I disclosed
Question:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey ASAPM, Thanks you all. It is so very nice to tell you all something, leave it, come back and have FOURTEEN replies LOL. That is such a wonderful thing about this group, we are all very lucky to have this many people care. Sorry for not answering everyone individually, but I’ve got to get ready for work again!! I do agree with Tony – never thought about "safe people" but I have had them too. It’s a comforting thing, to be able to talk to them as your true self. I dislike NOT telling those I have a lot of contact with that I have illnesses – feel as though I’m withholding things from them.. not that they need all the gory details, but just giving people a heads up makes me feel like I’m not hiding and lying. I also agree that most everyone I have disclosed to — they have been very nice and not judgmental at all. They may not understand, but they are not running in fear or anything. Not usually. Early on, I did have one incident of someone who just.. disappeared after I told him. To make it worse, it was someone I had known for many years – and I was sure that person knew me well enough to know I was worth communicating with. He ran and never contacted me again.. however, that was the exception to the rule, though I feel some level of uncertainty when I disclose, I have found people to be supportive and helpful, whether they understand or not. I’m continuing to disclose, and it actually feels very good. I told two of the managers directly over me last night – they are going to hear about me in their meeting, but I wanted them to know that it’s Ok to ask me if they had any questions, I’d rather people understand that I’m approachable and to feel free to ask. I want it be that way than to have them wondering and "what iffing" (normies do that too) themselves about me. It’s better to not fear the truth, and just ask. They were very nice. BTW, I’m holding up just fine on a heavy schedule. I am in the middle of working six days straight. I finally get two days off (in a row! YAY!) on Thursday and Friday. I find it is good for me to be busy and I feel healthier, happier and more optimistic – and I’m sleeping better too. I feel as though my depression is somehow lifting. Little things don’t bother me, they happen and I think, "I’m not wasting my energy on that"..and I blow them off. I remember that same kind of thinking years ago on Paxil when it did work for me (AD’s have not worked for me for a good 10 years since then)..I have been trying to put my energy and thinking on the good aspects of my life, not the bad. It would be so wonderful if my depression does lift – going back to work may have been exactly what I needed. Love you all, Sally
I am so glad to hear this, Sally. The more comfortable you are with your co-workers and bosses, the less anxious and depressed you’re going to feel. It’s very encouraging for the rest of us. Thanks for being an inspiration. kili — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey ASAPM, I’m into my sixth week working full time as a cashier at Wal-Mart. I have not had a permanent full time job since 1999, so it’s kind of a biggie for me. Just wanted to tell you all about what I did today. I guess you already know, since you probably read the title of this post. Just wanted to tell you all why I did that. I carry medication and leave it in my car, and I know that if things start to go badly for me at work – I can take it.. but I decided I would tell the supervisor about my disability. I work in a busy store and they would frown on me – or merely disregard it if I started having symptoms and told them I needed a break – they hear that often, so I’d just be one more person wanting a break. I told the supervisor because I wanted him to understand it’s a medical emergency if I ask for a break, not just someone complaining. He was so nice! He told me that he’s so glad he was the one to give me a job – my job search lasted for months, since I have been out of the workforce for so very long – He asked me what my diagnosis is. I guess I could have lied. I sort of did, in that I didn’t list them.. I told him I had several. I think at last count it was 5 diagnoses, so.. I kind of wondered which ones I should tell him about, but I KNEW which ones I wouldn’t tell him about. Think anxiety is stigmatizing? Try explaining voices and delusions to a normie. I told him that mainly I had depression and anxiety. I explained to him that he did NOT want me to have a panic attack in front of his customers, so the managers above me needed to be aware that if I ask for a break… to give me one immediately. I’ve not had to do that, and I wouldn’t abuse it, but strictly from an anxiety standpoint.. knowing I can do that if I need to will probably take any kind of pressure off me worrying about it. It really hasn’t come up or been an issue for me, but just in case it turns into an issue, I wanted him and the managers above me aware of the situation. I also told