Should I ‘come out’ about my mental health issue at work?

Posted Thursday 19 May 2011

This guest blog is part of a series on mental health at work; our Taking care of business campaign.

You’re not going to like my answer…  ‘no’, not at the moment.  

I’m writing under the pseudonym of Julie because I have (or had) a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (extreme worry) and depression.

I have been determined to get better and am lucky to be in Oxford, where there is an excellent service know as Talking Spaces, which offers Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. This, in combination with supportive family and friends, a high-ish dose of medication, and some hard work on my part has really helped me turn the corner.  I am in the process of accepting that I have a vulnerability to mental health problems, but I reckon that with CBT practice and the support of others I will get well. 

For me the choice of whether or not to go public about my mental health stuff is about identity. I do have a diagnosis, but there is a lot more to me than that! I do have a diagnosis but I don’t always want to explain what generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is, or for others to be more sensitized to look out for my anxious behaviour. 

I also don’t want to label myself because I might change.  Having a diagnosis has been useful to get the right help and treatment, but what if I am getting well?  Am I to cling to my diagnosis, fearful of moving on?  So whilst the diagnosis was helpful at the start it is unhelpful now that I am making progress towards recovery.  

Having said all this, I do want other people to know about GAD, because one in 25 people have it and suffer without knowing they could get help and make simple changes that make a real difference.  So I am writing a blog about GAD in the hope of sharing my experience and publicising the possibility for change. 

So I’m not going to ‘come out’ at work just now, because it might be worse for my future mental health if I did.   

Julie*

*Not her real name.

Read Mind's information and advice on work, whether it's how to stay well at work, dealing with stress or workplace bullying.

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3 Comments

• Work replied on 23 May 2011 at 10:51

  This always remain a huge problem that the Disability Discrimination Act fails to rectify. I have both disclosed and not disclosed mental ill health and to be honest even though I am a lucky one who works I am still seen as a "PROBLEM" if I go through a patch of mental ill health. When well I am congratulated on my work but when unwell all the good work done is quickly forgotten.

  A broken leg requiring say 12 weeeks of work is fine but a few days with mental ill health or god forbid a month is seen by employers as a catastrophe.

  I am pleased that so much work currently is focusing on mental health in the work place but we have a long way to go. If I said which organisations I had been discriminated against due to my mental health condition you would be shocked.

  Since my initial illness some years ago I have been back in work for sometime but alas still come up against the brick wall called STIGMA.

  Why o why do those with mental health problems in work have to feel guilty for taking time out!

• Rhi replied on 23 May 2011 at 10:25

  It's your choice whether you come out or not, and I understand why you haven't. I'm really glad you turned a corner though. You're right, people can cling to their diagnosis, I've seen it happen, but I think you're in the right frame of mind to eventually leave it far behind you.

• Julie replied on 24 May 2011 at 16:06

  Rhi
  
  Thanks for your encouraging comments and I am hopeful that I will eventually leave the anxiety far behind.

  Julie *