do you think it's a good idea for people with depression to inform their employers of their condition?

Answer 1

Absolutely not.

We are not advanced enough as a society and there is too much stigma surrounding mental health and medication use.

http://search.yahoo.com/search?search=stigma+mental+illness+workplace&ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ans&search_type=http%3A%2F%2Frds.yahoo.com%2F_ylt%3DAlUYpcwpr6HEga15SGNgd70azKIX%2FSIG%3D111gjvvgj%2F*-http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch&p=stigma+mental+illness+workplace

Answer 2

It depends on the employer and the employee's relationship with that employer. If a good relationship exists then it may be in the best interests of the person to discuss the issue with the employer. However, if a good solid relationship does not exist then I do not suggest telling the employer anything about your emotional health or physical health.

It is true we have not advanced enough in society to eliminate the stigma attached to depression. Many still think depression is a weakness and not an actual illness with a chemical imbalance. There are many different levels of depression and some are not yet chemical imbalances. When we suffer a loss, or a trauma such as a loved one dying, or a divorce occurring, we are going to have deep grief. Grief is not the same as depression, though many misunderstand the difference. Grief has many of the same characteristics of depression, yet is not depression. Grief does not need chemical treatment, just a lot of time to process and heal.

So, it really depends on the relationship an employee has with the employer. It is a highly individual situation, so there is not just one answer for all.

Answer 3

There are only a couple conditions under which I'd suggest telling.

Assuming this is a medical condition and not ordinary/temporary depression:

1. If your job performance is suffering AND you employer may be considering disciplinary action, then tell. You have certain protections under the ADA.

2. Your employer tells you that you should consider getting help. Depending on your employer, telling may indicate that you are taking proactive steps to help yourself.

Generally, employers prefer responsible employees that take care of their personal problems on their own. If you tell, you run the risk that your employer may see you as a potential liability and be reluctant to assign you significant responsibilities. That concern may continue even after you have your illness under control and are not experiencing active symptoms.

Everybody gets depressed. Ordinary depression is temporary, and most ppl don't hold it against anyone experiencing it. Clinical depression, on the other hand, is a mental illness. Unfortunately, that label isn't a beneficial one to have in our society.

Good luck.

Answer 4

I would say not unless you feel it is going to intrrupt your work somehow, and you need them to allow you to work around appointments. Depending on how your employer is about those things, it varies in the approach you wanted to take.
I had some counseling a year or so ago because of some events in my life, and I had a very understanding boss at the time, so I just told him I was going through some counseling because of some stuff that was going on personally and would need to be gone once every two weeks during the day. He was cool with it, and I'd think that any rational boss would be, as long as you weren't letting it impair your job performance while you were there. If it is creating problems at work, I would not suggest bringing it up at work (they're not going to be able to help you), but instead immediately get to work with a psychologist to work through it.
Also, I just read Serenity's answer. You definitely want to make sure you know what you're suffering from before you make any decisions regarding that.

Answer 5

Depends if you're talking about 1) someone who just naturally has a sour disposition or, 2) someone who has had serious consequences and been diagnosed with clinical depression by a psychologist, and as a result is on some sort of treatment.

If you meant the former, then, no don't jeopardize your job with this. Trust me, everyone you work with and for has already figured it out.

But assuming you mean the latter, it would depend on the seriousness of the treatment. Does it involved drugs? More extreme treatments? Hospitalization? This is something to discuss with your doctor, and only after that with your HR specialist.

If your doctor is recommending it, or if your feel it needs to be known in order for mitigating work conditions to be put in place, well, I guess so.

I'm generally not in favor of telling your employer anything more than they need to know, and most importantly letting your performance speak for itself. So unless there's a safety reason (yours...or someone else's) involved, I would lean "no".

Answer 6

No it is a personal problem that no one needs to know. It might close future doors for you as far as being seen as an unstable employee. The only person you should be talking to about depression is your doctor or therapist.

Answer 7

No, I don't. Employers will normally see you as a problem employee if you do and there will be negative consequences, even if they are not overt or if the employer tells you it doesn't matter. Been there

Answer 8

no, better keep that to yourself - people are cruel and they will judge you for this- funny thing is when you are a diabetic- they support you etc etc-
and i believe depression is a disease - tough one ! - try not to inform them unless you are realy manic and your medication does not work - then they should probably know
God bless

Answer 9

No. In my opinion any employee that is "depressed" will be stereotypically considered disabled or incompetent.

Answer 10

Absolutely not! If you have a related appointment all that is required is "I have a doctor's appointment". You are not required to give the details.