I’ve lived with anxiety and depression for most of my life. There are times that my mental health has gotten so bad that it impacts my job performance.

16 Comments

1. AnonymousJanuary 19,2025 at 4:09PM UTC

   If you are able to sustain a job. Disability is not the right way to go.

   Instead use FMLA when you neeed extended leaves.

2. Tamar KomlaJanuary 19,2025 at 5:48PM UTC

   Find support to stay on the job. Good counselor would be able to help identify supports and accommodations. State funded Vocational Rehabilitation should be able to help. Wishing you well.

3. Regina BrownJanuary 20,2025 at 3:09AM UTC

   You will need to be your own advocate. Only you know your limits.

   Because mental health has become a forefront for most businesses, my suggestion would be that you take FMLA to get the help and "mind break" that is so needed.

4. AnonymousJanuary 20,2025 at 1:24PM UTC

   Go on disability. It's the best thing I ever did. Find a doctor and therapist that will support you to go on disability.

5. AnonymousJanuary 20,2025 at 1:39PM UTC

   I just came back from an 8 week FMLA leave that was also supposed to be fully paid by my company (per HR) for short term disability. However, because it was found that my mental challenges are caused by my employer (100% true), then the insurance company said they would not pay out. Also, I've learned that the employer company has the final say on whether they pay out anyone's short term disability. If it's mental health, the chances are higher it will be turned down, especially if you work for an old school minded company like mine. I would still advocate for FMLA and leave because it was the best decision for me. Just be prepared to have enough savings to get you through this unpaid recovery time.

   This country is the worst...my colleagues in other countries have fully paid time off and job protection for mental health leave.

6. AnonymousJanuary 20,2025 at 2:47PM UTC

   Take the time off. Best thing I ever did. But when answering questions to the disability rep be sure not to say it’s because of work. List anything else you want..but answer no to the work question.

7. AnonymousJanuary 20,2025 at 11:24PM UTC

   Why? This protects you even more because if the workplace is causing you more harm and anxiety and you already have a condition and you don’t list it then you lose your right to sue if they try to pull a fast one. No! put it out there because companies are not stupid and they know that they have to abide by federal regulations. If work is causing your condition to become worse than it should be listed for your jobs b security. The last thing they are going to do is fire as someone who has a doctor saying added stress is making an already disabling condition worse. If you don’t, then you may lose out on any Workmen’s Comp. or resources meant to protect you. Its not a taboo because there should not be a hostile or toxic workplace and if it is, it needs to be addressed. You would be surprised with transparency will do for you because people are management and even above that have same experiences.

8. AnonymousJanuary 20,2025 at 11:21PM UTC

   If you are in this position, stay in therapy. Have a primary care provider as well, who can back up your diagnosis. Most short term disability companies need medical documentation of a diagnosis. I don’t know who says that it can’t be job related. If you have a disabling condition and work causes it to become reactionary than that would not be a reason why you would be rejected. You just have to continue to advocate for yourself and that means having resources to back you up. I went on short-term disability for three months and filed a formal grievance and came back to a better position. It is very common and nothing to be ashamed of. Stay proactive.. You have rights under The ADA , FMLA and EEOC. Unless you’re speaking of SSDI, you are fully able to get benefits. Federal benefits are a nightmare and completely different story. You just need to file a speech to an HR rep. You do not even have to tell your boss because it’s a very sensitive matter and as I say, you have a lot of protections under the law.

9. AnonymousJanuary 21,2025 at 12:21PM UTC

   ADA covers these. Request accommodation from your employer to support your challenges.

10. John HerndonJanuary 21,2025 at 2:38PM UTC

    Depression, anxiety, ptsd, etc are all part of the American with disabilities act. Whoever told you those are rejected was wrong. Get in touch with your doctor, they will know what to do.

11. AnonymousJanuary 21,2025 at 2:51PM UTC

    It depends on what your doctor prescribes. It's not a get out of jail free card and may be challenged by your employer but that prescription is your basis for disability.

12. maria roseJanuary 21,2025 at 4:17PM UTC

    The OP has been given several options for getting disability both paid and non paid but the OP also has to realize that getting classified as having a disability doesn’t necessarily mean that they, the OP, are incapable of doing any kind of work if they are physically capable of doing so. Yes, the current job situation may be the stressor of triggering their ability to work but with a doctor’s documentation, a job can accommodate for the disability.. Like one commenter stated having a disability doesn’t mean you get out of jail card ( being employed working for your paycheck). The OP is still employable in the right conditions, which is the point of the disability coverage program and use of the FLMA program to not deny individuals who need time off from work consistently but can work when accommodation are made available. The OP should be able, with proper documentation from their doctor get the requested break time off from work during which they should evaluate possibly changing jobs ( even within the same company) a less stressful environment to find a position/workplace that they can deal with especially since they may need financial support to survive independently. They can’t just use their mental health as a means to escape from having to working entirely, because accommodations can be made thanks the laws in place. I hope that the OP is able to get the leave of absence from work and utilities that time to evaluate the best solution for their permanent lifelong goal of existence, whether returning to the present job with accommodations or finding a better alternative that will best fit them.

13. AnonymousJanuary 21,2025 at 5:12PM UTC

    People get denied for anxiety and depression because they are not considered permanent. SSA requires that the disability be expected to last longer than six months or a year without being functional in any job through medication or therapy. I've known people who were denied disability because they had a cancer diagnosis that wasn't terminal, even though they would require over a year's worth of treatment, during which they couldn't work. I guess they expected LTD insurance to take care of them. I understand that in the last few years, the requirements have relaxed somewhat, especially with FMLA, but considering some of the rhetoric I'm hearing, that could change with the new administration. This doesn't diminish the stigma faced by those dealing with mental illness, as I am one myself. I am only stating how the SSA and private companies see it.

14. AnonymousJanuary 23,2025 at 4:15PM UTC

    invisible and sidelined maybe caused by ghosting, impersonating, corruption, payroll theft, bank robbery. Escalating those issues to law enforcement, crime cause anxiety should be worried by Federal lawyers.

15. kat mobFebruary 28,2025 at 4:35AM UTC
    I completely understand how overwhelming it can be to manage anxiety and depression, especially when it starts to affect your work. It is not easy, but identifying what helps, such as oral testosterone treatment for low testosterone, can make a huge difference. Taking small steps toward improving mental health and addressing the physical aspects can provide some relief. https://www.rethinktestosterone.com/blog/low-testosterone-anxiety
16. Isabel SanchezAugust 21,2026 at 3:21PM UTC
    Navigating clarity and personal alignment during major career changes can definitely feel overwhelming at times. I was recently reflecting on how setting expectations shapes our overall experience and came across this https://www.reddit.com/r/spiritualitytalk/comments/1rdccsy/nebula_app_is_kind_of_confusing_if_you_expect/ discussion which touches on navigating practical guidance versus realistic expectations quite well. Taking a step back to evaluate your core goals usually brings the right perspective forward.