Ptsd/therapy, And Re-employment After Termination.

[Michael B.]

I lost my job when I told my employer after an hour and a half of interrogation that I was seeing a psychologist and paying out of pocket. My former employer told me that PTSD is not an allowed behavior (I know what PTSD stands for) and therefore my employment is terminated.
I had applied for LTD insurance that was offered by my former employer and I was supposed to have a decision by now, but... I can't get unemployment because it will kill the LTD insurance application, so I'm in limbo.
I met with my T yesterday and the insurance company asked her if she thought I could be rehabilitated for employment. Since she is not trained in Vocational Rehabilitation all she told them was I was still functioning at a minimum level (i.e- bathing, eating and such). This is where I'm at now and still sinking.
I'm having trouble finding an attorney to help me because my former employer is a government agency (not Federal) and every firm I talk to large or small has a conflict. I'm tired of hearing "I'm sorry we can't help you." I'm screwed.

 

[BlueOrange]

That sounds awful.

 

[HappyJock]

First and foremost, your former employer sounds like a tool who doesn't care about the health of the people that help his business grow. "It is not allowed behavior." There is lots of stigma with PTSD and other forms of mental illness, so I'm sorry that you experienced this. I also can't blame your employer alone, because he's not the only one to think like this, unfortunately. I too, had this experience, except, I never told them I had PTSD -- I left, because I knew that if I was honest with him, he would have done the same thing.

It sounds like you're in a situation you can't quite get yourself out of. I can't tell you how sorry I am to hear that. (Hugs) :hug: if you accept them. I can't quite say I know what you're going through exactly, but I know the feeling, in concept; it isn't one that makes you feel good. All I can suggest it talking more to your therapist about how this is affecting you. I hope in time, you'll find the answers you're looking for and get the help you deserve.

I don't know where you're located, but there are free "PTSD Counseling" programs in some places and those places often have intern social workers as well as licensed ones that can actually help with the employment situation. Maybe check into that, although I don't know how helpful that will be for your situation. If recovery is what you need to focus on, then best of luck with that as well!

PS: "I'm sorry, we can't help you" is the most dehumanizing and frustrating thing to hear -- I hear you on that! :(

 

[shimmerz]

I lost my job when I told my employer after an hour and a half of interrogation that I was seeing a psychologist and paying out of pocket. My former employer told me that PTSD is not an allowed behavior (I know what PTSD stands for) and therefore my employment is terminated.

That's what all the PTSD awareness campaigns designed to educate the ignorant have done for us! Thank god for the support of big brother! Helpful yes?

Michael B. I am so very sorry your life has been derailed like this. You are amongst a crowd of many here with this dubious distinction.

 

[Michael B.]

Michael B. I am so very sorry your life has been derailed like this. You are amongst a crowd of many here with this dubious distinction.

Thanks. I need to vent;
I lost health insurance and now I'm off medications and scared. The detox took ~2 weeks and was hellish! I've been denied LTD insurance and no response on an appeal. My former employer will not talk to me about the retirement I earned in the 13 years I worked there. The State Unemployment office keeps approving and denying benefits. My waiting week is now 6 weeks. The rep at the local workforce center told me I should look for work out of the state or look for entry level jobs, They keep sending information designed for teenagers, no help there. Still no income and people I was friends with at my former job have turned their backs. My safe was cracked (as seen on YouTube) and my SSDI docs (not backed up) and LTD docs (backed up) are missing. I have to start the laborious SSDI application over again. I'm applying for work but I'm paranoid about blacklisting. I'm really F'd up right now. OTC sleep aids help with flashbacks at night, but I break down several times during the day. I have to do something before this destroys me. I just don't know what that something is. Freeze, fight, or flight. Those are my options. Time to stop whining.

 

[BlueOrange]

Have you spoken to a lawyer?

 

[Michael B.]

Have you spoken to a lawyer?

Yes. I'm waiting for a 'right to sue' letter from the EEOC. I filed the complaint after I cleared the HCV on 9/2014. Then I have to do a FOIA request. Then it's $2k to settle and $7K to go to trial. No income, still no job offers, and I'm applying for work. This is what you do to get unemployment benefits, except I'm getting jerked around.

My former employer is telling the State I've no health issues and therefore my unemployment is delayed. Of course I was told by my former employer they will not fight my unemployment claim. Everything is a lie and because my former employer was government they have the power to ruin me, and that's I think they are trying to do.

