Posted by Malia on August 23, 1999, at 15:35:45
In reply to Depression and Work, posted by yardena on August 22, 1999, at 20:02:38
I decided to disclose my depression to my Manager and the Owner/Partner of my Law Firm where I work. I did this while on Effexor, mind you and had "the guts" to say anything to anybody (LOL)!
In any case, I've gotten positive reactions, and the Partner told me that I should've told him long ago that I was having problems that were affecting my work (yeah, but it would've been risky). I've been at my job for 10 years, so it made it easier knowing that I perfomed better in previous years. I had numerous crying spells while at work which led up to my depression for the third time in my life. I lost my father to cancer in January, so no one could understand. I was no longer "mourning," I was mentally ill from the stress and change that had taken place in several areas of my life in such a short period of time. They know I'm on meds too, but I told just 5 of my close co-workers. I haven't felt the stigma of mental illness at all. If anything, people have opened up to me that they know someone like me, or can see why I need the meds and the therapy. I'm probably just fortunate to have understanding co-workers. Being open about this makes my life so much easier. Hiding my problems gives me more stress actually.
poster:Malia
thread:10514
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990914/msgs/10571.html