Depression and HR

AdrianG08

Been battling depression for years, ignoring I've suffered it etc..

Do I have duty/is it common sense to inform my HR department at work that I am currently suffering from depression?

There are days I'm fit for nothing, so wrapped up in anxiety that I'm afraid performance would get me fired to be honest.

Del2005

Go to your Doctor and get them to treat it. All you need to inform your employer/HR of is if your Dr signs you off sick, you have no duty to inform anyone of your personal medical issues*.

*you may need to inform them if you are taking medication that could affect your work, operating heavy plant etc, but you don't have to tell then why you are taking it.

witchgirl26

First off as the previous poster said, go get some help for it. It may be that the GP thinks you might need to be signed off for a little while to get back onto an even keel.

Only inform HR if you feel you should. I had post natal anxiety & did tell my boss but that's more down to the relationship we have rather than feeling I needed to tell him.

Corkcarpenter1

Hi Adrian,

Not very helpful but just to let you know, you're not alone. I'm in a high stress, senior management role on a large project, I'm currently suffering with anxiety and depression. Most days is a struggle to drag myself into the shower. I dred meeting people face to face, every time I make a minor error or something goes against me I'm waiting for someone to see it as a major issue and fire me. I have only suffered with this for a year or so. My anxiety and stress is solely brought on by my job and attitudes and machismo present in the industry I work in. In my role it's hugely important to appear strong and in control at all times. This generally leads to being a total mess once you clock off and can release. My GP is helping me to deal with it but ultimately I'm going to have to change careers once I draw down my mortgage in July.

I haven't informed HR and I don't see why I should. In my experience HR is present to protect the employer rather the employee. Do go to a GP, do get help, do find a way of getting exercise and improve your diet. I discreetly informed my direct line manager, so as to keep him in the loop and so the company can't say they were in the dark. I didn't quiet the response I wanted but so as ever.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118676822#Comment_118676822

It's not as simple as just "Go to your doctor and get them to treat it". It's not a cold

A lot of people, like myself, don't respond well to antidepressants due to the side effects

Still stihl waters 3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118695428#Comment_118695428

No it's not but going into work "fit for nothing " isn't the answer, but a doctor is a good place to start, antidepressants may not work but the gp could refer to a counsellor that might help,the OP is not fit to work if they can't do their job so a gp is a good place to start

Corkcarpenter1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118695428#Comment_118695428

I agree. I don't do well with antidepressants either, I found I was having a lot of mood swings. I'm taking a mild sleeping tablet as needed but prefer the exercise and diet approach even though I'm the sporty active type.

Del2005

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118695428#Comment_118695428

If you don't want medication your doctor will be able to recommend other options. Not going to a professional of some type definitely won't help you, your HR department won't treat your depression and if you need time off work or reduced duties a doctors cert is all HR will care about

Never forget that HR work for the company not the employee.

Corkcarpenter1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118695918#Comment_118695918

That last line.........BINGO!

witchgirl26

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118695428#Comment_118695428

I get that completely but a doctor is a good place to start. Mine went through a list of other non-medications that might help with it before I went on antidepressants. They can also issue sick certs, which if the OP needs some time off as their fit for nothing, is pretty vital. You don't have to be on meds to get signed off by the doctor.

BaywatchHQ

Therapy isn't always useful to people either, people just throw these words around to degrade the person like "that guy needs therapy". In my situation at the moment I am unemployed and the welfare system referred me to this therapy programme. The CBT person said CBT probably wouldn't be useful to me as it is obvious I am on autism spectrum.

batman75

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058234365/depression-and-hr

First off credit to you for facing up to it. For acknowledging it. For posting here. That's a huge step. I suffered since I was 20 but only truly understood it now that i'm in my 40s. By all means go to a doctor and take it from there. I wouldn't see it as necessary to inform HR. Only if you were recommended by a medical profession to step back from your work for a period of time.

There is no easy fix for depression. Meds can work but equally can have icky side affects. They can take time to work. Alternatively talking to a specialist beyond a general GP can be a better route for some. I was diagnosed as being prone to catastrophising where you essentially assume the worst outcome in a given scenario.

Before you commit to meds or go too long talking to a professional beyond a GP make sure you know why you are suffering from depression. You might know yourself or a medical professional might able to glean it from your thoughts. Only once you know why you're suffering from depression can you truly move forward. I think it's preferable to know the source of depression not just tackle the symptoms.

I don't mean to frighten you but I find the standard of mental health care here abysmal. Even with money. Only once did a doctor ring after to check in to see how I was. I think there is a basic lack of understanding about depression amongst medical professionals here. As you suffer from depression there is a good chance you will understand it better than those with letters after their name. I hope you find them more helpful than I have. Good luck!

daithi7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118695440#Comment_118695440

https://www.sciencealert.com/study-reveals-immediate-lasting-benefits-of-exercise-for-people-with-depression