Depression at work. Please advise.

tawecdl

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

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?

I will be truthful but not mention depression. I have other symptoms I would explain about my time off without mentioning depression (ie. chest pains, difficulty breating, headaches, tiredness etc)

I couldn't bare the consequences of telling anyone i'm depressed. I don't want that label. I want to keep my job and do well in my career. I'm just finding everyday tasks difficult. I try so blinking hard but then I mess everything up by not going into work.


EDIT: we crossed posts too.

I need to research the consequences of employment while being depressed. It's not something that appeals to me but I think it's the only option I have.


Thanks for your time.

Fran

tawecdl wrote: »

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?

This is not how I see it from what you have written.

How would your feelings be worse? You already say

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.

.

Also you say

I'm trying to work through things and hope it will get better but it's not.

.

So following logically on from that you need help to change this.

I don't see why you should lose your job if you have told them the situation and they can see you have taken steps to get back on track (ie taken doctor's advice).

bathgatebuyer

You should be honest with your employer. They should have a resource for you to talk to in complete confidence about your illness. The numbers of people who suffer from depression in the UK at any one time is huge and we are not all out of work because of it. Yes, some employers and better than others at dealing with it, but if you tell them you have a recognised and common condition which is impacting upon your presence at work, they will have to consider this. Who knows, they may be able to help.

Also, as you have a recognised medical condition, your colleagues have no right to make comments. Letting your employer know should actually afford you more protection.

tawecdl

Fran wrote: »

This is not how I see it from what you have written.

How would your feelings be worse? You already say .

Also you say .

So following logically on from that you need help to change this.

I don't see why you should lose your job if you have told them the situation and they can see you have taken steps to get back on track (ie taken doctor's advice).

The only advise I have taken is to "not let things stress me" and "not worry about things". So far the only prescription I have accepted is gaviscon to cancel out heartburn being the cause of my chest pains (it didn't help btw)

tawecdl

bathgatebuyer wrote: »

Letting your employer know should actually afford you more protection.

I've never looked at it like that before. There's not really anyone to talk to about these things and I would like to visit the doctor again before I explain things to my employer.

Do you think I should just wait to hear the outcome of the disciplinary hearing or tell my employer before it?

Fran

tawecdl wrote: »

The only advise I have taken is to "not let things stress me" and "not worry about things". So far the only prescription I have accepted is gaviscon to cancel out heartburn being the cause of my chest pains (it didn't help btw)

But you are worried and stressed or you wouldn't be asking on here for help.

Fran

tawecdl wrote: »

There's not really anyone to talk to about these things ...

There's plenty of people to talk to on the Depression Support Thread.

tawecdl

Fran wrote: »

But you are worried and stressed or you wouldn't be asking on here for help.

I go to the docs feeling lathargic, tired, breathing problems, headaches, feeling low, and suicide thoughts.

I want the doc to get rid of the problems I have without labelling me as depressed.

Fran

tawecdl wrote: »

I go to the docs feeling lathargic, tired, breathing problems, headaches, feeling low, and suicide thoughts.

I want the doc to get rid of the problems I have without labelling me as depressed.

Tell your doctor this and ask if s/he can use other terms when writing any medical notes that work will see.

Your doctor can "get rid of the problems" but only when you recognise that they are trying to help but you aren't accepting it (ie not taking suggested medication). Is there any other help the doctor can offer too (alongside a prescription) like therapy with a mental health expert?

NOVASTAR

Perhaps instead of depression you could think of it as a Chemical Imbalance.
If you were a diabetic would you not take medication?
I look back at the Black Hole that I couldn't climb out of before I got help and never wish to go back to that place.
My life is back on track and I am ME again and cope with life .. good and bad.
Please go to the doctors and get some medication and soon before YOU let things take over your life ... it doesn't have to be like this ... help is so easily given.
Depression (chemical imbalance) is more common than you think and I would hazard a guess that a few of your colleagues have this condition right now or have done in the past!
Good luck on getting to grips with this and becoming your old self!