Posted by bluedog on November 13, 2002, at 2:06:16
I regret that I ever let my employer know that I suffer from depression?
I know that I am now viewed as somehow tainted or defective...in other words I'm seen as damaged goods.
Considering that depression is now almost as common as the common cold, WHY, WHY, WHY is it that employers (and society in general) views depression so differently to the common cold or to physical illness in general. I mean I'm not a crazed madman like hannibal lector who's going to eat their grandmother for breakfast.
I feel as though my illness has been put into the same category that employers put lepracy or HIV infection into.
At first I thought my employer understood my illness but it is becoming increasingly apparent that despite what my employer says, in their actions it is apparent that they are very hollow words indeed.
I have been on extended sick leave due to my illness. My employer rang me about when I was coming back to work. Basically I was made to feel that I was making things very difficult for them and that their difficulties were my fault. I was told that the uncertainty of my condition was not fair on the remaining employees and further that they considered that It would have been courteous on my part to keep the management regularly updated on the progress of my condition (In other word I was discourteous for merely ringing to let them know that I was ill and that my doctor has given me till such and such a date off work) I was truly made to feel like getting depression was my fault due to some failing on my part. I have never heard my employer blame anyone for catching a cold or that a cold was due to some failing on the part of the employee. In fact they sent flowers and get well soon wishes to another employee who was on extended leave with a PHYSICAL condition.
My pdoc suggested that when I go back to work that I initially take Wednesdays off to break the week up. My manager genuinely could not understand why my doc would suggest such a thing.
I'm certain that if it wasn't for labour and anti-discrimination laws that my employer would really prefer to get rid of me rather than have someone who is percieved as unstable on board as a liabilty to "the Team"Has anyone had similar experiences and can anyone give me a clue as to why depression (or mental illness in general) continues to be viewed in such an unhealthy way in our society??
This call from my employer has gotten me pretty down and has not been beneficial to my recovery at all.
Thanks already for any replies
poster:bluedog
thread:32168
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20021106/msgs/32168.html