Bipolar, Anti-Social, Depressed individual with severe adjustment personality disorder?

Question:

My cousin claims that she cannot work b/c she suffers from too many mental disorders. She says that she would love a job and to have normal interactions with the "real world" and have a paycheck but believes this is impossible. She is almost 30, has never been able to keep a job, is on meds and in weekly threapy. What job should I encourage her to seek, as her therapist said starting her own cleaning business would be a nice choice but she was not to thrilled with that idea. I am happy that she finnally thinks she might be able to hold down something more long term but I have no clue what to suggest. Ideas?

Answers:
I had a mental disorder when I was young and I learned to get along with people by delivering papers. You can work alone and nobody needs to help out, but you can learn to get along with people one person at a time. You can eventually learn to get along with everybody. That is how I got as smart as I am now. Of course I had a 186 IQ in High School.

dunno

Sounds like she's just a lazy old git.

some people are truly hopeless.. does it matter what does? As long as she gets a job thats a big step

I'm pretty sure my sister suffers from everything your cousin does to almost a T. I'm not far behind sad to say but my sister works part time as a stocker for HyVee and seems to like it mostly. Maybe she could try something like that. She wouldn't really have to deal with customers. I myself am trying to find another job at the moment and haven't a clue what I would like to do. So i'm more depressed but also relieved to get out of a situation. Just be easy on your cousin. It's not easy and no one wants to be thought of as a lazy bum. If she could change how she was she probably would.

I would suggest a low-stress job. With her diagnoses, the last thing she needs is to have added stress.

Perhaps stocking as the one person said, or working as a clerk, or dishwasher, or even working in a factory or mail-room somewhere.

Something that she isn't dealing with a lot of people. People are going to be a big stressor for her. Best to (as cliche as it sounds) take "baby steps".

I would suggest she try some aptitude testing, or even just think of activities she enjoyed or enjoys.

Then start with some volunteer work, where she can set her own schedule, and see how that works out.

Pushing someone into a job they don't want to do, or feel unable to do can set them up to fail, another downer.

If she isn't asking for your advice, I wouldn't offer it.

On the other hand, if she is complaining, I would ask her what she needs from you at this time, and let her know that you have confidence in her to find the right path.

Hope this helps,
Karen

Who supports her? If she is unable to support herself, the person who does, is the one to do the encouraging/limiting of the support they give. Or, get her into the social welfare division that gives supportive employment for all "handicapped" people!! If she has to work to the best ability, she will. Get professionals in to evaluate her abilty. Family members are too emotionally involved to do the job!

She could try help in a public library.

She could clean houses as a maid.

Im really kinda crazy, too...so im going to school and im gonna get a bachelors and masters in library science so i can be a librarian.

Bipolar, Anti-Social, Depressed individual with severe adjustment personality disorder?

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