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dotcat
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Trig Nov 04, 2019 at 09:28 PM
  #1
I'm considering printing up some mediocre quality cards briefly accounting for my illness to hand to clients at work. Something along the lines of

"Hi, my name is dotcat. I live with an affective disorder. This means that my brain doesn't produce the right 'chemicals' to regulate the appearance of my mood. I receive regular treatment for this medical condition and am stable. If I come off as excitable or inattentive, that is not usually the case, but feel free to bring it to my attention."

It seems like the only backlash from clients and supervisors is strictly symptomatic. And yes I own it when I loose my cool early in a manic episode, I will go to the quickest available psych and get me some neuroleptic. I'm pretty burnt out on every few months needing to remind people that I'm still ill. But I maintain an incredibly high level of function so the idea that something is wrong with my brain doesn't stick with folks. I just had a big fiasco over minor transcription error....that legally has to be proofed by my clients anyway. I'm comfortable introducing my illness, just as much as one of superiors who has cerebral pallsey is with his. Nobody gets mad when he suddenly can't write. My biggest concern is the potential legal implementations of this action. Am I protecting myself? Or potentially harming the companies reputation? I'm so sick of discrimination hiding behind that little word, stigma.

A little bit of what I do. I deal in most things death; less cremation and bone grinding. Thanks asthma.... seriously most crematory work sucks. Mostly back office and prep. But I do meet with families to make arrangements. I found this industry and found my little niche in life/death

It's hard for me to not carry a peaceful smile in the face of a personally inflicted gun shot wound, and I'd pitch a fit every time a cop or coroner inspector would just drop someone off their gallows, so I don't do much transportation these days.
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Default Nov 05, 2019 at 07:00 AM
  #2
If I were needing the services of a funeral home or someone who would need services for cremation that means a loved one has died and my receiving a note like that would absolutely make me explode in anger. I have Bipolar myself but I would likely verbally attack someone if handed such a thing.

You mentioned a “ manic” episode? Bipolar ? You said when you have trouble to go and get on medication.. do you take medication daily or only when you need it??

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Default Nov 05, 2019 at 07:27 AM
  #3
Are you licensed by the state?
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Default Nov 05, 2019 at 09:32 AM
  #4
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Originally Posted by ~Christina View Post
If I were needing the services of a funeral home or someone who would need services for cremation that means a loved one has died and my receiving a note like that would absolutely make me explode in anger. I have Bipolar myself but I would likely verbally attack someone if handed such a thing.

You mentioned a “ manic” episode? Bipolar ? You said when you have trouble to go and get on medication.. do you take medication daily or only when you need it??
Yeah, I feel your sentiment. Thanks for not mincing words. Anger is a common emotion at the arrangement table already, escalation seems fitting. De-escalation techniques is one of my personal assessment goals. It appears I'm moving in the right direction if I'm consulting in regards to a bright idea.

As for medication: yes, I'm medicated. Lithium ER works well. Zoloft currently is failing....new psych on Friday. Current psych made a passing comment about hoping I find how to control my feelings, while signing up for college mental health services. Hopefully I'll transition back to Wellbutrin since my neuroprotective is working. On lamictal and phenobarbital I'd run high hypomanic about 3 hours a day with Wellbutrin. At least in my region the 2 med cocktail is the aim of most psychiatrists. I'd like to try titrating on to luarasidone, in conjunctive therapy following this depressive episode that's beating down my Zoloft effectiveness. Any amount of euthymia I get is heavily checkered with mixed state days. And I absolutely despise the way olanzapine feels after 3 weeks.

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Default Nov 05, 2019 at 09:49 AM
  #5
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Originally Posted by unaluna View Post
Are you licensed by the state?
Apprentice. Working on year 2 of 3. While I am in the US, there's no census on mental health in industry here. Canada shows the Funeral Industry of having instances of acute mental illness on average 35 times higher than any other industry. Yet nobody is willing to talk about it.

Idk if it's jive, but my Human Resources person claims a Bipolar 1 as their bff. Like in their 50s and met in highschool, bff. So when I freak out I feel safe with the (colloquially) company gossip.

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Default Nov 05, 2019 at 11:10 AM
  #6
The reason i ask, i know my manicure license requires one to be "of good character." Which from what ive seen mostly means no hanky panky with customers! But i was just concerned that an explanation card might be seen as unprofessional.

I left a licensed position abruptly because of mental illness. I never tried to return mostly because im old! I dont really have any advice to give but best wishes and try to hang on and manage your meds best you can and seek the truth
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Default Nov 05, 2019 at 11:31 AM
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Yeah, we have the "of proven good moral character in the community" clause. It's there to protect our religious communities from discrimination. Doesn't work against discrimination in general, the Reverend we have working for us is abominable to the gay community...but he's reliable and speaks Spanish. Mental health is a bear when we run into discrimination.

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Bipolar 1.... living la vida lithia. Certainly some sertraline and because the doctor is lazy, sometimes olanzapine.
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Default Nov 05, 2019 at 11:37 AM
  #8
I actually know a number of people who do this, but not in a work situation. I think what would be better is if it comes up that you apologize for what seems like perhaps an inappropriate response and say "I apologize, I have so much compassion for you, I have a neuro condition that affects my facial expressions." But I'd only say that if something happens. Otherwise, they may not even really notice because they are focused on their grief.

Does it come up a lot that people mention you are smiling or something?

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Primary Dx: C-PTSD and Severe Chronic Treatment Resistant Major Depressive Disorder
Secondary Dx: Generalized Anxiety Disorder with mild Agoraphobia.

Meds I've tried: Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, Effexor, Remeron, Elavil, Wellbutrin, Risperidone, Abilify, Prazosin, Paxil, Trazadone, Tramadol, Topomax, Xanax, Propranolol, Valium, Visteril, Vraylar, Selinor, Clonopin, Ambien

Treatments I've done: CBT, DBT, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Talk therapy, psychotherapy, exercise, diet, sleeping more, sleeping less...
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dotcat
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Default Nov 05, 2019 at 04:29 PM
  #9
I was starting to lean towards doing it at the end what have proven to be rather "fussy" meetings. I like the idea of brevity you mentioned. By the time I know I'm starting up poop creek, my only viable reaction is to shrink, lest I open my mouth big enough for my foot. I really like the framework of your statement, I may make some brief, pretty, nondiscrpt cards for those occasions. The real kicker is I get in more trouble when starting a low episode than a high one.....unless you as my spouse, who is responsible for the finances. I was under the influence of rage and unmedicated too long. It seems to be what people read if I go any other direction but inward.

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Bipolar 1.... living la vida lithia. Certainly some sertraline and because the doctor is lazy, sometimes olanzapine.
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