From the Ground

I've been dealing with some dental problems since Friday that have been keeping me up at night, so I've had little rest all week long. I've had the worst problem tooth taken care of, so that should get me a little time to make other arrangements.
I've had a couple of responses to my work difficulties, and I have a few more late-night thoughts on the subject.
A number of people have believed that my problems with employment come from a lack of work ethic, and have tried everything in their power, including preaching and more overt forms of pressure, to get me adopt one. While I recognize their good intentions, and indeed, even agree with them on an intellectual level, my behavior is irrational, and doesn't convey this belief.
That's because the gag factor I mentioned and the despair are rooted more in emotion than reason: Preaching at me has no effect because I either already believe it, or it doesn't begin to approach the emotional reasons. My difficulties with seeking employment seem to be more like a phobia than a conscious rejection of a work ethic. Other people can easily dismiss or ignore my feelings on the matter: I can't.
Today's Front page article in USA Today discusses the difficulties that prisoners whose convictions have been overturned by DNA evidence and the like have with finding employment. One of the factors that causes problems is a gap in employment history. The chilling effect this has on employment prospects seems to be real.
All in all, this is looking more and more like something that I'm likely to need expert help in overcoming. I think now I have a better idea of what kind of help to look for, and where I might look.