Is it wrong to take time off of work due to you having anxiety or depression? Did I go about telling my manger in the wrong way?

[Anonymous]

I have been having issues with anxiety for the past year because I recently left an abusive relationship and it was hard to get out of it and then I left and went to a different state just to get away from him and started working so the new environment, new job, still healing from the pain he caused physically, mentally and emotionally, I have bad panic attacks at night and I kept it from HR and my supervisor and attempted to work through it up until yesterday. It just got worse to the point I made myself sick. I don’t/haven’t gotten any sleep but I have been working through it. All last week it was messing with me and yesterday as well but still worked all last week and yesterday but this morning I got up feeling no better (I started feeling worse) so I informed her that I wouldn’t be able to come in today but the way my anxiety and PTSD has been triggering me lately I don’t think I can even work the remaining of the week. That’s when I sent this text after already calling in for today. I’m suppose to be starting therapy soon as well.

[Anonymous]

I would likely fire you. Your issues are why many employers have a hard time hiring women.

Anxiety, depression, ptsd is no excuse not to do your job. Seek therapy and medication, work on it. But don't be surprised if they fire you. Unreliable employees do nothing other than hurt the company.

[Asker]

It’s not excuse but at the same time I’m not using it as an excuse. It just is getting worse with time and making it harder for me to do my job now I do agree that maybe I shouldn’t have thought about working considering my condition but I thought working would help settle it and calm it down but it only managed to make me more stressed and anxious so I understand the part where you said she might fire me and that’s why employers have a hard time hiring people with mental disorders such as anxiety or PTSD, but I would like to say it’s not a gender thing. Anyone can have those disorders honestly I think I wouldn’t be upset if she didn’t understand and did fire me because working wasn’t the best decision for me at this moment. I should have gotten therapy first and seemed helped before I started job searching in a entirely new state at that and that way it working now wouldn’t so bad for me now but since I waited to seek the help after I began working, it has only worsened the condition. I’m not blaming anyone or anything in anyway nor am I using it as an excuse.

[Asker]

*seeked

[Opinion Owner]

Jeez I'm sorry.. Yeah you do need help, and I hope you find it.

[bannacookies]

I don't mean to sound rude but this sounds like an excuse & your boss isn't going to understand.

[Asker]

I get why you would think that but it’s not an excuse. I’ve been with this job for two months dealing with my anxiety and PTSD the entire time. I worked and managed through it and never called off despite the fact I wasn’t getting sleep (I’m still not), wasn’t eating like I should (still not), when I do sleep it’s never for long, I always wake up feeling Like I’m doomed, dying and can’t breathe (panic attacks). I left to a new state (new environment) to get away from him and I left my family behind so that made it worse. My anxiety got so bad Sunday I made my self sick, I was throwing up and still was Monday before going to work but I still went In to work and never even mentioned it to my supervisor until this morning when I wasn’t feeling better and I called in but I didn’t mention the anxiety until the next text I sent after calling in today because I’m at a mental and emotional state where I know I won’t make it through work without breaking down which is something I already do when I’m not at work and I do it at work as well, most times I walk off and go to the bathroom and just cry and the thought of going to therapy soon has been triggering it as well, even though therapy is meant to help me, I’m afraid of opening up about it without being able to hide my face like I can on here and just be anonymous.

[bannacookies]

True. I say it's important to be upfront with your boss right away & tell them in person. They may think that the text was a cop out & that maybe you're on vacation. Don't listen to that blue anon who also responded. It's important to be upfront and carry your self with dignity. You're doing a good job don't let others discourage you.