Dear D2S3,
It appears your co-worker does not have an issue mentioning that she is on Xanax, and she has shared this information with you without any prompting or "pushing" for information on your end into her personal life.
It also appears that taking Xanax for whatever her condition is (as Xanax is mainly prescribed for anxiety) is supporting her to be able to work a full week (and my assumption is she is performing well).
She may deal with anxiety only, or there may be other medications she takes and has not shared this. Or, it may simply be a comment by her to share that she is feeling anxiety about the change-up in workload or life-stress or something to that effect.
As a co-worker and her team leader, unless she starts to slip in her work, a question about her mental health diagnosis may be crossing the line. Unless of course if she brings up the Xanax comment again, you could ask her if she feels the change-up is creating more anxiety that she feels comfortable with. Her comments about Xanax may be her way of finding someone who is open to listening to her concerns. (As all medical health issues are run through human resources, they are the only one privy to full information [unless the co-worker chooses to open up more.])
You could always let her know that you are open to any concerns she may have. Should she desire to reach out further than she has previously (by mentioning the Xanax) perhaps knowing that you have let her know you are open may be an opportunity to have her open up more if she feels it is needed.
This is just a thought, and I wanted to let you know the opinion of someone who is currently working and on various medications for mental illness to have me continue to function in my current capacity.
I think you are kind and thoughtful to ask this question, and to care about your co-workers well-being. Your support by simply being present for her may be the best thing until she chooses to share more.
I hope my response may be useful. Please let us know if we may be more helpful.
Best,
Kimberly Tyler
re: What I am thinking...
D2S3
Sunday, September 30, 2007 at 07:50 PM
Hi Kimberly,
Thank you for your support and ideas. I do believe that she has been diagnosed with both depression and anxiety. I don't know all of the medications she takes, but it does make sense that when she becomes anxious, she talks about Xanax and sometimes even reaches for one (she makes these comments to others on the team).
I do believe you are right that she is looking for someone to listen to her. I stopped at the bookstore this afternoon to see if I could help develop some of my listening skills. It's something I've been wanting to do anyway. Your response has been very helpful. Thanks again for giving me some direction. I really appreciate it.
Dear D2S3,
It appears your co-worker does not have an issue mentioning that she is on Xanax, and she has shared this information with you without any prompting or "pushing" for information on your end into her personal life.
It also appears that taking Xanax for whatever her condition is (as Xanax is mainly prescribed for anxiety) is supporting her to be able to work a full week (and my assumption is she is performing well).
She may deal with anxiety only, or there may be other medications she takes and has not shared this. Or, it may simply be a comment by her to share that she is feeling anxiety about the change-up in workload or life-stress or something to that effect.
As a co-worker and her team leader, unless she starts to slip in her work, a question about her mental health diagnosis may be crossing the line. Unless of course if she brings up the Xanax comment again, you could ask her if she feels the change-up is creating more anxiety that she feels comfortable with. Her comments about Xanax may be her way of finding someone who is open to listening to her concerns. (As all medical health issues are run through human resources, they are the only one privy to full information [unless the co-worker chooses to open up more.])
You could always let her know that you are open to any concerns she may have. Should she desire to reach out further than she has previously (by mentioning the Xanax) perhaps knowing that you have let her know you are open may be an opportunity to have her open up more if she feels it is needed.
This is just a thought, and I wanted to let you know the opinion of someone who is currently working and on various medications for mental illness to have me continue to function in my current capacity.
I think you are kind and thoughtful to ask this question, and to care about your co-workers well-being. Your support by simply being present for her may be the best thing until she chooses to share more.
I hope my response may be useful. Please let us know if we may be more helpful.
Best,
Kimberly Tyler