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How to Explain PTSD to Employer/Office Staff

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To follow up on what to tell people in the office/work setting... I must echo what others have said... I would be very, very careful here.

If you go back in past threads (like back to fall '07) you will find we talked about this in depth, not wanting to be labeled the workplace nutcase. You know, every office has one... *snork*

I would recommend digging back in past threads. Pour a cup of coffee and just read. There is a wealth of information buried in this board, but you have to go back and dig it up. :)

Bailey
 
baileysemt-

and hugs to you...13 of my years were covering stories on location. i've learned the lense of a camera doesn't shield you. when you put it down you're part of the "story" and trauma too.

i have applied to new jobs...12 with my same company out of the news division. i've gotten one reply and had 2 interviews. i'm afraid i told too many people and word spread so i'm being "black-balled" to a point. i wish i had just kept the trap shut. so many people dont' understand ptsd so why even talk about it with them. knowledge i've gained a little too late. i hope it works out for you sweetpinh!!!!
 
If I may share a suggestion that was passed on to me, it may help!

Tell them "I have been dealing with some health issues that I'm not quite ready to talk about yet. Your interest and concern means a lot to me, but I am still dealing with them and sometimes I have small relapses. I would appreciate you respecting my need for privacy right now."

Hope this helps give you some way to handle the co-workers
 
Grama-Herc,

Your advice is perfect. I'm going to start practicing it every day. I'm so used to telling everyone about my life that it will be hard to not say anything.
 
I'd find out what information must be divulged (if any) -- and then that would be all I'd offer. I'm presently on LTD from a job that was a major source of this latest bout of PTSD. Of course, I cannot even hint that the job, and some of the people at my workplace, were causative agents. Other circumstances in my life have contributed to my illness, and they are what I focus on for the necessary "jumping through hoops." I work at a company that has about 150 employees and not one person knows what's happening with me, except our HR manager who knows just the basics. Funny that a rehab specialist (wonderful lady, actually) recently asked me if I like my job. I deliberately put a positive spin on the work and worked my mind hard to speak with a balanced perspective.

I think, generally, where the workplace is concerned...be careful; so careful. The prevailing corporate attitude tends to be, "You're a good little machine ... a cog on the wheel ... and if you become otherwise, well ... bye-bye!"

Great example of uncaring policies: three days of bereavement leave if, say, your mate, your parent, your child dies. THREE DAYS! Jeez, a human being is still in a stupor-shock three days after a death. I was back at work nine days after my mother's death (a previous administrative job) -- even then, one afternoon I was sitting in my chair with a file in my hand, literally not knowing what the thing was.

So if that kind of policy is in practice, you can bet you won't get much heart with a long-term illness. I'm just grateful that my insurance claim was approved -- huge surprise and I will use the opportunity as best I can for some deep healing and big changes.

My husband, my doctor, and a few intimate friends and relatives know what's going on. To everyone else, I say nothing or the absolute minimum that is required. About this, I trust no one I didn't already trust before I became ill.

It's a shame to think this way -- it saddens me, actually -- because we can be so cruel (often unintentionally) in our lack of understanding and in our refusal to bring compassion to illness -- an experience which we all will be touched by.
 
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