Nursing with Depression

poppycat, ADN, BSN · Mar 17, 2016

Some places have the employee assistance mental health programs too. Usually it is a free service to employees. You could contact human resources to see if this program is available to you.

I will never encourage anyone to go to their employer's EAP. I went to EAP once at a former employer. I thought everything I talked to the counselor about was confidential. Not true. The next day, my manager & the shift supervisors for my unit knew everything I had discussed with that person. Nothing you discuss with EAP is safe because they are paid by your employer.

allnurses Guide · Mar 17, 2016

I do not have a psychiatrist at this point. My PCP and I agreed on medical management. There is an IOP at the hospital I work at but I am not a candidate because I am not a danger to myself or others. I have been looking in my area for counsellors but mostly have been getting voicemails.

I would second what others are saying here and add the following: I have suffered from chronic depression since I was 13 years old and I am 53 now. I see a psychiatrist as well as a GP. When dealing with chronic depression medication is a 1st step but you also need a counselor to help you identify your triggers and develop strong coping skills. Since you employer already knows about your depression it would be useful to find out if your employer has an EAP program where you could see a counselor at reduced costs. I also can't emphasize enough to importance of medication compliance. It's tempting when we start to feel better to stop taking our meds - especially if they are expensive.

If you don't feel ready to go back to work - take your time - call your HR department and check into an EAP then do the necessary work to get stable. When you do go back - take care of yourself, eat right sleep well avoid alcohol and high stress in you daily personal affairs. You can do this but you do need that roadmap on how to reach that destination.

Peace Namaste

Hppy

badmanRN · Mar 18, 2016

Thankfully I have a sympathetic PCP who gave me a few more days to feel ready to get back to patient care. I think a few more days will put me in a better place and I will have been on my new medication regimen for more than a week (had been tapering out some meds and building up others). I am very hard on myself and doubt my abilities as a nurse and that is what I really need to work on. I was fine when I was on nights but days have thrown me for a tailspin confidence wise. Any recommendations on how to build back my confidence?

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Mar 18, 2016

Stay in therapy as you go back to work. I think that counseling plus meds is considered best.

I tend to not attend counseling while working, because it's hard to make the time. That's no excuse, though.

Can you maybe work it out so that you start off working fewer days and progress to more?

A friend of mine received a note from her MD stating she can't work >3 days per week, period, so a gradual increase may be beneficial and achievable.

And yes to self care, as Hppygr8ful mentioned.

Exercise, healthy eating, limiting ETOH, etc is helpful to reduce stress/depression.

One more thing, you said you can't afford to be off work any longer. Are you able to apply for SDI? Short term disability? I did that when I was off at 1st. The pay was just over 70% of my regular take home pay and tax free.

As far as transitioning back to work after being on medical leave r/t mental health.... I'm in the process.

I won't be at the same job. But I start working again soon. I've had a loooooot of time to prepare myself and I think I'm ready. Time will tell.

olbond87 · Apr 6, 2016

Do you visit a psychiatrist?

poppycat, ADN, BSN · Apr 6, 2016

Do you visit a psychiatrist?

It would help if we knew who your question is directed to.

olbond87 · May 20, 2016

to original poster