Has anyone regretted telling management at their workplace about their anxiety problems ?

[scotland4ever]

[Hidden]

Hi

Thats a great question, I told the Architect I was working under, and he was very supportive, but I think the chief Architect Boss, wasn't as kind, he was a 100% money man, and my work was suffering in the end.

But that was a long time ago 1990.

Hope you can get a good reply here as I'm very interested too.

all the best

Bxxxx

[Hidden]

Yes - most definitely. My anxiety started due to bullying by two team members, I asked for help from managers, they wouldn't deal with the bullying and now they have all ganged up on me, culminating in full blown and terrifying panic attacks. I was off work for three months, and only recently returned to work. Now they are holding a disciplinary action over me for the symptoms of my panic attacks (leaving the office abruptly) and I am feeling so terrible right now I can hardly stand it. I am living in constant fear and dread and don't know what to do. Maybe some managers would want to help someone suffering from an anxiety disorder - but sadly in my case this is not so.

[Peter1 in reply to Hidden]

Sorry to hear about you're experience - I had something similar happen to me. Mental health and wellness is important within the work place. For example, you would bully a blind person or a physically disabled person. So why should someone who might be shy and introvertbe subject to critism and bullying. I think you should take some legal advice to consider your options.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Arden I posted a couple of replies to your original blog about this. Have sent you a pm.

Bev xx

[agora in reply to Hidden]

Get someone to attend the meeting with you. Please DON'T let this go. Can you recruit someone to attend the meeting with you, friend, health professional? Don't be bullied, they know they're in the wrong, that's obvious.

[gazz_GAD]

ummmm, I am 50/50 on whether I regret telling management at work. I'm a director and thought it would be a good idea to tell 2 senior managers I have anxiety / GAD. They are non judgemental, but unfortunately do not understand GAD and now they are aware of my GAD it makes me even more paranoid than previously. Being the boss, my situation is slightly different, but my working environment is very KPI driven / highly commercial and any sort of weakness I feel can damage your integrity at work. I am learning to talk about my anxiety, but i should have chosen close friends / family first before trusting work associates about my GAD. Overall I am very proud I am moving forward with my life and feel sorry for all sad individuals who feel they can use anxiety against someone that is just pathetic on their part!! So please be proud of yourself. Do not let anyone make you feel you are worthless or that your anxiety is something you should be ashamed of. If your company does make your life impossible at work, remember people are always here to help and you should never feel bullied!! Try using Citizens Advice Bureau for guidance on work issues. I am currently signed up to ARM, Anxiety Rebalance Method anxietyrebalance.co.uk take a look. Remember stay strong and it doesn’t matter who you are, most people at work will struggle with anxiety. You are now alone.

[Peter1 in reply to gazz_GAD]

wow - I can Identify with everything you've said. Unfortunately for me though however, I ended up resigning because my motivation and performance had suffered so badly, thereby increasing the bullying and public critism. I've not been able to work corporately again and I'm presently retraining.

Good for you for carrying on in there - it's too bad employers are ignorant to mental health issues - I wonder what we can do about raising awareness? P

[scotland4ever]

Thank you all for your replys I told manager just over a year ago about my anxiety issues.Since I have been sent to coventry so too speak, not chosen for promotion and gosssiped about at work.Every day is so hard I feel isolated .i trusted the manager but what a mistake I made before I was a popular member of the workplace.I understand what people are going through and my best wishes are with you all.

[partygal in reply to scotland4ever]

Hi Scotland, the exact same thing has happened to me. I was an area manager and after much thought I decided to take a lower ranking position three days a week. This happened 9 months ago. What a mistake! Since then a number of positions have come available within the company but I am overlooked for promotion every time and I know it's because of the reason I gave up my mangers position, due to anxiety. The people they are promoting are not half as qualified as me but it's just like I'm invisible. This is making me feel quite down and it's quite a confidence knock. I'm not sure what to do, I've told HR and they just say no keep applying for positions but I know I'm going nowhere. I never had one complaint or bad mark against me after 18 years of being a manager but since telling them about the anxiety this doesn't seem to count. I would appreciate comments from anybody else who has had a similar situation. All the best Scotland x

[Hidden]

Hi Scotland. I am not sure on this one. From my experience I did get help from my employer but I also had a lot more stress because of this. One of my teamleaders 'oversupervised' me and I was aware that she watched me continually. This brought out her bullying behaviour (she had a history of it) which culminated in a blazing row with her. I was moved to another section. Then she bullied someone else and finally management realised what she was like and moved her away from staff supervision.

The jury's out.

Bev xx

[scotland4ever]

Cheers bev and everyone , its a difficult decision to make for me it was the wrong one, everyday at work is difficult . It's seems that they are ashamed of me and embarrassed . Noone talks to me , I have started to withdraw within myself. Hope everyone is well and all the best .

[agora]

Interesting question. My condition was caused by working in a major FMCG company. They acknowledged that I was mentally ill but continued to cause me to endure a great deal of stress.