Accommodation

So, my work is emerging as one of the biggest stressors in my life (see my 'Toxic People Feedback Loop' post for that story) and I'm genuinely concerned that, through either negligence or malice, my supervisors are going to push me into an episode. I typically take care of situations like this on a case by case basis, but the issues are coming through so quickly, caused by supervisors who are willfully blind, that I'm nervous.

My thought would be to ask for ADA accommodations in relation to my bipolar disorder. Something where if I have to take off work, they can't just fire me without cause.

My question would be how to go about doing that. I've done ADA and FMLA paperwork in relation to physical illnesses before, but I'm curious how different the process would be for mental illness or even if it would. Any help would be much appreciated!

Ive used fmla for bipolar

The process should be the same as for physical disability.

Welcome to PC!

I hired an attorney once because my employer forced me to go to a psychiatrist of their choice for evaluation. This was before I had accepted my diagnosis. That psychiatrist called me bipolar and I freaked.

That attorney warned me that while the employer makes accommodations, you have to be performing your job when you go back.

I have since taken medical leave, and my employer got to find out my problems and the name of my psychiatrist who signed me out for something like a month.

I was able to perform my job when I went back, both times. I did quit the first time, though, not long after I went back, out of humiliation. I regretted that, but in the end it was better.

Also, if you don’t want your employer to find out you have a psychiatrist, see if your regular doc will help you. Mine did once—he signed me out for two weeks for “stress” as the reason.

I have fmla for my illness.

I’ve taken FMLA for my illness and I would think ADA would work the same for mental disabilities as for physical disabilities. Please take care of you. Sending big hugs.

Works the same as physical. The only difference is the doc signing the papers

If your supervisors are treating you that badly, you need to find a new job and get out of there.

Amen to that! I'm certainly looking, but I want to have another job situated before I quit this one for two reasons. One: This job was the first one I had in nearly six years courtesy of my bipolar disorder. I have no job history of note before that. Two: No previous job history of note plus the "wrong" person on the line as my supervisor could equal a whole lot of trouble for me.

I want them to know. A lot of them do know, which makes this rather baffling. I want this as a pressure valve for me and a buffer against them as a negotiate my way through these Game of Thrones-esque office politics.