Revealing your Mental Illness

Janet this is something that happened to me. It may or may not happen to you. My last job I worked at for ten years. November of '07  I started a new position with a different department. Of course I had to call in to my supervisor. She told everyone where I was. From then on my job was pure hell. My co-workers, most of whom I thought were my friends, began to treat extremely poorly. They would avoid me  and were downright mean to me. The thing was I worked in a healthcare facility. That may not happen to you. I'm only telling you what happened to me as an example of my disclosure. I've read many blogs about whether to disclose or not. My feelings are mixed. I volunteer as a speaker where I tell people I have schizoaffective disorder. I'm not ashamed of that. I have overcome many obstacles and I'm proud of who and what I am. Having a mental illness isn't gonna go away for me. I do not know if you should disclose or not, that choice has to be yours. I hope whatever you decide will be best for you. I'm proud of you Janet. It takes alot of courage to work.

SINCERELY,

David

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I don't think it is necessary to reveal details of your illness to anyone unless you feel comfortable with that. I don't even feel comfortable telling my family members most of the time, as I know the misunderstandings that go with it.  However, some people can be really understanding.. It is utimately your call but I would only tell someone that I trust.

Hello Janet,

I wouldn't tell unless you needed a reasonable accommodation under the ADA Act.

It is too early in the game to disclose at Cracker Barrel.

In 1992, I had to disclose because I returned to work after being in the hospital, and my career was derailed.  Like David, my co-workers treated me differently and it was like I had leprosy or a contagious disease, they backed away.

Also because you are still on probation I would say keep your diagnosis private.

You don't say what kind of questions were on the test, but I taken some pre-employment screening tests, and they don't exactly build confidence if you're worried about how to respond or how you did respond.

I am sure it will work out and remember here and elsewhere your friends are rooting for you.

So why give Cracker Barrel the chance to come to a wrong conclusion about you?

Stay in the game, you deserve to try.

Cheers,

Chri

I'm with Chris on this one .      Actually it's none of their business.    I mean ,If you had terminal cancer and were going to die in five years they wouldn't have to know that either.      My employer knows because I needed more breaks at work and he wanted a reason .    Simple fact.    It's whatever you think will benefit you and your situation       Good luck  !!!!!   

Don Fraser

Well this is coming from someone who has been said to have schizophrenia and have been hospitalized with crazy episodes, I believe it is still spiritual to me. I take my meds and live a semi-normal life. I got dumped pregnant and was working and been off meds for a year but had a few breakdowns and had to leave my job. My boss is a deacon and a pretty understanding guy so I told him everything. I have a rough time dealing with my emotions cause I haven't straightened my life out completely so to me it is a little mental and spiritual battles going on here. It is hard to tell whats what to me sometimes. I have acute paranoid schizophrenia and raise my two kids by myself, well with the Lords help. I am sort of split on this issue cause it depends on what kind of people you work for and with. Cause some people can use this very much against you. So wait awhile and see what kind of people you can trust before telling them. I mean you ain't been there long and they may make judgements on you, think your going to flip out and kill them or something ya know. But that is only ignorance of the disease. Keep up good job and don't knock yourself down (like I do) sometimes. Dust yourself off ask God to help you control your emotions and do it again another day. I beat myself to death wondering is this real or from God or from the devil. Just ask for strength and don't get tore up about messing up. I do it too or I just don't care one. So your not alone and trust me it is hard. Like I said I raise two kids by myself and take care of my parents who live next door, and fair pretty good to be a nut.This is a joke so don't get upset. I joke about my problems alittle too much but it keeps me going.

DON'T TELL ANY BODY , JUST DO YOUR  JOB AND TRY TO ENJOY IT.WHEN YOU ARE SURE SOME OF YOUR COLLEAGUES IS COMMITED TO YOUR FRIENDSHIP OUTSIDE WORK I GUESS MAYBE YOU TELL HIM/HER.

DON'T TELL ANY BODY , JUST DO YOUR  JOB AND TRY TO ENJOY IT.WHEN YOU ARE SURE SOME OF YOUR COLLEAGUES IS COMMITED TO YOUR FRIENDSHIP OUTSIDE WORK I GUESS MAYBE YOU TELL HIM/HER.

Telling an employer/associates that I have schizophrenia has never resulted in my being treated better.  They thought I was going to "go postal" and maybe kill them (they really said that), they didn't want me to use a knife which was essential to my job, I was branded as "something is wrong with her," and in some instances it was turned against me and used to make me quit or get fired.  I did have one supervisor who kept it an absolute secret, but stupid me, I told a co-worker and it went around the business lightning fast.

After 2-3 places where I had negative feedback, I stopped telling anyone unless I had to have some sort of accommodations.  Even though I'm sure my problems were evident at times.  But it was better that my "problems" went unnamed.

On the other hand, when I had to quit working somewhere, I would give the supervisor the true reason why.  That it was due to symptoms of sz.  I felt a need to tell them because it kind of excused my problems, that it wasn't because of laziness or lack of intelligence.  And they were usually understanding and kind about it.

The problem I ran into was I had many gaps in my work history due to being in the hospital or unable to work.  So when I was interviewed, someone always asked why there were so many gaps.  I got to where I just said, "I had a serious illness, but I am recovered now and do not expect that to interfere with my work."

Best wishes.

Carolyn

You were hired to do a certain job, as long as your boss and others are happy with your preformance continue to make them happy.  It would be of no benefit to you or them to know any more.  Remember if you call on the Lord Jesus for help He will always be your source of help; and you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you. Phillipians 4:13  You can do it; be happy and don't let your self get down on yourself and others.  God didn't promise us a rose garden ,but life gets tough at times but that's when the tough get go'in.  May God Bless You More!