Depression anxiety long term and managing in the workplace

saz88 · ‎26-02-2017

Hi all, I have been a sufferer of depression anxiety ongoing on and off over the last ten years or so.

i the last couple of years I have started a career and I have been in my current job 2.5 years. I had a bad episode last year and took some time off work. Work related stress may have also been a contributing factor. Now my work is wanting to contact my dr. I have not disclosedmi am a sufferer. They are also saying I have a "pattern" of excessive absences.

What at do I do. How do others manage this ongoing. I don't want to give up my good job or earning potential ongoing but I am hesitant to disclose to be discriminated against or seen as a liability. I want to manage my leave and now I am feeling better, but with my condition I cannot promise it will not happen again in future. Am I doomed to a life of excessive leave or lower paid jobs/ part time employment. What is the answer. Interested to know if anyone has found ways to negotiate this with their employer which work. Someone give me some hope/advice.

BballJ · ‎26-02-2017

Hi saz88,

Firstly, welcome to the forums.

It's so hard disclosing mental health issues to your workplace as you feel they may not react well. I can only speak from experiance but when my boss found out I had mental health issues (I did a medical before I got the job and I disclosed I had mental health issues which they were told about in the report) he was so supportive and just wanted to make sure I was ok, mental health is much more commonly spoken about these days so hopefully that may give you some courage to discuss it with them. Unfortunately every work place is different, but in my opinion being honest is the best way to go. It's a tough one I hope others reply with some advice for you also.

Speak to your GP about it as well, I am sure they will have some advice for you.

My best for you,

Jay

MyProfile · ‎27-02-2017

Hi Saz,

Welcome to the forums.

I too have long term anxiety and depression. 3 years ago I spent a month in hospital for an episode, and my boss reluctantly let me go. I wish I still had that job to be honest.

I understand that you want to protect your career, and losing your job or adding stress to it by disclosing your mental health issues may only make your condition worse.

Disclosing is completely your choice. I don't know if they have any right to contact your doctor. I'm sure your doctor would be limited due to privacy reasons in what they say.

In the past I have disclosed to employers and work mates. Sometimes it hasn't helped, other times it has made it easier for me to call in sick when I am having a bad day. Unfortunately, it is a balancing act - you have to look after your own interests, and the employer has to look after theirs. The only upside is that disclosing puts some pressure on your employer to assist you in being able to stay at work, they legally can't discriminate or bully. Yes those things do happen of course, but if they do you will have the law at your back.

Have you visited this headsup webpage to try and decide whether to disclose?

https://www.headsup.org.au/taking-care-of-myself-at-work/talking-about-a-mental-health-condition-at-work/should-i-tell-my-employer

Theyre affiliated with BeyondBlue, it's a good tool.

Please look after yourself, keep yourself the priority. Don't put unfair pressure on yourself to never need leave again for relapses, you're human.

Best wishes,

MP

saz88 · ‎27-02-2017

Thanks guys!

they are forcing me to disclose by asking for details and prognosis from my doctor and saying I have accessed too much leave.

the alternative is they send me to their own dr. It is a source of stress and with the current political climate I am very concerned about ending up out of work. I figure any future jobs could potentially end up in the same position. I guess I just wanted a sense of how others manage or if there is a way forward

BballJ · ‎27-02-2017

Hi saz88,

There is always a way forward... the main thing to remember is you have to also look after your own health because all this stress adds to it. Employers have their rules they have to stick by and I am unsure of the accessing too much leave issue as I have never come across it.. I always thought if you ran out.. you just take unpaid leave.

It is tough but it is also case by case for many people as we don't know how every employer will react to mental health. I hope for you they take it on board and help you as much as they can.

My best,

Jay