[zoeboboey]

Originally Posted by mattsmom81

I wasn't dealing with life events, hurts, emotions... I was running past them and avoiding. Succeeding. Doing good...for others. Until I crashed and burned that is...LOL!

Well I guess we are twins MM, that was me in a nutshell. Sounds like you are doing right by you now, thank God!

[mattsmom81]

Originally Posted by zoeboboey

Well I guess we are twins MM, that was me in a nutshell. Sounds like you are doing right by you now, thank God!

Well I guess we can both serve as a warning to other nurses then ...LOL!

[zoeboboey]

Originally Posted by mattsmom81

Well I guess we can both serve as a warning to other nurses then ...LOL!

Yep; "What not to do" LOL

[RNAnna]

Hi,

It's nice to know that there are nurses out there that are struggling with some of the same things that I am. I have PTSD/Major Depression/GAD/ and Panic Disorder. I've been on meds for about 5 years and am currently doing well. I'm just orienting to my first nursing position and that has been a challenge especially in terms of symptoms. I am learning not to get overstimulated and finding a routine, but I find that it takes me a little longer than I feel my preceptor would like me to go.

To disclose or not to disclose, that is the question. Some of the people at work know about my illness because I knew them in school and felt comfortable disclosing that information to them. But the rest are not informed on the topic. I'm finding that in my rural area of the country, a lot of nurses really don't know or aren't trained to handle the particulars of mental illnesses in our clients and I am thinking of offering myself as a resourse to aid their learning. If I can't use my experience of mental illness to help anyone else, I know that there will be others that will experience the same things that I do. Who knows, there may be some undiagnosed people with mental illnesses on our staff and we need to build a culture of caring and understanding. I want to help do that. It's not all about me anymore.

[zoeboboey]

Originally Posted by RNAnna

Hi,

It's nice to know that there are nurses out there that are struggling with some of the same things that I am. I have PTSD/Major Depression/GAD/ and Panic Disorder. I've been on meds for about 5 years and am currently doing well. I'm just orienting to my first nursing position and that has been a challenge especially in terms of symptoms. I am learning not to get overstimulated and finding a routine, but I find that it takes me a little longer than I feel my preceptor would like me to go.

To disclose or not to disclose, that is the question. Some of the people at work know about my illness because I knew them in school and felt comfortable disclosing that information to them. But the rest are not informed on the topic. I'm finding that in my rural area of the country, a lot of nurses really don't know or aren't trained to handle the particulars of mental illnesses in our clients and I am thinking of offering myself as a resourse to aid their learning. If I can't use my experience of mental illness to help anyone else, I know that there will be others that will experience the same things that I do. Who knows, there may be some undiagnosed people with mental illnesses on our staff and we need to build a culture of caring and understanding. I want to help do that. It's not all about me anymore.

Interesting; I was gonna do that at my last job. Do an inservice or two about self care, and mental illness, and also be a confidante if people wanted help privately. Never got to do it cuz my symptoms got exacerbated, and then I had to leave the job. So they learned by observing first- hand unfortunately. I had wanted to relate to them as a competent professional. Oh well.

Anyway I agree, it isn't just about me, just make sure it's FIRST about you. And take what time you need to get oriented. If nothing else you can disclose a learning disorder and that if they don't get out of your face your head will spin around!

[jnette]

Originally Posted by zoeboboey

If nothing else you can disclose a learning disorder

... and that if they don't get out of your face your head will spin around!

Love it !

[warrior woman]

We are all kindred spirits on this thread, as we have all walked through the same turmoil. You are all amazing people here.

[HyperRNRachel]

I have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and suffer from severe anxiety, which I am currently being treated for. I just started working in an ER and the constant organization as well as constant reassurance that I am doing well has helped me with my ADHD and my anxiety. In talking with my doctor(psychiatrist) about lowering my dose of Adderall (at my request) I got nervous and asked him if I could request a higher dose if I find myself going scattered brain. After a discussion he pointed out that my main problem is the fear that I will not perform well due to my deficits and he assured me that he has plenty of patients who work in the healthcare field, I'm not the only one, and with the right medications many, many, many of them are doing an incredible job.

Do not be afraid to find the answers. Seek treatment and continue doing the job you love!

By the way, a bit of irony, a new student in the ER said she cannot wait until she has the self confidence and assertiveness that I have!

[RNAnna]

I am amazed at how many people see us as stronger people than we sometimes feel. Hyperstudent, that new student in the ER is looking up to you because you have more experience and probably more confidence than he/she does.

We have become very practiced at hiding our doubts and fears that come with our mental illnesses because of the stigma attached. Some of us are afraid of reactions at work, or even among friends. If it can happen to someone they know, then it can happen to them......so the thinking goes. The most important thing is to believe that we can and are getting better while learning to manage our symptoms both on and off the job. We always feel differently than we present. At least I do. I know that I am the one that has the most doubts about myself.

I always have to remember to take things at my pace and not to let anyone push me. That is when mistakes are made. My pace is different than others. We each have our individual pace that balances us. When we find it, it is a good day.

Anna

[CHATSDALE]

I have tourettes syn and sometimes my facial expressions don't match the things going on inside the brain...frequently people think i am laughing at them [or worse they think i am laughing to myself] but i have chosen not to share this with many people because even nurses are not familiar with this disorder and nurses are the can be the most judgemental people sometimes