What's the difference between mental illness and mental disability? Should you tell employers about illness?

Question

I've been diagnosed with many things from BPD to bipolar II (the diagnoses may or may not be correct). Currently, I'm on medication for chronic depression/anxiety. In the past year, I have been hospitalized twice, which lasted for two weeks. When does an illness become a disability? I've had very understanding bosses previously, but I just recently moved to a different city and switched jobs. When is a good time to bring something like this up?

Answer 1

Do not hesitate to tell your new employer about your condition. If you hide it, and it comes out later, you'll have no recourse. Mental illness is the condition or conditons you've described. Disability is assigned when it interferes with your ability to function independently in your life whether it be simple things like self care (bathing, eating, dressing) or more complex tasks like working, driving or managing a household. The Americans with Disabilities (ADA) is very well known by your employer. You should discuss your work-related concerns with your physician as well. The ADA applies to mental disability as well.

Answer 2

It is always a disability. I am currently in a law suit on this very matter. I was discriminated against after five years of good service only because of a diagnosis of a mental illness. The illness never stopped me from working. The fall I took when I had to leave a job I loved disabled me for over a year. It was called "loss of identity". The government and employers alike all need an education in what mental illness is all about. If you have a hard time functioning out in the public you may have cause to file for disability, but I warn you, it is a long long road and you may have only a limited income for them to consider you. You are not on an easy road, but don't give up. You may need to reconsider your job choices and seek out employment that you can handle better. Do you have a counselor or psychiatrist who is understanding of your condition? Well, if you want to talk, contact me.

Answer 3

A person who is so mentally ill that it affects their life to the point they cant work can draw a disability check. If you have it under control with your meds thats great. If it keeps getting out of control where you need to be hospitalized you could ask the docs how to apply for disabilitty. I'm not really sure about bringing it up to your bosses. I brought up my anxiety issues to an old boss i normal conversation where we were just talking about our lives. Good luck.

Answer 4

A mental illness is like what you have described -- bipolar, OCd, things like that. A mental disability would be something like dyslexia or some sort of brain damage or retardation.

Answer 5

psychological well being is a depiction, such as prevalent well being. you could guard your psychological well being, or have your psychological well being plagued through something, or objective to enhance your psychological well being. psychological ailment is because it shows - you've an ailment, so melancholy, eating subject matters, self damage are all psychological diseases. Does that make experience? I artwork with a range of of young ones and psychological well being and ailment is always subject matter of the day!!