Working with PNI

[cheshire]

Hi Everyone,

I've been back at work a while now, and retuned before I had fully recovered. My experience has been reasonably good - but if I were to draft a leaflet for our human resources department, my three pointers would be:

- consider phasing in duties/ avoiding highly stressful situations at first
- give your emplyee some control over her work to reduce stress
- appoint a mentor who either understands the illness to a degree or who could be provided with information about it
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Just wondered - what was your experience?

* Did you go back to work before you were fully recovered from PNI?

* What was your experience?

* If you were to give three pointers for employers, what would they be?


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Hopefulxxx

[sianyc]

I went back to work as soon about 8 weeks after starting medication. I can't say it's the best thing I've ever done! I felt like I had to go back because I'm on an examined course in work and would have to wait 2 years for the next course. I think work has stressed me out more to be honest - I've had my anti-d's increased since the course started again

I know I could defer and have had this offered to me but it just seems like that would be another thing that PNI will have spoilt for me!! My manager is farily good - he's quick to offer help and has managed to take some of the stress away

My tips are

1. Take PNI off the list that HR use to send you to occupational health to check you're not lying about being on the sick
2. Phased return to work
3. Give managers information about how PNI can effect your reactions to situations

Siany x

[yoyo]

* Did you go back to work before you were fully recovered from PNI?

I returned to work when my son was 7 months old. I still have PNI and he is now 18 months.

* What was your experience?

I didn't tell occupational health about my PNI when I did the back to work thing, I think I was still in denial of it all at that point. I also wanted to be back at work as I felt it would possibly help me so didn't want anything to come in the way of that.

After a few weeks I told my supervisor how I was and how things had been. She was just fabulous, she too had suffered depression and had time off sick with depression and anxiety. Since that conversation when it is just the two of us in the office she will often ask how I'm doing and commend me for coming in on my bad days (she tends to see them when others don't).

For me personally I'd say that going back to work was a milestone in my recovery. I have found that gradually my confidence is returning and this is helping me from day to day also.

* If you were to give three pointers for employers, what would they be?

1) Please find out about PNI when it is presented to you.
2) Commend where at all possible.
3) Phase the back to work plan gradually


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3 things for the PNI sufferer to remember when returning to work:

1) Be patient with yourself - you've had a long time off work anyway and the PNI does make things fuzzier!
2) You can tell your colleagues/bosses as much or as little about your PNI as you feel you need to.
3) Don't take on too much, if it's making you ill or worse do what you can to change things and don't be afraid to tell your boss.

[cheshire]

Good point that last question is the most important - so - revised questions:

*Did you go back to work before you were fully recovered from PNI?

* If yes, if you were to give three pointers for employers, what would they be?

* Also, which 3 things should the PNI sufferer remember when returning to work?
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I should answer that last question (as others answered earlier in thread):

- * Occupational health - make sure they arrange it - they helped me, thank you ladies
- * Despite what your position demands, try to do the essentials only at first
- * Keep talking to whoever you trust (you do need someone) - it is taboo to talk about PNI in my work environment, but in some ok. I still talk about it though
- * If you are losing control over workload then say. They cannot go over the top if you've been under the GP...

[villagewife]

Thanks for this thread - I am due back in the office from day after tomorrow.

I am starting off part-time, but I am still a bit apprehensive about it. I have also wondered who to tell, I think I will tell my manager as otherwise it could get tricky with workload. Money coming in again to my account will definitely be a plus!