Posted this in AIBU, but lots of people think I should move it to here??

[ATadgeUpset]

Be gentle with me I'm feeling very sensitive about all this, BUT ... AIBU to so pissed off with this woman?

I work for a large organisation that is well known to the public, I have been signed off sick by my doctor with PND, even though my daughter is now 15 months? I am into my second month sick and I have been made to go to an occupational health appointment with an 'adviser'.

So I went to the appointment today, the woman had my information wrong saying I was into my third month sick, she then asked me to explain why 'I thought I had depression', so cutting a long story short, I explained the 4 years TTC, 3 cycles of IVF, 1 miscarriage, horrendous pregnancy, unplanned C section and dreadful problems with the breastfeeding, all this leading to problems in my relationship and she just completely ignored all I said? She obviously didn't listen to some of what I said as she asked the opposite question to what I had told her, I ended up in tears as I had just spilled something that still torments me daily.

She decided that as my daughter is now 15 months it 'couldn't possibly be PND' and I'm not depressed 'just a bit emotional' OMG I nearly chinned her, I asked her if she was a doctor and she replied no, but knows about these things!!

My doctor did the scale thing and listened to me and decided I was depressed and gave me some tablets. This woman has now written a report to my employers stating I haven't got PND and they will then decide what to do?

I know it does seem late to be diagnosed with PND but when I look back at all this I have been like this since DD was 8 months, but I chose to ignore it all?

Sorry this is so long, I just needed to rant, I feel like I've taken a step back as I had started to feel better, then this bloody woman chose not to believe me.

You dont have to have 'babe in arms' to be diagnosed with PND- think you can be diagnosed up until about 3 years after the birth?. Unless this woman is a Dr then her 'diagnosis' is nothing more than her own opinion.

you should have been seen by a 'company' doctor.. i.e. a doctor employed by your company's insurance people..

ask for a copy of your companies policy around long term sick etc

ask your GP to support you if they dispute your illness and that you are more than happy to get a 2nd opinion by anybody your company with providing they have the appropriate qualifications to diagnose you..

YANBU to be pissed off. I am assuming this person has no medical qualifications so has no right to disagree with a perfectly legitimate medical diagnosis you have been given.

As you have been signed off sick by your own doctor and given a specific diagnosis, it would be normal and appropriate to get an opinion from her/him as part of any report. Is that going to happen do you know?

Has she actually done the report yet - have you seen it?

I think you should consider making a complaint about this woman, her approach and actions, but in terms of how much of a complaint and what you do, it will depend how much weight her report carries (as a non - qualified person), whether opinion is sought from your GP and what your employers actions are following the report.

Glad you moved it over. As its a large org its worth printing out the absence policy and see what it says about their use of Occ Health. What did your employer say about it? You should be getting a copy of the report sent to you directly. It might even be worth showing this to your doctor?