Trauma – PTSD

Question:

Why not say "you were beaten up as a child", kidnapped as a child,  or say you have PTSD because you saw someone killed in a  road accident".  Refuse to talk about what happened and say you are too upset. On second thoughts, they have no right to know.  It seems like a real intrusion.  Could you not just get a doctors note saying you have PTSD. Estelle

Response:

>On second thoughts, they have no right to know.  It seems like a real >intrusion.  Could you not just get a doctors note saying you have PTSD. >Estelle

Yes, that is exactly what I did.  I just turned in the letter to them, so if they ask for more information, I don’t know what I’ll do. I won’t make up anything that’s false, but I will NOT tell them my particulars either. You are right, that would be a real intrusion. The cause of the PTSD is irrelevant. Macy

Response:

Hi Macy! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Print off the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and have your boss > read it.  He needs to understand what you’re going through and > showing him the list can really underline just how horrible the > disorder can be for some people. > Make it clear that you’re not looking for sympathy – just > "understanding". > There are some sites that you (or anyone else there) can look at > to see that the disorder is real and can be incredibly > debilitating. > http://www.trauma-pages.com/index.phtml > This site is one of the best.  Remember that education is the key > – for you and them. > In Canada, one of our top generals, Romeo Dallaire, just retired > early because of the effects of PTSD on his life.  That says > alot. > And, from what I’ve learned – it doesn’t matter what the "trauma" > was – the reaction and symptoms are virtually identical and only > vary in severity. So, your boss doesn’t need the nitty gritty > details. > If he is understanding he will read anything you give him or read > the site and hopefully understand that you are not ‘lazy’ or > ‘faking’ to get attention or anything else we tend to get > ‘labelled’ with by those that don’t or won’t understand.

All of the above is true.  If you are in the States, PTSD is a medical condition.that can be certified by a psychiatrist so you can get sick leave, etc, as you need it. Take care of yourself. Smile and there will be something to smile about! Nancy

Response:

Thanks everyone for your advice and support. I did talk to the president of the company and another manager, and I think it went pretty well. I did get upset a little at one time and got stuck in what I was trying to say. But they did not demand any specifics. He (the president) just said that he needs something to document my personnel file since they are doing this as an exception. I told him I would get something from my doctor (therapist) next week, and he was fine with that. I will feel better about having something official so they will know this is for real. But it will still not have to be specific. My therapist will know what to do about that. Even though they tell me I’m entitled to my privacy, and they don’t have to know the specifics… I KNOW they want to know. They are really nosy people. But as long as they are letting me do this, that’s what matters. I hope it helps me as much as I think it might. Thanks again for all your support. Macy

Response:

Macy, Print off the diagnostic criteria for PTSD and have your boss read it.  He needs to understand what you’re going through and showing him the list can really underline just how horrible the disorder can be for some people. Make it clear that you’re not looking for sympathy – just "understanding". There are some sites that you (or anyone else there) can look at to see that the disorder is real and can be incredibly debilitating. http://www.trauma-pages.com/index.phtml This site is one of the best.  Remember that education is the key – for you and them. In Canada, one of our top generals, Romeo Dallaire, just retired early because of the effects of PTSD on his life.  That says alot. And, from what I’ve learned – it doesn’t matter what the "trauma" was – the reaction and symptoms are virtually identical and only vary in severity. So, your boss doesn’t need the nitty gritty details. If he is understanding he will read anything you give him or read the site and hopefully understand that you are not ‘lazy’ or ‘faking’ to get attention or anything else we tend to get ‘labelled’ with by those that don’t or won’t understand. I hope that helps.  Good Luck Lesleyanne In article <20000509213953.26656.00002…@ng-cf1.aol.com>, lemonade…@aol.com (LemonadePie) wrote: >Therapy, abuse issues, and PTSD are affecting me in such a way now that it is >necessary for me to have some time away from work and to have some flexibility >with my hours. >I cannot afford to actually take time off, so I have worked out a deal with the >company for me to work 4 half days in the office + 1 full day (per week). The >remaining hours will be worked at home on flexible time

(day/night/wkd) as I am >able. >This is my dilemma: So far, they only know that I have a

"personal situation", – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->and they are going to require more of an explanation than this in order to >allow me to do it. >I need some good, quick advice (I have to do this first thing tomorrow morning) >as to how I can present this to them and give a satisfactory explanation about >the nature of the situation without giving specific details. I do not want to >tell them that it is about sexual abuse. Anyone got any bright ideas? >I’d appreciate ANY input!! Thanks guys!! >Macy

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Response:

Therapy, abuse issues, and PTSD are affecting me in such a way now that it is necessary for me to have some time away from work and to have some flexibility with my hours. I cannot afford to actually take time off, so I have worked out a deal with the company for me to work 4 half days in the office + 1 full day (per week). The remaining hours will be worked at home on flexible time (day/night/wkd) as I am able. This is my dilemma: So far, they only know that I have a "personal situation", and they are going to require more of an explanation than this in order to allow me to do it. I need some good, quick advice (I have to do this first thing tomorrow morning) as to how I can present this to them and give a satisfactory explanation about the nature of the situation without giving specific details. I do not want to tell them that it is about sexual abuse. Anyone got any bright ideas? I’d appreciate ANY input!! Thanks guys!! Macy

Response:

i always just plead medical problems and don’t go into anymore detail than that.  they don’t necessarily need to know the specifics unless you are comfortable telling them.  my concern has always been being labeled with a psychiatric diagnosis and at work (mine anyway), they don’t need to know that!!!  congrats on being able to take the time you need.  take care.

Response:

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