Disclosing Conditions To Employer

[zpargo87]

Hi there

As well as PTSD I have social anxiety. Now employers are required to make reasonable adjustments if you disclose some conditions and they fall under the legislation. My interviews are generally fine but presentations and groups exercises leave me feeling panicky, nervous, with palpitations, so tone of voice and things like verbal fluency are affected. So I pretty much standout as someone with problems often leading to me not getting those jobs.

I have no idea what reasonable adjustments they could make for me if it got to that. The bottom line is I'm a worse candidate than someone without a history of any traumas as they are unlikely to experience severe symptoms. All jobs require working with people and some require communicating with lots of people at once. What can I do? I have the intellect to land the jobs I'm going for but not the personality. For example how do they decide between two candidates equal in ability but one has mental health problems and the other hasn't? If anyone has been down the route of disclosing conditions I would be grateful to hear from you.

Thanks

 

[Fraser46]

Disclosing to employers is always difficult. I made the decision not to disclose until I had a permanent contract. I am a teacher and because we have a short of jobs you often get a short-term contact which can then sometimes lead to a permanent contract. I worked so hard for my first 6 months and tried to hid the symptoms - teaching is really about acting, so I had to act all the time that things were fantastic. Well I got a permanent post, I then got my gp to write a letter confirmed that I had PTSD and Depression after being attacked whilst working abroad. The letter mentioned the injuries that I sustained e.g. loss of consciousness, fractured skull, broken jaw and ribs and bruising and that I am currently receiving treatment for the lifelong effects of PTSD. The letter said that although I have difficulties (e.g. anxiety, low mood, nightmares, weight loss etc), I am able to cope with these and hold down a full-time job. My Headteacher was lovely and said that she knew something wasnt right, but that I had hidden things really well. She is really supportive and said that personally she thinks I did the right things not saying to schools about the PTSD/Depression as probably it would have put schools off giving me a job - she did say it shouldnt have an impact but it probably would. My Headteacher is lovely and certainly keeps an eye on me and when I look particularly stressed she has covered my class (so I can have a break) and told me to take time off to relax (on paid leave). I am glad that my employer knows now, but I am glad that I didnt say until my job was secure.

 

[Kas_Can_Fly]

Oddly there's such a thing as positive discrimination as well, firms and companies have a certain number of statistics to fill such as posts filled by women, from different cultures and those with disabilities - I have experienced that myself some time ago, so it's not all negative. It is very difficult however, personally I'm almost (if not) radically honest and would prefer to be honest upfront. Also I think I feel that if I'm going to be judged either way is rather get it over and done with, and not risk losing potential friends or employment over what is quintessentially me. I am what I am, I have what I have - take it or leave it. It is scary and terrifying though. Good luck.

 

[zpargo87]

I'm generally going for finance jobs and it has been particularly competitive out there. I've been applying for 8 months and haven't succeeded at the final round for good permanent jobs. I have been doing temporary assignments to fill some of the time when I can.

Also once I get in, there's the challenge of continuing to hide the symptoms which is hard. Like I am very reactive to small changes in my environment. For example if I'm at work or in the library and someone walks across behind me I get an impulsive urge to look around. It's like I can't control it. My brain is wired to consider all sounds or physical sensations as threats. This can be distracting and if a line manager notices this he may conclude that I'm messing about which has actually happened to me once. I was thinking of meditating in a public place with eyes open to try and resolve this issue so I get used to people walking around or hearing things and still staying focused. I have been meditating at home by the way.

 

[Fraser46]

I completely understand oversensitive to sounds etc. I never sit down when I teach and never have my back to the door. I have relaxing music playing before school starts and this seems to keep me calm. I tend to rush around at work and find it easier to cope when I am busy. Although this is probably more of an avoidance behaviour. I have attended mediation classes and it does help me. You honestly just have to go with your gut instinct about telling employers - it is very difficult to tell what to do for the best.

 

[_vikki]

My PTSD rarely shows in work, but when it does it is subject to criticism from my employees. My Branch Manager is aware of it, vaguely knows why, as I go to counselling every Monday evening, but in her words, she 'does have things like that in her country' and 'it's not like a broken arm, I can't see it'. She is a good manager but when it comes to this she has no knowledge and no idea how to deal with it. I have had several panic attacks in work, but the only one my office was aware about was when I collapsed from it (nearly passed out, once I was on the floor I was okay), and my colleagues didn't know how to react so they didn't react at all.

I have asked to be assessed by Occ Health, to 'cover my back' as so to speak, but she's never actually requested it. I would declare it once you feel comfortable enough to, I have declared it despite the negative reaction I have got from my manager and I do not trust my colleagues one bit to know, but at the end of the day, I'm there to do my job so as long as I am covered safe, my mind is at rest.