Occupational health check for new job...but depressed, anxious and still s/h-ing

zab_400 · 08-08-2013, 01:56 PM

Hi,

I wondered if anyone had some experience or advice for occupational health checks?

In short, life has been really really difficult and it really took its toll on me.
I think I have struggled with depression for a long time, but it has been pretty severe the past 2 years. My anxiety has also intensified and I have been engaging in self injury almost daily for 14 months. I’ve lost interest in food and lost a fair bit of weight which is causing me to have issues, because I really do not want to gain it back – even though I know I am getting ‘too thin’ and was fine when I had the extra weight. I have completely lost my confidence and am plagued with self critique, but amongst all of this I have been really trying to piece myself back together.

I have had stop-start therapy for about 18 months, struggling to seek consistent support because of session limits or moving etc. However I have kept trying to find support because I know I need some help to get me through this. I have managed to seek counselling through a charity, because the NHS systems were proving extremely frustrating.

I will be returning to uni soon, and in the past few months I have really been trying to gain momentum with my life. I still feel awful most days, but I am trying to add in structure and eat more, self harm less etc. I am one of those people who tend to look absolutely fine and confident on the outside – I have never cried in a single counselling app but on the inside I often feel like I’m falling to pieces which can be very lonely.

I have managed to find a flat to move into because I believe a change of environment will really help me make progress in my life. My family do not know what I am going through (there are lots of reasons why I have not told them everything) but hiding it makes life very stressful. I have also applied for and have been offered a part time job in research. This job would be excellent experience and it could help me get back to feeling more myself, but I am worried I am taking on too much. Although I would hate to give up this opportunity.

I have been sent the occupational health check form, and I just do not know how to fill it out. I do not want to lie, and so it asks for further information if you tick ‘yes’ to any boxes. But I just do not know what to write. I wonder if because I am still ‘depressed, anxious and self injuring’ whether they will never give me clearance? My GP has not been involved in my care, I think I have only had one appointment with her so she will be unable to provide much support to say I am ready for this job or that I am working hard to get ‘better’. I am unsure if they can speak to my counsellor, but it would be good if they can because she has a much better idea of where I am at.

I am really scared they will reject my form, which would be a massive confidence knock. Any thoughts or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Zab

zab_400 · 08-08-2013, 03:44 PM

Thanks for your response and support.

I think your suggestion on what to write is really helpful, and I will put something along the lines of that. I agree that I want to show that I am making small steps forward and taking responsibility.

I think after I send the form in they will make an appointment for me to meet with someone. Do you mind me asking what the meet usually involves?

I have another question…on the form I have it asks if I have mental health problems or illness and it states ‘e.g. nerves, phobias, stress, anxiety, depression, eating disorders’. The bottom of the form states if I have answered yes than I need to give as much information as I can, including dates and how I am affected at the moment and that if I withhold information or give misleading answers they could terminate my contract…..therefore I am assuming I should mention my self harm even though it does not specifically ask about coping mechanisms? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

The job is as a research assistant working in a hospital, mainly data entry and analysis. I may have some patient contact but it would be supervised, so I do not think my MH issues would affect my job performance or vice versa.

Thanks again,