My waiting week for unemployment is now 6 weeks because they say I've no health problems. I'm amazed at how many government employees are physicians with the power to manipulate your life. A drug company that supplies Gene Replacement therapy is working with my Pulmonologist to get me declared indigent so I can get health coverage and Gene Replacement Therapy. The State won't listen to me on this.

The LTD claim was closed for no reason and I cannot get an answer why. My former employer will not return my calls about my retirement, and when my W2 was misplaced I was sent a blank W2 as a replacement. I'm selling my possessions at clearance prices to live.

I'm afraid to leave the house because the last time I left for the day all of my SSDI paperwork disappeared, a f****d up document was placed on my computer desktop and for the second time my document folder was corrupted, and again I found the sharing settings changed and two unknown user accounts on my LAN with permissions. I wonder if I'm being monitored, even as I write this because my VPN is turned off. Am I just paranoid?

I have a feeling I will have to take an entry level retail position and declare bankruptcy because of my medical issues, which is at the heart of my troubles. If I don't get health coverage as an indigent, under ObamaCare I can be fined. Ain't that the shits! What has happened to this country? Why does this happen to hard working people? I want out!

 

[willing]

Holding you in my thoughts..... Sounds like me too. Stay in the moment of the ground air body sensation so your mind isn't such a hog. A good mind exercise is to hold all that tense energy in a ball in your mind then toss it up in the air with your mind. Hopefully it will give you some space .... Space to breathe

 

[BlueOrange]

What's happening certainly does sound like a terrible injustice. I hope things improve soon, and quickly (which, given that you're having to deal with lawyers, seems unlikely :( )

 

[Michael B.]

Holding you in my thoughts..... Sounds like me too. Stay in the moment of the ground air body sensation so...

That is just what I feel is needed. Right now I'm at a friends house high up in the Rockies and the suns coming up. Last night he and his awesome family and neighbors have shown so much support that I feel now that it'll be okay. One door closes and another opens, trust in your higher power.

 

[Michael B.]

I really appreciate this platform, it helps me understand I'm not alone. I wish I had the time and ability to contribute more. I've decided not to post anywhere else for the time being. It looks like I will start working again even if it's not the job I really want. I need income, and the government in my State is not making it easy to do. After I was denied benefits twice I informed the Dept. of Labor of my pending complaint against my employer and the status of that complaint. That's when reduced unemployment benefits were approved. The job I'm taking is a 40% income drop, but I can make it work. Funny thing is, my former employer started building the lies that they terminated for back in April 2015. This is what they've done time and again to others, it was my turn. My peers knew it too, and had distanced themselves from me since then.

Bad news; I still have flashbacks because the individuals responsible for placing me in a dangerous situation that created my health problems and eventual employment termination live together and had moved into my neighborhood. I see them on occasion and therefore I have flashbacks when I see them in passing. Knowing the wheels of justice are turning keeps me going. So...

Good new; I was informed by EEOC that my complaint against my former employer has been sent to the DOJ for action, and I've won an appeal for LTD insurance. And, a drug company that supplies Gene Replacement Therapy will sponsor my infusions. This is the best news because my A1AT Deficiency symptoms that are chronic will finally get addressed. I've had 4 trial infusions and they were/are life changing.

Moving forward; I will start the SSDI application over again (last app disappeared) because my genetic disorder is a recognized disability. That was the REAL reason I lost my job. My former employer refused to recognize GINA protections and used my health records against me. All of the job applications that asked about disabilities never gave me an interview, even though I fit the job requirements. IMO it was because I declined to answer the disability question. The job I'm starting Monday is through a headhunter, but I need work. I still see my 'T' once a month, paying out of pocket. She keeps me on track. My hope is my former employer/employees will leave me alone and let me move on putting my life back together. Only time will tell.

Thanks to all whose support has kept me going. To others that are suffering, my hopes and prayers are with you. You must know it's a low-point in the course of life, not an end!

 

[Michael B.]

What's happening certainly does sound like a terrible injustice. I hope things improve soon, and qui...

I got a job through an agency last week. Went through all of the hiring BS the first week and was let go on the way to work the second day of the second week via text because I can't work 57 hours-6 days/week. When hired I was told the position was 40 hours/week. I haven't been paid for the time I was there, and the agency blocked my phone. Reporting this to the Dept. of Labor. It's not an uncommon occurrence in Colorado, LOL!