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Working with an employer once diagnosed with depression
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: Mar 2, 2020 | Replies (15)Comment receiving replies
Apologies this discussion has somehow lagged for some time, but the topic is important and thus I'd like to invite others to be a part of it. @Laj4934 is asking about how to work with an employer once diagnosed with depression. This member especially would like input on:
- How did your employer deal with your diagnosis?
- What did they do to assist you?
- What could have been done to help you more?
I don't recall ever talking to my boss or anyone in my management about my diagnosis of depression. At one juncture, however, prior to a diagnosis when some factors in my job had me really far down many years ago, I did contact employee assistance in HR, who was helpful in listening to me and then pointing me to counseling.
@jimhd @notaround @darlingtondoll @mamacita @newzbug @helenfrances @ksad @johnhans @shermananski @secretwhitepop - wondering if you might have some thoughts on these questions about work and depression?
Replies to "Apologies this discussion has somehow lagged for some time, but the topic is important and thus..."
@lisalucier I never said anything to my superiors about my depression. As a person on the autism spectrum, I chalked up a lot of my issues to that diagnosis, but after a while realized that there was depression there. I sought out assistance via talk therapy, and a mild SSRI. Depression comes in cycles for me, some deeper than others. In my last career, just the virtue of my job was depressing enough, not adding in the outside influences to trigger. It became easier to "mask" my situation, and continue the counseling. Unfortunately, there never was a superior whom I felt comfortable to share my diagnosis with, as the toxic environment would have become more so.
Ginger
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Lisa,
When I was teaching I was not depressed or anxious. I loved teaching and enjoyed each child. My co-workers were wonderful, truly devoted to the teaching profession. We had excellent teaching assistants, a wonderful team of speech therapists, psychologists, physical therapists for children with special needs.
It was not until I retired that I developed anxiety and head tremor (dystonia).. it developed slowly.
We did have challenges in our family.
I went to counseling. (Psychologist)
I now have a wonderful neurologist who advises to continue low dose ...(4 to now taking 1 (2 halves) and I am scheduled to see a psychiatrist to taper off Clonazapam.
I am now reading :
The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge, M.D.
( what and how we think can change our brains!)
Stay tuned!
neuro plasticity.... read all about it! You CAN change🌞