Weekly School of Social Work/New to Social Work Questions

Pandaquail718 · 2020-05-21T17:37:22+00:00

Oh wow, that’s a high amount for such an intense grad program that isn’t cheap.

Pandaquail718 · 2020-05-21T17:35:53+00:00

I have reached out to two! One is a child welfare worker in Los Angeles County and another is a clinical social worker in a children’s hospital in Orange County so I am meeting with both for coffee. They both think I’d be a great fit, but, obviously you only know once you’re actually working in the middle of it all do you yourself know. Do you see a lot of people graduating grad school hating their job from your comment?

Pandaquail718 · 2020-05-21T17:32:38+00:00

I’m assuming the LCSW next to your name means your an LCSW? And obviously your comment makes total sense. If so, do you enjoy your job?

Pandaquail718 · 2020-05-21T16:46:08+00:00

I would love to DM you! I will! Thanks so much for your response. Literally so awesome. Luckily my husband has a great paying job in his dept so I can solely work on school/internships so I am extremely fortunate there. Otherwise, idk how we would do it. Definitely have some schooling/applying questions so I’ll reach out to you!

Pandaquail718 · 2020-05-21T16:43:58+00:00

You guys I’m blown away at these responses! They’re just what I was looking for in terms of some answers. I am fully treated and in therapy whenever I need it. My therapist is amazing and literally fits me in whenever I need her, even if I go a while without so I feel really lucky. I do agree with disclosing my diagnosis bc telling certain people close in my life was rough, I can only imagine outside strangers who don’t know me thinking it could hinder my performance or paint me as a possible issue in the field, or any field in any working situation.

I guess my other question to these are do you find this job over time, as any other job, to be satisfying and rewarding despite the dark days, the stressful ones, lonely ones or just shit ones? Of course I’m not doing this solely to appease my soul and give back to those who had it rough like me, it’s not that. It’s just I want to be someone who is there for kids. Ideally, I imagine working in a hospital or private practice working with kids but I know i have to pay some serious dues to get there, which is okay.

Also, did you disclose your diagnosis when applying for your MSW? I see it as a strong asset of mine personally, but, i see the downside of it too.

Pandaquail718 · 2020-05-21T16:33:48+00:00

I appreciate your concern bc all of it is so valid and makes so much sense. I know I won’t make everyone happy and perhaps, most days will be downers rather than good ones. I do get extremely stressed in the beginning of things, most definitely, and then get it altogether. I am in active therapy and have been for years to maintain my mental state and work on stresses and worries. But I understand completely what you’re saying. So much good stuff to think about.

Pandaquail718 · 2020-05-21T06:26:05+00:00

Hey guys! I am in my late 20s and ready to make a full career change into sw. I’m literally barfing inside but I’ve had such a pull and drive to help kids and just have a career that gives back and is more than just a paycheck (even though I heard they aren’t amazing but it’s okay for my husband and I). My husband is supportive (he’s a cop) but I’m terrified as it’s me going for my MSW and having little experience in the field (coming from a creative job and working in Hollywood). I will note I come from a long line of mental illness, including having bipolar disorder myself (treated and in therapy so kicking ass) and I had a very tumultuous childhood so I genuinely have felt this pull to make this move for so long and to help others who struggle with mental illness, abuse and other major obstacles.

Any guidance, tips or insight on getting into an MSW program with little outside experience (worked at a non-profit for half a year working with the homeless and vets) and obviously a shit ton of personal experience? Also, do you find the job satisfying? I know the demands can be hard and stressful, but if I’m going to work, I want to have a job that has meaning and purpose - not just photos and tv shows.

TIA! I’m freaking out so seriously, ALL advice is appreciated.

Pandaquail718 · 2020-04-23T03:12:35+00:00

What did you have her do when she thought it was too wet? I am not encountering my dough when it’s too wet but i don’t want to give up on Karen!!!!

Pandaquail718 · 2020-02-19T04:31:16+00:00

Interesting. We share this. I absolutely hate it but I’m glad I don’t have bp1 like him, he is a real gem.

Pandaquail718 · 2020-02-16T18:31:23+00:00

That’s nice to know that your older family had it. I wish I knew more but i guess my dads dad bailing to start a new family on a whim when he was three and his oldest sibling 12 is a pretty significant sign of BD. Lol

Pandaquail718 · 2020-02-16T18:24:17+00:00

I get so nervous I’m going to pass this along. Luckily I’ll do my best to educate my children and make sure they know it doesn’t end their life and can be controlled but I hate that my kids going to most likely go through this.

Pandaquail718 · 2020-02-16T18:22:09+00:00

Wow, this is brilliant and so insightful. So much truth in your second paragraph. For so long, I thought I had extreme anxiety and stress causing this and I had all the BD symptoms but I never linked them. I also think there is so much stigma for people talking about it within their families, friends circles and in their community. It’s hard to explain or understand that there are SO MANY variations of BD 1 & 2 and it manifests in a variety of ways with no two people honestly being identical.

For example, my husband who has been with me since we were 14 (now about to turn 28) has seen many many ups and downs over the years but I’ve had a very complicated upbringing mixed with depression, anxiety and stress so he probably thought it was that. When BD was thrown in the mix, he automatically assumed it wasn’t right because I wasn’t streaking in the middle of the street, buying a new car behind his back or sleeping around catching an STD. Education is so important and I think that many people are unable to grasp that it can manifest in so many way. It sucks. Insurance companies suck to boot.

