Depression - who needs to know

[jcsbama]

I was diagnosed with depression in the fall and started taking medication. I have suffered for years but fear kept me from seeking help. Some days are just really lousy for me and I have no desire and ambition to do anything. I'm ashamed of it. I feel like I should be able to handle this myself. The problem is that I realize this is affecting my job. Do I tell my bosses? Depression is a mental illness and I don't know what kind of implications telling them may have. They may not willingly want an emotional unstable person working for them. I really need some advice.

 

[DVC Sadie]

I was diagnosed with depression in the fall and started taking medication. I have suffered for years but fear kept me from seeking help. Some days are just really lousy for me and I have no desire and ambition to do anything. I'm ashamed of it. I feel like I should be able to handle this myself. The problem is that I realize this is affecting my job. Do I tell my bosses? Depression is a mental illness and I don't know what kind of implications telling them may have. They may not willingly want an emotional unstable person working for them. I really need some advice.

It all depends on your situation and the type of job you have. If your current medication is not working why not see if your doctor can prescribe something else? I know a lot of people who have had to try several different meds to find one that was successful. What type of work do you do?

 

[AMcaptured]

First off, you should not be ashamed of your depression. You have a medical illness and are getting treated for it. However, I wouldn't tell anyone but my closest family members or trusted friends.

I struggled with depression a few years ago after being diagnosed with a chronic illness. I have told very few people of the difficulties I had before I sought treatment. I feel its a very personal thing and that it is just something that shouldn't be shared publically unless you are very very comfortable with. Unfortunately you never know who is going to use something against you, especially at work depending on how competitive your work environment is.

Good Luck, brighter days are ahead.

 

[Sonya]

While I agree that in the workplace you need to be careful, I also think that if you can trust your boss and you think your work is suffering, you might go ahead and say something. Maybe wait until they say something to you first? "Gee, you haven't been yourself lately and I haven't seen you smile in a while." That would be a good lead off. Do be careful but hopefully you have a good relationship with your boss.

 

[donnajon]

If you had high blood pressure, would you think to yourself, "I really should be able to make my blood pressure come down."? If you broke a bone, would you think to yourself, "I really should be able to make this bone heal."?
Depression is a real illness and it is very treatable. There is no reason to think you should not be receiving the help of medication and therapy. As for your job, that is a tough call. It really would depend on the boss. It should be covered by the ADA but who know what people really think. I think I would keep it to myself unless my job was in jeopary and I needed to explain things to keep from getting into trouble. If you are not improving with the medication, please talk with your physician about this. There are so many good antidepressants out there and what works for one may not work for another.
Are you seeing a psychiatrist for your depression? I would really recommend that if you are not. He/She would be the most up to date with the antidepressants that are available. I compare that to seeing an OB-GYN when you are pregnant. It makes sense to see the doctor that specializes in that field.
Good luck.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

I have Seasonal Affective Disorder - seasonal depression - and I wrestled with telling my supervisors in various jobs. I had one job where I did tell my boss with very positive results, and one where I knew it was a bad idea to bring it up and so I didn't say anything. It really does depend on what your job is like and what kind of relationship you have with your boss. I've found it most helpful to talk it through with my therapist and get his/her opinion each time. It's also given me guidance in how to approach the coversation and what my rights are in the situation.

I also agree that you should talk to your doctor if your meds aren't working, but keep in mind that it can take up to 3 months for them to really kick in. It takes awhile for you body to get used to it. And combining therapy with medication is the best, best, best route to go. Makes a HUGE difference.

Most of all, be patient with yourself and give yourself some grace. It will take time, but depression is fully treatable and there's always hope. I'm doing WAY better now than I was even 4 years ago. I'm sure you will find your way out of the depression eventually, too. Hang in there!

 

[Toby'sFriend]

So you've been taking the meds for 4 to 5 months now and are not seeing good results? If so, please do get back to your Doctor for another exam. There are many treatment options available and another one might work better for you.

As far as your work situation, I really don't know what to advise. I can assure you however the "Depression" very rarely equals mentally unstable so please don't feel that way.

Depression is certainly nothing to be ashamed of, but many people do feel more comfortable keeping private medical details out of the workplace. I've known people with cancer and other diseases who don't feel like sharing the details with work acquaintences -- and if that is the way you feel about your Health Status it is certainly acceptable.

I think it is up to you to decide when, where, and how much you want to share. If you feel better about it, maybe you could just say to your boss "I have some Health Issues that I'm working through with my Doctor but I hope to have it under control soon."

 

[happybratpack]

As I fellow sufferer, I feel your pain. IMO I would keep things like this out of the workplace. If your current meds aren't working then go back to the dr...I tried several and ended up on a combo of two that are now working great.

I'm always around if you need to talk anytime. Hang in there...it does get better.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I agree with Happybratpack. You need to remember that depression sometimes comes with a stigma attached. Sad, but sometimes it happens. I would keep it out of the workplace.

 

[Mishetta]

I think you might need to be put on a different med. I suffered depression after the death of my Mother. Depression settled in a few months after Mom's death. Anyway, my OB/GYN (who is a church friend, my DS's Boy Scout Leader & our kids play basketball together) was the one who picked up on it immediately. I was given medication, was "ordered" to seek counseling & was "ordered" to start exercising ~ daily. He said I had to call the office in a week to let him know who I was seeing for counseling & what exercise routine I was incorporating in my life. I felt really "pushed" by my Doc & was not too happy at the time but now I realize how much he helped me! Incorporating all 3 in a daily routine helped me by leaps & bounds. The counseling let me "unload" my feeling of grief & despair & anger. The meds helped me chemically & the exercise produced endorphines that really helps your mood.

Good luck to you. I always refer to that time in my life as my being in that deep dark hole. Not a good place to be.

Oh & I would have never told my boss.

 

[hydster]

As one who has suffered from depression since getting post partum depression after the birth of my 12 year old dd I hear ya! I agree with the others that if you've been taking meds for 5 months and they arent working you need to change meds. I don't know what you are taking but I went through prozac, paxil,serzone, zoloft and wellbutrin and finally got it right on wellbutrin xl. Sometimes you have to try several different ones to find the one that helps your particular depression. I also suffer from SAD so I do light therapy in the winter that really helps with that.

As for telling your employer I don't think I'd share it unless it became absolutely necessary. I don't think they need to know everything about your life or your personal life unless they feel it is affecting your performance at your job.

Hang in there. It is treatable but it can take awhile to find the right one. My dh takes Lexapro with great results but it made him impossible to sleep with because it made his legs jerk uncontrollably during the night. We finally found something that would help with that but it's unconventional but sometimes you have to try different things to get it right! CALL YOUR DOC today! You shouldn't be suffering needlessly when there are so many drugs out there!

I hope you get feeling better soon and feel free to pm me anytime! I've been dealing with it for 12 years.