Entering treatment, What do I tell my boss/co-workers?? - Eating Disorder Recovery Message Board

LoveCats · 03-12-2007, 10:10 PM

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!

scarletknight33 · 03-13-2007, 06:29 AM

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.

MariaBB · 03-13-2007, 11:18 AM

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.

livinTX · 03-13-2007, 11:47 AM

Definitely, I agree with the PPs. Good luck!

Cup of coffee · 03-14-2007, 02:23 PM

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