[1Dar]

I don' even know where to begin, the subject sorta says it all. I am short at work, I am not focused, and it might cost me a job I am really enjoying. I don't know what else to say....I go from being ok to tears today.

Dar

[ouch]

I was 'forced' by my friend, family and Dr. to take a sick leave from work - and thank G-d because I think I would have been fired had I stayed- could you take a leave?

[1Dar]

I just started in January. So probally not.

I guess now that I am a little more calm than I was yesterday I could put a little more info.

After was terminated from my internship and my job the end of last year I went thru a MAJOR depressive episode. After movin away and taking some tme for me I started to feel better. I then started to look for a job because I was gong nuts and starting to slip depresson wise because of the lack of activity. I managed to get the one I have and thins went great until the drs took me off of a medication which I felt was helping, and I now KNOW was the reason I was making it thru day to day. NOw I am stuck because i have moved ad dr won't prescribe the med and I am having a heck of a time. The worst thing that work did was suggest that I needed to take some time off to take care of me. I love my joba and do not really see that as an option right now.

Perhaps this gives a little moe insight as to how I am feeling and why.

Dar

[WinterRose]

Sorry about the meds. It really messes me up just changing them. Do you know why they took you off - did they replace it with anything else?

I'm on part time disability which helps me with my job without putting it in jeopardy. However, it sounds like you'd need a different doc to get support with that idea. If you have a dx of depression, I think you can ask for job accomidations at work legally. I found the below for Bipolar, but I think some of the same stuff would be appropriate for depression.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Accommodating Employees with Bipolar Disorder

Maintaining Stamina During the Workday:
Allow flexible scheduling
Allow longer or more frequent breaks
Provide additional time to learn new responsibilities
Provide self-paced work load
Provide backup coverage for when the employee needs to take breaks
Allow for time off for counseling
Allow work from home during part of the day or week
Allow part-time work schedules

Maintaining Concentration:
Reduce distractions in the work area
Provide space enclosures or private office
Allow for use of white noise or environmental sound machines
Increase natural lighting or provide full spectrum lighting
Allow work from home and provide necessary equipment
Plan for uninterrupted work time
Allow for frequent breaks
Divide large assignments into smaller tasks and goals
Restructure job to include only essential functions

Difficulty Handling Stress and Emotions:
Provide praise and positive reinforcement
Refer to counseling and employee assistance programs
Allow telephone calls during work hours to doctors and others for needed support
Provide sensitivity training to coworkers and supervisors
Allow the presence of a support animal
Reinforce peer supports

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

PM me if you want the url to the site.

[Hopefull]

Work can be hard at times. Can you find a way to get back on the drug that was helping you? I thought I was going to cry myself out of a job for a while there. So, I think it is important to do what you can to get the support that you need to continue to hold the job. I hope you find a way to make it work for you.
As for the above posting, does an employer actually do that? My co-worker wanted to have some water at the front end (ADs make your mouth dry at times). They finally allowed it after some majorly grumpling about it. I told her to get a letter from her Dr. because I thought I might feel a need for water if I started an AD.

[Frozen_Heart]

ADA (Americans w/Disabilities Act) offers protection. . .

The following was taken from http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/q%26aeng02.htm, you may want to speak to your doctor.

"Q. Who is protected from employment discrimination?

A. Employment discrimination is prohibited against "qualified individuals with disabilities." This includes applicants for employment and employees. An individual is considered to have a "disability" if s/he has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such an impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment. Persons discriminated against because they have a known association or relationship with an individual with a disability also are protected.

The first part of the definition makes clear that the ADA applies to persons who have impairments and that these must substantially limit major life activities such as seeing, hearing, speaking, walking, breathing, performing manual tasks, learning, caring for oneself, and working. An individual with epilepsy, paralysis, HIV infection, AIDS, a substantial hearing or visual impairment, mental retardation, or a specific learning disability is covered, but an individual with a minor, nonchronic condition of short duration, such as a sprain, broken limb, or the flu, generally would not be covered.

The second part of the definition protecting individuals with a record of a disability would cover, for example, a person who has recovered from cancer or mental illness.

The third part of the definition protects individuals who are regarded as having a substantially limiting impairment, even though they may not have such an impairment. For example, this provision would protect a qualified individual with a severe facial disfigurement from being denied employment because an employer feared the "negative reactions" of customers or co-workers."

[drunksunflower]

:/

sucks heh. i feel like totally giving up right now but if i did i'd throw a lot away that is just starting to happen.

i hope taking some leave or something works out for you. it sounds like a good solution - otherwise i hope everything else gets better.

kia kaha (be strong)

[1Dar]

well i am still working, even though really don't feel like it. I am so exhausted when I get home from using all my eergy to be "extra paitent" and even "fake nice" to the kids. I know I have lost my temper a few times and am not really sure what the other teachers are thinking, but I hope it isn't bad. Well I think I am going to try to talk to the director on Friday if I get up and to work early to see how she thinks this week went.

maybe by then i will be ale to post more than just a few words here and there, because I am so tired i can't afford to loose much sleep.

Dar

[winnetka]

1Dar, that happened to me a year ago!
I almost lost my job because I wasn't getting any work done, I was so distracted, confused, had no short-term memory. I was admitted to the hospital, started eating again, got on meds that worked better, and I kept my job. Good luck! There's a lot of people who care about you and hope things get better for you! I'm glad you're planning on talking with your director about this week. I have told my boss that I'm disabled with a traumatic brain injury, to explain why my memory is still not the best. It's so hard to work and take care of family and... Thinking of you!