I've seen random posts on this topics but wanted to start a new thread. I haven't told anyone at my work and I don't think I will. I am very worried because of the stigma associated with mental illness. I'm just wondering what others have experienced dealing with depression and work.

How has depression affected your work/career?
Have you been discriminated against?
Is work part of the problem or solution etc?

So have a go and I'll add my two cents periodically.

BookEater

Depending on where you are at, someone in authority needs to know.

But as I have recommended before, it always needs to be framed as a situation that is improving. They need to understand that you are on the way up and are proactively treating the problem via drugs and/or therapy.


Bosses needto know that you are recovering from an ailment, not looking to lean on it and milk it for special priviledges.

How has depression affected your work/career?
yes it has. im bipolar so i go from being overly productive, taking on tons of projects, being social, etc. then i flip into depression where i do the bare minimum to get thru the day while avoiding people. motiviation is so hard when depressed.

Have you been discriminated against?
probably, but i tend to keep my bipolar on the dl.

Is work part of the problem or solution etc?
i dont handle stress very well, so anything sets me off. work is just one of those daily grinds that i make myself do. its hard to go in and put in a good day's work when you feel crappy.

I am new to this site Just found this forum tonight and glad I did. I have major depression right now and I know that almost everyone knows that I have been suffering from it and it makes it very hard to go to work. I am not able to work at the present time and that has been difficult too and presents its own set of problems as well. I don't think that I am being discriminated because of the Family Leave and disability Act but I feel alot of stigma.

Does anybody feel my pain?

It has affected my career in the sense that it has limited my job choice. It hindered me in school, which resulted in me not graduating in the field I wanted thus being stuck in a job I don't really like.

It has affected my work because I'm not as 'on top of things' as I should be. My concentration isn't there. I'll sometimes lose time from just spacing out, staring at the computer screen as thoughts race through my mind. And it shakes my confidence too. I'm just not confident in the work that I produce. It is also hard to be on time getting to work because it takes so much effort just to get out of bed in the morning.

I also worry about what they think of me. When it came to being interviewed for the job, I turned on my spunky self to impress. I feel like phony now 'cause that spunky and confident person is nowhere to be seen. They probably feel conned, lol.


Not that I know of. I haven't planned on telling my co-workers or employers because of the stigma, and they don't really value me to begin with, so them finding out that I have depression on top of that really would not be good. I'm already the odd one of the bunch (it's a small business), so me outing myself would just outcast me even more, which is the last thing that I need.


It's hard to say. While I welcome the distraction (what else would I do for eight hours each day?), it is hard to muster the effort everyday - eight hours a day - to work. I'm actually glad that I work for someone rather than for myself, 'cause I would be sooo broke, lol.

I essentially work because I have student loans to pay, and I have set some small financial goals for myself (buy a car, save for a future down payment for when I finally move out). Keeping these in mind get me out of bed every weekday morning.

I think we all do, in one way or other.

1. Yes it has, I cant write as well and as fast as I used to, I dont read as fast as I used to, it takes me longer to get done with essays. I also do not apply for many jobs because Im afraid what people are going to say when I tell them about my panic issues.

2. In a way yes, at the teaching training place, where they saw me more as a problem than anything.

3. Its part of the solution for me.

How has depression affected your work/career?
At times it has affected my work. I've taken days off and my concentration, productivity, efficiancy, and ability to cope with stress has been affected...but not all the time
As far as my career...I am kind of an underachiever and I probably could be a lot further along if it wasn't for my depression.

Have you been discriminated against?
I honestly have never told anyone I worked with directly. Though I do believe the boss and co-workers I worked with last year knew...because they were asking me if I needed time off and seemed to be more caring and concerned...I did not have as much pressure and difficulties getting what I wanted like I normally did.

Is work part of the problem or solution etc?
I feel work is very much a part of the solution for me. I'm good at working and I usually get a good amount of praise and it gives me a sense of accomplishment...as well as just that reason to get out of bed.

When my major depression started, my co-workers were concerned and asking if they could help. When I took time off to recoup and return they were afraid of me. Afraid that I was "damaged" and might do something drastic. They discussed it among themselves in less than quite voices.

Upon returning to work I found numerous interdepartmental roadblocks that made doing my job almost impossible. At first I thought it was a coincidence, but as it went on I realized I was being targeted.

So I tried to focus on my job. I decided to ignore the ignorance around me. But I had to track down (numerous) errors that showed up on my desk and ignoring others became impossible. The harder I tried to do my job, the harder they tried to stop me. I know it sounds paranoid. If I were reading this I might draw the same conclusion. But it was one against the mob. I had no one to back me up, no one to say ease off (management), no one to reassure me.

I think the old old saying is true. Trust is easy to earn, but once it is lost it is very difficult to earn back.

Has Depression hurt my career? Not really since I work in human services, people tend to be a little more understanding.
Have I been discriminated againist? Oh yes but it's hard to say whether it's mental illness or race is the reason.
Is work part of the problem or solution? For me, having depression/GAD/ADHD, I think work keeps me in check and forces me to cope. Spending too much time doing nothing helps the brain to wander into to dark places. Work helps me focus and channnel my thoughts & energy.

When I worked for a medical clinic there was no problem regarding my depression. They were empathetic and took into consideration that I would have bad days. Then again I was also having major personal problems with a member of my family who was terminally ill. When I moved on, I kept my mental illness to myself. Not because of the stigma, but it was a need to know and I felt they didn't need to know. Days I was depressed, my work slacked off and days I wasn't, I was highly productive. The medication I was on at the time also kept the depression away 90% of the time.

Many years down the road, depression began to affect my work productivity. I could no longer mark it up as just a bad day. There came a time when I just couldn't do anything and I would be in my office acting very paranoid. I contracted encephalitis at that time also. With both the physical illness and the mental illness, I kissed my career good-bye. I've not been able to work since as my tolerance for stress is nil.

Redhead, I can feel your pain.
Sheepwoman

Thanks for all the responses so far.

I think my career was the big reason I put off getting help. I support my family so I can't lose my livelihood.

I guess I should answer my own questions so here goes:

1. It is affecting my career. I have been put off for the week (could be longer) by the doctor. Yet, not getting help would probably affec my job more.

2. I ahven't told anyone yet and I don't think I will. A co-worker of mine went out for almost a whole year two years ago and I remember all too clearly the talk in teh staff room. She also told me about the insensitive comments people made when she returned. I am so thankful for FMLA - I feel it is a lifesaver and protects us even if we still have to deal with ignorance.
What did you or didn't you tell your boss after being put off work?

3. Work is part of the solution for me. It gives me something to do, I love teaching, and I get great reviews. Yet, it is also part of the problem because I'm stressing about how all this will affect my job.

BookEater

i cant work and havent been able to for 8 years now,
i can do voluntary,i went to my sons school for 8 months twice weekly and enjoyed it alot,they offered me a job.....i lasted 2 weeks before i locked myself in the toilet and had to go off sick..pathetic!!
as soon as i know im accountable for something i bolt,just cant do it hate confrontation,dont like people watching me etc...my cpn has referred me to an occupational therapist,hope fully i'll learn how to control the panic attacks,i read all the amazing strong peoples posts on here and they have to work,and cope with their illness too and they inspire me to get help!!!

It doesn't keep from from doing my job but it certainly slows my productivity at times depending on the particular mood.