Nurses struggling with mental illness

[Severina]

I was just wondering if there are any other nurses who struggle with mental illness. It seems to be one disability that is met with little tolerance and support in the medical field. I do have major co-morbid mental illness, Major depression/PTSD/DID, and have had many problems in my career. I have been in therapy and on meds for a long time and have worked very hard to be functional, and I have suprised myself by what I have been able to achieve. Currently, I am a hospice nurse in a residential setting and it seems that I have found my niche. It doesn't aggravate my illness too much. I am very busy at times and most of my job revolves in much cognitive thinking and decision making about the best ways to respond to a patient's emerging or existing symptoms, and in assessing patients to see where they are in the dying process, plus lots of educating to patients and families. My extensive personal trauma background has made me able to have a different perspective on death and don't see it as the scary thing that is SO SAD, that a lot of people do. Plus, because of the things that I have been through, I am more able to be compassionate and understanding of patients and their fears. I especially do well with patients with existing mental illness or lots of anxiety. I notice that a lot of nurses have little tolerance for a patients anxiety and are not willing to take the extra time to walk them through things and provide the extra reassurance that they need.

Yes, there are some nursing jobs that I don't think I would be able to do because of the fast on the spot life and death action necessary. ER and Trauma/Burn are pretty much out for me. But thats OK. A lot of nurses couldn't handle doing what I do either for their own reasons. We are all suited to certain things.

Having mental illness doesn't automatically make you unsuited for the nursing profession. Even though I have heard many times, "what are you doing here?" "Shouldn't you be doing something else, less stressful?"

I am here and am doing the thing I am suited for. Yes sometimes I have to take time off due to my illness, but its no different than somone who has flare ups of a chronic physical illness like lupus, chronic fatigue, or fibromyalgia.

I would like to know how other nurses have coped with their own illness and their nursing careers.

Severina

[ssangel]

I am feeling relieved to know I am not the only nurse working with a mental illness. It is so hard some days to make myself go into work, but once I am there I am 100% nurse and a good one. I am in my 50's and have suffered with depression and anxiety since I was 19 years old. I have peroids of remission and periods of releaspe. I always take my medication and keep my doctor appointments and I have learned to live, and live well with this disease. I am out in the open with it because I want people to understand it is a disease just like heart disease or DM that has to be treated just like anyother disease. I am a strong mental health advocate and currently work in mental health. I am so glad I found this topic. It has made me stronger to know I am not alone.

[Liddle Noodnik]

Haha thanks! :) I'm not sure about counseling at school; it's just a community college, but I don't know how to go about finding it (if it exists) and still remaining anonymous.

I would call the registration or student services office, and just not give your name, then when they refer you, just ask them if they offer it and if it could be anonymous.

I believe they are covered by Hippa too just like a regular doctor or counselor.

let me know! I am curious what they say. :)

I am feeling relieved to know I am not the only nurse working with a mental illness. It is so hard some days to make myself go into work, but once I am there I am 100% nurse and a good one. I am in my 50's and have suffered with depression and anxiety since I was 19 years old. I have peroids of remission and periods of releaspe. I always take my medication and keep my doctor appointments and I have learned to live, and live well with this disease. I am out in the open with it because I want people to understand it is a disease just like heart disease or DM that has to be treated just like anyother disease. I am a strong mental health advocate and currently work in mental health. I am so glad I found this topic. It has made me stronger to know I am not alone.

Hi Ss, so glad to hear from you here!

I appreciated your post! I am glad you are out in the open about your depression/anxiety! I usually tell people I have depression/anxiety, but leave out the part about being bipolar. I wish I was well enough to work in the field because I think I would have a lot to offer. And I am not ashamed of my illness, just I don't want it used against me.

Hope to hear from you more! It is good to know how to function just on a day by day basis, just the regular life things that come up.

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

Haha thanks! :) I'm not sure about counseling at school; it's just a community college, but I don't know how to go about finding it (if it exists) and still remaining anonymous.

I definitely advocate for keeping mental health issues and school separate. While any counseling that you receive is technically covered by HIPAA, many schools are wary of having students with mental health issues on campus because of the potential threat for future lawsuits, etc.

NAMI.org is a good place to start looking for any free groups in your area. Sliding scale options may not be available to you since you do technically have insurance, etc. but you might look into your local health department -- most offer comprehensive mental health services at reduced prices.

