Mental Health Issues?

[junglecarpet]

We have a woman at work who apparently has mental health issues and she really plays on it cause she knows she can't be fired because of it. She lives closest to work but is late every single day and gets away with it. She regularly takes time off work because she's too tired to come in but then is seen to have been on Facebook until the early hours of the morning.

She was even caught out once posting on Facebook that she had a great time at a comedy club one night but had been too ill to come into work for days before this. When she's late, we often ring her to see if she's ok, and you can tell that she's been asleep but she makes out that she's been 'passed out' but then can turn up at work 40 mins later and is absolutely fine.

This week she was caught out hiding paperwork that hadn't been processed in her desk and she also didn't process some credit card payments that she was reminded to do for 3 days in a row and yet nothing happened to her.

Everyone is getting so jack of her getting away with things and it's causing the office morale to go downhill but the managers are determined to keep her on, why I have no idea cause they have more than enough grounds to fire her. The only thing that they have done is stopped her from ringing in and talking to the staff cause she wants to go on and on about the dramas in her life for up to 40 mins at a time. Now if she's not coming in or is going to be late, she has to ring the managers direct line but she often calls it knowing that the manager doesn't start until 9am so she knows that someone else in the office will answer it.

Whilst I sympathise with anyone with a mental illness (I've suffered from depression for years myself) but it really annoys me when people play on their illness and don't treat others fairly.

I can see how the managers are cornered I guess you could say and they would be concerned that her state of mind would get worse if she was fired... but maybe she needs MORE help, she might have a personality disorder or something along those lines? From what you have said, she seems to crave attention and by doing all of this, she is getting attention

Thats just my 2 cents worth

 

[Jewly]

I can see how the managers are cornered I guess you could say and they would be concerned that her state of mind would get worse if she was fired... but maybe she needs MORE help, she might have a personality disorder or something along those lines? From what you have said, she seems to crave attention and by doing all of this, she is getting attention

Thats just my 2 cents worth

She definitely does crave attention but everyone is over it. She made out once that her mother was kicking her out of home (she's 28 years old) and so 2 women at work took time off to go and help her find a place and they found a really nice house for her to rent close to work and then she decided that she was going to stay at her mother's place.

She makes mountains out of molehills, like trying to make out that I had hung up on her the other day when I didn't, but I'm just so sick and tired of taking her call every morning saying she's going to be late. I wasn't rude to her, but I was short with her, cause if you give her an inch she takes a mile and you can't get her off the phone. She is seeing a specialist and she is on medication but she often doesn't take her medication cause she thinks she knows more than the doctors.

While I do feel for the girl, this is a workplace and if the managers had to take into consideration the mental state of everyone that they had to fire, no one would ever get fired. It's a business, not a charity and although it is a large family business and they are very caring towards their staff, in this case I believe they have gone overboard.

 

[SyKeD]

I've got Depression, Anxiety, OCD, i think thats about it....can't go clubbing in the city because too many people and freaks me out and i can't enjoy my self. unless i was with a really close friend. just little things that put me out of my comfort zone that really gets to me.

 

[thals]

I too suffer with depression and an eating disorder. Did suffer quite a few years in my teens with severe panic attacks, used to get several of these a day, wouldn't go in lifts, cars etc...but am happy to say they no longer trouble me anymore, only when and IF I decide to get on a plane, flying is my weakness lol.

 

[junglecarpet]

She definitely does crave attention but everyone is over it. She made out once that her mother was kicking her out of home (she's 28 years old) and so 2 women at work took time off to go and help her find a place and they found a really nice house for her to rent close to work and then she decided that she was going to stay at her mother's place.

She makes mountains out of molehills, like trying to make out that I had hung up on her the other day when I didn't, but I'm just so sick and tired of taking her call every morning saying she's going to be late. I wasn't rude to her, but I was short with her, cause if you give her an inch she takes a mile and you can't get her off the phone. She is seeing a specialist and she is on medication but she often doesn't take her medication cause she thinks she knows more than the doctors.

