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Original poster

People with Depression are too "flakey" and prone to "lying" apparently.....

68 replies

VeniVidiVickiQV · 20/03/2006 12:36

to get a job.

Really makes me Angry.

OP posts:
polkadot · 20/03/2006 15:59

If they're well controlled then what's the problem. If he had diabetes and had to take insulin then that would be okay then the same applies to people with mental health problems who take medication to stay okay.

motherinferior · 20/03/2006 16:00

I was undeniably a bit crap at work when I had depression.

But I wrote a splendid article about it for my subsquent job, which I still hold down.

Mhamai · 20/03/2006 16:00

Well Im suffering with depression but Im also a single parent doing a degree so and I hate this word but bollox again to flaky! Angry

GDG · 20/03/2006 17:40

I admit I did not declare that I had been treated for depression in the past when I applied for my first job. It was a short period and was not in the least bit relevant to my ability to do a job. While having depression I got A, B, B, B in my A levels and afterwards went on to get a high 2.1 degree. I've been promoted up the ladder very quickly in both of my jobs and now am a successful freelancer in high demand from my clients.

I've only been treated for depression once but I am prone to it and have been depressed again - around and after the birth of ds3. Despite having 3 children under 4 at the time, my freelance career did not suffer in the least and nobody would have known how I was feeling.

So frankly, it's bollocks.

GDG · 20/03/2006 17:44

Agree with Georginarf and it's certainly the case that I have very high standards - I'm extremely driven and efficient and it's probably why I feel so frustrated some of the time.

TearsBeforeBedtime · 20/03/2006 19:31

if the common misapprehension is that people with depression are "flakey" is it any wonder people aren't rushing to mention it on their CVs. I did very well in my A Levels too despite OCD and Depression (at that point it was untreated too).

fastasleep · 20/03/2006 19:32

TBB are you on the NET!

fastasleep · 20/03/2006 19:33

Course they're not flakey, how many women have horrendous PND and still do the hardest thing ever - raising kids to the best of their ability...

but you guys all already knew that

starlover · 20/03/2006 19:37

i wasn't even going to reply to this, because it made me SO Angry on the other thread...

but I thought I would just mention:

I have suffered on and off from very severe depression for over 10 years. This has included self harm (so badly that I needed stitches), several suicide attempts, inpatient stays in hospital... the lot!

I also applied University to study midwifery. I didn't lie. I told them EVERYTHING about my past and they had full access to all my medical records...

and guess what? I was accepted.

why? because luckily for me not everyone in this world is as bigoted, narrow-minded and downright ignorant as some of the people on mumsnet.

Blandmum · 20/03/2006 19:39

When I was working in Oxford one of the most respected lectures had bipolar depression.

I also know a GP with the same condition.

WigWamBam · 20/03/2006 19:42

I have pretty bad depression, I also suffer with quite severe OCD, and I'm probably the least flaky person I know - yes, I have blips, but I manage my day-to-day life very well. My dd is the reason I force myself out of bed in the mornings, she is my priority, and I have spent the last 5 years fighting so that my depression doesn't affect her in any way. I'm also very honest - too honest and open for my own good sometimes.

There are an awful lot of other people with mental health issues who are coping equally well ... and do you know, you wouldn't recognise them if you saw them in the street because we're perfectly normal.

fastasleep · 20/03/2006 19:44

WWb I'm too open and honest too,

fwiw, you come across as a really strong woman!

Original poster
VeniVidiVickiQV · 20/03/2006 19:46

Glad its not just me then.....Angry

OP posts:
PiccadillyCircus · 20/03/2006 19:47

Winston Churchill had depression. I don't think anyone would refer to him as having been flakey.

WigWamBam · 20/03/2006 19:48

It's all talk, FA Wink

I think that if more people realised that strong people are affected by depression and other mental illnesses as well as weaker ones, there might not be quite so much stigma attached to mental illness. And maybe there would be less ignorant comments too.

fastasleep · 20/03/2006 19:49

:) And I come out as up my own bum, but that's all talk too....

SorenLorensen · 20/03/2006 19:55

When we applied for our mortgage, my GP had to provide a medical report for the insurance company. I was turned down for everything but the most bog-standard, can't get a mortgage without it, life insurance...because I'd had PND. My GP was furious but she said it's not uncommon.

There's still a lot of prejudice around.

Blandmum · 20/03/2006 19:59

FFS! it is an illness. Noone would say to someone with a kidney stone, 'Well just pull yourself together!' would they?

Why is having an illness in the head somehow different!

ARRGGHH!

Mhamai · 20/03/2006 20:02

Im in my second yr of a degree in counselling/physchotherapy and am currently on ads, I was afraid there would be a problem but my tutors reasured me that I was perfectly ok to continue my training. Having had both my mum and sister diagnosed with schizophreniana Im only too aware of the stigma attached to mental illness, therefore having suffered with clinical/reactive/pnd from age 18, I.m now 38, I was determined and still am to fight this illness and hopefully some day contribute in an effort to help others.

ps
Some of the sanest people are people gone insane trying to stay sane in an insane world.

alittlebitshy · 20/03/2006 20:02

I'm too honest for my own good. I'm pretty sure than when the words depression, or self harm come up people step back. Not that i flaunt it a lot, but sometimes you just want someone to know the whole hidden you, then wonder why the hell you bothered Angry

grr to this prejudice!

WigWamBam · 20/03/2006 20:03

Because it frightens people, MB, and they don't understand. They can empathise with pain because they've felt it - even if they haven't broken a leg, they know it hurts and they know what pain feels like - but they can't empathise with how mental illness feels or what it does.

Flossam · 20/03/2006 20:04

My mum was diagnosed as depressed. Because of an incident at work at the NHS. Would be a bit bloody rich for them to turn around and turn her down for jobs just because of her mental health at one time.

I can appreciate now that had I tried to get some treatment I would have been ok. However, at the time, I wouldn't think straight about it and was quite inexperienced. I was frightened. And judging by some peoples thoughts on the matter, not entirely wrongly. Sad

starlover · 20/03/2006 20:04

you're so right alittlebitshy!

I make friends and then it comes to a point where I feel comfortable enough to tell them and then I get scared because I know they'll run a mile.

was invited swimming with some other mums I know and I just said I can't swim... rather than go and know they'll see my scars

Flossam · 20/03/2006 20:08

ANd do you know what, I am sure it was that other thread which has put me in the foulest mood today. AngryWink

alittlebitshy · 20/03/2006 20:09

starlover, on that front, what (do you?) will you tell your children?????