I agree with Batty. They don't need to know why you are leaving. You didn't say how long you have been at this job. FMLA, as I understand it, and correct me if I am wrong, goes into effect after a year of employment. Work through human resources and have the papers drawn up. I know that I am unable to work while going to school. It makes money a bit tight, but life in general is much easier to handle. I don't know how some people can go through school with a job and a family. That is way more stress than I can handle.

No your not wrong at all, actually that sounds like a good idea, i mean before something bad happens, cuz your too stressed out, i hope you know what i mean.
Hugs
dee =o)

You are not wrong.

I took a medical leave from work for the same thing.. 3 months.. came back to work and it wasn't the same.. I didn't have it to give no more.. I ended up quitting, had another job lined up before I did.. Now things are great.. Maybe its time for you to move on. I wish you lots of luck my friend.

no, you're not wrong, that's what fmla and hipaa are for, your employer doesn't need to know the exact reason, you don;t have to disclose any medical information at all
i did work full time and attend college full time, but i would never tell anyone else that they should do the same as me, we are all different, in fact when i worked and was going to school i had less stress than i do now, with just a full time job,
take care
andrea

I started with short term disability then went to long term disability now im on SSDI it's a process just like life

Yes, I agree with Batyy and others too, who have said that you needn't tell them about your illness specifically. I would suggest that you get your GP, rather than your psychiatrist to write all the letters you will need to get your leave of absence. I learnt this through bitter experience. I told my employer what was wrong with me and it made everything so much worse, they would corner me in small meeting rooms and yell at me at the top of their voices, knowing I was very vulnerable - and this my Director and a HR Manager. And there were lots of other nasty things on top of that - it seemed endless and still seems endless three years later.

And the sad thing was the this was the Department of Justice, from which emanates all the Disability Discrmmination legistation, regulation and advocacy - so they were acting in direct opposition to their own legislation and "morals". But of course I was too sick to do anything about it.

So I think that there are a lot of employers who, rather than offering support may actually take advantage of the fact that you suffer from mental illness.

can you get your md doc to back you? how long do you want to go for a week a month? Dont tell work you are bipolar. How can you unstressify your work when you get back?

It is usually the sickness talking when it tells you you'd be better off not working. You don't know that. Staying at home might make you feel useless and much WORSE> Work those issues out with a good therapist.

I found it better to do the best I could. Hey, if your job doesn't like your work let them fire you. At least you get unemployment.

I think being productive is always a good idea.