While I do feel for the girl, this is a workplace and if the managers had to take into consideration the mental state of everyone that they had to fire, no one would ever get fired. It's a business, not a charity and although it is a large family business and they are very caring towards their staff, in this case I believe they have gone overboard.

The managers need to decide between the rest of their dedicated staff and her. I know thats hard but maybe if a few of you talk to them about it and let them know your feelings and that its affecting your work... because it obviously is

 

[AMY22]

Also I am doing a 'lifestyles' course for alcohoilics, (been dry all year).

Trust me when I say I am REALLY happy for you. Alcoholism runs in my family, and it's one of the reasons for my PTSD, I can't even smell alcohol or listen to people talk about drinking without getting flashbacks. It of course has a great effect on my social life...

I have PTSD after I was in a severe car accident and nearly died...i now freak out any time Im in a car if Im not driving...I was also diagnosed with ADHD when I was younger and have more recently been suspected of bipolar

I am a bit of a back seat driver now, I did go through one phase when I was terrified of being in cars, my grandfather is the best driver I know but even with him I was on the edge, and I'd have nightmares about driving too.

AMY22 - try this forum, I found it helped me ALOT and there are alot of people who can help you not feel so alone

Online Support Groups and Forums at DailyStrength

Thanks I'll check it out, I don't think it was the forum that attacked me!

We have a woman at work who apparently has mental health issues and she really plays on it cause she knows she can't be fired because of it. She lives closest to work but is late every single day and gets away with it. She regularly takes time off work because she's too tired to come in but then is seen to have been on Facebook until the early hours of the morning.

She was even caught out once posting on Facebook that she had a great time at a comedy club one night but had been too ill to come into work for days before this. When she's late, we often ring her to see if she's ok, and you can tell that she's been asleep but she makes out that she's been 'passed out' but then can turn up at work 40 mins later and is absolutely fine.

This week she was caught out hiding paperwork that hadn't been processed in her desk and she also didn't process some credit card payments that she was reminded to do for 3 days in a row and yet nothing happened to her.

Everyone is getting so jack of her getting away with things and it's causing the office morale to go downhill but the managers are determined to keep her on, why I have no idea cause they have more than enough grounds to fire her. They have recently stopped her from ringing in and talking to the staff cause she wants to go on and on about the dramas in her life for up to 40 mins at a time. Now if she's not coming in or is going to be late, she has to ring the managers direct line but she often calls it knowing that the manager doesn't start until 9am so she knows that someone else in the office will answer it.

Whilst I sympathise with anyone with a mental illness (I've suffered from depression for years myself) it really annoys me when people play on their illness and don't treat others fairly.

This is how pathethic the situation is. This week they have hired someone to replace her BUT they are still keeping her on, and just taking all responsibility away from her, so that when she doesn't show up for days on end, it doesn't really impact on anyone.

I know what you mean, I've known one or 2 people who use their illness as a way to get out of things and use it as an excuse or a means of sympathy. I guess that's one of the reasons I don't like to talk about it as much, but I am very insecure of how I come across and feel like I'm coming across as being dramatic.

 

[Funkstaa]

People that use mental health as a get out of jail free card infuriate me - I personally feel like they give the rest of us a bad name, I've struggled with my bi polar since I was a teen ocd is on and off I appologise to my kids constantly for it... and as much as I've learnt through and about it sometimes it feels like you're always in that black hole- I hate that I can't take my daughter to school or pick her up as I can't handle crowds I've been to her class room twice - with an escape plan tee hee.
It's good to see so many people being open about this monkey on our backs.
I hate the stigma of mental health, but it's good to be in a place where people get you ..
Even better to see so many people refusing to be defeated by it : )

 

[MrThumper]

Hi all,
up until recently, I hid from the world and my family what was wrong with me. At the age of 17 I found out I have a rare disease called Behcets...and worse still, the worst kind, neuro behcets. I have lesions on my brain that have and will continue to affect me.

Due to this disease, I've had 3 deep vein thrombosis by the age of 30 and the last one put me into cardiac arrest.

