Employers & Mental Health

[531c]

Don't post much, but I do read the boards frequently and the advice offered always seems pretty good, so....

I'm struggling a bit (a lot...) at the moment with what seems to be some depression/anxiety disorder (seeing my GP tomorrow). Amongst other things this is really affecting my ability to do my job. I'm constantly on edge, can't think straight or concentrate for more than a few minutes at a time. Even the simplest tasks seem to take far longer than they should, and that makes me even more stressed and panicked - a vicious circle.

I really think I need to take some time off work to sort myself out, but I'm wary of raising any kind of mental health issues with my employer lest I get (wrongly) labelled as being weak in some way. I'm worried that if there is any kind of downsizing or redundancies in the future raising this now will count against me.

I'm in my 30s but I've only visited GP twice in my adult life, and I'm pretty ignorant about the mechanisms for being signed off work. Does the doctor have to provide a note with a detailed description of the problem which I then give to my employer?

 

[Arsen Gere]

I think it would not do any harm to talk to you GP regardless of how often you have been in the past. He may seem like a stranger to you but he will have seen a lot of people go through difficult times and may be able to offer advice or refer you for councelling.
I think it would be unlikely to get a diagnosis straight away and he will probably want some kind of assessment, like filling in a form about how you feel about stuff so he can rate you and refer you to someone more specialised.
I've known people go through some really low spots in life but find some improvement by exercising in any form. Hence the recommendation for a daily walk to get people moving out of depression. Maybe the bike will help too if that is your sport. Some people are uplifted by listening to music too.
If you feel stronger physically you can bite the balls off a bear at work. So if you have a slow day, you have the strength to improve and the confidence to know you can take it in your stride.

Being off work is your short term answer and it may be the right one. But by discussing this with someone who has seen a lot of people in your position would help make the RIGHT decision, for you. If that involves being off work then the assessment would provide the correct wording but being around work colleagues may be better for you. These kind of problems are very very common and rarely discussed.

HTH

 

[lukesdad]

Talking about it can only help I suppose, a problem shared and all that, not that I know a lot about the subject. Taking some time to clear the mind is always good, whether it be an hours walk or a complete break.

 

[Hacienda71]

You would be suprised how many people have gone through a similar thing to you. It is easy to think you are alone in this but people can be unbderstanding and as many of us have been through issues they can relate to the feeling of isolation. See your GP. If work is the cause there may and I stress may be a H&S issue. Also there is a really good thread on here, "ping fellow deppresives" iirc which may give you an insight in some ways to help with your predicament. Best of Luck

 

[coffeejo]

I echo the comments about seeing your GP. Ring up first thing tomorrow and make that appointment. I ended up leaving my last job when I started hiding under the table so I wouldn't have to deal with customers. Trust me, you're really not alone in this. Once you've seen your GP, consider talking to someone in your workplace, just let them know what's going on. It helps if you can be clinical about things: would you talk to them if it was a serious physical condition? Try and be pragmatic and remember that the steps and support structures you put in place NOW will help you out in the future. Good luck.

EDIT: just re-read your post and d'oh, you're seeing your GP tomorrow. Um, well, yes. Ignore me. I'm a bit bats today!

 

[MattHB]

I ended signed off for 3 years following a breakdown because I refused to accept that I had a problem and get some proper help. So I'd fully agree with the above. Unfortunately not all GPs are the same. Generally one of the docs in a practice will be the mental health specialist and you're quite within your rights to ask the receptionists for a list of all doctors training and experience before deciding who you will see.

Take some time out, it's only a sickness like any physical one. Many people (including me to start with) refused to believe it.

Good luck with it taking time out changed my life. I went back to college at 33 as part of my rehabilitation to retrain. I never left and now 4 years later I'm a senior lecturer, team leader and about to take a management role next year at the same college! It just shows you that if you give yourself time to recover when you need it you can do ABSOLUTELY anything . I've never been happier, or fitter than I am now

All the best with it

 

[531c]

Thanks everyone for your wise words, it's much appreciated.

I think I've accepted in my own mind that I have a problem, and that's the first step.

It's quite frightening actually, I know my job inside out, but my productivity at the moment is pitiful and people are starting to notice.

Isolation might be part of the problem, I live on my own and tend to work from home a lot and I don't think that's doing me any good at all. I can go for days without actually speaking to anyone except the usual pleasantries in shops. Everthing gets internalised and it isn't healthy.

I've got a few days off now, so time to take a breather and work out what to do next...

 

[MattHB]

Take it easy try not to worry. If the weathers nice get out on the bike, it'll help lift you massively.

Have you thought about joining a light hearted cycling club? The social side might be useful? One of my biggest problems was my hermit nature.

