Should I tell my boss about my anxiety disorder?
March 2nd, 2010
savmcardle asked:
I usually am ok, but today at work I’ve been having panic attacks and have been completely unable to focus. I havn’t told my boss about my disorder because I thought it was personal, but now I’m wondering if I should tell him. I get so nervous, would it be acceptable for me to send him an email or write a letter about it?
Cindy
I usually am ok, but today at work I’ve been having panic attacks and have been completely unable to focus. I havn’t told my boss about my disorder because I thought it was personal, but now I’m wondering if I should tell him. I get so nervous, would it be acceptable for me to send him an email or write a letter about it?
Cindy
Categories: Mental Health | Tags: Anxiety Disorder, Email, Personal
Julie
Are you currently seeking treatment from your doctor about this? It is possible to get panic attacks under control then you wouldn’t need to tell your boss anything about it.
Ask your doctor for some Propranolol – it’s a beta blocker and works by blocking the action of adrenaline on the heart. It will stop the attacks and make you feel calmner.
Also cut out ALL caffeine – even in tea – you can get decaff tea these days.
I’ve suffered from anxiety attacks on and off for years, but I’m fine on the 10mg of Propranolol. There’s no side effects and it’s not addictive. It can be taken long term as well.
I’d talk to your doctor before you talk to your boss otherwise you won’t have anything positive to say to him about the attacks and he’ll be worried that you’re going to be a bit of a nervous wreck in the workplace. If you can tell him that you’re receiving treatment then it will sound a bit better.
I hope you manage to recover from them. It is possible to get them under control with help.
Mione
NNNOOOOOO!!! I cannot stress that enough……ESP in writing!! It will come back & haunt you. They will This is a private thing that sadly still has stigma attached to it. No one needs to know but you and your family and close friends. Do NOT let this out in the workplace….if you need an objective ear…find a good psycologist…
Good luck!!
Julie
Yes I beleive you should…Why shouldn’t you. I have the same thing and couldn’t go to school! I always feel/felt better after telling someone!
Virgil
go with answer #1. seek out professional medical help. if you cannot focus today, tell your boss you feel sick to your stomach and you would like to leave early, then go to the local emergency room and tell them you are having a panic attack and need to see a doctor right away. otherwise try urgent care, or make an appointment with family practice.
Roxanne
How long have you been working for this boss and is he one who cares about his employees?? I had anxiety disorder for 15 years… (so bad at one point that I didn’t leave my home for a year). I still have small attacks from time to time, but they are nothing more than a hiccup compared to what I have been through. You learn how to deal. Trust that getting back into the workforce was difficult. Treating anxiety can go in many directions from meditation to medication. I recommend keeping away from pills if you can. Try some method of controlling your panic attacks and then letting your boss know you have been experiencing panic attacks at work, but you are in the process of managing them, cause you don’t want them to interfere with your work. If he is a good boss and you have been a good employee, I am sure he will understand. I would just see if I could personally tell him. You might feel better afterwards with your anxiety if you do it this way. If not, then I think a letter would be more acceptable. Good luck on this. I know it isn’t easy.
Cheryl
No. I wouldn’t do it, honestly. If it’s that bad and you defined it as “personal”, then it is probably obvious, anyway. Keep it to yourself, it’s not anyone’s business and (to put it harshly – sorry) your boss doesn’t care about your mental health…he/she only cares about you doing the work you’ve been paid to do. Good luck!
Gar
absolutely tell your boss.. They have to keep it confidentail! I did the same thing , and my boss has been very supportive and understanding …. They will respect you and work around your illness if you are just honest !
Joe
It really depends on your boss and your relationship. I had a friend who was a good worker but he also had his moments and his boss would have him go into a quiet room with the lights off until he was feeling better. He was a great boss. Get medical help for it. God bless. Mmm
JILLIAN
Here’s the thing. If it’s impacting your ability to do your job, your boss needs to know that you have a medical condition that’s being actively treated. Your doctor should be the one to write the note and it should be very generic.
I have OCD, anxiety and major depression – personally I told my boss, but that was after being hospitalized, and because I trusted him with the truth. Since then I’ve been nominated with the most prestigious award the company gives, so I don’t think it’s impacted my work status.