OCD Action

Wojak27
Member

Im new to this forum but felt it worth joining as many posts ive seen seem to have helpful info.....

I was diagnosed with Severe OCD back in late 2009 however had it before but i misinterpreted everything it was for just being depression. Ive suffered with it for as far back as i can remember. My Father has it and Brother and Sister have it and my Nan was also had signs and various forms of Mental Illness. To me however it comes about it seems obvious its hereditary not because of any event.

My work place is quite busy and difficult to be at with having OCD, especially when it is worse than usual. Ive had quite few days off there, more than most can believe and i don't feel there is any ruthless action to boot anyone out of there case is legitimate.

It is currently not even December as i write this now and i went to the doctors to say i cant really be going to work right now and that wish to go on the meds again. I got the meds again and a week signed off for now, however i do not want to return in one week as i would rather sign on to Mental Health servies and take what help is around and try to get back into a better zone to be able to return and change shifts and so on in the new year.

Has anyone had problems with being signed off work? Is one week and then a review stanadard or have i got a doctor who sounds like he dosnt like signing people off? Its starting to worry me that i will be going back when not in the right zone of Mental Health to and will seriously lose it and end up getting arrested of something. OCD really depresses me, stresses me out and pisses me off. Its hard to convey this to a doctor i think in words. I want the time off i want to get away for a while and also sort out the help i would like.

Anyone got any similar worries or issues such as this?

Mon Nov 28 2011 12:33:13 #
Unregistered

Hi Wojak27,

I can give you the following bits of advice:

(1) If you have been diagnosed as having OCD -- especially severe OCD -- then under the new Equality Act (2010), you can be classed as having a disability. (The Act defines a disability as any long-term mental or physical illness which affects a person's ability to carry out their normal day to day activities.)

(2) Under the Equality Act 2010, you have the right to ask for your employer to make "reasonable adjustments" to your job, in order for you to be able to do the job.

(3) Contact OCD Action and ask to be referred to their Advocacy team, if you have any questions about what to say to your employer / what to ask from your employer / what your rights are.

(4) Your GP can sign you off work for as long as you say you need to be off work. I would suggest that you tell your GP that the reason is your severe OCD, and ask your GP to sign you off for a period of, say, 6 or 8 weeks. (Or however long you want to be off.) At the end of that period, go back and ask your GP to sign you off again -- for another 6 or 8 weeks, if need be. Or however long you feel you need to be off for.) Your GP can do this.

(5) If your GP says he won't do it, don't accept that answer. Insist that your severe OCD makes it impossible for you to cope at present, and insist that you need [however many weeks you need] off work now.

(6) If you have previously had CBT with a mental health unit, contact them ASAP and ask for a further course of CBT.

(7) If you haven't had CBT before, tell your GP to refer you urgently to a mental health unit, to be assessed for your OCD. Don't take no for an answer.

(8) Read the information packs on the OCD Action website, such as "OCD and Work - Your Rights", and "OCD, Accessing Treatment - Your Rights", and the information card for GP's. You can print all these documents off, and take them with you to the GP's surgery.

(9) Read the NICE Guidelines on this website, and print them off. (It's free to get all these info packs from the OCD Action website.)

(10) Phone the OCD Action helpline during business hours, if you want to speak to a helpline operator about any of your concerns.

(11) If you have a union, you may wish to speak to them about your rights as a disabled employee.

(12) In order to get help from your employer, you may need to disclose to your employer that you have been diagnosed with OCD. (If you do, advise them that this information is protected under the Data Protection Act, and that they will be breaking the law if they discuss this with your colleagues without your permission.)

(13) Once again, contact the Advocacy service at OCD Action for advice on how to deal with your employers, GP, etc. That's what they're there for.

(14) OCD sufferers can be classed as disabled employees. But in order to get help, they need to disclose their OCD to their employer. It's no use disclosing it after you lose your job -- so educate yourself ASAP. (Start by looking at "Resources" on this website, and go from there.)

All the best.

Mon Nov 28 2011 13:47:10 #
Wojak27
Member

Many Thanks for the reply, i wasn't expecting one so quick with such an amount of information. Its great to know there is so much support and help out there when wanted by people who suffer with OCD.

Mon Nov 28 2011 14:21:13 #
wannabefree
Member

Hi Wojack27, welcome to the forums, I agree wholeheartedy with what Ocd is suggesting... You'd be amazed at how many rights we now have as OCD sufferers, OCD is far more recognised now than it used to be, and it's not yours or anyone elses fault, so go to your doctor and get that time out that you need...
wannabe

Mon Nov 28 2011 19:06:33 #