Work and depression

Jo_R_2

Hi all

I've been signed off work, it's the third time I've been off this year so I know it's going to kick in procedures at work. I've been suffering with stress/anxiety/depression. This time I have been prescribed antidepressants and my GP has arranged for me to see the CPN in a couple of weeks.

I guess I'm asking what employers make of repeated episodes of depression? I tend to have phases, and most recently I've found it hard simply to get out of bed. DD1 (who's 3) said to me yesterday, "mummy, why do you never want to get out of bed all day long?" and I nearly cried.

Larumbelle

Hi Jo

Firstly :grouphug:

I know how depression feels and my heart goes out to you. It is bad enough without worrying about your employment situation.

There is really no generalisation on how employers treat depressive illness. Some ar eincredibly understanding, some not. All you can do is speak to someone in HR or a senior employee if there is one you are close to and trust. Ask to be put in contact with occupational health, and see if there is an advice or counselling line provided by your employer, there often is. You might be surprised at how helpful some companies can be, especially larger ones. You are obviously trying to help yourself and take steps to rehabilitate (for want of a better word) and this should count in your favour.

If your illness is/has been recurrent over a year or more you are covered by the disability discrimination act becuase it obviously has a substantial effect upon your ability to perform everyday tasks. In this case the legal minimum would be to make any reasonable adjustments, though these depend upon your job, the company set-up etc.

Other than that your right is that your illlness must be treated fairly and equivalently to any other type of illness, that any information you provide regarding your condition is treated confidentially, and that they do not harrass you, for example calling all the time to see when you will be back.

I really hope you will be okay. The CPN will be able to help you further, and I also suggest that you contact MIND for further support. Good luck x

Sugar_Coated_Owl

Hello (((HUGS))) I can really relate to your situation. From my own experience my sickness (depression/anxiety/overdosing) was reported to HR. They can arrange for you to see a Doctor who can assess you see if you are fit to work or when you will be likely to return. The Doctor can also look at ways that your place of work can help you on a day to day basis. It depends on your company but most try their best to help their employees.

dmg24

Lots of love Jo x

Terrylw1

Hi Jo,

One thing I would say is, don't worry about your job...or you'll never get better. I know that sounds impossibl right now, but you'll get there. Stress/Anxiety/Depression are getting very common thesedays so you may feel alone but there are lot of others going through it in their various ways. There is no stigma attached to it thesedays and everyone has their limits before it becomes too much.

A lot of employers stay well clear of contacting employees off with this all the time as they are afraid of the action that can be taken against them. Bit of a grey area for them.

A lot of companies may have occupational nurses who can help with any potential stres triggers at work. However, I would say that when it comes to depression, they may know much less and you need your GP & CPN for all that.

Your company may request you see their company doctor. However, be aware that your employer gets a report of that visit so if there is anything too sensitive, be careful discussing it. I think the company doctors keep more of those sessions confidential though but they will report back on your ability to work and why not etc.

MIND is a good idea, however there tends to a fair waiting list in some areas. There are usually self help groups which can be beneficial to some people. Be aware that MIND is a self referral service so you don't need to be referred by your GP or CPN (but they may tell you that, MIND won't) so you could ask for an initial consultation to get the ball rolling.

The antidepressants will help, but you need to combine that usually with some form of therapy to help build your confidence & motivation back up as well as help you to progress against the stress triggers.

A councillor at MIND could go through Coginitive Behavioural Therapy with you (CBT) which is supposed to be highly effective but it takes some time to go through.

Stick close with your GP & CPN while you start the antidepressants as the SSRI's (if you're on them) can make you feel worse for the first 2 weeks in some ways. However, be reassured that any worsening you get, lifts after 2 weeks and after the 1st month you will start to see real results from them if you are on SSRI's. Don't be afraid of calling them, they understand. This only happens while you are getting used to them, after that you will be glad you started the course.

The CPN will have leaflets about dealing with this type of stuff. There is also lots of websites full of self help info you could look at.

Don't be afraid to post on the depression support thread as there seems to be loads of supportive people on there.

With you having bouts, the councilling may help greatly as they can help you understand the triggers and help you form defences to stop it advancing.

All the best X

Jo_R_2

Hi all

Thanks for replies, all very much appreciated.

I have seen a counsellor but didn't feel we 'gelled', so when I saw my GP at the beginning of the week I asked to see someone else, thus the CPN. Luckily my GP is very supportive which really helps.

I was prescribed fluoxetine but I haven't taken any yet. My youngest is 15 months and breastfeeding and although I said I was okay about stopping - research into taking it and bf is very VERY limited and although I personally would be happy to take it and continue bf, my GP wouldn't as he won't prescribe if I am still bf, so I haven't taken it yet. I realised after I saw my GP that I know DD2 still wants to bf and I am happy for her to so I don't want to interfere with this, so I may have to consult my GP about further options.

