Hi everyone,
I’m not allowed back to work (nursing) until at least mid June. I’ve not told anyone on my ward what my diagnosis is. My question is what do I tell people when they ask? Should I hide it or be open about it? I’ve been suffering from psychosis. I’d be terrified of the comments behind my back, I’m not sure if that’s my paranoia or the fact that a lot of women together for 13 hour shifts can be a bit bitchy. Any advice would be appreciated x
I was pretty vague about it, I just said it was a stress-related illness and they were okay with it.
The thing about stigma is that it cuts both ways, many people are uncomfortable about asking too many questions or knowing too much or prying into things they’d rather not know.
The comments behind your back is something you can’t control that much, other than what you tell them and your behavior. I found it easier to act as if nothing was wrong and keep up a ‘front’. To me my illness was a personal thing, and I’d only let people in if I thought they could help me.
Have you been diagnosed as a schizophrenic of any sort? If so you might be able to help yourself if there is a part of your mind that is still able to analyze what and why you have become this way. You need to become your own best friend and doctor as much as you are able to understand things to be. You don’t want to become too disconnected from any inner turmoil you are experiencing if you can help it. The medications I take help me to see and better understand my delusional states of mind and so am better able to overcome these mental problems using my own powers of reasoning and logic.
Try to “think out side the box” (the brain) because a part of us needs to carry on while another part of us has been wounded. I don’t mean to sound like a therapist but maybe I wouldn’t be so bad as one.
Yes you’d make a good therapist ha. I am quite a reserved person by nature and don’t trust anyone because I’ve had so much violence in my life. But it’s a long time I’ve had off. I don’t want to feel backed into a corner really
You probably should exercise more if you are physical able to because I have read several times form different sources that exercise is better at relieving depression than any medication out there. I like to believe that I can communicate with a higher power by just believing that I can. If we don’t first consider that this is even possible then why would we ever even try connect with it. You should ask your doctor if some type of hormones would help you feel stronger.
I’ve always done keep fit, I’ve not done any properly for a while. Home treatment team cancelled the appointment for today. Not seen them from last week so must be ok apparently
Hide it. I went psychotic at work and was known as the crazy guy from then on out. People lost respect for me and I stopped getting promotions. I think I would have been better off telling them that I had HIV over mental health issues. And I don’t even have sz, I have bipolar, I can’t imagine how much worst it would have been if they thought I had sz.
Come up with an elaborate lie that they can relate to, to explain your absence.
Nothing good can come from them knowing that you have been diagnosed with sz.
That’s awful for you! I’m An honest person but I think I’ll hide it I suppose m, it’s a shame. Sorry you’ve bee through that x
A truthful answer is that you “had health issues” that you are still dealing with the aftershocks of, and you’re “not ready to discuss it with others at this time”. The main thing is your doctor has cleared you to go back to work and you’re looking forward to doing so again.
Honest and private. Hope that helps?
10-96
Note: Edited to fix what autocorrect inserted instead of the word I intended.
When it comes to explaining your absence You don’t have to tell them it was because of schizophrenia.You don’t owe them that. If you tell them it’s schizophrenia they will hurt you more than you would hurt them if you lie and say it’s something else.
At least have something planned out to say. Such as, “I was under a lot of stress and needed a break.”
That’s one good idea. Keep it creative but simple.
As long as you can do your job competently and get along with people minimally than you don’t owe them any personal information about schizophrenia.
You don’t have to feel guilty about not telling them about schizophrenia. You’re there to do a job and get along a little with your co-workers . If you can do that then having schizophrenia your business. And none of theirs. You’re not obligated to face stigma and suffer even more than you do with symptoms. My philosophy is, “Why tell someone something that they will just use against you”?
I experienced a lot of stigma at work myself - i made the mistake of telling a “friend” coworker that I had Bipolar - soon afterwards half the job site knew about it, and they treated me like I was slow minded.