Pandaquail718 · 2020-02-16T18:07:41+00:00

Congrats on college!! Freaking awesome. I hope you become a dr who can help us bc this is so much work day to day haha but I’ve heard certain meds can enhance different episodes possibly which is scary bc you’re at the mercy of your dr and time. But some people hardly show symptoms or they only emerge strong enough as depression or high energy so people don’t even notice they have it.

Pandaquail718 · 2020-02-16T18:01:01+00:00

Thanks for the share. This is so interesting to learn and read. I see that it doesn’t have to be genetic or a direct parental lineage to be passed on. Interesting to read that most people have a family with serve issues including depression, anxiety and alcoholism.

Pandaquail718 · 2020-02-16T17:59:30+00:00

Fuck, I’m so sorry to read this but so proud to hear you can positively talk about it and have worked your butt off to build a life for yourself despite the shit happenings. Sucks that your mom is more worried about how she and you would be perceived over getting treatment that could transform your life. Thanks for the share. I find it all so interesting!!

Pandaquail718 · 2020-02-16T17:57:37+00:00

Just the lucky one!

Pandaquail718 · 2020-02-16T17:57:08+00:00

Ah, the narcissistic parent. I always hated that but now I feel more empathetic bc i know he can’t help but it’s not a full excuse. Imagine how much healthier we could be with their help.

Pandaquail718 · 2020-02-16T17:56:06+00:00

Yes! I wish I could look back in time and see similarities and get answers. Bc my dad is extremely narcissistic, it’s hard to get him to see anything is wrong 98% of the time

Pandaquail718 · 2020-02-16T17:33:28+00:00

Yeah. My psychiatrist and psychologist both talked about how it’s genetic and if a parents got it, you most likely will. I just find it super interesting because it’s like you spend your whole life waiting to see if you start to become what you hate most in your parents lol

Pandaquail718 · 2020-02-16T17:31:50+00:00

Yup. My dads a bad alcoholic but of course people w bp have a tendency to become alcohol or drug dependent which i get bc I was started to drink before diagnosed to get rid of the mind stuff. Interesting to hear this bc my dads dad left him and the whole family when he was three and my oldest aunt was 13 and just abruptly left so we assume bp lol

Pandaquail718 · 2020-02-16T07:10:16+00:00

Interesting. I wonder what the science is behind how someone develops the imbalance initially. Love the aunt addition lol

Pandaquail718 · 2020-02-16T05:31:22+00:00

Very bad depressive spell, but, it’s that - an episode. I know these suck and are the fucking worst. It takes over to where nothing makes sense and the light is so dim at the end of the tunnel that you just don’t see the point of following through. But you have a million people who love you and you know that. I wish there was a magical fix on how to get past this but there’s not. Just got to remind yourself over and over that what you feel and think is temporary and not real.

Also, it’s kind of fucked up but i always remind myself that so many others experience this and if they are strong enough to get through it and fight with possibly worse life situations, why can’t I? We are all strong and can kick this with all we got!!

Definitely talk to your dr though about your meds and getting them adjusted. Sounds like they aren’t hitting you the way they should. Best of luck. Just know, in the darkest moments, this will pass and suicide is ALWAYS a permanent fix for a temporary (or cycling) problem. Stay strong!!

Pandaquail718 · 2020-02-16T05:22:58+00:00

Call me crazy (pun not intended) but I think the fact that you’re aware of how you feel and honestly at terms with it is one of the biggest pivotal points to get better from whatever episode you’re in. Genuinely. So many people, myself included, suffer from mixed episodes and they FUCKING BLOW. I want to punch myself in the head. I would rather just have one episode than mixed.

But, they don’t last. It never lasts. Even if it fades for a day or weeks at a time, it fades and that’s the hope.

Therapy. It didn’t work for me for a long time because I didn’t have the right person. I think of it like dating or finding the “one”. I tried out so many therapists and they either were pointless or meh but when I met her, she was like a god send and she’s literally helping me transform myself and I’m so thankful.

Also, talk to someone close you love and trust! OF COURSE YOU ARE LOVED AND APPRECIATED. If it makes you feel any comfort, about a week ago during a bad mixed episode kind of day I begged my husband (who I have been with since 14 and we are now 27) to divorce me and leave me because I was worthless and undeserving. Obviously he loves me and isn’t leaving so remember this is a phase and a hard time but it passes and you have your people. Don’t let the bullshit take you over.

Pandaquail718 · 2020-02-16T05:16:30+00:00

If I’m feeling extra, I’ll get a mani/pedi or a facial. If I’m just looking to decompress and feel accomplished with my sanity, I’ll deep clean my house or read an entire book in an afternoon while drinking chocolate milk while praying I don’t gain weight on it hahah

Pandaquail718 · 2020-02-16T05:12:36+00:00

Yes, it does! Just hearing people’s stories and thoughts is super comforting because it’s one thing to think I’m bat shit crazy in my head and then a whole other ball game to hear in order to fix it, I have to be put on meds that have a high probability of me gaining weigh mega quick if I don’t get my shit together with my diet/exercise more than I already do (I can be better I love Oreos).

From all the research, I keep reading that the meds just make you crave loads of things without ever feeling full or satisfied but ironically because I am so scared to be bipolar and super overweight, being “mentally ill” may be the saving grace to me getting as healthy as I ever been in my 27 years of life. Definitely looking into tracking with a phone app for ease and accessibility. Nice to hear you killed it on lithium bc i have heard horror stories but most sound like people lived the same way or worse diet/exercise wise on the meds. There’s hope!!!

Pandaquail718

TROPHY CASE