Posted by Greg A. on November 6, 2002, at 21:25:42
In reply to Re: Public disclosure of psychiatric disorder, posted by Alara on November 6, 2002, at 0:49:30
I am employed in a professional position, and have been for almost 30 years. In 1998, I was hospitalized briefly for treatment of depression and missed some work. Many co-workers knew what I was doing. I made no attempt to cover my tracks and answered most questions which were put to me. As I am sure most of you have experienced, by and large, people are content to pretend it was just a nasty episode, and forget all about it.
This past summer, after going through another medication failure, I decided to ask my doc about trying ECT. I also decided to be honest at work about what was going on. (In my earlier conversation with Dinah, I enclosed the email I circulated to my coworkers in which I let them know that ECT is not extra curricular training of some sort . . . )
I am wondering now if this was a wise course of action. Strangely, the people who work 'for' me seem far more okay with the whole thing. And I don't think it's just because I am their boss . . . or is it?? I have some good friends at my office who are also very supportive and I feel I can call on when I need someone to talk to. But there are a lot of funny looks when I have stopped by. Like 'shouldn't you be in a hospital or something??' When someone says 'we are just interested in seeing you get better before you return to work . . .' am I reading too much into it when I hear, 'please make sure you are not wacko before you try to come back here . . .' A touch paranoid perhaps? Get 'better' than what?
Anyone have thoughts? How about ideas on what explanation is due the parents of, and the players on, the junior girls soccer team I help coach.
poster:Greg A.
thread:24808
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20021106/msgs/32011.html