PTSD and work?!

Emily The Strange · 21-11-2012, 03:34 PM

hi

ive had ptsd for a couple of years now and am currently going through cbt. i was able to work for a while and then my flashbacks and anxiety levels shot up so my doctor advised me to take time off. now its been 6 weeks and my employer wants to get occupational health involved. i have no idea what this actually means...any ideas?
also i really want to go back to work but not necessarily back to my current job. ive been looking for work for a while and have found a few jobs worth applying for but im too affraid to actually apply. my problem is that i dont want to explain to them about my problems eg ptsd but i know that they will have to know in order for them to allow me a morning off a week to go to my therapy session. its a tricky one and i cant decide what to do about it.
all i know is that i have very limited fund and im about to lose sick pay so whatever i do i have to do it quickly.

any suggestions or advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks x

Becca · 21-11-2012, 05:41 PM

Occupational Health can actually be quite helpful. They will want to know exactly what your dificulties are in doing your job with PTSD and also what they can do to help make it easier for you. You shouldn't have to go into too much detail; they will know PTSD = traumatic incident of some type so don't worry about that and time off for therapy will need to be discussed.

I'm not too sure re doing a different job; though maybe if that is related to why you have PTSD they may look at helping you apply for another.

I hope that helps.

Wonderland. · 02-12-2012, 06:21 PM

Occupational therapy may be able to help with whatever difficulties you are having at work. The more open you are the more they will be able to help you.

Have you spoken to them yet?

Emily The Strange · 03-12-2012, 12:38 AM

i havent spoken to them as work said that the time scale is too tight and that occupational health wont get involved if i have already agreed to go back. i have agreed to go back on a rehab plan phasing my back to my job and original hours. if i dont find it as i hope it will be ill have to go off work again.