Antidepressants

[Pat-rick1]

Everyone I’ve seen tells me I probably should take antidepressants.

My psychologist yesterday told me ,

It’s only a taught.

Ok here we go: I had a staff meeting last night , in central London at 6.30.

Now getting there was a painful, crowd busy noise etc.

Anyway great I get there just in time .

I go sit by a friend.

It takes ages for me to relax ,and try go “unnoticed”if that makes sense. The meeting is two hours first hour bla bla ...bla , second hour wine tasting , I’m doing good !! Then my boss asks us to read the labels on the bottles . It’s ok I’m back of house @ then my boss asks me too read one of the labels , ah it’s ok I won’t need to . No read the label come on stop stalling !!! It’s only about 30 words should take less than a minute. I did read and I’m still here . That was a horrible experience and I hated my bosss for it , that was yesterday. Because she pushed me I read it.and today I feel like a champion , it was Mount Everest and I did it . This could be a turning point it has boosted my confidence. Reading a wine label in front of about 20 people .. face your fear and you will win🎉🎉

[Pat-rick1]

If I had known there was even the slightest hint that we would have to read aloud I definitely would not have gone. Thats one of the reason why I posted this

[sealiphone]

It seems to me there's a lack of understand regarding your disability, something I'd be concerned about. How to approach this best will depend on the companies structure.

Did you have a phased return to work and an assessment concerning Reasonable Adjustments as this duty arises whenever any aspect of the employer’s working practices or premises puts a disabled employee at a substantial disadvantage, when compared with employees who are not disabled. All this is part of the Equality Act 2010.

This generally means they should address this duty when they become aware that an employee has become disabled.

Los of great information on all these issues on the Equality and Human Rights Commission website:

[steve55 in reply to sealiphone]

this isnt the issue here. pat-rick1 was describing how he overcame his fear without the need of ant depressants when others were presurising him to take them.

[sealiphone in reply to steve55]

My fault entirely I just didn't understand. Although all my waffle about Equality Act is probably still very relevant, language is a very flawed communication system, or that's my excuse!!

[sealiphone]

Even more, do you have a report quantifying your symptoms, as this would form the basis of your needs.

It may be that a personal assistant or technology would enable you to do the core elements of your job.

If your employer is reasonably unable to cover such costs Access to Work may be able.

disabilityrightsuk.org/acce...

[cat3]

Well done Pat-rick. We don't always know what we're capable of 'til someone gives us a nudge. Maybe your boss had an idea you could do it and was being cruel to be kind ! xx

[Pat-rick1 in reply to cat3]

I did tell her about my head injury when I started but played it down !! She might have pushed me for the very reason you said Cat x

[cat3 in reply to Pat-rick1]

So long as she understands your needs and issues, and makes the statutory allowances, your boss might just want to bring the best out in you by encouraging you to take 'safe' risks to boost your confidence. There's no harm done so long as you feel able to assert your needs if having an off day.

Onwards and upwards Pat-rick ! xx

[sealiphone in reply to Pat-rick1]

I entirely understand playing it down but it's better not to rely on might, the danger is they see you failing and think you can no longer do the job. But like I said aids may change all that

[sealiphone]

Probably a stupid question but did you get help with your difficulty in reading, as this seems to be some form of Aphasia?

[Pat-rick1 in reply to sealiphone]

I don’t think I ever had a problem reading : I have a lot of other issues so to speak

[steve55 in reply to sealiphone]

i think you need to stop acting as a doctor or a lawyer and read whats being said, because it appears as though you have the problem with reading!!!

[sealiphone in reply to steve55]

Well I did read and I didn't understand but I also don't understand why you need to be offensive about it.

All my responses are based on trying to give more information, so others can make informed decisions.

Also I'm not acting as a doctor and I don't believe I've said anything which is not based on evidence or other peoples experience.

Given what you've said the only thing I could do is post no more and I'm not prepared to do that at the moment.

[steve55]

good on you mate, you keep building on these triumphs and dont be afraid to sit down with your boss and work out an action plan.

[Pat-rick1 in reply to steve55]

Steve I never had a problem reading it was just that I was put on the spot and overwhelmed by it at the time

[steve55 in reply to Pat-rick1]

my reply wasnt to you mate. i read what you wrote and i understand what a great effort it took to stand up and read what was on the back of that bottle and the elation you must have felt when you succeeded.

[Pat-rick1 in reply to steve55]

Lol my reply wasn’t meant for you , I won’t name now as it was a day or two ago now 😒😒

[steve55]

but as i said, dont be afraid to sit down with your supervisor and work out a plan for you going forward.