Nurses struggling with mental illness

Nurses Disabilities

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mondkmondk

336 Posts

Specializes in Geriatrics.
This will show up as my first post, because I just created this new handle just to post on the disabilities forum more anonymously. I've actually been on allnurses a few years.

My psychiatrist does not think I'm bipolar, but I do. I feel like I'm manic right now, or hypomanic. I think my performance at work is okay, but who knows? I basicly feel like my brain is going nuts on me. I can't concentrate on things very long, especially outside of work. She thinks I'm ADHD, not manic. Huh? I get pretty unrealistic thoughts all the time, spend money I don't have, I could go on and on. I've been stuck in this about 3 weeks.

I gotta go, don't have time to write more right now. :banghead:

Panick: If you would like, I can help you if you are indeed manic...but you need to PM me. If you'd like to PM me with your other handle, I promise I won't go blabbing. I'm bipolar type 1 and no stranger to mania!

Blessings, Michelle

TopazLover, BSN, RN

1 Article; 728 Posts

I agree with all of the writers. I fought to keep working and it just took more and more toll on me. And decent MD will write for you to be out of work. You can get FMLA leave so your job is secure. It is nobody's business what is happening to you. It looks like you have lots of strss at work. While you are dealing with these med issues you don't need any more.

I really doubt your supervisor has any right to ask what is the matter. Or to call you at home x2 while you are sick for 1 day. Sick days are just that. You are entitled to be ill the same as any other person. You do not need to answer why. I think the proper answer would be along the lines of I am seeing a physician. If pushed, I would say that I aam not comfortable discussing it. Leaves open all kinds of GYN things as well as mental illness. Don't bother to lie. They are not worth it.:twocents::twocents:

Liddle Noodnik

3,789 Posts

Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
The same thing (akasthisia) happened to me with Abilify. That's got to be the worst feeling in the world...thanks for the welcome, btw! Have a great Sunday.

I totally agree! Wow... I was scared I might do something! To be that out of control of your body and the choices you make?

Shudder...

I have been blessed w/ the best providers there are thank you God...

This will show up as my first post, because I just created this new handle just to post on the disabilities forum more anonymously. I've actually been on allnurses a few years.

My psychiatrist does not think I'm bipolar, but I do. I feel like I'm manic right now, or hypomanic. I think my performance at work is okay, but who knows? I basicly feel like my brain is going nuts on me. I can't concentrate on things very long, especially outside of work. She thinks I'm ADHD, not manic. Huh? I get pretty unrealistic thoughts all the time, spend money I don't have, I could go on and on. I've been stuck in this about 3 weeks.

I gotta go, don't have time to write more right now. :banghead:

Can't diagnose on here but sure can see why you would be concerned Panick! 2nd opinions are never a bad idea when in doubt. God bless you.

Specializes in ICU, hospice, MS/tele, ED, corrections.

Time, I'm hoping, will be my friend. In time, they will see I can be trusted, I will cope. My drive to "be the best" is long gone, I lost that in the ER, now I'm shooting for "average" - by "average" I mean as an employee. I still want to be the best nurse to my patients.

Perhaps, as well, your higher power is giving you more space in your life for something else? Of course that's not to say that you may have been discriminated against...my heart goes out to you.

:smiletea2:

WWRN

23 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care.

babs and zoe:

thanks for the replies and words of encouragement.

i've been fighting with the insurance company for the last few days to try and get them to ok the program my doc recommended with no luck (unless i can pay for half of the apprx $20k)... so i'm waiting for a call from the intake coordinator of the partial program at the hospital i work at. i'm not too thrilled about the situation, but am being assured that other employees have gone thru the program and confidentiality is strictly maintained.

regretfully when i told my manager i'd be out on leave i told her it was for mental health reasons so i am concerned that this will be held against me down the road, but i can't take the words back so i'll have to deal with whatever comes my way.

this program i'm waiting on is all group therapy with individual med checks twice a week. any idea what real value hours of group therapy will have w/o any individual therapy mixed in?? i need this to work and work quickly as my husband is unwilling to allow me to miss more work than i have pto to cover.

thanks again for your support - it means a lot. :redpinkhe

Liddle Noodnik

3,789 Posts

Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
perhaps, as well, your higher power is giving you more space in your life for something else? of course that's not to say that you may have been discriminated against...my heart goes out to you.

