[BlackSheep79]

I miss a lot of work due to my illness and am on FMLA. Yesterday and today I missed work due to some anxiety issues that kind of came out of the blue, not sure why? When I go back to work I know that I am going to have some of my co-workers give me what I call the stare. In the past year I finally came out at work about the Bipolar and OCD because I had enough about hiding everything. I knew there would be people that understood and others that just don't believe in mental illness as a disease. I also get the deer in headlights look when I try to talk to my Mom about it. My husband has Crohns disease and everyone seems to not judge him when he misses work, but I feel differently when it comes to my co-workers or family. Does anyone feel this way?

[outlaw sammy]

Sorry Black, but you are being judged - it's not a "feeling," it's a reality. I have BP1, DID, and PTSD which after lengthy psychotherapy and effective medications, they seem to be fully resolved (i.e. "in remission" so to speak) - but still, my friends, family, and associates are waiting for the next decompensation event. They still think that I'm demon possessed, but that the devil has temporarily gone incognito.

Ironically, after two years of perfect mental health, I may never again experience the symptoms of my afflictions (hopefully anyway) - but for what I've done during my serial states of insanity, and what I might do, they wait in harrowing fear. Yes, everyone judges me, and I say, let them.

As for your concerns with work, the federally mandated protections of the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) protects you from any form of employment related discrimination, and requires your employer to make accommodations for your symptoms related to your mental illness.

Best of good fortune to you.

[BipolaRNurse]

The ADA didn't do a damned thing for me when I lost my job a year ago, or when I lost my job a couple of weeks ago. If a company doesn't want to make accommodations for your disability, they have an office-full of lawyers who know all sorts of ways around the ADA so that they can get rid of you for any reason or no reason.

It's a nice, 'feel-good' law that has no teeth. Don't depend on the ADA to keep you employed when your illness causes problems for you at work.

[Hedwig3.0]

You will be judged. I am judged by my friends and family - it sucks.

[Nammu]

Only everyday am I judged. Only everyday I make judgments about others. It a two way street, it's just that in most part a negative judgment against any MI is deemed socially acceptable and therefore tolerated.

[Hedwig3.0]

There is a saying that I believe is true but I am not always able to feel the idea of: other people's opinion of you is none of your business.

[outlaw sammy]

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

The ADA didn't do a damned thing for me when I lost my job a year ago, or when I lost my job a couple of weeks ago. If a company doesn't want to make accommodations for your disability, they have an office-full of lawyers who know all sorts of ways around the ADA so that they can get rid of you for any reason or no reason.

It's a nice, 'feel-good' law that has no teeth. Don't depend on the ADA to keep you employed when your illness causes problems for you at work.

Regrettably, you are often right, and you said it best when you said " . . . law that has no teeth." And of course, any claim you might make against a company will be met with legal opposition - but, it's often up to the victim to demand, and if necessary enforce, their rights. If your ADA rights are violated, no matter how poor you may be, you have legal remedy. It's up to you to seek out legal representation, and a good place to start is with your state bar association. In Colorado, the Colorado Bar Association requires all attorneys to contribute %5 of their professional time and skills to assist "pro bono" (financially poor) clients. I'm certain every state has a similar program. You need to do the research and make the connections. Most large cities also have a non-profit legal services agency contact them. If you have internet access, then you have the power to stand up for your rights.

[OutlawedSpirit]

I definitely think I'm judged at work when I miss days. I have to take days off for appointments and like now I'm off for an extended period. I've had people actually say things to me about how it sucks to be my coworkers because they at least show up for work regularly.

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[Capriciousness]

Oh course we are judged. It is an invisible illness that is very hard to understand. It is a perfect set up for being judged.

[Hbomb0903]

Originally Posted by Capriciousness

Oh course we are judged. It is an invisible illness that is very hard to understand. It is a perfect set up for being judged.

Judged, misunderstood and sometimes marginalized. It's hard to find a place to fit in.

[swheaton]

We are judged. It's a sad fact.