him because I want a very good review when that time comes. I told him several times that the playing field was not level – I’m not in the same category as the other cashiers and I wanted him to take that into account when he does my review. Actually, I’ve already been told by several of them that I am doing very well – and that was before I disclosed. LOL. I guess I’m playing the pity card or something. I’ll play any card I’ve got, since I don’t have that many to play..and it’s the truth. I have obstacles most other people do not have. He can’t do a fair review of my work without having known that I’ve not been in the workforce full-time for eight years. It’s not fair to me! He did ask me why I had not told him before. I explained that I did not think my illnesses would have any bearing upon my job performance. He told me they definitely had not.. and furthermore, I explained to him that it’s a big topic among people with mental illness or mood disorders – to disclose or not to disclose, and I told him plainly that most people opt not to disclose in fear of what others will think of them.. I also told him that most everyone has some kind of mental illness, whether it’s a slight phobia, or whether they think they are Jesus Christ – it’s a continuum and everyone falls into their place along the continuum and there is no such thing as normal. I told him I had a chemical imbalance in my brain, and he seemed to understand that it’s a medical condition. He kept reassuring me that he didn’t see me any differently than he did before I told him. He kept thanking me and thanking me for telling him – I do not buy into the "stigma" of mental illness. I feel no stigma – I’m not ashamed I am ill. I have enough to contend with without laying that trip on myself. He even came up to me hours later and thanked me again.. He’s going to talk to all of the managers about me at the next meeting so that they are aware of my situation – and he told me in no uncertain terms if at any point, I need to leave, I don’t even have to ask – just leave and take the medicine – he also told me if I have a period of a few bad days – take them off, I still have a job. I couldn’t have asked for a more compassionate response. I know many people opt not to disclose – for me, it seemed to be the smartest thing to do. I’ll get back to you if I find it was not so smart. I’m just trying to take the steps I need to take in order to keep my job in the future. I saw no other way except disclosure..I hope it was the right thing to do..I know I will go through some level of concern about what he’ll think or what they’ll think.. but really.. who cares as long as I can work there and show them I can be as productive as anyone else? I’m going to try not to worry too much about that one, as I have little (no) control over what people think. Oh.. one other thing. A customer came through my line today and she told me I was one of the fastest cashiers she’d seen at Wal-Mart!! Wow – I needed that very badly today!! It made me feel so very good. I told her I’d only been there a few weeks. whooopeeee. Never underestimate it when you do a kindness or give someone a compliment. You don’t know how effective that can be for someone who needs it very much at that particular time and place. I sort of sailed through the rest of my day after that lady told me that. Sally
Good work, Sally! I’m proud of you. Deirdre — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Great to here you are doing well! I think I know exactly how you feel. Telling (some) people in general give me such a relief. Also, if I tell someone, they often turn into a "safe person". Could you train some of the cashiers down here to speed them up? Tony — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Hi, Tono, I also feel that after I tell someone "I trust" that they are safe persons for me. It usually works that way and makes me feel freer each time I do explain my condition. smiles, Elise
Great to here you are doing well! I think I know exactly how you feel. Telling (some) people in general give me such a relief. Also, if I tell someone, they often turn into a "safe person". Could you train some of the cashiers down here to speed them up? Tony — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Hey ASAPM, I’m into my sixth week working full time as a cashier at Wal-Mart. I have not had a permanent full time job since 1999, so it’s kind of a biggie for me. Just wanted to tell you all about what I did today. I guess you already know, since you probably read the title of this post. Just wanted to tell you all why I did that.
Sounds like you’re doing great Sally. I think its probably better to let certain people know you sometimes have problems and this is one such occasioin. It gets a lot of pressure off you. Sounds like the supervisor is understanding and supportive, so thats good. And nice about the compliment you got about being a fast cashier. Yes, sometimes things like that can make your day – I wish you good luck on your job. 
