Strange Famous

OK, I've been having a pretty bad time of things recently, and I am thinking of going to see a Dr, to ask for counselling or maybe anti depressants - but is their any way my employer or any future employers could find out about it if I did?

I know when I got this job and on some applications it always asks you if you have suffered any health problems and depression is sometimes included - plus when you start a new job here you get a medical - at that medical could the companies dr get access to my medical records to see if I had received any help for depression?

I mean, I am starting to feel maybe I do need some help because I've been feeling pretty messed up and just the whole stiff upper lip thing really isnt making me feel any better - but I dont think I could do it if there is a chance other people (like perspective employers) could find out, because it would definitely stand against you.

And I mean, its not like I'm on the verge of suicide, and I think there is a definite amount more of feeling this way I could take before I had a break down - I just feel down a lot, sometimes I just get really sad and helpless, and the other day I had a crying jag for no reason which is messed up, I've read about social anxiety phobia's, and I sometimes feel that way too, I dont like to meet new people or for strangers to talk to me - unless there is a formal reason that they should. I dont think, I hope anyway, that Im not really THAT mad, but maybe I do need a little help to start seeing things right and be happy again.

__________________
"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."

The Gospel of Thomas

Lebell

I think your best bet is to ask a doctor what the laws are.

I also applaud your courage and desire to help yourself by seeking help.

Best of luck to you!

__________________
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." – C. S. Lewis

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Spartak

As far as I know* (note: first-year law) medical confidence is usually held in high regard, and judges will usually stop (mostly tabloids) from revealing such things to the public.

But the situation you describe.. if it is the way you describe it (companies calling up your medical history documents etc), if it is done lawfully, there is probably nothing to stop them reading your file.

But like Lebell said, talk to your doctor, or better yet a lawyer.

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I can read your mind... looking at you... I can read your mind...

lurkette

I know a lot of people avoid going to a doctor for depression out of fear that it might stigmatize them with an employer in the future. I don't know what an employer's rights are with regards to knowing your medical status, but chances are if you're up front with them if they come to you about it, you'll be fine if you just say "I've had some issues with depression in the past but it's being treated and is under control." It's a risk, but isn't it worth maybe having an employer find out, vs. being fucking miserable all the damn time?

And I'll give you my usual spiel about treating depression non-chemically. I'm on meds for depression and anxiety myself, so I have nothing against medical treatment of depression. However, there are a lot of things you can do that are just as effective as meds and can't hurt whether you're taking antidepressants or not. 1. EXERCISE. I can't stress this enough: regular exercise (at least 3x/week, 20 minutes per session) has been clinically shown to be as effective as antidepressants at relieving the symptoms of depression, and is effective at preventing recurrences of depressive episodes. It might take a while to kick in, but exercise starts to regulate your body chemistry and puts you on a more even footing, neurochemically speaking. 2. COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY. If you can afford it, it's usually a time-limited therapeutic course with a professional. You set goals, meet those goals, bam, you're done. No three years in talk therapy rehashing your childhood. It teaches you to retrain your cognitive habits so that some of the negative and illogical thought patterns that are at the source of (or contributing to) your depression are no longer your default. (For instance, recognizing when you label yourself a loser instead of looking objectively at the facts without judging the situation so harshly). 3. Meditation can be helpful. I haven't practiced very regularly, but mindfulness meditation can be really useful in helping you separate "you" from your emotions.

Best of luck, dude.

__________________
"If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing."

- Anatole France

Cynthetiq

since you are in england you should look up resources out there, I'm in the US, I do have some UK friends and I'll see what I can drum up.

good luck to you.

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Hanxter

Adam, i want to say that you do show a great deal of passion in your feelings and beliefs - i wish you well in all that comes your way - i truely do... hank