For years I'd been told I suffer from depression and for years I was medicated and yet I still left my wife and kids 3 times when I was down and out, asked for divorce and everything. Very hard on two young girls under the age of 10 and very hard on the woman Id been together with since we were both 12 years old.

Six months ago, after various GP's and shrinks, I found a shrink that diagnosed me with Bipolar II and took me off antidepressants immediately. She put me onto a drug called Seroquel and the last few months I've felt reborn! Antidepressants can cause bipolar to be worse so if ur on them and no change or feeling worse, get a referral to a good shrink and see what happens.

Only since I've picked up have I been able to share my story with my family...and now u guys too.

The first step is admitting something is wrong. If anyone is really at wits end and wants to talk, my channel is open. I'm no GP or shrink but I've learnt and experienced alot, so feel free to PM me

my name is Cris, I have the most beautiful wife and the most gorgeous girls. My life was in shambles but now I'm the happiest I've ever been

 

[grannieannie]

I've had severe depression for over 10 yrs,(well that's when it was officially diagnosed) haven't been in hospital with it for almost 5 years, but will always be on meds and have to adjust my life style to be as stress free as possible. It's something I manage, but life will always be a struggle. I've had years of therapy, group and one on one and a few stays in psych wards.........I get on with life as best as I can and mostly enjoy it.

 

[waruikazi]

Are there non medicinal ways of dealing with depression? I don't like the idea of people having to be drugged up to feel like they can survive living.

 

[Wallypod]

I used to suffer depression cut my body up pretty bad but that's 5 years behind me now

 

[Jonno from ERD]

Gordo,

Medication is just one piece of the puzzle, and is most useful when used in conjunction with therapy such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and other management techniques (diet, exercise, routines etc). They aren't designed to be a "fix-all" but more so take the edge off the ups and downs so people can get their lives together...

 

[naledge]

Are there non medicinal ways of dealing with depression? I don't like the idea of people having to be drugged up to feel like they can survive living.

Therapy isn't a medication and that helps.

Also, I believe there are many natural remedies that have been proven to help.

 

[AMY22]

Medication isn't the sole solution to deal with depression. It's more to take the edge off so you have that little bit of extra sanity to be able to better yourself. I am a little bit of a medication nazi myself, after my bad experiences with it, but I do know people who swear by their meds.
I do not think medication should be handed out as a quick fix, and I think people should be offered more help than just 'here take this once a day'.

A few things that could help with depression might be hypnotherapy (expensive), meditation, keeping a diary, talking about it (as hard as it is, and obviously if you can find someone willing to listen), therapy.

Remember if you do all these things, and still you don't feel better, I would recommend, seeing a therapist to find out if there may be more to it that previously thought (as I found out).

 

[cris]

I think i may have bain dramage, possibly addicted to alcohol since i stopped my herbal meds.

 

[AMY22]

What makes you think you have brain damage Cris?

 

[schizmz]

Hi,ive been treated for bi-polar2/mania since it was called manic depression.so about 20 years now.:shock:...done it all."except est" which my doctor tried to talk me into lol..so.i have had alot of good times when i can get a job etc but then it kicks in and im stuffed for another couple of months..its a nightmare i wouldn't wish on anyone. 3yrs ive been on a pension now..and i used to earn over $1000 a week driving trucks.so we all know what comes next..no money =.bye bye wife and kids... And the guilt!!... right now writing this i feel bad that i should be out there with the rest of society,, not chatting on the net...but i cant atm.currently my meds seem to be helping and im hoping to return to some form of work this year.my doctor wants me to change careers though.. sigh..says sitting in a truck all day with nothing but your own thoughts is not good... mm ok....anyways if anyone ever wants to talk about bi-polar/depression etc feel free to pm me anytime..there are some things that cant be said here due to little kids reading this..but to you all... good luck.

 

[mebebrian]

Best advice is to seek profesional advice mate.

 

[naledge]

Best advice is to seek profesional advice mate.

I agree.

 

[serpenttongue]

I have suffered from depression for years, and still do.