ragingnarwal

I thought about your comment some more.

Expectations: I agree with you here. I'm stubborn and want to surround myself with people who do meet these expectations. I'm ok with interacting with people who don't meet these expectations but I want limited interaction as it will inevitably lead a disconnect in the relationship. Previous experiences where I surrounded myself with people who didn't care proved stressful and impacted my health (this was prior to treatment which has helped substantially with patience).

Disability: From what I've researched, It's a long process. I keep hoping I'll figure out a solution before then as I rather earn my living through my work.

Workplace toxicity: 100% agree. I use to go along with BS in the hiring process but have learned to trust my gut during the first few conversations. I feel intense anxiety at the thought of entering into another toxic workplace.

"Remember this always: this world isn't meant for us." - My favorite line of your comment. I've experienced BP since early teenage years (didn't know it at the time). I isolated myself for a long time only venturing out when things were manageable to keep a perceived peace in social relationships.

The Einstein quote is one of my favorites. I believe it's misplaced in this thread.

I asked for advice besides "roll over and deal with it". I wasn't able to find any actionable advice from your post other than accept the status quo.

I love perspectives that rebel against the widely accepted status quo. Szasz suggests a perspective I personally had before my diagnosis when I was stubborn and thought I could handle everything without help. That stubbornness led to a self-destructive path and hurt the people I care about and myself.

The mental health education I've received over the years has led to solutions that have improved my personal status quo substantially.

It's offending because people with mental disorders live with challenges that neurotypical people do not. Your unturned stone is rampant outside of the mental health community and is often used to invalidate experiences that make others uncomfortable.

A professional relationship once gave unwarranted advice regarding my mental health to defy what my doctors told me and change my fate by simply utilizing personal empowerment. Been there, done that, doesn't work by itself.

I hear it often and feel frustrated that the tendency to make a statement about how to live life without hearing an individuals story and empathizing is prevalent in industry social rituals. The painful growth individuals impacted by mental health go through is excruciating. Most of us desire genuine connection with human compassion and validation of our experience.

I appreciate your comment. It demonstrates a thought out response.

My intent is to confront the stigma and for us to reach growth. I hope that this dialogue helps both of us to better interact with multiple walks of life.

You're right about the brain differences. Scans, autopsies, and blood level studies have demonstrated there is a correlation in observed behavior.

Here's one example of many

2010 study regarding lithium and brain grey matter growth: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3055479/

It's insulting for Peter to insinuate that people with mental disorders lack discipline. Most people who know me would never guess I have a mental disorder as I keep my promises and achieve results in projects.

Any symptoms I have are usually chalked up to personality traits. I searched for help when my physical health was at a risky state.

1961 era level of ignorance

I echo that.

Guess they lacked the super power of respectful human conversation.

Thank you, your comment is validating.

I've had to suppress myself in past roles and simply don't want to do that anymore (physical toll).

I really want to build relationships (with healthy boundaries) with the people I work with and am tired of the freelance run'n'gun life. Years of continual disappointment in opportunities is killing my morale.

Finding work removed from the tech scene is a good idea. It's where I sell most of my services. I've had issues with 'relevant experience' for full time roles (but not so much with selling as a freelancer). It's weird how the relationship changes when taking on the role of interviewee. Also I prefer blunt honesty which has worked against me.

Thank you again for the comment.

Wow, that's flabbergasting.

Exactly the type of lack of conversational etiquette I've encountered.

Slept on it, thought about it more, and visited this thread again for the other comments.

Peter, your comment demonstrates the type of stigma that supports ignorance and prevents progress.

I thank you for your perspective as I will make a note to avoid others who share it when looking for work, friends, and a community.

Your presence in this thread was unhelpful and only served to demonstrate the ignorance I encounter in this industry.

I came here for help and you took that as an opportunity to passively judge and make a statement. Additionally, you ignored the majority of what I originally posted.

You're amazing, thank you for the resource

Hey Peter,

I read through both links and thought about this reply quite a bit.

To address the Mental Illness resource: I think that is a very outdated perspective. It doesn't account for advancements of technology (1961-now) for measuring efficacy. It invalidates my experience and denies what has worked well for me and rightfully empowered my autonomy.

If you are insinuating that I am crazy with your Einstein quote then I ask that you reconsider your perspective to be more tolerant and understand that people with mental disorders are not 'crazy'.

I agree, the criteria for hiring is variable. I refuse programming assignments now unless they have a measurable metric for success and exchange value (offer is there but contingent on assignment or something else of agreeable value).

I read The Guerrilla Guide, I agree and disagree with parts of it.

"Most of the time in the interview, though, should be spent letting the candidate prove that they can write code."

I disagree with this. If I get paid in services sold (value for value) to local businesses by having only two conversations then why not expect value for value in a hiring process? They want to have proof in an environment set up by them that I can measurably create code so what is something of equal value I get in return? Access of my personal IP for something of equal value.

For credibility I have years of open source contributions and projects that demonstrates my passion for code, written and phone referrals, videos of speaking, and testimonials from past clients.