Antidepressants and work

RE: Antidepressants and work

Loobyfly — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 22:38:32 GMT

Thank you for your kind responses. Yes, official letters from my doctor and psychiatrist did make my boss feel more confident in trusting me and allowing me to work. To be fair to him and my colleagues, it was probably the first time they had had to deal with such a situation. So a learning curve for everyone. Also, I think they were ultimately worried about keeping me safe (in a potentially dangerous environment) and panicked a bit initially. I know there are things that I could have handled more positively, too. At the moment I'm trying to keep my head down and do a good job. Hopefully in time I will feel more comfortable at work again and be able to repair damaged working relationships. I'm aware there are now various CPD options for learning how to deal with mental health issues in practice. This is great progress and I hope they are well attended.

RE: Antidepressants and work

Sal the 1st — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 21:53:49 GMT

[quote user="Loobyfly"]

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sadly yes this happens sometimes I can identify with this - but will also add that karma is a bitch, what goes around comes around and lets hope if they ever find themselves in the situation where they need help ( and this happens so many times) that there is somebody there to offer it.

RE: Antidepressants and work

Alison Clare Hickman — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 09:49:20 GMT

[quote user="Loobyfly"]I actually regret being honest and seeking support from my employer regarding mental health issues. Aspects of the way my boss and colleagues treated me afterwards were not very kind and caused me a lot of problems at work. [/quote]

Good grief. Shameful behaviour from your employer and colleagues. I am so sorry for you, that this happened. It comes from a place of fear and ignorance, no doubt of that. To have to justify your health and right to work in such a manner is truly barbaric, in my opinion. But you did do it and, as you said, found out who your true friends were as a result.

It just shows you how fearful, unenlightened and ignorant of mental health some people are. It is, in my opinion, inhuman to cause further pain and difficulties when someone is in recovery from an illness. It is just not on.

You mention that you resorted to showing professional evidence of your recovery; and I am presuming that this had a beneficial effect on any fear/concerns felt by your employer, reducing or removing their negative attitude? It is a great shame you had to do that, but with some people it maybe a good way to reassure them and educate.

I do understand that for protection you have learned to keep your personal life under wraps. It is true that revealing all can work against you, in a toxic work environment, so keep safe your heart. However I would advise anyone to speak privately to their employer about their health, so that they are fully aware of any limitations to your work,; such as keeping a discreet eye out for you to watch for signs that might lead, unchecked, to a breakdown. To be aware you need rest breaks (and ensure you take them! - we can be out own worst enemy sometimes, yes?!).

It has been said previously, we should definitely be personally aware of our own signals and take supportive action also.

I wish you strength and happiness. Hugs.

RE: Antidepressants and work

Loobyfly — Mon, 04 Sep 2017 23:50:09 GMT

I actually regret being honest and seeking support from my employer regarding mental health issues. Aspects of the way my boss and colleagues treated me afterwards were not very kind and caused me a lot of problems at work. Having said that, it also very quickly highlighted who my true friends were! I gave my boss letters from my GP which backed up my claims that I was fit to work. I regularly review my meds with a psychiatrist, see my counsellor weekly and found a course of CBT sessions very helpful. I have learned not to discuss my private difficulties with work colleagues anymore, which was unfortunately an important lesson, learned the hard way. I wish you the very best and please PM me if you would like to chat.

RE: Antidepressants and work

Sal the 1st — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 21:18:18 GMT

OP - I have had a couple of very low spells requiring meds and like yourself had to work through them. It is possible , wouldnt say its pleasant but it is possible. What I would say is notice how your medication affects you. Have a chat with your HN/PM as Steph has suggested its important to keep them in the loop - not as a sympathy grabber but just so they might understand a little of what is happening and help you to continue working in a way that is useful to both of you.

Depression is an unpredictable beast it can sneak up and sink its teeth in when you least expect it and as Ali has said its just like any other injury (illness) you need a bit of time to get over it - and well we all heal differently. Be kind to yourself and work out a care plan just for you. Hell we can do it for one of our patients so why should we be any different? Look out for things that don't make you feel so good and don't be afraid to say.

I work with mental health when I'm not vet nursing and if anybody should have seen it coming ..... well I didn't.

Feel free to give me a shout anytime if you feel it will help - I am usually knocking around somewhere on here and a PM will find me most days. Take care

RE: Antidepressants and work

Steph Worsley — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 17:52:06 GMT

Hi....Firstly well done on being so open and seeking help.

I have suffered from depression for 15 years now (feels like a million years!) I have what they class as a genetic depression (both parents have suffered) and there is no "cure" for it just management....I have worked for the majority of that time on citalopram anti depressant with no issues from side effects from it.

However as Ali said I would be open and honest with your HN/PM as they can then help look out for you and make sure your work load can be adjusted accordingly, and also be understanding (hopefully) should you need time out from stressful situations.

As for yourself, you need to try and figure out triggers and obviously avoid those as much as possible (for example if you get very emotional/distant during PTS's then try and speak to colleagues and ask if they could assist instead)

Personally I actually find it's more my private life that is the main issue but there are days where I just cannot face work/the world!....those days are the hardest but knowing those signs and speaking to your dr asap and adjusting doses accordingly is really important.

I have actually been off my meds for the longest time so far (since Feb) due to attending a series of hypnotherapy sessions and a couple of top ups (If I know a stressful situation is coming up or I'm finding warning signs). But like I said thats after 15 years!

Sorry for the essay and it's probably really disjointed but the moral of it all is YES you can still be a fully functioning VN on medication - just know your limits/side effects of the meds and warning signs that you need additional help! x

RE: Antidepressants and work

Alison Clare Hickman — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 00:38:09 GMT

hi there,

You are well now and your doctor has said you can go to work? Then you are recovered and maintaining your health, so it shouldn't be a problem. However, you remain vulnerable so I would advocate honesty with your employer about your medical history; so that they can be made aware of any signs to watch for should you become over pressured and need to rest. It is no different to a recovery from a major physical illness; care of yourself and ensuring you don't overdo things.

I wish you the very best, brave one, and send you my hopes for a bright, happy and rainbow-filled future.

Xxxx

Ali h