Mary — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Hi, Tono, I also feel that after I tell someone "I trust" that they are safe persons for me. It usually works that way and makes me feel freer each time I do explain my condition. smiles, Elise
I think it’s one of the best feelings I can get. But it has to be with just the right person at just the right time. Anyone anytime won’t do. Too bad we can’t just broadcast it to the entire world!! Maybe I’ll work on that tomorrow. 
Tono Great to here you are doing well! I think I know exactly how you feel. Telling (some) people in general give me such a relief. Also, if I tell someone, they often turn into a "safe person". Could you train some of the cashiers down here to speed them up? Tony
– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Bravo, Sally!!! ) I’m proud of you! MikeH
Hey ASAPM, I’m into my sixth week working full time as a cashier at Wal-Mart. I have not had a permanent full time job since 1999, so it’s kind of a biggie for me. Just wanted to tell you all about what I did today. I guess you already know, since you probably read the title of this post. Just wanted to tell you all why I did that.
. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Hi, Tono, I think we have an internal instinct that helps us to realize who the right people are we can trust telling about our condition. For me, I don’t tell just anyone the sense of trust must feel right. How’s Simone? smiles, Elise
Yes I think we have a 6th sense, or maybe a 7th? Simone is doing great! Her Mommy seems to be getting tired of her father calling so often to check on his Granddaughter. The other day I mentioned that to her and she said "just so it’s not every day". I think I was averaging every other day, so I’ll try to call less often. Tono — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
<gently snipped ::Oh.. one other thing. A customer came through my line today and she ::told me I was one of the fastest cashiers she’d seen at Wal-Mart!! Wow ::- I needed that very badly today!! It made me feel so very good. I ::told her I’d only been there a few weeks. whooopeeee. Never ::underestimate it when you do a kindness or give someone a compliment. ::You don’t know how effective that can be for someone who needs it very ::much at that particular time and place. I sort of sailed through the ::rest of my day after that lady told me that. Dear Sally, It took a lot of courage to disclose your illness to your supervisor. I am so touched by his support and compassion towards you! Congratulations on being one of the fastest cashiers I’m really proud about how you’ve handled this new job. Keep up the great work. (((((Sally))))) Jackie ~*~I’ve been on an emotional roller coaster lately. The other day my mood ring exploded~*~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
Hi, Tono, I think we have an internal instinct that helps us to realize who the right people are we can trust telling about our condition. For me, I don’t tell just anyone the sense of trust must feel right. How’s Simone? smiles, Elise
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Tono, I also feel that after I tell someone "I trust" that they are safe persons for me. It usually works that way and makes me feel freer each time I do explain my condition. smiles, Elise I think it’s one of the best feelings I can get. But it has to be with just the right person at just the right time. Anyone anytime won’t do. Too bad we can’t just broadcast it to the entire world!! Maybe I’ll work on that tomorrow. Tono Great to here you are doing well! I think I know exactly how you feel. Telling (some) people in general give me such a relief. Also, if I tell someone, they often turn into a "safe person". Could you train some of the cashiers down here to speed them up? Tony — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey ASAPM, I’m into my sixth week working full time as a cashier at Wal-Mart. I have not had a permanent full time job since 1999, so it’s kind of a biggie for me. Just wanted to tell you all about what I did today. I guess you already know, since you probably read the title of this post. Just wanted to tell you all why I did that. I carry medication and leave it in my car, and I know that if things start to go badly for me at work – I can take it.. but I decided I would tell the supervisor about my disability. I work in a busy store and they would frown on me – or merely disregard it if I started having symptoms and told them I needed a break – they hear that often, so I’d just be one more person wanting a break. I told the supervisor because I wanted him to understand it’s a medical emergency if I ask for a break, not just someone complaining. He was so nice! He told me that he’s so glad he was the one to give me a job – my job search lasted for months, since I have been out of the workforce for so very long – He asked me what my diagnosis is. I guess I could have lied. I sort of did, in that I didn’t list them.. I told him I had several. I think at last count it was 5 diagnoses, so.. I