Employers & Mental Health

[col]

If you can get active, even a brisk walk can help. But being inactive, which is sometimes a by product of this tends to make things worse in my experience. Good luck, Im sure you will feel better soon. try and stay positive, and if you feel really low Im sure there are plenty here you can pm for a private chat, or even a virtual ear.

 

[MissTillyFlop]

Ask if there is any CBT available in your area. I found it helpful with recognising the onset of something and identifying triggers too. (Christmas being one of the biggest triggers for my mania, for example).

 

[trio25]

Yes I meant to say exercise is great, not always easy though. I was lucky and my other half dragged me out, I had leaving the house issues so it was often very late. Cycling also made me talk to 'real' people.

CBT should be avalible, I didn't find it that useful but it is probably worth trying.

 

[col]

Yes I meant to say exercise is great, not always easy though. I was lucky and my other half dragged me out, I had leaving the house issues so it was often very late. Cycling also made me talk to 'real' people.

CBT should be avalible, I didn't find it that useful but it is probably worth trying.

Now leaving the house was a main problem I had for a long time, even going to a neighbours house was impossible.

 

[coffeejo]

I had that too. Still do, at times. Doesn't even have to be *my* house. A friend had to give me a lift home on Christmas Day instead of me cycling as I had a mental blank and couldn't picture the route home. The more I tried to figure it out, the more of a state I got in.

I had limited success with CBT. It was invaluable with some very specific issues, but hasn't helped with more general stuff. I think it very much depends on the type of person you are and what you're going through.

 

[chillyuk]

Most of the problems I have had over the years haven't been with employers, but with colleagues. It only took a sensationalist headline about a schizophrenic going on the rampage and killing or injuring people and colleagues would avoid me like the plague until the next seven day wonder came along. It is quite lonely at work when no-one speaks to you, or sits with you in the canteen. It is a pity that they don't understand that isolating one simply reinforces any paranoia being experienced.

 

[Andrew_P]

So 531, how did Christmas go? Beta blocker still helping? Do you have a follow up with GP?

 

[Lisa21]

Sometimes its the employers that pose the problem, but in an entirely different way. I am NOT making light of anything on this thread, god knows iv had my own battles, (especially recently, as some people on here are aware), but to say something from another perspective, my boss is a bi-polar alchoholic. They wont take any medication as it affects their ability to drink, so sometimes work life can be pretty fraught.I am fully aware that my boss is ill, but there have been many times iv been very close to walking out as a result of their often nasty(and at times dangerous)behaviour as i do not get paid enough to take all the carp I get given and quite frankly im not trained to handle mentally-ill people. This comes across as a little harsh but it gets pretty serious there at times and can be tough to cope with, especially through the periods when I am battling with demons of my own.

 

[loops]

Hey 531a!
Just noticed this thread, hope you have survived christmas and new year. I am a user of mental health services and have had mental health problems for 25 years now! I am also a senior mental health nurse and specialist practitioner, please see your GP...you don't have to agree to anything. Depression is an illness and can be treated, eventually it self heals as do many of the illnesses we receive treatment for, as with migranes, flu, infections etc., we seek medical advice, take medication, ask for help from professionals, friends, family and strangers. Depression is no different, there are many different medications and interventions that may help you. Those which may be useful to you will depend on your individual needs, to get the help you need to do this you must talk to someone.
For certain - things will get better, your life will be better, you will feel positive and happy again.
I hope you post again soon.
PM me anytime.

 

[The Jogger]

If your GP diagnoses you as having depression, then you will most likely be covered under the Disability Discimination Act 1995, your employer is therefore duty bound to make "reasonable adjustments" to help you, this can include altering your hours of attendance, taking away some of your responsibilities on a temporary basis and other measures that will aleviate the stress that you are obviously under, dicuss this with your employer and just clarify what they believe they are obliged to do to aid your recovery.

I believe it's no longer the DDA but comes under the equality act.

 

[loops]

Depression can fall under DDA but it depends on several factors, this is only truly decided if it ever goes to a work tribunal. Drs can be creative about the sick certificate, but it is better for the employer to know as it is expected that any employer makes reasonable adjustments for any illness, certainly in terms of the reason you are off sick this will make no difference, unfortunately so much depends on your employers personal attitude and outlook. There are however many routes you can take if you feel discriminated against, I have done this myself though obviously its very stressful. Hopefully your boss will be ok, though may not be too sure how to react her/himself!

 

[MissTillyFlop]

Hey 531a!
Just noticed this thread, hope you have survived christmas and new year. I am a user of mental health services and have had mental health problems for 25 years now! I am also a senior mental health nurse and specialist practitioner, please see your GP...you don't have to agree to anything. Depression is an illness and can be treated, eventually it self heals as do many of the illnesses we receive treatment for, as with migranes, flu, infections etc., we seek medical advice, take medication, ask for help from professionals, friends, family and strangers. Depression is no different, there are many different medications and interventions that may help you. Those which may be useful to you will depend on your individual needs, to get the help you need to do this you must talk to someone.
For certain - things will get better, your life will be better, you will feel positive and happy again.
I hope you post again soon.
PM me anytime.

Any chance you can sneak usout some lithium? my doctor won't give it me because of my age....

 

[brockers]

Similarly some Buproprion. My doctor won't give it to me because I don't smoke....

 

[loops]

Similarly some Buproprion. My doctor won't give it to me because I don't smoke....

I took Buproprion to give up smoking and became severely depressed within 2 weeks...have you tried all other options?

 

[loops]

Any chance you can sneak usout some lithium? my doctor won't give it me because of my age....

....best avoided there are other less risky options