Am I overreacting?

I've been off work for 3 months because my husband died, and I stopped being able to control my bipolar and PTSD. I'm going back on Monday, but here's the thing: While I was out, I contacted my company's H/R department to ask them to ask my boss to take down the pictures of naked women he had in his office. I know my boss is going to retaliate, because he's emotionally about 5 years old. Also, it's pretty obvious from his actions since I've been working with him that he has some deep-seated hatred of women in general. I think the only reason he has gotten away with his dysfunction is that, until I was hired, there had never been a female employee in this department. To try to protect myself from what I see as certain retaliation, I sent H/R another message last week describing some of the highlights of his misogynist behavior. I don't know if that will make it better or worse, but what he's doing is illegal, and I love this job. He's not going to take it from me. The photos and his behavior have made me really uncomfortable at work, but do you think I should have just found a way to put up with it? I'm very aware that my emotions might be a little out of control because I've lost my spouse, but I've worked hard over the last few months and changed medications just so that I can deal with things better. Thanks for your input.

Hi, Kobiyashi, welcome to PsychCentral (PC).

I think I would have waited until I got back and tried to deal with situations after I was back and saw what was bothering me in my changed circumstances? For all you know, he could have taken down the pictures in the 3 months you haven't been there and he might think differently about you after your loss, etc., the relationship might change but now you have started a chain of actions with H/R in there too and it might be harder to deal with because you also have not been there to know what H/R has/has not done and how he is reacting, etc. So, in addition to the 3 month time away because of the death of your spouse, you now have to confront this wholly new situation that you can't know how it will play out. More stressful for you perhaps?

If, after you are back and settled, it is still a difficult situation, do you have a Plan B? Is your company big enough you can transfer to a boss who might be a better fit for you but where the job would be similar/as enjoyable?