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INSIDEOUT
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HOW DO I TELL THE BOSS I'M BI-POLAR?

HI Smiley Happy

I'M WONDERING HOW OTHERS HAVE GONE ABOUT TELLING THEIR BOSSES THAT THEY HAVE A MENTAL ILLNESS? I AM STARTING TO GET ANXIOUS ABOUT DISCUSSING THIS WITH HER AND THE FACT THAT I AM NOT READY TO COME BACK TO TEACHING 2 DAYS A WEEK.

DOES ANYONE HAVE SUGGESTIONS?

18 REPLIES 18

Re: HOW DO I TELL THE BOSS I'M BI-POLAR?

Hey @INSIDEOUT

 

My friend was telling me about a course they did in Cruicial conversations. I guess the crux of it was that cruicial conversations occur to help an organisation run effectively, for its memebers to be safe and for ensuring the best possible outcomes on issues.

I guess this is a cuicial conversation you need to have with your boss which might cause anxiety for you

😞   But it needs to happen 😉

 

I prepare for crucial conversations beforehand by visualising myself in the meeting being cool, calm and collected, wearing something special or I feel good in and having a plan of what I might say.

 

Breathing and some quick lessons in mindfulness help too.

 

I'm reading a book on mindfulness, published in 2015, and there are a few good ways to reduce anxiety in it, this one might help.

Three Sighs

 "The excercise goes like this. You sigh three times. The first big in-breath unlocks the tight chest. You then let the breath go without forcing it, and wait in the space until you really need to breathe again.

On the second sigh, it is good to have a fake yawn, and don't be suprised if it triggers a real one. A yawn slows down the breathing considerably by lengthening the out-breath. Don't foget to wait at the bottom of the out-breath for as long as it is comfortable. This is what puts the brakes on. On the thrid sigh, focus on relaxing the breath completely and wainting at the end, until the next breath comes of its own accord."

 

There is a whole rationale in the book about why and how this helps.

 

Let me know if you'd like more info on it.

 

Good luck!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Re: HOW DO I TELL THE BOSS I'M BI-POLAR?

@Rosie They are great tips for any difficult conversation!

 

@INSIDEOUT Disclosure can be a scary experience, regardless of who it is. Have you got a Dr's certificate, which could help to start the conversation?

I think nearly all of us here have had to disclose at some point (whether that be to a boss, colleague, friend of family member) - Are there other members out there who want to share how they have managed to disclose their MI?

 

@INSIDEOUT When are you having the meeting?

Re: HOW DO I TELL THE BOSS I'M BI-POLAR?

My recommendation. Don't do it.

I totally regret telling my boss about my depression. Not because his response was bad. It was the impact it had in my own paranoid mind.

Re: HOW DO I TELL THE BOSS I'M BI-POLAR?

I would love to know what the book title is Rosie, please.

Re: HOW DO I TELL THE BOSS I'M BI-POLAR?

Hi @MoonGal the book is The Foundations of Mindfulness by Eric Harrison (2015)

Sorry about the late reply!!

Re: HOW DO I TELL THE BOSS I'M BI-POLAR?

Hi @INSIDEOUT

 

Just wondering how your meeting went? Are you OK??

I was also thinking about you when I saw this thread about telling others

I hope it went well...

 

take care

Fancy_Pants

Re: HOW DO I TELL THE BOSS I'M BI-POLAR?

I would not disclose your mental illness at all. If you have things under control with medication and it does not affect your work performance do not disclose it. You will not be considered for promotion, additional hours work or other opportunities if you disclose.

Re: HOW DO I TELL THE BOSS I'M BI-POLAR?

Hi! I'm new to the forum & I clicked on this topic straight away. I've also thought about telling my boss but I've learnt that telling them probably isn't best.

Re: HOW DO I TELL THE BOSS I'M BI-POLAR?

& we shouldn't have to feel like we can't tell them. But the topic of mental illness still has so far to go before people don't automatically discriminate or treat us differently. When I was on medication I was called 'ditsy' and 'airy' at work. I let them think what they wanted, I go to work and complete all my tasks at the best of my ability! Good luck x