kind of wondered which ones I should tell him about, but I KNEW which ones I wouldn’t tell him about. Think anxiety is stigmatizing? Try explaining voices and delusions to a normie. I told him that mainly I had depression and anxiety. I explained to him that he did NOT want me to have a panic attack in front of his customers, so the managers above me needed to be aware that if I ask for a break… to give me one immediately. I’ve not had to do that, and I wouldn’t abuse it, but strictly from an anxiety standpoint.. knowing I can do that if I need to will probably take any kind of pressure off me worrying about it. It really hasn’t come up or been an issue for me, but just in case it turns into an issue, I wanted him and the managers above me aware of the situation. I also told him because I want a very good review when that time comes. I told him several times that the playing field was not level – I’m not in the same category as the other cashiers and I wanted him to take that into account when he does my review. Actually, I’ve already been told by several of them that I am doing very well – and that was before I disclosed. LOL. I guess I’m playing the pity card or something. I’ll play any card I’ve got, since I don’t have that many to play..and it’s the truth. I have obstacles most other people do not have. He can’t do a fair review of my work without having known that I’ve not been in the workforce full-time for eight years. It’s not fair to me! He did ask me why I had not told him before. I explained that I did not think my illnesses would have any bearing upon my job performance. He told me they definitely had not.. and furthermore, I explained to him that it’s a big topic among people with mental illness or mood disorders – to disclose or not to disclose, and I told him plainly that most people opt not to disclose in fear of what others will think of them.. I also told him that most everyone has some kind of mental illness, whether it’s a slight phobia, or whether they think they are Jesus Christ – it’s a continuum and everyone falls into their place along the continuum and there is no such thing as normal. I told him I had a chemical imbalance in my brain, and he seemed to understand that it’s a medical condition. He kept reassuring me that he didn’t see me any differently than he did before I told him. He kept thanking me and thanking me for telling him – I do not buy into the "stigma" of mental illness. I feel no stigma – I’m not ashamed I am ill. I have enough to contend with without laying that trip on myself. He even came up to me hours later and thanked me again.. He’s going to talk to all of the managers about me at the next meeting so that they are aware of my situation – and he told me in no uncertain terms if at any point, I need to leave, I don’t even have to ask – just leave and take the medicine – he also told me if I have a period of a few bad days – take them off, I still have a job. I couldn’t have asked for a more compassionate response. I know many people opt not to disclose – for me, it seemed to be the smartest thing to do. I’ll get back to you if I find it was not so smart. I’m just trying to take the steps I need to take in order to keep my job in the future. I saw no other way except disclosure..I hope it was the right thing to do..I know I will go through some level of concern about what he’ll think or what they’ll think.. but really.. who cares as long as I can work there and show them I can be as productive as anyone else? I’m going to try not to worry too much about that one, as I have little (no) control over what people think. Oh.. one other thing. A customer came through my line today and she told me I was one of the fastest cashiers she’d seen at Wal-Mart!! Wow – I needed that very badly today!! It made me feel so very good. I told her I’d only been there a few weeks. whooopeeee. Never underestimate it when you do a kindness or give someone a compliment. You don’t know how effective that can be for someone who needs it very much at that particular time and place. I sort of sailed through the rest of my day after that lady told me that. Sally
Thanks you all. It is so very nice to tell you all something, leave it, come back and have FOURTEEN replies LOL. That is such a wonderful thing about this group, we are all very lucky to have this many people care. Sorry for not answering everyone individually, but I’ve got to get ready for work again!! I do agree with Tony – never thought about "safe people" but I have had them too. It’s a comforting thing, to be able to talk to them as your true self. I dislike NOT telling those I have a lot of contact with that I have illnesses – feel as though I’m withholding things from them.. not that they need all the gory details, but just giving people a heads up makes me feel like I’m not hiding and lying. I also agree that most everyone I have disclosed to — they have been very nice and not judgmental at all. They may not understand, but they are not running in fear or anything. Not usually. Early on, I did have