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I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

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Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#271

Post by jakebellacera »

eip wrote: post #39

The trick to avoiding complete burnout is easy. First - don't care at all about your job. Remember that all corporations are by definition psychopaths and they will treat you accordingly. Second - never do more then 35% of the work you are capable of doing in a day. Third - if you find yourself getting stressed out tell yourself repeatedly "It's only a stupid job. There is no point in stressing about it."

Not sure about the first point. You should work somewhere you feel passionate about. But other than that, this is just what I needed to hear.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#272

Post by incision »

infinite8s wrote: post #215
incision wrote: post #115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I know about FMLA leaves of absence, but that requires you (!) to disclose your illness to your employee; given the massive stigma around mental illness, I really, really dislike that option. Not true. You don't have to disclose the nature of the condition, simply that a serious condition exists.

Well, I believe you need to get medical proof that such a condition exists, which would reqire disclosing the issue to someone.

The proof can be quite generic.

It doesn't have to specify what the condition is, just something demonstrating that a physician has validated your need to take leave for a condition protected by FMLA.

In any case, providing a medical certification only involves the HR department of an employer and there are clear rules about non-disclosure to people the applicant works for/with.

Source: Personal experience with the process and extensive conversation with people who deal with such things for a living.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#274

Post by mentalthrowaway »

incision wrote: post #272
infinite8s wrote: post #215

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, I believe you need to get medical proof that such a condition exists, which would reqire disclosing the issue to someone.

The proof can be quite generic. It doesn't have to specify what the condition is, just something demonstrating that a physician has validated your need to take leave for a condition protected by FMLA. In any case, providing a medical certification only involves the HR department of an employer and there are clear rules about non-disclosure to people the applicant works for/with. Source: Personal experience with the p…

Thank you, that's really very good to know. That makes me feel considerably better about that option.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#275

Post by mentalthrowaway »

eatitraw wrote: post #126
mentalthrowaway wrote: post #89

This is only tangentially related, but since I'm posting under a throwaway (I've been on HN for many years under my main nick) and can't really ask anyone to upvote this, I feel that this is my best chance for someone to see it. For the last few months I've been growing more depressed, more anxious, and more stressed. I love my job, but it requires a good deal of interaction with clients, which never fails to stress…

I can't comment on the whole situation, since I live outside of the USA, but I can give you some advice about Problem #1. There are great books by David Burns: "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" and "When Panic Attacks". Both are available at amazon kindle: http://amzn.com/0380810336 and http://amzn.com/076792083X The "Feeling Good" book is focused primarily on depression issues and "When Panic Attacs" (as its name…

Thanks for the references; I'll give them a read ASAP.

> Also, can you please elaborate on your issue with finding a therapist? Can you just go to a therapy session? Or you can't because you have to overcome strong anxiety first?

I've attempted to find a therapist I can communicate well with online (complete failure there -- every service I tried was less than worthless, simply because it didn't give me what I really wanted, which was a judgement-free, confidential way to talk through things) and in person. In person, it's very difficult for me to talk about personal matters (business/tech stuff isn't a problem) so finding someone I can trust is incredibly difficult.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#276

Post by freshhawk »

eli_gottlieb wrote: post #198
michaelochurch wrote: post #149

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You have fought the hydra bravely, and I commend you for that. May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. What do you suppose we do? For the long-term, here's the financial structure for the solution that I see: http://michaelochurch.wordpress.com/2013/03/26/gervais-macle... . Essentially, I think VC-istan and MegaCorps are both dead ends when it comes to genuine technical excellence (whic…

Not to derail the thread, but nation-states are about as obsolete as operating systems.

So by obsolete you mean "not trendy to think about but still the single largest contributing factor to every aspect of day to day experience"?

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#277

Post by weirdkid »

Shorel wrote: post #242
fredsanford wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow... This situation must be more common than I thought. I've had a few jobs in my lifetime that left me with the feelings you posted here... The beatings will continue until morale improves. These points: - working for unethical people - busting my ass while others sit and watch - watching horrible decisions made by those for their own benefit were ultimately the biggest reasons I've left jobs. In one place I worke…

I don't use or recommend Microsoft tools because of this. They are good, technically speaking, but they will always be scummy. Otherwise, if I am ever successful, Microsoft will clone my business. I think it has happened to almost all their partners. Unless they are bought by Microsoft, like the Sysinternals guys. That's the only good exit.

Same could be said for Google.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#278

Post by yekko »

mathattack wrote: post #155

Is the issue really work-life balance, or mental health? They are actually two separate things. I had a roommate lose it. He was very disciplined, but had a chemical imbalance in his head. He was a hard worker, but did this really have any impact on his losing it? I am not an expert, but I doubt it. The end lesson of "Don't kill yourself for a company if they don't respect you" may be true, but that seems a little di…

The real issue is pay for performance.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#279

Post by yekko »

Synthpixel wrote: post #19
qompiler wrote: post #17

Here is my advice, if you think you are really that good, start your own company. Proof it, let the market test you.

Capital doesn't grow on trees.

Ben prints them whenever he wants, in unlimited quantities. Then he gives it to his buddies.

Re: I Knew a Programmer Who Went Completely Insane

#280

Post by bostonvaulter2 »

vonmoltke wrote: post #168
Swizec wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ah, pragmatic cynicism. Never was a fan of that, always more of a fan of unpragmatically changing things for the better. Especially these days when the global unemployment rate for programmers is ~3%, you will get a different job and you will get it quickly. I'm told life looks very different if you have done anything resembling settling down. But I haven't been there yet and my glasses have rose coloured lenses.

I was in a highly political and highly toxic situation prior to my current engagement. It took me over two years to get out of it. If you are not already in one of a handful of major tech hubs, it can be extremely difficult to get out such a situation. Granted, the pragmatic cynicism doesn't help, but if you can stomach it you can stay in a somewhat better frame of mind than I let myself devolve into.

Out of curiosity, what was it that was keeping you at that job? Lack of money? Family? Moving options?
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