Hi everyone
I hope you are all feeling okay. I have just started a new job 3 months after my psychotic break. I am still trying to recover, so my cognitive abilities aren't as sharp as they used to be. I'm also not as good socially as I was before in terms of making small talk. I am wondering how many of you disclosed your psychosis to your employer, what made you decide to disclose and how it affected your performance?
Hi Zebrawhite,
How are you doing? I do hope you're getting on ok in your new job so far and the people are nice. Is it a new job with an existing employer or all totally new to you?
My experience was of going back to the same job (more or less) which was in the NHS at the time, and my manager was already aware of my PP so it was a different situation to yours. My manager and colleagues were very understanding and supportive and I'd also been referred to the occupational health team and had support from them too.
I'd say it's a very personal decision as to whether or not, and how much, you tell your employer. I would really hope that telling them would be positive and enable them to make any necessary adjustments to support you. You don't have to tell everyone of course (and you don't have to tell anyone if you don't want to) but talking to your manager might be a good idea if you feel comfortable doing so - you don't need to go into detail but it could help if you need to take any time off for appointments etc. and just mean they are better placed to support you.
PANDAS produced an HR toolkit for employers which might be helpful to look at and potentially share with your employer - pandasfoundation.org.uk/hr-...
I'm sure others will reply with their experiences - going back to work can be such a challenging time. Take good care and I do hope it will be a supportive place for you.
Best wishes,
Jenny x
Hi firstly well done you for going back to work so quickly after being unwell that’s a massive step. I was off for a further 9 months after being discharged from MBU and when I went back to work I still wasn’t right. I don’t know if my employer knew what was wrong with me but they knew I spent time in a mental health hospital and a MBU and that I lost my driving license. I live locally to my work so they had heard a bit and I did send a message saying I was in hospital and why I hadn’t been in to visit. I did explain to them that I had a really tough time of it. They have never once brought it up since I’ve been back to work but I’m so much better than when I first went back so they must notice for example as you say you’re struggling socially I was exactly the same and was very very quiet but now I’m much more chatty. I was also very easily distracted and used to spend time just thinking about how unwell I was feeling and could not concentrate properly. It’s entirely up to you if you tell them, it might make it easier if you’re having an off day.
Hello my friend, I’m happy to hear that you’re feeling good enough to try out a job and I hope it will be a positive thing for you. Since you’re new in this job and maybe don’t know your boss well yet, I think I’d be conservative about telling them everything up front. If you had a physical disability where you needed accommodations, I’d say yes, do that, but mental issues are a bit different. I don’t know what it’s like in the UK, but here in the US I’ve found that the word “psychosis” is very misunderstood. Most people here haven’t even heard of postpartum psychosis and immediately think the worst. If you have a good feeling about your boss and want to say something, I would just start by saying some thing like, “I had some health problems after the birth of my child, and I wanted to let you know I’m still taking some medication that may make me seem a little slow (or tired, or quiet) at times. I’m working with my doctor and hope to get off it at some point, but I wanted to tell you what it is, in case you notice it.” If they ask questions, just be vague, and say you’re doing much better, and assure them that you are able to do your job, which is their main concern. If you’re positive about it, let them know you’re getting better and moving forward, then they should appreciate your letting them in on that confidence.
Use your judgment though - if they don’t seem like the kind of person who would understand (and I hate to say it, but especially if it’s a man), I’d hold off saying anything. Personally I wouldn’t be hasty in telling people. Wait until you know their character a little better, whether or not they have kids themselves -those folks may be more understanding. When I was working and very ill, I did tell my boss, who was a very understanding woman. She was very supportive and it was just fine. The other thing is that you can always tell them you’re struggling a bit without saying why, if you’re having a bad day and feel you need to say something. Just say you haven’t been feeling yourself and you’re working with your doctor. Then they know it’s a medical issue and not just you slacking off. I think you’ll get a feel for who to tell and who not to tell as time goes on.
If you do mention postpartum psychosis, be sure to ask if they know what that is, explain, and assure them that it’s a temporary condition .
Edited my last paragraph above after you saw it.
Thank you everyone for your help. Some really good advice here
Hi Zebrawhite
Just to add to the previous messages- I started a new job 9 months after having my babe (6 months after PPP).
I was lucky that my line manager at the time knew me from a previous job (for 5 years) and I was comfortable telling him about my experience and how we could support me to get back into work and stay well.
I tend to be an open book when it comes to my mental health (I have really struggled in the last 3 years) as work is so important to my identity and I can't not work, but also work is a huge stress source in my life....
Wishing you continue to get better and stay well (in regards to brain fog, for me it was about a year before I felt 100% like myself).
Dora
long term outcomes anxiety
Gratitude to the forum!
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