Do Not Provide A Diagnosis

[Notsowild]

So I got this letter from HR about my ability to return to work. It is for my psychiatrist and myself to fill out. There is one question that's a little baffling to me. It says: What is the general nature of the disability/ medical condition ( please do not provide a diagnosis ). Hmmm I guess my psychiatrist will hopefully know the answer.

 

[y5L]

Good thing the psychiatrist gets to fill it out! Hopefully they know what it means! Maybe they're looking for some kind of umbrella label like anxiety/depression. Or even broader- mental health.

 

[Jezanna]

Trying to avoid violating hiipa (sp)laws perhaps if your in the states. Dr will have been trained if that's it and know how to be discreet.

 

[Notsowild]

What law is that?

 

[Milo's papa]

@Notsowild
I'm not sure if this is the same thing that my wife had to fill out, but on hers the answer was mental health. Everyone involved seemed to be satisfied with that answer.

 

[Notsowild]

Could be "mental health" but that would cover a lot of disorders.

 

[Justmehere]

What is the goal or purpose of the form? General verification or clarification of your ability to return to work? Or is it for Americans with Disability Act accommodations (if you are in the states)?

 

[catjudo]

Could be "mental health" but that would cover a lot of disorders.

Exactly. Because if you're in the US there are laws prohibiting them from asking your diagnosis. It's none of their business. They just need a general idea in order to know how, if at all, it may affect your ability to perform your job duties...at most, to determine if there is any need for an accommodation so that you can perform your job duties. But they are not allowed to ask your diagnosis.

Your psychiatrist will know exactly how to answer it in a way that provides them with the information they need while protecting your privacy as much as possible. It is a standard question on a standard form.

 

[Notsowild]

@Justmehere...It is a form about accommodations and my ability to return to work. HR and work already know about my PTSD diagnosis. It was written in many treatment notes from my doctor and psychiatrist.

 

[Notsowild]

@catjudo....I'm from Canada. Same laws though. It just seems strange, so they'd write" anxiety " more than likely but that's only part of it. Like I said above they already now about my PTSD.

 

[Lucycat]

I think it is fairly common ( in the UK) to ask the nature of the disability rather than a diagnosis. The impact of any diagnosis can vary greatly between individuals. An example of physical equivalent could be like 'cerebral palsy', you could be wheelchair bound and unable to walk or talk - or you might have a slight limp and be otherwise unaffected ( or anywhere in between) Asking you to describe the disability gives a far more accurate picture of the severity of the problem and a 'rough' idea of the broad range of types of assistance required.

 

[Justmehere]

@Notsowild - ah, that is strange if they already know the diagnosis! But probably just a standard form. In the US, they are actually prohibited by law from asking the diagnosis when dealing with accommodation requests (different rules for some work physicals or medical fitness though).

Plus, it is probably more useful to ask nature if disability, as in how it affects you, than diagnosis, as PTSD itself can disable people in different ways.

Either way, I bet your doc will know best what to say and I hope it all goes smoothly.