to anyone but yourself.
Do not compare yourself to others, you are unique.
I have been there, took 1/2 a Paxil and couldn't form a sentence in my head for 3 days. Told the Dr. to shove them. Went to a therapist that just nodded their head. Finally I just realized I was trying to please too many people and needed to look out for myself. Be Strong!
You are probably the youngest child in your family and have elders that always made your decisions for you,you are trying to make decisions to please other people which creates your anxiety and why you can't seem to move forward.
Anxiety is a state of mind, you just need to find the help you are already asking for (Career, mentorship) and take it one day at at time.
Don't try to do everything at once, or you will fail at everything.
Don't try to prove anything to anyone but yourself.
Do not compare yourself to others, you are unique.
I have been there, took 1/2 a Paxil and couldn't form a sentence in my head for 3 days. Told the Dr. to shove them. Went to a therapist that just nodded their head. Finally I just realized I was trying to please too many people and needed to look out for myself. Be Strong!
Petite Filet said:IMHO, get off the prescribed drugs! They obviously aren't working if you have been taking them for 4 years. It is very hard to move forward with a clouded mind. Find a good therapist. (One that you can communicate with and have respect for.)
You are probably the youngest child in your family and have elders that always made your decisions for you,you are trying to make decisions to please other people which creates your anxiety and why you can't seem to move forward.
Anxiety is a state of mind, you just need to find the help you are already asking for (Career, mentorship) and take it one day at at time.
Don't try to do everything at once, or you will fail at everything.
Don't try to prove anything to anyone but yourself.
Do not compare yourself to others, you are unique.
I have been there, took 1/2 a Paxil and couldn't form a sentence in my head for 3 days. Told the Dr. to shove them. Went to a therapist that just nodded their head. Finally I just realized I was trying to please too many people and needed to look out for myself. Be Strong!
I am the oldest in my family so where did my anxiety come from .
Changing or getting off the meds would help a lot a good threapist is the key to recovery.
I am at CAMH I love that place.
newtohobby,
Sounds like you have a number of issues each of which requires a different solution. My late teens and early twenties were angst ridden, so I sympathize.
The one point I picked up was your lack of concentration. It is possible you have Attention Deficit Disorder, but depression and/or anxiety could also be a cause of your lack of focus. If you have ALWAYS had problems keeping focused, you could be a candidate for Ritallin. Works for me! But it won't do diddley for the depression etc.
As for career choice, if you cannot find a passion to follow, follow the money. That is, figure out the top 3 or 4 things that you do best and which one has the greatest potential for financial reward. If you make enough money, you can retire early and spend the rest of your life wondering what you want to do while sipping scotch in the bar by the beach.
And dump negative thoughts like garbage. No recycling!
PS. Odd topic to find on a site like TERB, but why not.
Sounds like you have a number of issues each of which requires a different solution. My late teens and early twenties were angst ridden, so I sympathize.
The one point I picked up was your lack of concentration. It is possible you have Attention Deficit Disorder, but depression and/or anxiety could also be a cause of your lack of focus. If you have ALWAYS had problems keeping focused, you could be a candidate for Ritallin. Works for me! But it won't do diddley for the depression etc.
As for career choice, if you cannot find a passion to follow, follow the money. That is, figure out the top 3 or 4 things that you do best and which one has the greatest potential for financial reward. If you make enough money, you can retire early and spend the rest of your life wondering what you want to do while sipping scotch in the bar by the beach.
And dump negative thoughts like garbage. No recycling!
PS. Odd topic to find on a site like TERB, but why not.
ig-88 said:Isn't there a career choice test that career counselors administer?
I think it's called Myer-Briggs.
They ask you basic questions about things you like to do.
And then determine what jobs may suit you the best.
YMCA has one called CAPS it's great, and they keep in contact wtih you for 5 years.
I was just guessing on that one.
Oldest? Challenged?
My guess would be:
Your parents are white collar, overachievers, maybe abusive alcoholics or just neglectful. They were cold which made you seek out the peace of Buddism. You were not given, or did not trust the path you were shown which caused you to seek out a new religion later in life.
