Depression at work. Please advise.

tawecdl

Hope someone here can help?

I think I may be suffering from depression but I am afraid that if I accept what the doctor is saying, then it may effect my job and any future jobs. I have gone through a really bad year and I have been to the doctors numerous times regarding feeling down and low. Having panic attacks. Suicude thought etc. The doctor thinks I should take anti-depressants but I think that if I do, I will lose my job and I will struggle to find work in the future.

I am currently in full time employment and have worked for my current company for 14 months. I recently had a whole week off work (a couple of weeks ago), I was run down with the flu from the weekend until Wednesday night then I was having panicking feelings about returning to work etc. I was off work until the following Monday. I have had a few comments from a few colleagues which made me feel really low. By the time it got to the Friday, I seriously thought about doing something bad to myself, I was too scared to leave the house or even phone work to tell them.

I returned to work yesterday and I have a disciplinery hearing to attend on Friday. I hate the fact that I have treated my company like this and they know nothing about my depression (I’m scared to tell them). Things are going from bad to worse and I feel like throwing in the towel. I’m always panicking every morning about driving to work and how people view me at work now.

What should I do, how should I approach the disciplinery and can I lose my job over depression?

almond

hi
my daughter was off work for two months earlier this year suffering the same
she once rang me on the way to work in tears, saying she could'nt go in she was being bullied. You need to go to doctor and get help make sure its put on your notes that's works the problem. When you have your hearing ask if you can take somebody in (you are allowed this) and tell the employer the reasons.
My daughter did all so could to find another job it took a long time but its great to see her happy. In the short term try and get things sorted out with company but would suggest looking for a job elsewhere.
I am sure somebody will be about soon to get you better advice
but its not the end of the world my daughter got sorted out so i am sure you will
good luck

tawecdl

I have personal reasons for my depression, not just work. It doesn't help being around very opinionated colleagues, who all now seem to not like me for the time I have taken off ill.

Oldernotwiser

It's foolish not to take medication that's likely to help your condition. Obviously, if your employers and your colleagues don't know the reason for your continued absences they're not going to be sympathetic with you, particularly if you're not doing all within your power to help yourself.

Go back to your doctor, work with him/her to find an anti depressant that works for you and be honest with your employer. At the moment you're doing the worst for yourself and everybody else. Good luck.

tawecdl

How should I approach the disciplinary?

tawecdl

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

It's foolish not to take medication that's likely to help your condition. Obviously, if your employers and your colleagues don't know the reason for your continued absences they're not going to be sympathetic with you, particularly if you're not doing all within your power to help yourself.

Go back to your doctor, work with him/her to find an anti depressant that works for you and be honest with your employer. At the moment you're doing the worst for yourself and everybody else. Good luck.

I uderstand what you are saying but any future employer will want to know my medical history/medication, and my current employer will surely get rid of me. Now to mention that the depression will more than likely get worse for the initial 2-4 weeks of taking medication.



I am not foolish, just careful about any decisions I make.

Fran

tawecdl wrote: »

I think I may be suffering from depression but I am afraid that if I accept what the doctor is saying, then it may effect my job and any future jobs. I have gone through a really bad year and I have been to the doctors numerous times regarding feeling down and low. Having panic attacks. Suicude thought etc. The doctor thinks I should take anti-depressants but I think that if I do, I will lose my job and I will struggle to find work in the future. .........I hate the fact that I have treated my company like this and they know nothing about my depression (I’m scared to tell them). Things are going from bad to worse and I feel like throwing in the towel. I’m always panicking every morning about driving to work and how people view me at work now......What should I do, how should I approach the disciplinery and can I lose my job over depression?

From what you have said, you are unable to accept what your doctor is telling you will improve your condition but it sounds like you really have to. Try the anti depressants, you can't go on like this and people cannot necessarily feel better without help.

Have a read of what the experts say ....

Royal College of Psychiatrists and their take on depression in the workplace.

Depression Alliance.

Oldernotwiser

tawecdl wrote: »

I uderstand what you are saying but any future employer will want to know my medical history/medication, and my current employer will surely get rid of me. Now to mention that the depression will more than likely get worse for the initial 2-4 weeks of taking medication.



I am not foolish, just careful about any decisions I make.

I think that you're seeing the whole situation upside down, which may well be due to your mental state. Your current employer is far more likely to get rid of you (after all, you're already facing disciplinary action, aren't you?) because of unexplained absences than with a documented illness for which you're taking medication. Also any future employment will be far more difficult to get if your reference shows lots of absences for a variety of reasons than for a recognised condition.

Anyway, the vast majority of mild/moderate depression responds well to medication so this should solve most of your problems, allowing you to be at work regularly and rebuild relationships with your colleagues. Although anti depressants can take a while to kick in, I don't think it's a normal thing to feel worse when you start taking them. I've been on and off ant depressants for many years and have never come across this.

tawecdl

Fran wrote: »

From what you have said, you are unable to accept what your doctor is telling you will improve your condition but it sounds like you really have to. Try the anti depressants, you can't go on like this and people cannot necessarily feel better without help.

Have a read of what the experts say ....

Royal College of Psychiatrists and their take on depression in the workplace.

Depression Alliance.

If I admit to being depressed, it would negatively affect my life, which would make my feelings worse. I'm trying to work through things and hope it will get better but it's not. Do you think i'm going to lose my job?

tawecdl

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I think that you're seeing the whole situation upside down, which may well be due to your mental state. Your current employer is far more likely to get rid of you (after all, you're already facing disciplinary action, aren't you?) because of unexplained absences than with a documented illness for which you're taking medication. Also any future employment will be far more difficult to get if your reference shows lots of absences for a variety of reasons than for a recognised condition.

Anyway, the vast majority of mild/moderate depression responds well to medication so this should solve most of your problems, allowing you to be at work regularly and rebuild relationships with your colleagues. Although anti depressants can take a while to kick in, I don't think it's a normal thing to feel worse when you start taking them. I've been on and off ant depressants for many years and have never come across this.

I can see what you're saying and I'm just seeing things as a lose/lose situation.


Do you think I should tell my employer before or after the disciplinary hearing? I don't want them to think i'm using excuses. I work in a male orientated environment, i am male btw, and I'm worried about being laughed at and chucked out the door.

Oldernotwiser

I think that you may well lose your job if you carry on with things the way they are. What are you going to say at your disciplinary hearing; are you going to lie?

Who are you worried about admitting your depression to; your employer, your friends or yourself?

Edit: We've crossed posts. I would go straight to the doctor, get a prescription and ask for a letter confirming your medical situation. Companies aren't allowed to discipline people for medical reasons(much less sack them!) but they can do both for unreliability and lying. There's far less of a stigma attached to depression nowadays than you seem to think but people do expect you to help yourself. All the best.