I was transferred to another work site, and had to fight my way back to my old site.
Whatever you do @Clancy82 do not tell them that you have psychosis or SZ - IT WILL HAUNT YOU LATER.
I experienced stigma with a bipolar diagnosis - I cannot imagine what would have happened to me with a schizophrenia diagnosis - the gossip after people found out about my DX was awful!
I re-read from the top and realized what I wrote had very little to do with your original question. I was just thinking what advice I could offer but it seems that the social atmosphere where you have been working sounds like an un friendly kind of place to be working. You probably don’t make friends very easily if at all. May be you should find another place to start over with your career. Over here in the States there is going to be the largest population of elderly over 60+ that will need assistance with healthcare needs . May be you could get some more schooling and up grade your job title. I would have gotten into the field myself self if I were more physically fit and mentally stable. I have a niece who has just entered that profession in a well populated area, but she doesn’t like the crime rate around there because it is a major tourist destination. Location is most important for a less stressful place to work.
I work with the over 60+ I’ve worked in nursing for 12 years, doing neuro surgery mainly but settled on elderly care after 8 years. I’ll just have to say health issues like what has been advised. It’s sad that we have to hide what we suffer, particularly in a ‘caring profession’ but hey ho, I need to pay the bills, and I’d hate to be bullied again x
I copied and pasted a long time ago no idea where from though…
How to let people know that you are mentally ill:
At some point you’ve been diagnosed as having some variation of a mental illness You know that it affects your life considerably, but those around you may not. They may not understand your actions when the disorder is actively present in your life. Thankfully, you can tell them about what you have, so that they may be more understanding.
Be selective. Only tell those who would truly benefit from knowing of your condition, such as your boss, fellow students and co-workers that you do a lot of work with, family members, etc. Other people simply don’t need to know. There are many misconceptions about mental illnesses, so you have to be careful with disclosing the diagnosis.
Make any explanations short and sweet. Don’t start using medical jargon in explaining what you have. This will only confuse the other person. Instead, break down any good descriptions you may find into plain English by replacing higher vocabulary terms with lower ones that will make sense to whomever you tell.
If you aren’t good at explaining things, don’t feel obliged to do so. Ask your counselor, psychiatrist or whoever helps you manage illness. for an easy-to-access and simple resource that you could refer your friends and family to. They will still get the message, but you won’t be the one explaining anything.
Don’t victimize yourself. Simply because you have a long-term emotional condition doesn’t mean you can’t have a successful life. Always remember that whatever affects you in life isn’t going to make or break you- it’s your reaction to it that counts.
Don’t make a big deal out of it. You might be mentally ill, but it doesn’t have to be the defining aspect of your life- if you don’t want it to be. People with this condition eat, sleep, and breath the same air like everyone else. You still have to manage it, but avoid ruminating over the diagnosis. It’s going to affect your life, but not necessarily in a negative way.
Don’t tell those who have a limited understanding of the world. Those types of people will be more likely to be judgmental, rather than empathetic, and may not be ones to count on to keep what you have shared confidential.
Some people might treat you differently after they learn about your condition. They might be victims of popular misconceptions, or they may not understand what the diagnosis means.
Usually, good friends and family won’t treat you any differently. But your acquaintances and those whom you don’t know well are the ones most likely to do so.
Try not to take it personal if they do treat you differently. Most of the time, they simply don’t understand what mental illness is and the struggles of those who have it.
I’ve been mostly silent about my Sz. It helps me to avoid having to explain it … and oh, being socially set on fire. It is your business, so keep it that way.
We don’t have our own “Bruce Jenner,” yet, so keep that stuff tucked tight. I would like to erase the stigma through art, but it might not happen in our lifetime.
Remember that Sz doesn’t change who you are. You are just sick when it comes back. You’re not a wreck or a bad person. It really is this illness.
keep it to yourself.
if it does not effect your work.
take care 