Mental Health Issues & Work

I let it out at work that I have PTSD history. I don't care anymore what happens with this job. Has anyone else shared with supervisors that you have mental health issues, and what happened?

Yes, Ink, I have. I really didnt have a choice in doing so. Late last year I was having severe panic attacks and my depression was at an all time low. In the years I had been employed at my job I never took a sick day and I always had 3-4 weeks of personal leave available to me at all times. Until, like I said late last year. I began leaving work early because of panic attacks, I would call in because I was afraid to drive alone. I confided in my friends but When I was taking off 3-4 days in a row I had to come clean with my managers about what was going on. It wasnt easy, but felt it was the best decision considering the circumstances.

In some ways, I felt releived that they knew what was going on with me and I didnt have to hide. In other ways, I felt like an outcast and was some what embarressed. It was a decision that that I do not regret.

What was the reaction of your boss? Where they understanding? Do you feel like a weight has been lifted?

Most people I work with understand me more than I realize... maybe more than I understand myself. The few that I've told anything to about seeking treatment have responded, "What took you so long?!" or "Finally!!!"

The only reason any of it came out, though, is because of the Great Low-Carb Experiment of 2005... I'm the anti-dieter at work, and just having to focus this much on my physical body is irritating, and I've been having to seek others for dieting advice. Aaaggh!!!!

I told one of my bosses some of what's going on with me - SAD & cutting. She's really perceptive, and I was sure through the winter that she could detect the depression stuff. And several of the girls in the facility also cut, and I wanted to offer my perspective, and some understanding, since the way she talked about cutting seemed so harsh to me. I have not been judged by my disclosures, and I'm more comfortable now that I don't feel like I'm hiding things, and her attitude towards SI also seems to have softened. I told her if we have anyone who needs to get a better understanding of that, I'm available to talk about it.

I took advantage of my current situation to use it as leverage for working less hours. I am going to go nuts (pardon the pun) working there day in and day out. I can't concentrate when I am reacting to an email from my ex or something. So I sent an email to my supervisor first thing this morning--she wasn't even in yet. The reply later in the morning was that: "...working part-time hours would not be beneficial to the company" and offered me a shift change instead--still working 8-hour days, 5 days a week. Ok. My reaction: Pissed! Of course before I went on lunch I went online to download the laws and info on the Americans with Disabilities Act. I saved the downloaded files to my drive and kept them up on screen while I was gone to lunch. Minutes after I get back from lunch, I got a phone call from a co-supervisor that we were all going to have a meeting at 2:15. Guess what happened at the meeting? My supervisor wanted to know what schedule I would like! The co-supervisor(whatever her title is now) took constant notes and said nothing. Seems that suddenly they are open to "accomodations". I said that I had to talk to the doctor and others to figure out what the actual plan would be, which is true. I have known that they are watching me and everything I do. I don't care anymore. I forwarded the email I received to a couple people on the "outside" and I know they can "see" what I do online as well as emails. Let them. I have rights and my rights being violated has been work related.

On a bad/sad note, I darn near broke down and cried afterward. I know my eyes were wet talking to them in there, and I barely told them anything that personal.

One thing that I've hesitated to take advantage of is the FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act). I'm not even sure of how it works (I know there is paperwork that has to be signed by a doctor to document your medical problem, or your family member's problem, and it goes before a review board), but at my job, if you have FMLA you can call in (or be late to work) up to a certain amount of hours per year & not have to provide a doctor's note, and the company cannot subject you to progressive disciplinary action if they have those kinds of policies in effect. When you call in under FMLA, you can't even be asked why you're calling in except that it's under FMLA so the company can log the off-time.

A lot of people that I work with abuse the heck out of it, but for some people (a woman's husband was paralyzed in an accident, for example) it can be beneficial because you can be sick & not lose your job for too many absences. Of course, it's not paid sick leave, but not many people work for companies that are that kind, anyway.

I haven't taken advantage of it mainly because I know if I wasn't going to get in trouble for calling in sick, I would. A lot. And I'd never get a paycheck & end up losing my insurance coverage...

Yes, that is like VESSA--a law for victims of violence. I was planning to use the ADA and VESSA to work less hours, if I need. I still can't wait for my T appointment! Monday, 6pm. It can't come soon enough. I already know that I am in trouble, , because I have noticed some things with my T with all this. Thank goodness I really like and trust the guy. He's sweet, always has been and with a good sense of humor. I see him being the same guy right now, but clearly using different strategy.

((((((((((inky))))))))))

Yeah, I mentioned that I had an anxiety disorder and my supervisor just looked at me and didn't say anything. And then someone asked for help (at the time, I worked as a waitress in a retirement home), so the awkwardness didn't last long.

(((((((Hey Inky! ))))))))))))))))))))))

In nursing I found very quickly how to react to my supervisors at work; I'll just held up my left forearm ( which is terribly disfigured the entire cirumference from years and layers of cigarette burns) when they are talking-down about patient w/ self-jury problems & say, "Yeah, you never know where it will take you, huh?" (I worked on a psych ward who graduated w/ honors) That usually shuts them fast.............oh well

Reflecting on a Saturday night..........
DAYZEE9 (Truck on Inky!)

Sorry, but I would never tell my employer. I think it is too much information. Of course, if it got to the point where your behaviour was otherwise inexplicable, then you would have to.

I would guess that it depends on your manager and what kind of person he or she is. Sometimes it is best to apply for FMLA protection first through the HR dept - if the place where you are employed has an HR dept. You can apply for intermitten leave - which means that you can take an hour here or there as you need to without being punished for missing time. You do have to use up your vacation/sick time doing that and when your vaction/sick time is all gone then the time out is without pay. Which I know can be very difficult, I mean who can go without part of their salary ?? But sometimes part of a job is better than losing all of the job.

If your immediate manager is reasonable, they will completely understand the FMLA situation and will probably be as supportive as possible.

Good luck to you.