Hi JMia... I know what you are going through. I have worked full-time with depression and PTSD, and paranoia and psychoses have often affected me in the workplace. If there's anything I can do, it's to help you learn from my mistakes. This really sucks, but do NOT tell anyone at your job about your problems. I have found that co-workers turn really fast, they are not your friends (no matter how nice they seem) and they will use it against you. If you need time off for medical treatment, go to HR, be as vague as possible, even get a letter from your doctor, but do NOT put in it a diagnosis. Just have the doctor write that you need to take a short medical leave for treatment of a diagnosed condition, and leave it at that. If HR wants further documentation, then you can disclose to them, but DO NOT disclose to your colleagues or your boss. Even request so far that HR keeps the condition to themselves in writing.

Your employer will want to protect themselves from any liability. Use your sick days if you need to when your depression or psychosis is bad, but do NOT disclose unless there is no other choice.

It's sad that we have to live with this stigma, but that's the way it is right now, so if you want to keep your job safe, keep it to yourself as much as possible. Find other outlets for support, like coming here to Psych Central or talking with your doctor or therapist.

Good luck,
Seesaw