Working and Depression?

Question

Ok, I was diagnosed with depression by my family physician about a year ago.She put me on anti-depressants and insisted that I see a psychiatrist. I quit taking them about three months later and thought that I was fine and didn‘t see anyone about my problem. Since stopping them things have slowly gotten out of control and with many recent happenings i.e. : Grandfather passing away, serious marital problems, finding that 2 family members are terminally ill, and my sister being hospitalized due to pregnancy complications I have decided that I need to see someone before I go totally out of my mind!!! Sorry for rambling….the bottom line is…when the martial problems first started (this was the first out of all these recent events) I left work early and haven’t been back. Its been about 3 weeks now. I have had contact with my boss on a weekly basis and she is aware of what’s going on and where I stand as far as my treatment and so on. I am seeing my family doctor tomorrow

to have my LOA (leave of absence) papers filled out and then I have an appointment with a psychologist on Monday. I am curious about a few things….

~Can I lose my job for any of this? My family doctors office said it would be no problem to fill that LOA papers out.

~How do I face my co-workers??? I mean there are about 15-20 of us. We are all pretty tight nit. I haven’t spoken to any of them since the incident where I left work. I have avoided calls and so on. I really don’t want them to think there wasn’t a valid reason for me being gone so long, but at the same time don’t want to explain to them that depression is the reason I was gone for many reasons….well 1st of all its not just something that I want to come out and say, 2nd I think there are some that will be skeptical (as if they know what is really going on in my head), 3rd some will think that I just wanted to have some time off. I know I shouldn’t worry about what others think, but I do! What can I do to help

that? What do I say? UGH!!!!

Answer 1

First of all, your business is not your co-workers. You don't owe them an explanation. Just think in terms that 10 years from now you most likely won't be working with them. And no matter how "tight" you are with them, they are acquaintances, not family.
Your job should provide short-term disability. Ask your boss since you are in contact with him or her. Most companies offer this. If not, file for unemployment or disability immediately.
Your boss is under obligation to keep your personal life and any info you give her confidential. You must be careful about what you tell her also, because it can be used against you in the future. Your boss is only entitled to know that you are having family difficulties at this time. Whatever you do, don't go into details. And your boss should not be calling you every week acting "concerned" and trying to extract info from you.
Bosses keep reports on this kind of stuff.
HIPAA violations are occurring here. That's why I say, keep your info to yourself and let your company's insurance or disability handle it.

Answer 2

NO, you will not loose your job. Leaves of absence can be granted for a variety of reasons—personal or family illness, pregnancy, military service, and a variety of other personal reasons. Some employers have a single policy that covers many different types of leave; others have a policy statement on leaves of absence in general and separate policies for the various types of leave. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires covered employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for a birth or adoption, to care for a close family member with a serious health condition, and for an employee’s own serious health condition. A number of additional federal laws must be taken into account when an employer is designing a leave policy or processing a leave request. In addition, many states have their own family leave, disability, workers’ compensation, and other laws that can affect the availability of leave and/or its terms. Leaves may also be regulated by a collective bargaining agreement. When your LOA is up your employer will expect you to return to work. If you do not return to work at that time you most probably will be terminated. Your best bet would be to get your necessary treatments, new meds, etc. and then return to work. Facing your co-workers should be the last of your problems. Get your depression under control and face your marriage issues first off.

Answer 3

this is the funny thing about people, they do things to make themselves feel better and the moment the feel better they stop.... sound familiar?

most depression these days is treated with SSRIs (selective seretonin reuptake inhibitors) this group of drugs allows more seretonin into the bloodstream so that you feel better, in short.

this group of drugs was NEVER designed to stand alone, nor were they designed to be a forever medicine. they are TEMPORARY bandaids. the research shows (if you REALLY do the research) that SSRIs raise the bottom of a depressed condition. then the person taking them takes a course of therapy (with a useful therapist this ought be 2 years or less) to deal with the causes and conditions of depression. also patterned behaviour is addressed (should be) and life changes are made. then the patient goes off the meds in a medically supervised fashion and continues eating well, exercising and practicing their relaxation techniques so stress does not again accumulate.

you have done none of this. you took the meds, you felt better you stopped taking the meds, then when you started (inevitably) feeling bad again, you sat around scratching your head wondering why. now, you are taking a leave from work.
along with life throwing a whole slew of curve balls. and life can be most difficult, as yours is. BUT.... if you take care of yourself, you can walk through all this difficulty and horror and on the other side be an amazing human....

so here is my prescription for you:
what are you eating?
what daily exercise are you getting?
what relaxation techniques are you practicing daily 2 sessions 20 minutes each time.

if you need more information, see my profile and my website.

good luck!

Answer 4

Welcome to the world of mental illness.