[girlwithbrownhair]

Do you think your employer holds back on pay and advancements if you act, ya know, "different" or admit to having a mental illness (even if its from time to time or well controlled)?

I do...

Like they know you need every scrap of money so they can give you only what they have to, not what you're worth.

[IceCreamKid]

Originally Posted by girlwithbrownhair

Do you think your employer holds back on pay and advancements if you act, ya know, "different" or admit to having a mental illness (even if its from time to time or well controlled)?

I do...

Like they know you need every scrap of money so they can give you only what they have to, not what you're worth.

It doesn't have to be because of anyone actually being 'different' or admitting to having a mental illness. Where I work people are discriminated against or favored for a whole host of reasons, many of them illegal and probably almost all of them impossible to prove because people group together and lie about what they are doing.

[LadyShadow]

I think they would discriminate because they think you would be most likely to have a nervous breakdown and cant work under pressure. So yes I believe if you mention your mental illness you would be treated differently, or maybe not even get hired if you mention it on an interview. I think it would affect pay raises too, but thats just an opinion

[Maven]

I absolutely agree that telling them would harm your work life. Some will suddenly say you're a poor worker (god help you if you've been late once or twice) and not living up to your potential, and use that as an excuse to fire you, and if you take them to court, it's up to you to prove they fired you over your mental illness. All these laws to protect us from unscrupulous employers, and it's almost impossible to put into effect!

Telling anyone--co-workers, friends, family, acquaintances--that you have a mental illness opens you up for judgement, even if they don't intend to.

we seem to be descriminated every day- so i am pretty sure an employer would do the same

never had experience with it though

[Maven]

I did. One time, back in my 20's, I applied for a job at a coffee store (not like Starbuck's, but mostly sold coffee you make yourself at home), and, thinking I was being "open and honest," I told the employer about my OCD and panic disorder. He asked wouldn't it make it difficult to work, and I told him I would be fine, and he didn't say anything (but his tone said it all) but, to this day, I'm pretty sure that's why I didn't get the job.

[Umbral_Seraph]

I've not had any personal experience with that, since that would require I have a job, but yes, nearly any employer will absolutely jump on any reason to with-hold money and/or benefits from you, regardless of the legality.

[onionknight]

There is rampid discrimination against anyone who appears "not normal," unfortunately. It could take the form of giving that person less hours, trying to make them quit, isolating them from the public or co-workers, treating them condescendingly.

Having a mental illness (especially mental illnesses that affect social skills) correlates with a lower earning potential. It doesn't doom us, but it is good we remain cognizant of our potential and limitations and goals and roadbumps.

[anjelmarie]

Its horrible the way we are treated. Like we have a contagious disease. We can't be honest with anyone about our illnesses because it has such a horrible stigma. After my appts with my therapist at the mental health part of the hospital in my town, i sometimes go to the cafe to have lunch. The people there know me now and they chat with me sometimes. Well one day someone from the cafe was delivering food to the mental health section and they saw me there. The next time i went to eat they all stared at me and the waitress asked me how i was doing and was i ok. She sounded like she was talking to someone with a terminal illness, she had such pity in her voice. Now no one says much to me when i go in there, they barely wave hello. Its sad but true that you should keep your diagnosis to yourself.

[Maven]

I agree with anjelmarie. I wish I hadn't told so many that I have, and I wish I could have kept it even from close family. Actress Glenn Close and her sister are trying to end the stigma of mental illness, but I'm not ready to jump on that bandwagon. I also have a problem with their stance, saying that the mentally ill sometimes have to face that they need meds; I'm on meds and I know it helps some people, but they way I heard it phrased was as if the mentally ill need to admit they need meds, when meds can be dangerous, have dangerous and unpleasant side effects and aren't always the solution. I believe meds should be a choice. But I'm digressing...

I took a card at college today, for an on-campus counselor I could see if I'm having problems keeping up and stuff because of my OCD and panic disorder. I don't want to let them know I have these problems, because once they know, they can use it against you or use it to judge you. People who don't have mental illness think they know what's best for those with it, that sufferers can't make rational decisions (and if they disagree with your choice or decision, it's not rational), and that if we get angry (including over being judged and treated negatively or patronized), it's because we have mental illnesses, disorders and other related conditions.

[girlwithbrownhair]

I am sorry that happened to you. Those people are total jerks.

You always could try giving THEM the same line back next time you visit...you know, patronize them.. "Are... you--okay?" Just staring at them. Then sit down, and laugh (just dont let them see you, lol).

Originally Posted by anjelmarie

Its horrible the way we are treated. Like we have a contagious disease. We can't be honest with anyone about our illnesses because it has such a horrible stigma. After my appts with my therapist at the mental health part of the hospital in my town, i sometimes go to the cafe to have lunch. The people there know me now and they chat with me sometimes. Well one day someone from the cafe was delivering food to the mental health section and they saw me there. The next time i went to eat they all stared at me and the waitress asked me how i was doing and was i ok. She sounded like she was talking to someone with a terminal illness, she had such pity in her voice. Now no one says much to me when i go in there, they barely wave hello. Its sad but true that you should keep your diagnosis to yourself.

[girlwithbrownhair]

Like having admitted to those things, you aren't capable of being anything else, ever. Not angry, justified...etc. Yes, that's a big problem. You can't evver...ever..."make a point" that isn't just dismissed. You lose all validity as a person. Makes me want to scream or actually, go crazy..I mean, if I'm aleady being JUDGED as crazy, I'll given 'em what they want anyway.

Originally Posted by Maven

I agree with anjelmarie. I wish I hadn't told so many that I have, and I wish I could have kept it even from close family. Actress Glenn Close and her sister are trying to end the stigma of mental illness, but I'm not ready to jump on that bandwagon. I also have a problem with their stance, saying that the mentally ill sometimes have to face that they need meds; I'm on meds and I know it helps some people, but they way I heard it phrased was as if the mentally ill need to admit they need meds, when meds can be dangerous, have dangerous and unpleasant side effects and aren't always the solution. I believe meds should be a choice. But I'm digressing...

I took a card at college today, for an on-campus counselor I could see if I'm having problems keeping up and stuff because of my OCD and panic disorder. I don't want to let them know I have these problems, because once they know, they can use it against you or use it to judge you. People who don't have mental illness think they know what's best for those with it, that sufferers can't make rational decisions (and if they disagree with your choice or decision, it's not rational), and that if we get angry (including over being judged and treated negatively or patronized), it's because we have mental illnesses, disorders and other related conditions.