The Encounter That Gave Me the Courage to Take a Step Forward

I once took a leave of absence for about six months from my previous job due to adjustment disorder.

I have recovered quite a bit now, and I think I can even say that I am "well" myself.

To explain a little about adjustment disorder, it is distinguished from depression and is classified in the same group as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acute stress disorder. I only learned this after I experienced it myself.

[Reference] What is "adjustment disorder," which Kyoko Fukada also announced she had?

Now, this is a story from when I had been on leave for about four months, and my attending physician recommended day therapy to me.

It was called rework, and at the clinic I was attending, they provided support for returning to work or finding new employment for people with mental illnesses or developmental disorders.

In my case, I was planning to return to my original company, but at my doctor's suggestion, it started with something like, "Why don't you try going? It would be good to establish a daily rhythm and increase your activity level before you return to work."

And soon, I was guided by the day care staff and decided to go for a visit first.

The location was in the clinic's building, and it was about the size of two school classrooms, maybe 100 to 150 square meters.

In that space, dozens of people were chatting noisily and happily. My first impression was,

There are so many people here...

Everyone looks so well...

That was the feeling I had.

And so, my life attending the rework program began.

The period I attended was extremely short compared to the usual, but to conclude, I am glad I went.

I feel it was effective for my recovery. And above all, I was able to meet warm, kind, friendly, wonderful people, as well as talented and gifted individuals, and I was able to talk with people from various professions and backgrounds.

The words of a person in their 50s, which they said before returning to work, have left a deep impression on me.

Was the environment I couldn't adapt to actually decent in the first place?

Am I the one who is maladjusted for not being able to adapt?

I asked myself such questions.

While I am still working on how to handle stress as a personal challenge,
if learning to do that well is truly important to me, I will continue, and if not, I can choose an environment that suits me.

In that sense, I think it is progress that I have deepened my understanding, even if only a little, of what kind of person I am and what kind of thinking is appropriate for me.

In reality, it is difficult to change the people or environment around you.

Perhaps it is better to change your own way of thinking, or based on that, move to a different environment.

Personally, I do not recommend moving without changing your way of thinking.
Because the same thing will happen again.

Have I become a troublesome person?

I feel that when returning to society, there is a tendency to be treated as a troublesome person.

It may also be that people simply do not know how to handle the situation.

If you are in a state where you cannot deliver the required performance in a workplace, it may be unavoidable to some extent.

But unless you are slacking off, that is not the case, and it is not as if you have become completely unable to do anything.

Despite using the term 'human assets' in the face of labor shortages, the reality is that things are sloppy, or perhaps there is just indifference, or a lack of funds; in any case, it is unfortunate.

With that in mind, what can be done before becoming ill and unable to perform, and what can be done by those who create stressful environments that lead to illness

I am thinking that perhaps I can influence one or the other...

On an individual level, enjoying an irreplaceable life, and for society, being an asset—I think that if everyone does what they can in their own way and leads a fulfilling life, it will lead to a positive cycle.

A decent society is a truly wonderful place.