I am going to be entering a "partial hospitalization" program soon. I will be going out on SDI (State Disability Insurance) to help with the expenses.

My big question is what do I tell the people at my job? The lady at the treatment center said to just tell everyone I am going out on Medical Leave and not to tell them anything else...

But thats kind of un-real. I know my boss and my friends will all want to know what is wrong with me... and I REALLY do NOT want to tell them the truth... that i have an eating disorder.

My husband thinks I should make something up - like say I am having back surgery or something similar... but if anyone sees me outside of work (rare, but you never know), they will wonder why i am walking ok, etc... I was thinking maybe saying I have a female problem and leave it at that... people tend to leave that subject alone :)

Have any of you gone through this and if so what did you tell your boss/co-workers?

Thanks so so much for the advice!

the best advice that I can give you is to tell them that you are going out on a medical leave of absence. I agree with the provider telling you this information. A medical leave of absence encompasses a lot of different scenerios. If people want more specifice information, then you tell tem that you have some personal issues that you need to take care of and leave it at that. You need to proceed in this area with caution. I know that people care about you and they might genuinely want to know what's going on with you; however, it is up to you to maintain good boundaries and then after you get yourself well to decide what information you want to disclose to others. I hope this helps.

I agree. Tell them you are going to be out for medical reasons but don't give them any more details than are necessary. People don't always react well to ED, depression, etc. I had a similar issue and asked my therapist about it. He said to keep it to myself. You don't want your boss holding you back in the future because he or she thinks you can't handle it mentally.

Definitely, I agree with the PPs. Good luck!

When I went into treatment I just told my boss that I was taking a medical leave. You don't need to lie, you'd be surprised at the support you get from just that little bit of information.

What I found out after the fact is that many of my co-workers knew I had an eating disorder before I did.

Good Luck
GloBones

Hi.
I am new to this board so I am nervous about posting but here goes. Lovecats, I can completely empathize with your situation b/c I am in a similar boat. And sinking. What did you decide on what to say to people? I am not sure what to say as well as later.

In February 2006, I approached my HR dept. about a medical leave b/c my therapists thought I needed inpatient (I did). I of course, did not disclose why I needed it but I can't imagine what they wonder. But I was so petrified of the shame, of people knowing, and feared losing my job when I returned. So I didn't do it. Not onlyt did I not do inpatient, I stopped therapy altogether. Well it took me a year to get up the courage to try again and get help in an Intenstive Outpatient program 3 days a week. I meet with HR again and said these words "I have an Eating Disorder ...I have been working with professional to determine the best way to manage this issue and in order to do so I will need to adjust my work schedule hours (come in at 8:30 and leave at 4:30). I did this so that I would not need to feel like I was on tiptoes and worried about consistently making up appointments and reasons I had to leave early. I then told me manager (as HR advised). So that was two weeks ago. To make a long painful story short, turns out I need more care than I thought and the treatment center is asking me to move to the Daytime treament. So here are my questions:

1. How do I approach HR AGAIN and say that even though 2 weeks ago, I stood in front of you with full confidence to sell that I can manage my job AND this therapy and here I am now asking for a medical leave (again)?

2. I know everyone says "they can't fire you for taking a medical leave" but no sooner did I walk through the door tonight to tell my husband what I was planning did he tell me that one of his co-workers did the same for "behavioral health" reasons and got fired upon his return for "charging a miscellanous $25 room service charge to his room while entertaining customers" (in a sales business mind you). Point being if the company wants to fire you they will find a reason right?

3. Is it worth the risk?

: ( Sorry for the novel. I didn't realize how much would come out once I started typing. I hope it was okay to right this in response to a post... or was I suppose to start a new one. Please, if anyone can set my mind at ease I will take any advice right now. The center already set all this up and I am supposed to be transfered into day starting this friday!!! I just found out yesterday. I just want to give up. Has anyone been through this before? Are you back working? Was it fine to return? Please don't be shy to tell me if it didn't work out. I need to see reality b/c I can't see straight right now ... : (

- loridori

lori,

Ask yourself this: Do you want to get better or keep living with the ED until it kills you? If you lose your job, that's terrible, but on the other hand, once you recover, you can focus and find a new job.

How much is your health worth to you? Sometimes, in life you have to take risks. I think this is one of those times for you.