Opinions Please: Do I Tell Work?

[Butter-Bee]

Hi all,

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this but I need some opinions on what I should do at work.

My work isn't a problem, I get the job done and I do it well but:
I had a complete breakdown about two years and was signed off work for a while, I went back and provided them with a Drs note to say I had severe depression and severe anxiety. I went to see a psychiatrist for about a year and then decided that I thought I'd be ok to carry on on my own.

The only problem now though is that I think work think that because I no longer go to my 'Drs' all the time this now means I am all better. But obviously it doesn't mean that at all.

My moods etc people at work are now used to and they just ignore it as me being me, stressy and moody or mega hyper.

After getting a warning at work today about having over my 8 days sick even though they know I have IBS (but don't know that it is anxiety related and I don't think they know I have PTSD)

Question is: Because my work isn't affected and I am getting up and going should I explain my situation to them a bit so they know that maybe the way I act isn't because I'm immature or moody and I'm not having sick days so I can chill at home its actually because I do have an illness?

The most concerning part of this is that maybe they wont actually care and they will just chat about it or ignore it completely.

But part of me wants them to know. What do you think?
x

 

[Nighthawk]

It for me will not have a good long term effect. I would not give them ammunition if you don't show signs that are interfering with your work. Just my opinion.

 

[Zipperhead]

I think you hit the nail on the head. They most likely won't care. Anything that would require effort on their part is unlikely to happen. If you are still performing, then hold your record up for all to see when they question and keep the explanations for those you trust. If there are people that you trust at work, and they are in a position to help, then so be it. Other wise, no sense giving them ammo.

 

[Venusian]

I agree with Nighthalk, if the PTSD is manageable and is not interfering with your work then I would let it be unless it is something that you feel really needs to be told. I had some episodes at work the last few months that did interfere with how I did my job and although I hid it from the people I worked with and blamed it on the asthma attacks that I was having. The asthma triggered some very bad flashbacks that intensified the asthma. I told my boss and 2 days later I was laid off. I don't know if it was the only factor but it must have played a part in the decision of who was going to be let go.

 

[NIKI]

If you do want to disclose your illness, I think it would be a very good idea to have a doctor's letter backing you up and explaining your illness and why you might have to take days off because of this illness.

Then they would have to take it seriously. And can't just say, "Oh, she is just making it up." And they can't just ignore it either.

Good luck Hon,

NIK

 

[CPTSD]

Several years ago, I told about my PTSD at work. I very quickly regretted telling. The vast majority of "normal" people do not understand the first thing about PTSD. After I told, I was treated like I had a contagious disease, and I was let go at the first opportunity. After you tell, you can not change your mind and UN-tell. Some things are just no one's business, and I believe this is one of them. If I had it to do over again, I would say only that I was sick with a migraine headache, when my PTSD caused me to need sick leave. I rationalized that it was not completely a lie, because PTSD does in fact cause a terrible EMOTIONAL migraine-like pain, and very often does cause various physical pains, as well. Most people do not think less of you if you have a terrible headache.

This is only my opinion, of course!

Elaina

 

[Nighthawk]

That happened to me when I went to ask a boss to let me leave work one day because the pain in my knee was so bad. They had lay offs the next week and I knew I was going to be the one to go because of my disability. Now I am faced with a lessened income and workload and the fact that my brother/boss sees me as crazy and will tend towards dismissing anything he does not like as crazy.

 

[Eleanor]

In the US we have the americans with disabilities act - which provides employees with some (at least in theory) legal protection while dealing with illnesses, especially chronic ones, and entitles them to "reasonable accommodation." Don't know if the UK has the same thing - but if so it would likely be a good idea to ask your doc to help you document to someone official and confidential (big boss/HR person) that you have an illness and require accommodation.... hope that helps!

 

[cherryblossom]

Given the situation you have discussed, I personally wouldn't tell them.

If you end up being signed off again for any length of time in the future, then you might have to tell them, in order to use the 'disability act' in your favour.

Many companies use a warning system to help them to 'manage' sickness. It's usually based on x amount of days off in 3 months, y amount of days off in 6 months etc, working on a 12 month rolling time frame. It sounds like you have triggered a warning by having over 8 days off in whatever time frame their policy states.

In my experience, companies have no flexibility within their policy to treat any one individual differently due to pre-existing condition, and the disability act only really comes into play, if the situation escalates, and you get more warnings, and your job is on the line.

If you do get another warning further down the line, then I would suggest to your employers that you be seen by occupational health, who can then advise you about the disability act, and they can also advise your employers about any reasonable accommodations, they should be making, to help you. But unless things escalate, I personally, wouldn't tell them. As things stand at the moment, they have no reason to know, and they could possibly use it against you.

Good luck!

 

[Belle]

Hi Butter-Bee
My PTSD was triggered by an incident at work and I was referred to OH because of severe headaches associated with my work space.
Even though my PTSD has been triggered by work and OH are supportive I have found that a lot of people do not understand at all. I have explained to the team that I line manage. We are a close knit and supportive team but even so I have heard that some members of my team have negative views about my 'mental health' even though it is not affecting my work.
So if my PTSD hadn't been triggered by work and if OH hadn't told my line manager what was the issue I certainly would not have told anyone.
I was naive and I am shocked by the lack of understanding and have had to be very tough - something which is hard when you are vulnerable due to symptoms of PTSD.

 

[Belle]

fact that my brother/boss sees me as crazy and will tend towards dismissing anything he does not like as crazy.

Yes this is a danger...... I told my boss straight out that I am the victim of circumstances and don't want to be a victim of PTSD, I won't be victimized because of PTSD.

 

[Butter-Bee]

Thank you everyone. I am going to just carry on as I am. If I can hold out for this long then they don't need to know. I guess part of me just wants someone at work to talk to when I'm struggling. Thank you again.