Depression and work

stormywaters

Hi all,

Just after your thoughts please. Right now, I'm off work for the week due to depression. I have been suffering with this for a few months now, and I think that the pressures of my job are adding to this (aswell as some other personal issues). I'm starting to think that I'd be better off looking for another job. I don't hate the job I do, I just am finding it a real struggle right now. I know that jobs are harder to come by at the moment, and I have bills to pay, so I don't want to take any huge risks. But if my job is making me ill, isn't my health more important?

What would you do??

flightboy

stormywaters wrote: »

Hi all,

Just after your thoughts please. Right now, I'm off work for the week due to depression. I have been suffering with this for a few months now, and I think that the pressures of my job are adding to this (aswell as some other personal issues). I'm starting to think that I'd be better off looking for another job. I don't hate the job I do, I just am finding it a real struggle right now. I know that jobs are harder to come by at the moment, and I have bills to pay, so I don't want to take any huge risks. But if my job is making me ill, isn't my health more important?

What would you do??

I would find another job! if your job is making you ill enouth to have time off then whats the point of staying there? but i would find another job BEFORE you leave which if you are off ill shouldnt be too hard

Just my view

stormywaters

Thanks for your thoughts FB. I know you're right, it's just difficult because I do like the job most of the time, and I'm feeling so awful, I don't seem to have the confidence to do anything.

mummytummy

Are your emplyers aware of how you are feeling? Also do you have a Occupational Health Dept if so make an appt to see them and tell them how you are feeling and that work is a major component, they should be able to help in supporting you with your depression and work environment

Liz_the_Whizz

hi stormywaters,

Sorry to hear that you are feeling down at the moment. My DH is going through the same thing at present, so I sympathise.

Sounds like the job isn't the real problem, but if you're feeling depressed, it makes it harder to cope with what you have to do at work.

It is a big step to give up your job, especially as you don't want to add financial worries into the mix. Is there someone you can talk to at work (a colleague, maybe HR depending) about how you are feeling at the moment? And have you been to see your GP about medication and to discuss whether you need to be signed off work for a while?

At the end of the day, you are right that your health is more important than anything, but you need to be sure that giving up your job will make you feel better, not worse.

All the best.

stormywaters

My employers are aware of my problems, and I am on madication for it. They are being very supportive about the whole thing, surprisingly. It's hard to know what to do, really. The pressures at work are making me feel worse, but they are not the whole problem, just a little bit of it.

terra_ferma

Hello
Depression is covered by the disability discrimination act.
Your employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate your needs. You could request to work shorter hours, move you to a different role or to change your job description.
They may not be able to accommodate you, but you never know, maybe you won't need to leave.

Speak to HR, explain the situation to them, and see if they can come up with any suggestions.
While you are off sick to pay for not working, and if you left they would have to spend money recruiting someone else, so it's in their interest to help you to get back, they would not be doing you a favour.

Good luck!

Emmzi

Depression *may* be covered by the DDA - it depends on severity, longevity, impact, etc. It is not automatically covered.

terra_ferma

Emmzi wrote: »

Depression *may* be covered by the DDA - it depends on severity, longevity, impact, etc. It is not automatically covered.

Correct, I should have said that.
It sounds to me though that if OP has been ill for several months (and illness is likely to continue), and is now off sick she is likely to be covered. (HR will probably think along the same line and are not likely to take risks - if they follow sound HR practice that is, not everyone does as we know)

However here's the link to DirectGov website:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/HealthAndSupport/MentalHealth/DG_10023351

deedee71

On most application forms you need to explain absences of more than 2 weeks in the past 2 years. I'm not saying employers would discriminate but it may happen.

Better to try to "fix" what you've got rather than work elsewhere. Lots of helpful suggestions above and you do say you like your job.

I've was off with depression for 7 weeks in 2007 and 3 in 2008, and I have to say it has stopped me from looking for another job.

Stick with it and take any help HR or your GP can come up with.

Take care of yourself....x

fabjenni

Hi Stormyweather,

I know how you feel, in the past I have suffered from depression and yes your health is more important.

I've had to leave two jobs because of my depression. In my case it was my job (the dreaded call centres) that caused my depression and it would have been so difficult to go back, one employer 'tried' to find an alternative job for me, but said it couldn't and terminated my contract. Even though they were advertising for temp admin staff on a recruitment website, which is a job I could have done, but was so tired of having to jump through their hoops that I decided it was better to make the break and start again.

It was hard to find a new job & I still think the employers discriminate if you state you've left a previous job because of health issues, let alone mental health issues.
I was unemployed for nearly 6 months before I got even a temp job, which worked out for me as it lead to a permanent job & I'm now covering for my team leader when she's on holiday. It's taken three years and I now work in a different industry so it has taken time, but if I hadn't left my jobs I wouldn't have taken the time to get myself better, with the help of medication, my gp and my (now) husband.

I still have black days now & then and I'm not a nice person to be around, but they go away and I think how far I've come since I couldn't get out of bed to even eat.

Confidence is a hard thing to get back & I still sometimes think that I'm doing everything wrong/different to everyone else, but it does come back if you don't worry or force it. That sounds easy to say, but I think you have to be confident in yourself before workplace confidence comes back.

Ultimately it's up to you what you decide to do, but if you're not feeling better you might just find yourself in the same position in a new job with no real change & if you're new they might not be as sympathetic as your current employer.

I wish you well and hope things work out for you.