have you been shamed about your mental health?

[xbananachipsx, BSN, RN]

right after nursing school I was clinically diagnosed with GAD, MDD and then BD, type 2. 

Sometimes I wish I could be forthcoming about it... educate colleagues about it. Or sometimes I wish I didn't overshare.

I've been stuck with these feelings about disclosing mental health with colleagues and it got used against me. I left the facility but that situation still lingers to this day.

I just don't want to feel like I'm inadequate, like having this doesn't make me a bad nurse.... the stigma of mental health is still ever so strong. We still have a long way to go. 

[VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN]

Having mental illness does NOT make you a bad nurse. Let’s get that out of the way right now. You sound like a nurse who’s conscientious and self-aware enough to know when you’re in trouble mental-healthwise. I applaud your courage in sharing your diagnosis with us, even though it’s a nursing website where most of us are anonymous.

That being said, I think you would do well not to disclose at work. Not even to those you consider friends. Like you said, there is still a stigma attached to mental illness and unfortunately bipolar is one of the worst. I have bipolar I and made the mistake of oversharing at my workplace. Soon I was being leaned on by management, who picked apart my job performance and wrote me up for the smallest infraction. I’m pretty tough, but eventually I broke and had a meltdown. Two days after I got back from three weeks’ medical LOA, I was fired. 
 

I made the same mistake at my next job, with similar results. And if I ever were to get off disability and try to work, I’d keep my lips clamped shut. Never again.

I wish you the very best in your endeavors. Hang in there! You can do this!

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

While there shouldn't be a stigma associated with mental illness, agree as above - there is unfortunately. 

 

IMHO - its better not to mention ANY illness at all. Work is work, personal life little to no business there. 

[xbananachipsx, BSN, RN]

thanks to everyone who's responded so far.

ANA has been posting article after article about nurses and their mental health.

After much back and forth on how to really get the benefit out of my membership... I'm considering talking to the ANA on giving them an anecdote.

Let's make it more personable and relatable per se. 

I'm gonna run it through my boss so that we're not slammed with a defamation lawsuit of some sorts. 

stay tuned. 

[Keesha RN]

I’m glad you shared your story. I’m recently dealing with something similar and wondering how to handle it before too late? I recently started a new position at a rehab hospital on a brain injury unit. A year and half ago I was in a motor vehicle accident and I was a patient on this same unit. This past month I have been in nursing orientation on this unit. Long story short I made a med error with liquid Tylenol and also eye drops. My preceptor and manager has been bringing up the fact that I had brain injury with my motor vehicle accident and question my safe practice.  Actually it has started making things uncomfortable on the unit. I wonder  should I continue to improve (is what I would like to do) but on the other hand feel like I’m already kind of labeled by them for my brain injury over a year ago?? The fact that I made these errors have been brought up several times. I would like to move forward and improve. Not sure what I should do from here?? Should I leave position before it gets worse or try to hang in there? 

[xbananachipsx, BSN, RN]

26 minutes ago, Keesha RN said:

I’m glad you shared your story. I’m recently dealing with something similar and wondering how to handle it before too late? I recently started a new position at a rehab hospital on a brain injury unit. A year and half ago I was in a motor vehicle accident and I was a patient on this same unit. This past month I have been in nursing orientation on this unit. Long story short I made a med error with liquid Tylenol and also eye drops. My preceptor and manager has been bringing up the fact that I had brain injury with my motor vehicle accident and question my safe practice.  Actually it has started making things uncomfortable on the unit. I wonder  should I continue to improve (is what I would like to do) but on the other hand feel like I’m already kind of labeled by them for my brain injury over a year ago?? The fact that I made these errors have been brought up several times. I would like to move forward and improve. Not sure what I should do from here?? Should I leave position before it gets worse or try to hang in there? 

First and foremost, I am glad you’re still here and survived the accident.

part of what I learned in my career is knowing when to walk away from a job that affects my mental health - whether it be stagnation or severe stress. 
 

I feel like for the longest time we’ve been taught to stick things through. There is some truth to that, but if you’re having trouble coping with the stress of a job even though you’re doing all the work you can do for self-care, then it might be a good idea to consider a different position.

I stuck through a lot of places that really affected my mental health. Did it make me a stronger nurse? Sure. Did I pay the price for it? Totally - lots of panic attacks, medical leaves, even to the point of SI. Looking back, I wish I had listen to my gut sooner so that I would have been in a better headspace. I should’ve let go of my pride to take care of myself sooner so that I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now.

After much trial and error I found a place that I’ve been the most stable emotionally and professionally. Having a supportive job and a space that you’re able to practice in a comfortable nursing environment is gold.

Good luck. Feel free to email me at [email protected] if you want to connect. I have trouble responding to DMs on allnurses so email works best for me.