[thea_kronborg]

Hi everyone,

I've been diagnosed with anxiety a few times, also OCD, but the OCD sort of comes and goes. A psychiatrist I saw last summer said that I was depressed also. At the time I didn't believe it, but now I do. Anyway, I am some fun combination of the three.

I took SSRIs for a couple of years but went off them a few months ago because of side effects. I miss them now. I should probably go back. Partly I don't because it might be problematic for my current job, which is such that I would have to report mental health treatment. Mainly I really just can't bear the thought of having to go through my whole stupid story again. (I've moved a lot on the past few years so I've had to change doctors several times.)

Really I think I should just be able to manage myself. I am working towards getting out of the situations that I don't like with regard to work and home. I am trying to start my own business so I can have more control and not feel trapped and panicky. But there's so much effort associated with all that, and no way to even estimate the probability of success, never mind guarantee it. Mostly I try to just keep my head down and try to put one foot in front of the other. But as you guys know, it's hard.

Anyway, hi.

Thea

[OrangeMoira]

Hi, Thea, and welcome!

I'm also in a field where you have to report mental health diagnoses and treatment. It stinks. I finally hit a low point and decided it was worth reporting and dealing with any results so I could get the help I needed. Are there immediate consequences at your job if you report it? Is it more the hassle or the possibility of people finding out that bothers you?

I can totally understand not wanting to go through your story again. That's such a pain. Do you feel like you can really manage things yourself if you spend enough time on it, or do you just feel like you "should" be able to? This is a good place to get support when you're having a hard time doing it on your own.

Good luck trying to change your work and living situations. Take care and keep us posted!

[thea_kronborg]

Thanks OrangeMoira for the kind interest

I don't actually know what happens if I were to seek counseling and report it. Technically I suppose I wouldn't have to come forward and report it, but it might come up in a later interview (for a security clearance) and cause problems. So it's really best avoided for now, as long as I can manage.

I don't know if I can really manage or I can't. I get out of bed every day, so, that's a good sign I guess. I've been trying "mindfulness", which is a challenge on bad days, but can help. Trying to live in the now and not the future, which in my mind is filled with imaginary bad things that would never happen anyway, or good plans that might or might not work out but in any case will take a lot of time to unfold.

[cutebagaddict08]

Welcome Thea!

Do you have FMLA (medical leave of abscence form)? The form can be filled out by your doctor that you are recieving treatment, for whatever diagnosis the doctor puts, and that you may need time off in the future for treatments. If needed your doctor may be able to report a generalized diagnosis, so it protects your privacy.