:smiletea2:

what a wonderful way to look at it!

wish you had been around in say oct 03 lol...

babs and zoe:

thanks for the replies and words of encouragement.

i've been fighting with the insurance company for the last few days to try and get them to ok the program my doc recommended with no luck (unless i can pay for half of the apprx $20k)... so i'm waiting for a call from the intake coordinator of the partial program at the hospital i work at. i'm not too thrilled about the situation, but am being assured that other employees have gone thru the program and confidentiality is strictly maintained.

regretfully when i told my manager i'd be out on leave i told her it was for mental health reasons so i am concerned that this will be held against me down the road, but i can't take the words back so i'll have to deal with whatever comes my way.

this program i'm waiting on is all group therapy with individual med checks twice a week. any idea what real value hours of group therapy will have w/o any individual therapy mixed in?? i need this to work and work quickly as my husband is unwilling to allow me to miss more work than i have pto to cover.

thanks again for your support - it means a lot. :redpinkhe

whoops, sounds like hub isn't being as supportive as he could be either, i'm sorry :( well unfortunately it seems the only people who get it are those who have btdt right? well you got us :D and glad to be any support at all.

when i had my partials i had little individual therapy. it was of value to have just group - and did take most of the day (the idea being to get out of my head and learn in a group setting what it was i needed in my life. others helped me discover that.

and could you ask for time w/ your case mgr (of the program) if you did need it? i dunno. i think the value is 1) being able to breathe without worrying about taking care of other people and 2) validating what it is you need to do when you get finished. find a way of developing your own "partial" at home...

well i am responding after having just woken up - how am i doing?

guys, i have an appt on friday for an assisted living position! pray that this is god's will, not mine - that i am ready - ok? and that i will know when i'm interviewing if i am not ready!

emmycRN

191 Posts

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

Severina, Congrats on your success at overcoming such major obstacles :yeah:

You should be very proud of yourself and your accomplishments. Unfortunately, I don't have any advice for you since I have been very fortunate and haven't had to face many hardships in this life. I just wanted to tell you how much I admire you and also ask you to share, if you can, more about your illness. I have always heard that DID is VERY rare and have never met anyone with this condition. So, if you feel comfortable please share more about what life is like for you.

moonrose2u

211 Posts

Specializes in PACU/Cardiac/Nrsg. Mgmt./M/S.

This is very unfortunate, that should you report to the powers that be, that hire or fire you, or work with you that the mention of anything mental/emotional as a disability 'labels' you, whether it be bipolar, depression, mania, PTSD, PD, AD, or whatever. It is much easier to avoid the subject and should you need time off for one of the above situations, address it then. Remember HIPAA? That is your safeguard. If the subject is not roused, then one should not be obligated to report it.

Liddle Noodnik

3,789 Posts

Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..

Just bringing this TTT for anyone new or unfamiliar who might be interested -

debnky

67 Posts

Specializes in Psych, hospice,homecare, admin., Neuro,.

Did any of you know that in Ohio you must answer if you have or had a mental illness. I'm not sure but this sounds like discrimination. What do any of you think?

Liddle Noodnik

3,789 Posts

Specializes in Alzheimer's, Geriatrics, Chem. Dep..
Did any of you know that in Ohio you must answer if you have or had a mental illness. I'm not sure but this sounds like discrimination. What do any of you think?

You mean answer to the board?

Well I do think it would be good if there was a way to certify that you are mentally fit for a job (like you have to do to certify you are PHYSICALLY able) without having to disclose details. ie every nurse has a note from a dr or psychiatrist stating that there's no reason they should not be hired.

I dunno me. I do feel though that discrimination does go on.

But as a consumer I do want to be protected, too!

Atheos

2,098 Posts

Did any of you know that in Ohio you must answer if you have or had a mental illness. I'm not sure but this sounds like discrimination. What do any of you think?

Heh, that's nothing. Here you have to tell the DMV if you are Bipolar AND get a doctor's release before getting your driver's license.

I don't think it's discrimination at all. By nature and definition, those of us with mental illnesses are inherently unstable. I like having extra eyes on me. They are usually the ones that see a problem early on.

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