Anonymous wrote:If you told me, I would not think less of you, but would wonder, why is this coworker telling me this?

If you are a manager or supervisor, you would not ask yourself this question. I'm principal of an elementary school. People tell me all sorts of things about what is going on in their life when they are requesting leave. It's confidential and I don't share it with other staff members. I just say, "Oh yes, Suzie and I discussed her being out for 2 weeks. While she's out, Jim will cover this and Bob will cover that..."

If you told me, I would not think less of you, but would wonder, why is this coworker telling me this?

Anonymous wrote:Do not tell anyone at work the specifics. There is still a stigma around mental health issues. Protect yourself.

Yep sorry to say if you told me, I would think less of you. If you said you had to treat a medical condition and left it vague, I wouldn't.

Do not tell anyone at work the specifics. There is still a stigma around mental health issues. Protect yourself.

OP, would you mind sharing the name of the treatment program? I am in a similar situation struggling with debilitating anxiety and a newly developed driving phobia. Thanks and best wishes with your treatment.

HR Bitch here: OP, if you can, I suggest you tell SOMEONE at work. It's nice to have an ally where you spend the bulk of your waking hours. I believe the rule at my company (or maybe it's a law?) is that you must use up all sick and vacation time before using short term disability. Don't tell people you're going on vacation - then they'll ask where you're going, ask where it is, why you're not tan, etc, and the lying will be stressful for you. "I need to be out for two weeks for personal reasons; I spoke with Dan about it." is all you need to tell coworkers. I've had employees take time off for mental health issues - I just ask if there's anything we can do to help make things easier. Sometimes it's a really simple change that helps a person TONS, you know? Good luck.

Thanks for the guidance so far. I only have 4 sick days a year without taking a short-term leave-of-absence, and our office is small enough not to be covered by FMLA. I have just under three weeks of unused vacation for the year, although I hope to take one week over the holidays.

My company has a policy that you need to go on STD if sick for more than 5 consecutive days. And there's obviously paperwork, including doctor's note, that goes with that. I would look into any such policies before taking time of as sick leave.

I would use sick leave but not specify the medical issue (which you do not have to). If you need a doctor's note, which is likely a good idea for two weeks out of work, just have your doctor write a very general note. Your mental health is HEALTH - just treat it as if you needed to have surgery or something.

The downside is that many of us are expected to respond to genuine emergency, even on vacation. If that happens while you are out, you may be in deep trouble.

You can get a non-specific doctor's note for your boss and just say you need to be treated for a personal issue and leave it at that. You can still choose to use vacation time, but you've guaranteed you'll be left alone and not expected to be available. Good luck.

Either that or FLMA.

I am considering entering a two-week treatment program to deal with a specific phobia as well as generalized anxiety disorder. Having tried regular weekly therapy as well as several types of medication, I have come to believe that I need more extensive and intensive help with developing healthier coping mechanisms. Is the best way to present this at work as simply a vacation on which I won't be able to check e-mail/take calls and make up a cover story? Is there any downside to this approach?