I do not mean to offend you but would love to know if I am right.
I am glad you found your passion, I believe that is the key.
You need to go back to look at the last time you were truly happy and want you were doing at the time. It could be anything. That is how you find your passion. If you can't remember, try everything.
Oldest? Challenged?
My guess would be:
Your parents are white collar, overachievers, maybe abusive alcoholics or just neglectful. They were cold which made you seek out the peace of Buddism. You were not given, or did not trust the path you were shown which caused you to seek out a new religion later in life.
I do not mean to offend you but would love to know if I am right.
I am glad you found your passion, I believe that is the key.
You need to go back to look at the last time you were truly happy and want you were doing at the time. It could be anything. That is how you find your passion. If you can't remember, try everything.
ig-88 said:Isn't there a career choice test that career counselors administer?
I think it's called Myer-Briggs.
They ask you basic questions about things you like to do.
And then determine what jobs may suit you the best.
Myers-Briggs is a personality test. You can take it online.
I am considered a mastermind. Only 4% of the population thinks the way I do.
Petite Filet said:Myers-Briggs is a personality test. You can take it online.
I am considered a mastermind. Only 4% of the population thinks the way I do.
Another "mastermind" here. I have to say that the description and career choices fit me to a "t".
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes1.htm
Petite Filet said:Myers-Briggs is a personality test. You can take it online.
I am considered a mastermind. Only 4% of the population thinks the way I do.
Actually the MBTI-Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is not a test. It does not have right or wrong answers. It is a personality assessment tool, and the most popular one in the world. It looks at
1. What you focus on to get your energy
2. How you take in information
3. How you make decisions
4. How you deal with the outer world.
Anyone can take it.
For newtohobby, I would recommend it for personal and career awareness, but it seems like other approaches might be better suited initially for what he's going through
Parachute
Back in the sixties, there was a book publisher called "What color is your parachute?"
It had a series of workshops designed to help one to find a good career.
I don't think it was designed to help psychological issues, but rather was more focused on skills inventories, interests, etc. But, that make get your engine kick started.
I don't favor drug therapy.. I think its too easy to become hooked on drugs. But then I went through the sixties the hard way, and so now that I no longer use drugs I have an anti-drug bias.
One thing I do know is this.. there is no change without change, and probably the biggest change you will find in your life is going to be self directed and induced. No one else can help you change much. A good therapist can sometimes help you see the way, but in the final result you gotta get off your ass and do the work yourself.
I wish you well.
Back in the sixties, there was a book publisher called "What color is your parachute?"
It had a series of workshops designed to help one to find a good career.
I don't think it was designed to help psychological issues, but rather was more focused on skills inventories, interests, etc. But, that make get your engine kick started.
I don't favor drug therapy.. I think its too easy to become hooked on drugs. But then I went through the sixties the hard way, and so now that I no longer use drugs I have an anti-drug bias.
One thing I do know is this.. there is no change without change, and probably the biggest change you will find in your life is going to be self directed and induced. No one else can help you change much. A good therapist can sometimes help you see the way, but in the final result you gotta get off your ass and do the work yourself.
I wish you well.
Danolo said:Back in the sixties, there was a book publisher called "What color is your parachute?"
It had a series of workshops designed to help one to find a good career.
I don't think it was designed to help psychological issues, but rather was more focused on skills inventories, interests, etc. But, that make get your engine kick started.
I don't favor drug therapy.. I think its too easy to become hooked on drugs. But then I went through the sixties the hard way, and so now that I no longer use drugs I have an anti-drug bias.
One thing I do know is this.. there is no change without change, and probably the biggest change you will find in your life is going to be self directed and induced. No one else can help you change much. A good therapist can sometimes help you see the way, but in the final result you gotta get off your ass and do the work yourself.
I wish you well.
Good Post, The book What Color is your Parachute is updated yearly, and is available at any Chapters. It is a good read for people contemplating career change.
You're right, the change has to come from the individual. Counsellors and Therapists are there to guide you, and help you come up with an action plan which is a series of steps designed to help you with overcoming the obstacles you are dealing with, but change ultimately lies within oneself.
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