[Licia]

I have been in therapy for years, and did very well, and ended it a year ago with my therapists blessing, I resolved a lot of crap that I have been dealing with for years. Anyway, I was on Zoloft and Buspar and Effexor for a couple years, and my insurance changed and I saw a new psychiatrist a month ago. My diagnosis was major depression, OCD, anxiety and panic attacks. My doctor also felt I was BiPolar II, which I refused to even consider (since I KNEW I was not nuts. LOL)

So I have been having issues, severe panic, depression that was so horrid that I literally felt that I had a huge rock on me and I could hardly move. I went days without smiling, the new doctor put me on Lamictal, took me off the buspar and Effexor and slowly increased the Zoloft.

A few weeks later we added Serequel, my sleep was screwed up bad, and I was having awful racing thoughts, they were making a bad situation worse. Then I started getting very emotional at work, crying, having panic attacks, to the point that I was just miserable, and felt like people were talking about me, which they probably were. Oh, I had these problems before the Lamictal and the Serequel, so I am not worried that they caused them.

He mentioned me taking some time off work, and going on disability for a couple months, get adjusted to the meds, and get stronger. He says that it is best that you work if you can, but he is not adversed to me going on disability for a period of time.

If I do this, does my employer have to be told why I am off? Is my job protected? oes anyone here have any experience with this situation?

Thanks in advance,

Licia

[sabby]

Many employers have short-term disability. Usually it entails only being out of work for no more than 6 or 8 weeks at a time. When on short-term you collect a percentage of your pay up to a certain amount of money. It also depends on how long you have worked for your employer in their way of figuring your percentage.

You do not need to tell your employer the reason for your medical leave. But you will need a doctors note explaining that the leave is medically necessary. I believe in most cases of short-term disability, the employer must hold your job for you.

If you need longer time off, there is the FMLA, or Family Medical Leave Act in which you can take long term disability. Your employer may also have that kind of insurance, but you will have to inquire with your Human Resources Dept regarding any kind of leave. If you take long term disability, the employer can replace you in your position, but can agree to give you some kind of position when you are ready to return. It does not have to be the same position or pay.

Your best bet is to speak with your Human Resources Dept. for the companies policies on medical leaves. Like I said, you do not need to explain your medical reasons, just supply proof from your doc that you should be on leave. Each state has different employment laws along with following federal laws.

I wish you much luck, peace and healing in your process.

[Boopers]

Hello Licia,
Welcome to PC. It's definitely a state to state thing. Each state has their own laws on medical leave, so you need to first find out what they are for your state. It's very possible you could get medical leave from the company you work for as long as your doctor is willing to write a letter to your employer, explaining that it is medically necessary.
I wish you the best in your journey.
Linda

[cynicalsierra]

I take Serequel for my racing thoughts. No sleeping and paranoia. I am not sure. It depends on where you are but im sure almost that each job has some sort of aide for that. I think it falls under the disability.