Posted by acm on September 27, 1999, at 15:40:12
In reply to Depression and Work, posted by yardena on August 22, 1999, at 20:02:38
I was diagnosed with major depression (single episode, moderate) in January 1998. I told my boss because I knew there was no way to hide it -- it affected the very fiber of my being. Her mother is bipolar, so she had an understanding early on, and she's since confided to me that she's been down my path also.
I'm glad I told her, because my marriage broke up in June 98 and my mother died in July 98. I'd just started therapy that winter and by spring had finally found an AD that I could tolerate. I don't have siblings or children. With no husband and no mom (my dad and I don't get along), all I had left were a few close friends and my work, which I dove into. It was really really hard because I couldn't concentrate, so I spend an inordinate amount of time getting the work done, but I got it done. I am extremely lucky to have the boss I have. She's been very supportive. I asked her upfront to tell me if my work was slipping in any way because I wanted to know and fix it right away. She was always reassuring that my work was good. It's been a year since that horrible summer, and I'm still working on the depression. In the spring of this year, I went through a bad spell. I knew I wasn't feeling right, but my boss confirmed it when she asked me how I was one day. I could tell she was concerned. Her feedback prompted me to talk with my doctor. He added another AD (Wellbutrin to the existing Remeron) and things have gotten better.
If I didn't have such an understanding boss, I probably wouldn't be so open. However, if asked, I'd probably admit my depression. I don't see how I could hide it. I haven't been able to thus far -- at least to people who know me.
poster:acm
thread:10514
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990914/msgs/12133.html