Back Finally

[Nurse7624]

I’m a victim of the opioid addiction even though I was never an addict. I had major depressive disorder and made some major charting mistakes. So, they terminated me and told me to get help. If we weren’t living in this time of opioid epidemic, I would’ve probably just got suspended.

Anyway, I wanted to say I’ve been released to go back to work after 7 months. My depression is under control with some new meds. I start Monday. My question is, for those who went back after mental illness of any kind, did people treat you different? Did you all of a sudden have a stigma about you?

Any and all advice on how you dealt will be greatly appreciated.

[kleelibby]

As a fellow nurse I have an idea of what you’re going through at work. Good for you for doing what you had to do to get your life and career back! Hold your head high when you return to work.

[Nurse7624 in reply to kleelibby]

Thank you for your encouraging words!!

[Dolphin14]

So happy to hear you have made such progress with your depression. Taking care of yourself is number one.

I think most of the judgement is in our own head. You are returning from an illness. Walk right in there and take your assignment and go do what you do best.

Try and remember that life has moved on for your co workers. They haven't spent 7 months thinking about you. Most people are too wrapped up in their own worlds.

When I went back to work I switched jobs. I had alot of self doubt, that was anxiety talking to me.

My therapist encourages me to have short answers to what I may expect people to ask. Give brief answers and change the subject right over to asking the person about themselves. People want to talk about their stories, let them.

Best of luck to you on your return to work. Excellent work on getting the help you needed. I wish you continued success with managing your health.

[Nurse7624 in reply to Dolphin14]

Ty so much!! I think you got the nail on the head when you said the judgement is on my head. That’s spot on with what my counselor says. She had me read the book The Four Assessments. It was a slap in the face wake-up for me.

[Dolphin14 in reply to Nurse7624]

It's a guilt, Shame thing.

It takes work to let that go.

As someone already said... go into work and hold your head up high.

[Ladybug9]

You are absolutely correct. If there wasn't such a stigma about opioid medication, you would be treated differently. There is opiod addiction and opiod dependence. I was on the Fentanyl patch plus 8 Norco a day for over 15 years due to pain. I chose to get off myself and no one even realized I was on anything. But I always share my story because it just might help that one person. And if you are treated differently when you return to work, those people have a problem, not you. You have absolutely NOTHING to be ashamed about.

[Nurse7624 in reply to Ladybug9]

I wasn’t even an addict. I was mentally ill and got treated differently. I am proud of you. And your story just goes to show how people with mental issues, addiction or depression, are labeled and treated differently.

[Ladybug9 in reply to Nurse7624]

Exactly! I hope some day people will open their minds and learn how to educate themselves to these issues.