On the flip side, I think you'd be surprised at how many people are on medications to treat depression and anxiety. I do volunteer screenings for bone marrow donation applicants - mostly in hospital settings - and I'd say that 1/4 to half of medical professionals who fill out the form are on some sort of medication for depression or anxiety. Your experience in itself is no different from many, many people who have struggled with some form of mental illness. You're definitely not alone! :)

[dirtyhippiegirl, BSN, RN]

For what it's worth -- I have an extensive mental health history. Multiple hospitalizations. I was first hospitalized at thirteen. OD'd, spent a month in the ICU with most of it on a vent. Was diagnosed with major depression. Eventually also got diagnosed with anorexia after I had a MI at 14. Developed an epic self-harm issue which routinely put me in the hospital. Was finally diagnosed as borderline around 15? 16? (Agree with the poster a year ago who noted that pds are not mentioned very often.) Second MI at 19 which spurred my recovery from my ED. Last hospitalization was at 21ish. (Or 20?) I'm going on 26. My parents were originally told that I wouldn't make it to 16. And then 18.

These days: I've been happily married for four years, own a house, and want to start a family.

[Liddle Noodnik]

I definitely advocate for keeping mental health issues and school separate. While any counseling that you receive is technically covered by HIPAA, many schools are wary of having students with mental health issues on campus because of the potential threat for future lawsuits, etc.

Excellent point!

Some community health clinics do have sliding scale counseling services so that is another area to explore. Try your mental health hotline, sometimes you can find them through a 211 info line, or check online for info.

For what it's worth -- I have an extensive mental health history. Multiple hospitalizations. I was first hospitalized at thirteen. OD'd, spent a month in the ICU with most of it on a vent. Was diagnosed with major depression. Eventually also got diagnosed with anorexia after I had a MI at 14. Developed an epic self-harm issue which routinely put me in the hospital. Was finally diagnosed as borderline around 15? 16? (Agree with the poster a year ago who noted that pds are not mentioned very often.) Second MI at 19 which spurred my recovery from my ED. Last hospitalization was at 21ish. (Or 20?) I'm going on 26. My parents were originally told that I wouldn't make it to 16. And then 18.

These days: I've been happily married for four years, own a house, and want to start a family.

I am so happy to hear this! if you will excuse me for a moment in being un-PC, praise God! and I would be willing to bet (lol) that you worked hard to get there also! yay!

[wannabenurse123]

can you be a nurse if you have schizophrenia? Just wondering

[Liddle Noodnik]

can you be a nurse if you have schizophrenia? Just wondering

I don't know. I get the impression regulation on mental health issues is a state by state (state board) issue so you might want to find out what your own state board says. Or, post on your own State's forum. See above where it says "Region"? Click it then select US or International, then by your particular state/area.

Let me know what you find out, I am curious!

I love it that people still post on these kinds of threads now and then, it is like a Christmas surprise :)

[bigeyes4]

I am glad to have found this thread. I suffer from depression and anxiety. I am also afraid of people sometimes - social anxiety. I have this idea that all people are going to be mean to me. I had an abusive childhood which unfortunately remains with me to this day. I am working hard to rise above it. I often wonder how functional I will be in nursing school and as a nurse. I start in January 2012. I am not going to beat myself up if it ends up being too stressful for me. Life is too short. I've done that too many times.

bye for now.

[Liddle Noodnik]

I am glad to have found this thread. I suffer from depression and anxiety. I am also afraid of people sometimes - social anxiety. I have this idea that all people are going to be mean to me. I had an abusive childhood which unfortunately remains with me to this day. I am working hard to rise above it. I often wonder how functional I will be in nursing school and as a nurse. I start in January 2012. I am not going to beat myself up if it ends up being too stressful for me. Life is too short. I've done that too many times.

bye for now.

Nursing school is sure a good practice field, if you can get through nursing school you can get thru most anything lol... you learn how to put your game face in (and to do open mouthed silent screams when you go to the restroom lol)

[wannabenurse123]

Thank you Liddle Noodnik

[Liddle Noodnik]

I have not kept you guys up to date on ME! duh. I have been struggling w/ depression myself and having med changes many times (causing hypomania which causes med changes. etc.) so tired of it. my mom even said I should go into the hosp, be taken off everything and start over. I even recently consented to a sleeping pill which is something I said I would NEVER do (used benadryl prn prior to this) really sick of this and meds and being ill and not being able to go after what I want ...

BUT on a positive note am working w/ a job coach on trying to get a pt job writing for community newspaper(s) which would be a dream come true! so for those of you who pray, pray for me to be in balance and in touch w/ what God would have me to do

Thanks for listening and please keep posting here! xo

[Liddle Noodnik]

I was just wondering if there are any other nurses who struggle with mental illness.

If there is anyone still on this thread who continues to struggle with these issues, there is a relatively new thread here called

https://allnurses.com/nurses-with-disabilities/just-us-others-691892.html (click on the link) we'd love to have you!