Posted by Mags on February 6, 2002, at 11:54:43
In reply to Re: short-term disability for major depression? » jane d, posted by m3 on February 4, 2002, at 10:03:57
Hi there,
I admire those that work through their illness! Either due to having to for income reasons or no other option, or perhaps they are stronger than I am...
I am currently on short term disability from work. My company provides this benefit for up to two years if you can no longer do the job you were doing, then long term kicks in. (Then you have to be unable to work at ANY job). My pdoc said I would have no problem getting it. He filled out all the forms and as he said it was no problem. Mind you, at the time I was in the hospital due to a breakdown (could'nt stop crying) and suicideal ideation. That was last September.
I am still treatment resistant and still off work. I am very social phobic right now and most meds I try initially make it impossible to drive. My job was in a Public Relations outreach position were I had to talk to groups of up to 300 people and drive frequently. I just can't do it....
I feel lucky to have such a plan. Although work structure would be good there are many days I can't get out of bed and my memory and word finding capability is very bad ( not so good for a public speaker!)....so I keep waiting for meds that work....I force myself to go to outreach programs at the hospital. This helps make me get dressed showered etc. plus I have a loving husband and four kids to keep me from giving in...they get me up in the morning. I want to avoid them but they won't let me o;)
Good luck with your situation!
Mags
> > Working provides a structure to my day that I can't give myself
> > and contact with other people which I would choose not to have.
> I think you're right about structure--that's part of why I'm hesitant to ask for leave, even though it *seems* relatively easy to get through my co. Ironically, I think I might actually get more social contact with people if I took some time off and did volunteer work, as I have a long commute and a solitary job.
>
> > I find it much harder to go back than it would have been to just continue slogging along.
> Another important point...
>
> > I'm sure that there are exceptions where it would be better to leave. [snip] You'll need to decide for yourself which group you're in.
> ...but this is part of my concern too. Prof. licenses and continuity aren't really a concern for me, and I find that coming to work seems to make me feel worse, especially because of the commute. Alas, I think I just need to quit my job and find another that is closer and more team-oriented, but if I quit I will be an unemployed techie in the Bay Area, and the first time I did that was hard enough. Sigh.
>
> > By the way if you've been in treatment for 2 years and are now getting worse it may be time to look at a different treatment.
> Yes, I'm trying new medication regimens and now I'm going to talk therapy twice a week. I've only been with this therapist for nine months, so I don't think it's time to give up on her yet. :}
>
> Thanks for your response -- it's really good to get other people's perspectives about this.
>
> M3
poster:Mags
thread:17610
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020202/msgs/17836.html