 

[531c]

Yes, I'll try and get out on the bike tomorrow. It's always been my default way of regaining some persepective when things aren't going well, but it hasn't worked so well recently.

My ineffectiveness at work means I feel guilty about any time spent away from my PC, even though I'm totally unproductive when I'm sat at my computer. I feel I should be trying to catch up with work all the time and not gallavanting around on the bike.

 

[MattHB]

Quality time for yourself will help you be more productive when you do work so you could argue that any time on the bike that focuses your mind and allows you to work better is a necessary part of your job

 

[Andrew_P]

You seem to have quite a mixture, but the main problem looks like the anxiety/panic at work and this is causing the depression? There are legal obligations which employers will have to offer, but as you say there is not much that can be done about the labeling.

I was quite lucky in that the owner of the company had a son with similar problems. My best bit of advice is that removing yourself from the job may not be the best move for you, it may make you worse. Of course there is not info in your posts for this to be good advice but if you are suffering from anxiety/panic caused by work then removing yourself may make it very difficult to go back and when you do if the panic returns then you have created a cycle.

One of the best remidies might CBT (best to google it) combined with some medication from your GP. Anxiety and panic normally are "cured" by exposure to the cause of the anxiety and learning how not to react.

If the depression is causing the anxiety then meds should help, I do not have much person knowledge of depression led anxiety so cannot offer much advice on this.

The other thing to do with work that may help would be to write down a list of things you want to get done tomorrow, and tick them off as you do them, and then reward yourself with time away from the PC.

It seem that a lot of mental health issues respond well to excercise so do not give up on cycling!

 

[yello]

I've not read the comments of others, so my apologies if I repeat something.

By chance, I was listening to Radio 4 this afternoon and the subject of mental health and employers was discussed (on 'You and Yours' I think). It was in relation to applying for a job but what I'll say here still applies.

To my surprise, you are under no obligation to tell your employer about mental health issues. My own feeling is that is better that you do but it is absolutely your call. IF you do, your employer should support you ('should' being the operative word). More importantly, they cannot dismiss you. In fact, it is effectively classed as discrimination if they do so and you can take it to the Equality and Human Rights Commission.That also surprised me.

That all said, the MOST import thing (imo) is your own health. If you feel you need time off then take time off - with or without your employers consent. Of course, see your GP first. I have no idea if they have to detail a reason for a 'sick note' but I suspect not. Patient confidentiality and all.

Don't be afraid to see your GP either. I know it's daunting (and you may even come away wondering why you did) but it is an important first step... if only to cover your arse. It's more likely that you'll have a sympathetic ear (as much as the GP's time constraints will allow).

You don't mention if you have anyone to talk to. Just talking is a huge help. It's not something that'll necessarily 'cure' you be it does take some of the weight off your shoulders.

 

[fossyant]

Depending upon your employer, see the Occupational Health. I went to see them after my shoulder operation didn't cure my nerve/arm pain - I let them know my problems - lack of sleep etc and made sure it was all logged. Had an independent assessment and report and also met HR and line manager to discuss, and I also mentioned the medication I was being put on - it did make me unwell, and I was struggling through a very busy period at work - the effects of the drugs, and on my performance, made me stop taking them. My employer is aware there may be times when I've not slept due to pain, and I might not perform well (I've had a couple of days off this year post operation as I hadn't slept all night - I just explain it when I report in).

At least if you let Occ Health know, this will take a load off your mind - they will also be in deep sh1t if they suddenly spring a non-performance warning on you out of the blue - as you've told them. Good employers will see what they can do to help.

It's a vicious circle - certainly speed to GP and Occ Health. Worrying about it will make it worse !

I've booked on some CBT training in the new year at my local Health Centre - it's free and is 2 hours a week for 6 weeks. Work is OK with me attending in office hours.

 

[sheddy]

Never tried these but off the shelf medication is available - http://www.kalmsstress.com/kalms-tablets.html

 

[531c]

By chance, I was listening to Radio 4 this afternoon and the subject of mental health and employers was discussed (on 'You and Yours' I think). It was in relation to applying for a job but what I'll say here still applies.

This sounds interesting, I'll see if it's on the iPlayer - thanks.

I visited the GP today and described the issues I've been having. She said it sounded like I was suffering from depression and was willing to write a note to get me signed off work. I've decided to delay making any decision on that until after Christmas - I'm just very wary of telling my employer, once I take that step there's no going back.

The GP suggested that a combination of anti-depressants and CBT therapy is the way forward, and I'll see her again after Christmas to talk more about that. Until then I've been prescribed beta-blockers for the anxiety issues, I seem much calmer since taking them, but that could just be due to the fact I've shared the problem with someone.

She also made the point which others have made on this thread - exercise is likely to have a beneficial affect. So on with the thermals and out on the bike tomorrow hopefully.