one incident of someone who just.. disappeared after I told him. To make it worse, it was someone I had known for many years – and I was sure that person knew me well enough to know I was worth communicating with. He ran and never contacted me again.. however, that was the exception to the rule, though I feel some level of uncertainty when I disclose, I have found people to be supportive and helpful, whether they understand or not. I’m continuing to disclose, and it actually feels very good. I told two of the managers directly over me last night – they are going to hear about me in their meeting, but I wanted them to know that it’s Ok to ask me if they had any questions, I’d rather people understand that I’m approachable and to feel free to ask. I want it be that way than to have them wondering and "what iffing" (normies do that too) themselves about me. It’s better to not fear the truth, and just ask. They were very nice. BTW, I’m holding up just fine on a heavy schedule. I am in the middle of working six days straight. I finally get two days off (in a row! YAY!) on Thursday and Friday. I find it is good for me to be busy and I feel healthier, happier and more optimistic – and I’m sleeping better too. I feel as though my depression is somehow lifting. Little things don’t bother me, they happen and I think, "I’m not wasting my energy on that"..and I blow them off. I remember that same kind of thinking years ago on Paxil when it did work for me (AD’s have not worked for me for a good 10 years since then)..I have been trying to put my energy and thinking on the good aspects of my life, not the bad. It would be so wonderful if my depression does lift – going back to work may have been exactly what I needed. Love you all, Sally — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hey ASAPM, I’m into my sixth week working full time as a cashier at Wal-Mart. I have not had a permanent full time job since 1999, so it’s kind of a biggie for me. Just wanted to tell you all about what I did today. I guess you already know, since you probably read the title of this post. Just wanted to tell you all why I did that. I carry medication and leave it in my car, and I know that if things start to go badly for me at work – I can take it.. but I decided I would tell the supervisor about my disability. I work in a busy store and they would frown on me – or merely disregard it if I started having symptoms and told them I needed a break – they hear that often, so I’d just be one more person wanting a break. I told the supervisor because I wanted him to understand it’s a medical emergency if I ask for a break, not just someone complaining. He was so nice! He told me that he’s so glad he was the one to give me a job – my job search lasted for months, since I have been out of the workforce for so very long – He asked me what my diagnosis is. I guess I could have lied. I sort of did, in that I didn’t list them.. I told him I had several. I think at last count it was 5 diagnoses, so.. I kind of wondered which ones I should tell him about, but I KNEW which ones I wouldn’t tell him about. Think anxiety is stigmatizing? Try explaining voices and delusions to a normie. I told him that mainly I had depression and anxiety. I explained to him that he did NOT want me to have a panic attack in front of his customers, so the managers above me needed to be aware that if I ask for a break… to give me one immediately. I’ve not had to do that, and I wouldn’t abuse it, but strictly from an anxiety standpoint.. knowing I can do that if I need to will probably take any kind of pressure off me worrying about it. It really hasn’t come up or been an issue for me, but just in case it turns into an issue, I wanted him and the managers above me aware of the situation. I also told him because I want a very good review when that time comes. I told him several times that the playing field was not level – I’m not in the same category as the other cashiers and I wanted him to take that into account when he does my review. Actually, I’ve already been told by several of them that I am doing very well – and that was before I disclosed. LOL. I guess I’m playing the pity card or something. I’ll play any card I’ve got, since I don’t have that many to play..and it’s the truth. I have obstacles most other people do not have. He can’t do a fair review of my work without having known that I’ve not been in the workforce full-time for eight years. It’s not fair to me! He did ask me why I had not told him before. I explained that I did not think my illnesses would have any bearing upon my job performance. He told me they definitely had not..
Related Posts
- HOW LONG DOES PANIC/ANXIETY LAST - TX TO ALL THOSE WHO REPLIED
- Xanax XR question
- Intrusive thoughts and OCD- are they one in the same?
- To the person looking for info on Hypochondria
- can any one help
- what the hell is wrong with me?????
- SEROQUEL for neurotic (nonpsychotic) anxiety: Is this medication prescribed this way?
- Serzone Update...
- Paxil to ??
- Anyone on citalopram / Cipramil ?
