Which diagnosis is the best to go with?

Nurses General Nursing

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Sorry in advance for the length of this. So, I have been an RN for many years, working for the last several on a busy, demanding cardiac step down unit at a well-regarded nonprofit teaching hospital. I also have several psych diagnoses, including bipolar d/o II, severe anxiety, and some OCD features (which were much worse after I delivered my first child and have gotten quite a lot better, but still remain). Usually I like/love my job (ocassionally hate it), and I absolutely love my coworkers. Lately I have found that I am making mistakes that I would not normally make. I am afraid I am going to get fired soon, although no harm has come to any pts through my mistakes yet. My anxiety has increased exponentially at the same time, the primary symptom of which is severe chest tightness/discomfort. Last night I actually cried in the nurses station over something I really did not need to. You have to understand, I do not do this. I am usually one of the calmest (on the outside) nurses on the floor, certainly one of the most experienced. I have seen my psychiatrist, who feels that I am in need of a leave of absence from my job to adjust my meds and just get a break where I can get back to therapy and generally just take care of myself and what is going on with me, in her words, "before you make a big mistake and you really hurt someone." She fears I may be going back into a major depressive episode, which I last experienced about four years ago. She said my hypervigilance at this time can actually cause me to make mistakes that I wouldn't normally make if I wasn't quite so anxious. I totally get her point, and I agree with it. She wants me to go on FMLA and take a couple weeks off, which I could swing because I have some sick time saved up. Some of my coworkers already know that I have some anxiety, nobody knows about the bipolar d/o (there is too much stigma attached for me to ever be honest about that.) I can't use the BP dx for FMLA because I don't want my work to have any access to that info as there is such a stigma and nurses are super judgy about it, as I'm sure my manager would be. What I would like to know from other nurses, is which diagnosis should I use for my FMLA paper work: anxiety/panic attacks or major depressive episode? Which would you feel is a less "negative" or stimatized dx to use? Either one is applicable, according to my psychiatrist. Thanks for the feedback, it is so much appreciated.

Specializes in NICU.

I think anxiety is less stigmatized. People understand fear & panic. "Major depressive disorder" paints a picture that is ... worse ... than just "depression". Good luck to you; you sound like you're getting the help you need. I hope you are well soon.

Check with a lawyer.. but your diagnosis, regarding your leave should not be an issue with your employer.

You deserve the leave.. your personal health information should have nothing to do with your return.

Get well, stay strong,, good luck.

You have the same rights to confidentiality as any other patient. Your manager only needs to know you are taking a medical leave. I have had several staff take leaves, and the only time I have ever known what it was for was when the staff person told me herself. Take care of yourself.

Specializes in Trauma, ER, ICU, CCU, PACU, GI, Cardiology, OR.

when a member of my staff request a medical leave, my question is for how long and i hope all turns out ok and please keep in touch if anything changes, i don't press them to tell me the type of leave or any other information. however, most of the time my staff tells me, which i then advise them not to inform any of their colleagues since their privacy should be honored. needless to say the main issue here is your health therefore, you take care of yourself in order to take care of others. wishing you the best always as i send you hugs from across the miles :hug:.....aloha~

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

FWIW, I feel that "major depressive episode" carries less stigma than anxiety. I believe that it's fairly accepted that depression is a chemical imbalance, but one that is highly treatable. I would go with that if I were you.And of course, the employer shouldn't necessarily have access to your diagnosis but in the real world, it often happens.

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

This is something that we at allnurses can not answer, You may want to discuss this with your PCP

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