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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MSWGradStudent on June 7, 2006, at 5:39:53
I feel like I've lost the last year of my life to an anti-depressant that was supposed to be "harmless" and "helpful" for my PTSD.
I'm in the process of discontinuing the medication and trying to patch all of the holes that formed during a year of not caring about my obligations, responsibilities, etc.
I'm here to ask for advice about disclosure. How much do I tell my supervisor, professor, friends, etc about how the medication changed my life?? The withdrawal has been horrible and I've missed two weeks of work... do I say "I'm having Effexor withdrawal" or do I put it as general "personal problems"???
Also, how do I catch up? I literally just stopped living for the last year. I didn't pay bills, I didn't clean my room, I didn't go to the eye doctor... I just floated without care or worry (if that makes sense)...
Now, I'm able to think more clearly and I'm becoming overwhelmed with the damage my apathy seems to have caused...
I just feel very much out of it right now so any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance and hope you are well.
Posted by pseudoname on June 7, 2006, at 12:04:31
In reply to Putting life BACK together after stopping meds???, posted by MSWGradStudent on June 7, 2006, at 5:39:53
(This shouldn't get re-directed, IMO, since it's about med-use disclosure, not withdrawal per se.)
> I'm here to ask for advice about disclosure. How much do I tell my supervisor, professor, friends, etc about how the medication changed my life??
Every situation is different, Your Mileage May Vary, ideas not instructions, but...
I would be VERY cautious about disclosing psych problems or psych med use to ANYONE in an employment or education hierarchy. Obviously, there will be exceptions, but the fact that you are asking total strangers about your own work environment suggests that you haven't seen a lot of supportive responses there.
As an unfortunate general rule, psychiatric disclosures can be used against you by co-workers, supervisors, supervisees, professors, etc for years and years to come.
Explaining a year of underperformance or 2 weeks of absence can be accomplished just as effectively (or ineffectively) with "I wasn't feeling very well" or "I had a medical problem" or even "I had a problem with a medication I was taking" as with telling anyone that you had PSYCH problems or were taking PSYCH meds.
People will not, in my experience, be more mollified by an explanation that includes psychiatric information.
If anyone asks for details, wouldn't that be inappropriate? You can reply that you don't think it will be a problem in the future.
If they're complaining NOW about your performance, let them know that you hear the complaint and understand their feelings. But be careful about ceeding any ground or admitting any guilt right away. It kinda sounds like you're feeling a little spontaneous internal pressure to take blame or to evaluate yourself negatively. You may have been performing better than you think. How great a job are these other jokers doing, anyway?
If people aren't asking questions or making complaints, it may not be necessary or wise to offer anything. Maybe you can save those responses for when they're needed.
With friends who aren't in those hierarchies, it's a different story. If you feel you can trust them, I hope you will be able to be honest with them and find support from them -- perhaps in degrees or stages. If you're not sure how much you can risk disclosing with them, I would advise NOT lying to them. Just let them know that you've had problems and you appreciate their nonjudgmental support and that you're sharing as much as your pain will let you.
Posted by Phillipa on June 7, 2006, at 21:37:25
In reply to disclosing med problems to others » MSWGradStudent, posted by pseudoname on June 7, 2006, at 12:04:31
I disagree as employers and schools know there are a lot of depressed people out there. They will be glad you were smart enought to seek help and advise. And they will see you well now. Love Phillipa
Posted by med_empowered on June 8, 2006, at 0:12:36
In reply to Re: disclosing med problems to others » pseudoname, posted by Phillipa on June 7, 2006, at 21:37:25
I have family members in academics, and there seem tobe varied responses. On the one hand..if you're depressed, and that screwed up your life, and now you are functioning and what not--fine, if you trust the professor or whomever, MAYBE say something--but tread carefully.
If you're talking something more severe, like bipolar or schizophrenia or what not, you may want to not disclose (I'm speaking from personal experience here, btw).
Also..if you can repair all this, you don't really need to explain it away. At undergrad level, psych problems can be damaging; once you get up into higher-level ed, the damage can be pretty intense, so I'd say be very, very careful. You may even want to avoid disclosure completely, if you're concerned at all.
Posted by heaven help me on June 8, 2006, at 10:59:42
In reply to Putting life BACK together after stopping meds???, posted by MSWGradStudent on June 7, 2006, at 5:39:53
As for how ou put your life back in order...I have been in a state where I have felt I lost LARGE amounts of time to med experiements as I call them. My sister, in fact is coming out of a 3 year "depression" that left her immobilized in all aspects. What has helped me, and is helping her, is to look at it in SMALL pieces. Right now, her goal is to do 15 minutes (yes, MINUTES) a day of constructive stuff around her house (take out recylcling, wipe off fridge, etc). AND, when the sun is shinning, to spend 30 minutes minimum outside in it (reading a book, weeding, looking at clouds...) Just this LITTLE goal, when accomlished, does WONDERS for the morale. As you begin to feel better, you will fidn yourself increasing those amounts of time. As for your bills, etc, Usually places will give you grace if you convey a good faith effort. You can tell them you have suffered some difficult medical problems this year but are ready to begin to take care of them and would they, for instance, take $10 a month while you get yourself back on your feet. Then you put that bill paying part into your 15 minutes. You will be suprised what you can do and what benefit you will get from that 15'. And it WILL increase to more and more until life flows again. Be patient with yourself.
For me, it was also really a spiritual battle of forcing myself to spend 15minutes each morning reading the Scriptures. God has really blessed me in this and many other aspects of my day have come into control. He is really good!
blessings
mary
Posted by Jost on June 8, 2006, at 22:57:55
In reply to Putting life BACK together after stopping meds???, posted by MSWGradStudent on June 7, 2006, at 5:39:53
I'd agree with pseudoname-- be cautious about revealing too much information, in business, work or professional situations (such as graduate school).
Even in Social Work School, where one assumes that people are more accepting of these issues, people might not know what to make of it.
Maybe you feel that effexor took this time from you, and you want them to know that it wasn't really you, as you normally are? But you don't need to explain that--and people could be confused by it in a professional setting.
It's safer, and in a sense more "professional," just to be the "normal" responsible, consistent person that you are--no apologies or extenuations needed.. If there are gaps to explain, all people need to know is that you had a medical issue, that you're over it, or well on the way to recovery,-- and that you'll be continuing your work.
On an individual basis, you could tell friends, or even someone who is a close advisor--but again, in a professional situation, it really is best to remain professional--
Maybe I've been in less understanding places, but I wouldn't have told anyone in that setting--
Jost
This is the end of the thread.
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