Posted by akc on September 2, 2001, at 18:02:28
In reply to How to Explain (or NOT Explain) Depression, posted by Elzabeth on September 2, 2001, at 9:11:32
I'm in the "you don't have to explain anything" category. They are just your coworkers. You need say nothing more than you just are unable right now to do what ever the commitment is. If you feel that you are unable to do so for "x" amount of weeks, tell them that. But you do not owe them a reason why. If they are nosy and ask, you do not have to tell them. A polite, "I am just unable right now" is all that is warranted. They should get the message. At the same time, turn around and politely walk away. These are coworkers. You do not owe them any explanation, any detail. Period.
akc
> Thought I posted this yesterday, but I don't see it .... In any event, I'm wondering if any of you have come up with a useful way of explaining (or not explaining) depression to coworkers. I'm sure we've all experienced how NOT useful it is to explain, "I'm sorry I've had to drop out of bla bla bla commitments, but I've been struggling with depression." Been struggling with "personal illness" isn't much better.
>
> It's nobody's business, of course -- but it bothers me that other personal illness doesn't carry the stigma that mental illness still bears. Jeesh, just the term "mental illness" makes my stomach flip flop.
>
> How do YOU guys address this issue?
>
> XXX, E.
poster:akc
thread:10679
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010901/msgs/10699.html