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Post by brown bricks on Apr 20, 2019 8:35:17 GMT -5
I'm a teacher and I have anxiety disorders. I've kept it as much as a secret as possible because I'm afraid it could cost me my job. I live in a small southern town where people assume a mental disorder means you're certifiably insane.
I took Paxil and Wellbutrin for a while and hated both/stopped taking them. I went to a new doctor and was prescribed Effexor. I've taken it about 5 weeks and it has really helped so far.
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the2ndevil
Grimlock
Super Seducer Survivor
Where Is Your Santa, Now?
Posts: 13,629
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Post by the2ndevil on Jun 7, 2019 12:06:52 GMT -5
I’m in the waiting room for my first counseling appointment. It’s been a long time coming so hopefully it goes well.
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Post by FALLOUT Goldashausen #BLM on Jun 7, 2019 16:10:27 GMT -5
I'll say that I am always open about mental health with friends. Even friends who are like "let's not talk about this", I would reference anxiety and depression to. I may have it in less severity than others, but it's something I have to live with and overcome nearly every day. In fact, it's been getting worse as I get older.
Thankfully, my friends have been very understanding and patient. Some have tried to give me the "tough love" talk about "no, you're too paranoid about XYZ and you must break out of your comfort zone and forget what people think of you". Which actually helps in some respects. I've tried to stop controlling many things in my life, and anxiety thrives on a perceived lack of control. But I've generally tried breaking out of my shell more often. I attended my first Pride this year, for instance, which is a major step forward. I've scheduled vacations to see friends in other cities to the absolute disdain of my parents. But I'm turning 30 in October. People my age have already done crazy amounts of stuff.
So, yeah, being open about mental health is something I always do. But it's not fashionable. When you're open and honest, people don't respond like they do with the "relatable content" memes. Most of the time, they just leave you alone. You can reach out as much as you want, but there should be no expectation that someone's going to grab your hand and fix your situation. Environment, emotional support and validation means a lot, but the decision to overcome is on us at the end of the day.
That being said, I'm not as open about my mental health at work, which I feel is still very much stigmatized. Up until this point, I've been in and out of work thanks to a relatively unstable career path in a small city. If I was totally honest, either to my boss or to HR, would they feel as if my mental health is a detriment to my performance or productivity? That's why I usually keep my personal struggles out of the office unless an emergency happens. And when that happens, I usually take an extended lunch or bathroom break, cry a bit and then go back when I've regained my composure. I'm under the impression that no one really needs to know at a workplace, because workplaces, in my experience, aren't caring enough. If they can fire you over the fact they just didn't like your personality or interets or facial hair but were too passive aggressive to ever tell you, how in the hell are they supposed to care about your mental health? Even though a mentally healthy employee is, in many cases, a motivated and productive one.
Anyway, rant over. I'm willing to be open and honest and discuss mental health and that I go to therapy with anyone who is willing to care enough. But the stigma still exists. Like with Pride Month, we all see people, businesses and society showing support when they want to look good, but do they really mean it? Does society really mean it? Do friends really mean it? Does corporate America actually mean it? That depends, sadly, on environment and factors above your person. Which sucks.
(EDIT: I'm choosing to go unmedicated and solely focus on talk therapy due to only having minor symptoms of depression and anxiety, if that's relevant to this discussion).
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2019 12:30:00 GMT -5
resurrecting this one, due to events of the last two days.
I started an internship 2 months ago in a next-door grocery store. So far I've given them my all and everyday I come home exhausted.
This week, I felt drained, my mood was down and I felt hopeless like the internship wasn't gonna lead to anything.
Yesterday I had a breakdown, once My boss came to work, I asked her if we could talk. I broke in tears right away, I told her that I was exhausted and how felt like the work I had done wasn't enough for others.
I told her about my depression and told her that I go to a therapist twice a month, but haven't been able to go in a while, cause I wanted to give a good image of myself.
She understood and told me that I wasn't the only worker in the chain with similar Background, she told me to go home rest. I was very thankful to her...
Then I told about this to my mother...
Somehow whenever I talk about my depression with her, I feel, she always turns these things to be my fault. how I wasn't cheery enough and that I'd have to work harder, go to walks, etc.
This is why I don't talk about my problems with my parents... I don't think they understand how hopeless I feel
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