9 Responses for "Should A Person Who Has Anxiety Attacks Tell Their Boss And Coworkers?"

1. xoxo July 5th, 2009 at 7:31 pm 1

   I would say no. It isn’t any of there business unless you think you are going to benefit from it in some way.

2. Barry H July 5th, 2009 at 11:25 pm 2

   Hi Fruitbasket,
   Yes it is definitely too personal. People will judge you negatively, because all acute and/or chronic ‘medical’ conditions have been deemed by employers across the board to affect productivity negatively; in terms of days/time off for medical visits, potential and actual illness, fears of ‘contamination’ (psychological fears) regardless of the ‘condition’, stroke, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, bipolar disorder, depression, adhd, alcoholism, etc, etc, etc.
   Please, do not let on, under no circumstances, unless of course your diagnosis is cureable (and in remission) or your condition is sufficiently under control/ i.e. recoverable/reversible, (usually with early diagnosis & treatment) stabilized or minimized so that you are able to function at the ‘normal’ or ‘expected level’ for you job.
   Regardless of what ‘The Constitution’ says, employers are protected for non-performance in a number of areas/criteria, even if you have a medical certificate stating you are ‘declared’ mentally and physically competent to perform work, i.e your mental status in your case is ‘normal’.
   Believe me, if your performance before the illness, has been compromised at this point, and your supervisor/boss has observed a change (for the worse), it is 90+ % likely, maby 100 % that in the short-term you will suffer ‘financially’, in terms of promotion(s), other job related opportunities, and most importantly job security.
   You’ve asked this question, because possibly you’ve realized a change:
   1. In yourself and your performance on the job: (note, ‘not you potential’).
   2. You are less confortable ‘in your skin’ right now (feelings or affect/or mood) worse or potentially perceived as worse than before ‘anxiety attacks/feelings’. [Fruitbas..I'm assuming of course, maby wrongfully so, that you've received a medical 'diagnosis' of an anxiety condition].
   My advice if you are presently struggling on the job, for whatever reason, in this case presumably medically (but for any reason at all) keep it quiet, no matter ‘ who ‘ ‘promises to’ ‘keep a secret’ it’s goona hurt ya, believe me.
   Rules are made to be broken, and so are promises. This fortunately or not is a ‘fact’ of life.
   Share your struggles with ‘off the job’ confidants/trusted family/friends, not even your direct supervisor, no matter ‘how empathetic’ or compassionate. The bottom line is life is not equal, recognise this and be smart.
   If your job falters noticeably, you’ll be forced to give an explanation. If things become uncomfortable ‘move on’ , pleasantly say your goodbye’s and find something else you can handle at this moment. Look, you’ll find something, don’t be hard on yourself, with a little patience things will improve, believe me.
   Also don’t overburden/stress/tax yourself. Build up your strengths, litttle by little or as fast as reasonable possible and build a succesful or winning attitude by succeeding at realistic/achievable goals.
   Break down/simplify whatever you have to do at this point and for the future, remember what’s important first, not what most urgent!
   No matter how ‘good the dough’, your job reputation is paramount, just like your credit rating. Believe me, it will follow you, so be smart.
   Conditions like anxiety (chronic or acute) are treatable with excellent outcomes even in the short-medium term, with treatment. They most likely ‘ will not’ solve themselves without ‘medical intervention’. Believe me. Your body ‘ will not’[ heal itself spontaneously, of a medically diagnosable conditon, [despite whatever inate ability all kinds of quaks attest to) They have ‘no strong science’ to ‘prove’ their claims, as niether do so called ‘faith healers of many kinds’.
   Even the magicians, pychics and illusionists, ‘fake doctors’/non allopathic/conventional or so called ‘miracle workers’ (and i’ll mention no names here) have all ‘failed’ miseably time and again in the ‘lab’ to reproduce their effects/so called powers or special arts.
   Their claimed abilities certainly is ‘not science’ by any means and unfortunately the relapse rates are too high to qualify
   for scientific verification/proof of their so called powers/ability/channel to heal. To claasify as healed ‘obvious’ symptoms of disease (’which are distressing’) ‘key to diagnosis’, must disappear completely and remain in remission in the long-term or for life.
   Any condition which has a difficult diagnosis or unexplainable symptomology and/or spontaneous or other disappearance are claaified by medicine as:
   a. A medical mystery.
   b. A medical miracle.
   (This is simply for your info, it’s an aside to your question)
   So, find out the prognosis (expected outcome(s), short-term, medium and long, form your ’specialist’ and get a second or third opinion if you can easily.
   Then, find out what it will take practically to achieve this best possible outcome in the short-term. I guarantee, you will need emotional and p

3. . July 6th, 2009 at 5:28 am 3

   NO. The sad truth of it is, no one really cares and it is not their job to try and make things easier for you or to walk around on eggshells. Everyone has problems they have to deal with and no one is going to appreciate having to deal with both their own issues and yours. Just do your job and keep your health to yourself. The way your employer sees it, there are plenty of people out there that can do your job that DON’T have health issues that they feel are so huge they must mention them to coworkers. Don’t tell.

4. Partygal July 6th, 2009 at 10:36 am 4

   AFTER YOU GET HIRED AND ARE IN.. Make a private appt with your direct supervisor and tell them you have something private and sensitive to tell them about. Ask them to keep it private between the supervisor and you. Then tell them , and suggest what should be done for you if you have one. Be specific, and provide the name of your Dr if you have something happen at work ask the employer to call your dr for you or something like that.

5. kiro105 July 6th, 2009 at 12:23 pm 5

   I did and my employer was great! It is a matter of how well you know your employer and how much your anxiety affects your job performance. Honestly it’s a person choice. Keep you head up and good luck!

6. cada July 6th, 2009 at 5:19 pm 6

   I wouldn’t unless it totally affects your job, your boss and coworkers might judge you because of the anxiety attacks. Good luck!

7. Crazy Old Lady July 6th, 2009 at 5:31 pm 7

   NO!!!! I made the mistake of sharing about my ADD and was discriminated against and let go! Keep you personal life to yourself at all times!!!!

8. Steal Paraná's July 6th, 2009 at 11:05 pm 8

   Wouldn’t it be easier to “ask to be fired” instead?

9. Funny Cop Videos July 7th, 2009 at 2:10 am 9

   NO! they will more than likely fire you based on “another reason” becuase of the mental health stigma.