Professionalism: Dropping Agony at the Door (BPD)
If you're like me you balance school, work, and family life all within the realm of symptomatic mental illness. This sounds overwhelming because it is. Now, a mark of professionalism is being able to drop your personal troubles before entering your place of employment, to put on a smile, a laugh even, assume acceptable hygiene habits, timliness, productivity, courtesy and conversation. Seems easy enough, right? Well, maybe it used to be before medication, mood swings, rage, paranoia, psychosis and delusions.
Many people express distaste for medication because even though it offers some relief, it is also highly imperfect and worse- often comes with a whole host of miserable side effects. (This hit me personally this month when my mood stabilizer made me...too stable. I was neurtal, no facial expression, monotone voice, completely flat. It cost me a promotion. They said I let things "weight down on me". Which is weird because I wasn't even upset at the time, just neutral. For some reason people think something is wrong with you when you're neutral. Anyway, I battled this by lowering my medication and found myself almost in prayer for a mania just so my animation would return.)
When we go through personal struggles it is highly likely, depending on the severity, that it will overflow into our work days. This is especially prominent when factoring in medication trials since we have no clue how this will affect our demeanor, our ability to sleep, or our cognition. It is true that some level of cross over is understandable and appropriate, but when does it become unacceptable? When does it warrant a sit down confrontation? Incessant questions and texts from concerned co-workers? When does your mental health begin to interfere with your career?
Harvard Health Publications reminds us:
"Mental health problems affect many employees — a fact that is usually overlooked because these disorders tend to be hidden at work. Researchers analyzing results from the U.S. National Comorbidity Survey, a nationally representative study of Americans ages 15 to 54, reported that 18% of those who were employed said they experienced symptoms of a mental health disorder in the previous month.
But the stigma attached to having a psychiatric disorder is such that employees may be reluctant to seek treatment — especially in the current economic climate — out of fear that they might jeopardize their jobs. At the same time, managers may want to help but aren't sure how to do so. And clinicians may find themselves in unfamiliar territory, simultaneously trying to treat a patient while providing advice about dealing with the illness at work.
As a result, mental health disorders often go unrecognized and untreated — not only damaging an individual's health and career, but also reducing productivity at work. Adequate treatment, on the other hand, can alleviate symptoms for the employee and improve job performance. But accomplishing these aims requires a shift in attitudes about the nature of mental disorders and the recognition that such a worthwhile achievement takes effort and time."
"What are the benefits of a job?
* A daily routine
.*The chance to learn new skills
*Financial security and independence.
*Health benefits
.*A sense of purpose
.*A way to help others
.*Social interaction
What are some roadblocks I might face?
*Frequent medical appointments
.*Absences from work.
*Medication side-effects
.*Difficulty communicating or interacting with others
.*Trouble concentrating
.*Problems following a particular schedule
.*Stigma, prejudice and discrimination
How do I overcome these challenges?
Know Your Rights:
Unfortunately, in our society mental illness carries a stigma that may lead to discrimination.
Many employers lack understanding about mental health issues and may have negative attitudes
about meeting the needs of people affected by mental illness in the work place. It is important to
know that you have rights. Federal laws protect individuals with disabilities against discrimination and unfair treatment at work.
Learn more from the National Alliance on Mental Health by viewing YOUR RIGHTS FACT SHEET."
Discuss:
Share your own road blocks when facing the work force with a mental health condition.
How did you cope with this struggle?
Are you employed currently?
Have you ever been treated unfairly or terminated by an employer due to your mental illness? How did you handle it?
Have you ever found yourself unable to work due to your symptoms? What happened?
Thanks for reading, love to you all.
Mental Illness and Employment: Your Rights, NAMI
Mental health problems in the workplace, Harvard Mental Health Letter
*Duplicate post: You will find this post in the Bipolar Disorder section of the forum as well as I felt the topic was important for both communities. Also applies to depression, anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia, AD(H)D, ASD, ED etc.
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Thoughts?
@blitheSun94 Thanks for posting this. It's rarely spoken about, so it's really a necessary topic to talk about.
Share your own road blocks when facing the work force with a mental health condition.
I find I get easily stressed, and my anxiety shoots through the roof for things that others without a mental health condition just won't understand.
How did you cope with this struggle?
With great difficulty. When I used to work I'd have to rely on tranqualizers quite often. I also had to force myself to just breathe when I start becoming overwhelmed. Even just going to the bathroom and doing some breathing exercises can make a bit of a difference.
Are you employed currently?
I'm still in the process of trying to find a job. It's frustrating and leads to even lower self esteem. I tend to feel worthless a lot because of all the rejection.
Have you ever been treated unfairly or terminated by an employer due to your mental illness? How did you handle it?
Unfortunately, yes. In my previous job (I worked there from September until the middle of November), I started the first month well. I was productive, learning quickly and overly optimistic. But by the second month, my symptoms really flared up big time, and it affected my work. My employer asked me what was going on, and I decided to tell her that I have a mental health condition, but that I'd make sure it doesn't affect my work anymore. Well, it did, because the stress in that company was overwhelming. I'd have to go to the bathroom quite often, because I could feel a panic attack coming on. Since I revealed my mental health condition, they started treating me really badly. As though they were trying to get me to resign. I don't know why the manager went and told everyone about it. With the added pressure, looks of disdain on my co-workers and bosses face, and the constant talking behind my back (I could hear some of their conversations and whispering), I was in an aweful place. I hated that company and everyone in it. I also quit right then and there a few times, but knew that my impulsivity would have negative consequences, as I needed the salary. Then in the middle of November, they gave me my two weeks notice. I was relieved, but also angry. I'm glad I'm out of that place now though. Never again will I reveal my mental illness to anyone in my place of work. It was a full time position, so 9 hours every day, which was a HUGE challenge for me already.
Have you ever found yourself unable to work due to your symptoms? What happened?
As mentioned, I'm looking for a job at this moment, and I'd prefer a half day position, but they're few and far between. I've gone through periods where I had to quite jobs because they were having a huge negative impact on my mental health, and I couldn't work for months at a time.
Work is hard when you have a mental health condition. :(
@RayneStorm
Thank You for opening up on such a private matter. I completely understand. I didn't come out to my place of employment until I was there two years and was almost completely recovered. I work in the field of mental health so I was quite lucky, but just as scared I assure you. I hope you find a job that compliments your life. Something with animals maybe?
@blitheSun94 Thanks! Unfortunately I have to get a proper full time job, either in the administration or accounting fields, as I struggle too much with finances. I would love to work with animals and children, but will leave that to when I have time here and there.