Depression at work. Please advise.

tawecdl

Fran wrote: »

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?

I've been given the details of a mental health expert and that was going to be my next step. To talk through my problems. (I usually walk out the docs feeling better just for talking)

I think I'll see the doc again and explain a bit more about what I want from them.

My main reason for posting was that I'm worried about my situation will affect my employment and this disciplinary hearing.

MsChazzer

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.

But that is depression and you can receive treatment for it and you can get better.

These factsheets on employment from Mind might help: http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Factsheets/#Employment

1 in 4 people have had a mental health problem at some point in their lives so it is highly unlikely that you are the only/first person at your work with depression that your employers have had to deal with.

I've had anxiety since my teens and where appropriate, I am honest with my employers about it. I've had three jobs since leaving university in 2001 and have always felt supported (I've worked in charity and public sector). Unfortunately I was off for several weeks this summer with stress (I did my best to prevent it happening but ultimately it did) but my immediate line managers and personnel were great. I'm applying for another job and I suspect having to put that in my sickness record on forms is affecting this but interviewers have always been supportive and helpful. I'm still determined to try though!

If this was a physical illness you would take time off, get medication and get sorted. Please do the same for a mental illness, not just for work but for your own quality of life.

CHARDONNAY_3

Firstly you need to admit that you are going through a period of depression.

Once you can accept that you can begin to find solutions to your problem.

I know you say you work in a male-dominated where it appears that everyone else is coping just fine but I am almost certain they will not be, so ther is no need to feel ashamed or alone.

You say that you are worried how admitting being depressed will effect your employment and the disciplinary and in my opinion admitting it will only have a positive effect - your manager will see that you have a recognised medical condition as the reason for your illness and is more likely to be able to offer you support.

Also does your company have any kind of employee assistance scheme. Mine does and I was able to see a counsellor through them which has helped a great deal and if you can show you are doing something to improve your condition, your manager will look at you more favourably.

DKLS

Ask your GP if there is any low intensity CBT programmes running near you, this has been clinically proven to be effective against the treatment of mild to moderate depression.

Also google "Livinglifetothefull", as there is a free online CBT course, and a DVD version for you to watch if the online version isnt your cup of tea.

tawecdl

CHARDONNAY wrote: »

Firstly you need to admit that you are going through a period of depression.

Once you can accept that you can begin to find solutions to your problem.

I know you say you work in a male-dominated where it appears that everyone else is coping just fine but I am almost certain they will not be, so ther is no need to feel ashamed or alone.

You say that you are worried how admitting being depressed will effect your employment and the disciplinary and in my opinion admitting it will only have a positive effect - your manager will see that you have a recognised medical condition as the reason for your illness and is more likely to be able to offer you support.

Also does your company have any kind of employee assistance scheme. Mine does and I was able to see a counsellor through them which has helped a great deal and if you can show you are doing something to improve your condition, your manager will look at you more favourably.

We don't have anything like that here. It's a very small company. I am going to take the step to get some form of counselling service prior to the disciplinary and I will seek further medical advice/medication after the hearing is over and done with.

DGJsaver

You need to accept the word depression , it has NO stigma attached to the people that matter in your life , professionaly or personally

You wont deal with it till you accept it , then you can start the battle with it , you need your work to know whats going on otherwise if you lie and evade whats actually wrong , who can blame them if they fire you ?

Counselling wait times can be as much as 8 weeks so you need to get that ball rolling as well.

All the best

tawecdl

DGJsaver wrote: »

You need to accept the word depression , it has NO stigma attached to the people that matter in your life , professionaly or personally

You wont deal with it till you accept it , then you can start the battle with it , you need your work to know whats going on otherwise if you lie and evade whats actually wrong , who can blame them if they fire you ?

Counselling wait times can be as much as 8 weeks so you need to get that ball rolling as well.

All the best

I kind of do accept it myself. Just a bit embarrassed and scared to tell people I know like family and colleagues. I don't want people to look down on me and fear that telling people will ultimately make me worse.

I have been merely trying to cope without medication to prove to myself that I am strong and capable. This is what I am now realising, I am not strong and capable. I am currently weak and useless. I need to move forward and I think you guys/girls are all singing from the same hymn sheet, I need to take the medication advised to me by my GP.

Thanks for your support.

Tom .

DGJsaver

Tom


I have been there mate and have the t-shirt you will come out the other end , believe it !

you only get one life mate , help the docs/work/family etc to help you, this is 2008 not 1978


Again , all the best mate


Dan

Savvy_Sue

For the first couple of weeks on one of the ADs I've been prescribed in the past I am SUPERWOMAN! So don't decide in advance how you'll feel if you take them. We're all different.

CHARDONNAY_3

Hi Tom

I'm really pleased you are starting to accept that you are going through a period of depression, as it really is the 1st step.

I genuinely believe that if you tell friends/family/work colleagues the truth, you may find that some of them have also been through depression but chose to keep it to themselves.

It's a bit like when you were at school. If people didn't know what the teacher was talking about, most people didn't bother to speak up for fear of looking stupid, but then when 1 person spoke up, others would come forward and admit they were struggling too.

Be honest. It takes a stronger person to admit they need help rather than trying to cope alone and remember there is no shame in being depressed.

Good luck. I hope you work through your problems.