Looking for guidance on going on short term disability for anxiety, depression and ADHD. I work Microsoft and they have short term disability benefits that I'll be applying for today. If anyone has any info about the process that would be very helpful. I'm specifically wondering about disability for mental health issues. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety 13 years ago and ADHD a few months ago.
Up until this job, I've dealt fine with depression and anxiety. But my current job's culture is really bad, there is no structure or process and relations with team members are really bad. I've been dealing with this for 2.5 years and I've completely reached a breakdown point. I'm super emotionally disregulated, yelling (back) in meetings, crying at my desk while I'm working, having panic attacks before meetings, my stomach has been horrible for the past 2 years (lost a lot of weight because I just am not digesting food) with no cause but anxiety. I'm worried my previous diagnosis of depression and anxiety will interfere with the disability request.
The fix isn't going in disability, it's reassessing your expectations and view on life, tbh
Ask the question to your local Disability ERG. There’s also free career coaching at Microsoft. I’d suggest taking time off and when you come back, get some career coaching and look for a new job.
I would reach out to your benefits provider- I believe it shouldn’t matter about a previous diagnosis. But they’ll be able to tell you
Sorry this is happening to you. Microsoft works in a very informal and apparently de-structured manner, there are actually processes in place but usually it takes a while to figure out what, where and who to work with. This is probably super challenging if you have ADHD. First take a rest and recover. Maybe an angle to look at, when you feel better, is through this partnership here: https://unlocked.microsoft.com/mentra-neuroinclusion/ it could help you reframe ADHD from a handicap to also an advantage in some areas and help you understand what you need from your workplace to be successful. Then you can come back armed with new knowledge and clear asks to have a better experience. Unfortunately, as neurodivergent, you have to become your own advocate and build an environment that will support your performance. Best of luck!
Ever hear don't get sick at the office, I worked on a floor where people took a medical leave only to come back and find that others had either mismanaged their territory or flat out threw the person under the bus for ill management of your territory. It is telling of what actually goes on once you take short term disability.
This was right before the layoffs and we were encouraged to find something because we knew a downsizing was occurring in our division.