Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

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Can I lose my job

cls1988
cls1988
Heres my story. I have been off work for 3 weeks trying different meds for my anxiety and depression. I am having serve panic attacks. I have been on celexa for two weeks and xanax .5m two times a day. My doctor wanted me to go back to work yesterday and try it. I am a 911 dispatcher. So you see my job comes with a lot of stress, not to mention very long hours. I called my employer and told him I didnt think I could come back at this time and perform the job even though my doctor released me to. Keep in mind he did fill out fmla papers for me for this condition also. It stated that i could have one to two episodes for the next 6 months which would require me to be off for at least two days at a time. Well after speaking with my employer he is wanting me to quit work now because I said i could not perform the job and didnt know when or if i could. i explained that i had only been on the medicine for two weeks and it takes time to work. He was not happy with that and told me he had a center that he needed to run. I called my doctor back and asked for a third time to be referred to a phyciatrist. They told me they have the request but it might take a couple months to get into a doctor. They told me i could go the mental health as a walk in crisis patient and be seen then. i dont have any thoughts of harming myself or wanting to kill myself. i am afraid if i go there fear of them wanting to admit me. i dont really know what to do at this point. can anyone help me please!!!!
deleted_user
deleted_user
If your fmla papers say you can have one or two episodes for the next 6 months which would require you to be off for at least two days at a time, then you are fine.

But are you POSITIVE the wording says "at least" 2 days or does it say up to or no more than 2 days? The wording is critical

If you would be off "at least" 2 days, then that could be 10 days, 20 days, 50 days. The term "at least" has no end - it just says the minimum is 2 days.

If you are sure that is the correct wording, then under US labor laws you can not lose your job since fmla has been approved.

I
deleted_user
deleted_user
Also - since your papers say "1 or 2" episodes over the next 6 months, then they only need to allow 1 and this would count as the 1. That means if you go back and miss more time over this in the next 6 months, they have grounds to immediately dismiss you.
deleted_user
deleted_user
No one's gonna admit you for having anxiety attacks. Like you said, ya don't want to harm yourself. You're just a Nervious Nellie x's 100. Your doc doesn't sound realistic or very helpful, does he? I've had a doc like that. And as for your job, so what if you get fired??? You can collect unemploymwnt or temp. dissability, I'm sure. You said yourself, the job is stressful, demanding, and the hours are long. Being an anxiety folk means we usually wear our hearts on our sleeves, so hearing people's emergencies has to be torture. This is could be a good sign to think about another career maybe. Get yourself well first and foremost. Anxiety can be debilitating for sure. If these meds don't cut it (give em a few more weeks), then try another. I had to half a dozen. But I was gonna have anxiety no matter what, so...
deleted_user
deleted_user
The best thing for anxiety is to be doing what you normally do as much as you can. For you, that would be going to work. Even though it's hard and stressful, it's going to make you more anxious not going because you will be worried about that. I would just go when you can and try to go, but don't worry about getting fired. If you do, you will be able to collect unemployment.

Also, don't quit at your bosses urgings. If you quit, you will not be able to collect unemployment, and that is probably why he is bullying you to quit. The same thing happened to me due to another health problem, but I did actually quit, so they didn't have to pay me.
kbr0632
kbr0632
YOu have told your employer that you have this. I believe that anxiety is covered under the AMericans with Disability Act. Your worker is to provide reasonable accommodations. That's tough if he has a center to run. I would get in touch with your HR department or a lawyer to find out your rights. Anxiety doesn't come in 1 or 2 allowable episodes. Anxiety is a life long disorder. You just learn to manage it better.
If he fires you..I think he could be sued. I could be wrong..but I would look into that.
cls1988
cls1988
Good news all. My doctor finally extended my time off for me. I went to mental health today and spoke with a therapist there and told them what was going on. They called my doctor and he is willing to extend my time off now and I should be able to get paid also from my short term disablity. I am so happy right now. Thanks for all your comments and support. It was very helpful
goodelld
goodelld
kbr0632 is correct. This is excellent advice. It looks like you are on the right path now with your drs. and meds but you must get back to work if at all possible. A routine is what you need to get back to. .. good luck and hang tough.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I dont know the laws about employment and this type of thing. I have been to the crisis centers myself and most of the time they only admit people that are a danger to themself or others. It might be worth a shot.
I have never told an employer about this type of thing but maybe it is time for you to make a career change???? I live with a police officer and I know how much stress there is in that...I can only imagine what you must go through getting the 911 calls..wishing you an answer to your problem soon....
kbr0632
kbr0632
It is my understanding that reasonable accommodations must be made for you. Your supervisor better watch what he says.
Guess what? Yesterday..I was called into the office of a big wig at myjob. They want me to switch positions with someone. I would be in a better looking position, working for big wigs..rather than others that I work for now. Anyway, freaked me out. I what iffed it ..cried with the girl that I will be switching with..but need to take the job. I hate what if's and scaring thoughts. Good luck with everything. While on your extended leave, I will check with a laywer to your rights.
cls1988
cls1988
I love all the good advice you have all shared with me. I went to counseling today and had a very good session. I also was able to get into a phyciatrist this Monday. I am so happy for that. Goodelid you are so right about me getting back to work as soon as I can. First I am going to do a career change. The stress of that job is to much for me. Even if I have to work fast food or any other job it will be a job and i will be doing something with my life. I did make great progress today. I was able to go out on my own and pay some bills and go to store by myself. I am so proud of myself for being able to do that. I still have a lot of work to do but I cant beat this disease. there is light at the end of the tunnel. thanks to all of you for your help. best wishes to everyone