Need a break from my job to deal with my severe anxiety. Any advice on options available?

[kavach9]

I suffer from severe anxiety and depression which has progressively worsened over 20 years inspite of consistently being on medication. Due to a recent spike in my anxiety and depression, I'd like to take a different less demanding role. I am currently a Software Developer in Fortune 200 company. However, I am worried that if my employer learns of my disability, there will be passive discrimination, possibly leading to a layoff.

Does anyone on this forum know what legal rights and accommodations are available to employees with mental health issues and how does one avail them?

Thank you.

[Hidden]

I am unsure about the laws around this but I am sure you can be signed off with a doctors note for a while and still be paid. I hope this helps xx

[Bluetj]

I'm not sure of the law exactly but supposedly an employer is not suppose to discriminate against mental illness. I got approved for fmla on my job & had to take off several times as long as a month. Every time I went back to work with documentation from dr. This is me tho.

[kavach9 in reply to Bluetj]

Thank you Bluetj & JennyAB. I was hoping for a more permanent resolution than FMLA. Also, I worry about discrimination - having a letter from my psychiatrist is a dead give away of mental health issues. So much for HIPAA.

[Bbunny]

I'm pretty much in your boat. For my whole life I have done credentialing and contracting for medical providers. Its high demand stressful lot of responsibility job. I decided to take a less stressful path for a bit and wait tables. Money wise it wasnt an issue I was making plenty but my self worth went way down. I thought maybe I could work on me while working a less demanding job. Now all this has happened and I'm scared to death to even go to work. My depression and anxiety has heightened during this am now I'm a complete wreck. So Idk if less time or a less stressful job will work for you but know its worth it. Don't feel bad. Work on you. I have to keep telling myself that. Good luck

[JasonBrenner]

Hi! I got curious and googled "software developer requirements". Look, even while hiring a software developer nobody pays any attention to your medical history bridgeteams.com/blog/softwa...

So, I don't think it's a problem. But if you feel uncomfortable about telling it than don't. You definitely have a right for privacy.