My supervisor has been good, she asked if she could write in my file about me seeing a counsellor so it would show that I am taking proactive steps, which was fine with me. Work very understanding, they knew when they employed me that I had some post natal illness.

I have another week off work then am going to see how things feel.

Terrylw1

Hi Jo,

Sounds like you've got an understanding supervisor so you should be fine.

Fluoxetine is one of the SSRI's, so don't judge it's effects until at least 4 weeks and if you feel worse in the first 2 be reassured that it passes. Keep in touch with your GP when you do start because they can cause insomnia which can make some people feel worse as it gets them down not being able to rest and makes them worry more. CPN's sometimes advise GP's to prescribe sleeping pills such as Zopiclone for a couple of weeks to help you sleep if that happens. Then by getting better sleep, it helps with the early transition. I wouldn't worry about that as some people get the effects mildy, some people need a bit of help with the sleeping bills.

Nothing wrong with swapping councillors. I knew someone once who had depression after bereavement and his councillor didn't help for the gelling reason but when he swapped he saw a big difference in his depression as the new councillor really did help.

There are other SSRI's such as Citalopram, so maybe your GP has one that combines with breast feeding. At the end of the day all the SSRI's do is help keep your serotonin levels higher as they are in people not suffering with depression so maybe another type will work for your current situation.

All the best

Jo_R_2

Hi Terrylw1

I was a bit worried about not getting on with the counsellor - I was concerned it would appear that I wasn't interested in making any effort to help myself, which isn't the case.

I've used tricyclic anti d's before, never tried the SSRIs though am aware you can feel worse before feeling better. The thing is with my GP, he is very pro-breastfeeding and I know from having this conversation with him before that he will not prescribe *any* anti d's whilst I am bf at all because of any potential side effects on the baby, despite any research into it. So I might suggest maybe seeing a psychiatrist as I would like to look at taking anti d's and would need someone else to prescribe them.

Thankyou Terry and all for good wishes. It's nice to know when yr feeling down .

Larumbelle

Getting along with a counsellor is like getting along with anybody else. Sometimes you just don't click. If you don't, they will try and help you see someone else because it won't be as successful if you don't feel able to open up. Nobody will judge you on it. I have been to counselling three or four times and it was only the last time that I clicked with the counsellor and suddenly 'got' counselling.

Not sure about anti-ds and breastfeeding as I've never had kids, but there are so many kinds out there, there may be some that are suitable. I went through quite a few drugs before I found one that 'worked' without side effects. This was the one prescribed by the psychiatrist, so if you can get an appointment this might be a good idea. If not, were you aware that you are entitled to a second opinion from another GP? This is another route you could maybe take.

I'm glad that work are being understanding, it's one less thing to worry about. If you need any moral support we're all here

Terrylw1

Hi Jo,

Places like MIND should be aware that sometimes a councillor is not suitable. It's very easy to think of a case where a male councillor would be inappropriate for a female patient so I'm sure they will understand. you might have to wait while they sort it for you, but unless you ask they may be unaware that your current councillor is not helping.

It does state to consult your doctor before taking Citalopram if breastfeeding. However, a doctor cannot refuse to treat without finding an alternative until there just isn't one. My GP wanted to try the SSRI route, before he would consider an alterative and he had many years of experience with depression but was unclear what to substitute the SSRI with and wanted specialist advice.

Maybe seeing another, maybe specialist doctor because of your concerns may help. There are other things you can take such as 5-HTP but the success of them depends on your level of depression. If it's severe, you need the full anti depressant rather than an over the counter solution.

Maybe the initial side effects of SSRI's are the concern for the doctor as you can have problems in the first 2 weeks that can stop you eating/sleeping so maybe that is the impact problem to the baby.

Good advice from Silver.

Jo_R_2

Terrylw1 wrote: »

Hi Jo,

Maybe the initial side effects of SSRI's are the concern for the doctor as you can have problems in the first 2 weeks that can stop you eating/sleeping so maybe that is the impact problem to the baby.

My GP's particular concern is that the anti d's can pass through the breastmilk to the baby and cause side effects to her, and although this obviously isn't as much of a concern as if she were a newborn and solely on breastmilk, he still isn't willing to risk it.

I will suggest about getting referred to a psychiatrist when I next see my GP to pursue the anti d's route. I have also thought about asking if there is some kind of family counselling I could have, I guess I'm thinking some kind of psychologist as I worry about my relationship with my daughters as I find it hard to cope a lot of the time and really need to work on that.

A question to follow on from this I guess is what do I tell work, how much do I say and what do I not say?