Can i get fmla for anxiety

Here are some examples of prescribed treatments that require an employee to take leave from their job:. This is not a complete list of the treatments that may qualify you to take FMLA leave for depression. Any treatment that requires you to receive inpatient care or continuing treatment may qualify.

Any company which falls under FMLA guidelines must provide their eligible employees with up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave each year under certain conditions. Your workplace should have a formal process for requesting FMLA leave.

Remember, the FMLA only covers 12 weeks. You are not required to provide the medical reasons for your leave in your notice. Provide your notice 30 days in advance if you can. Response : If you believe that your employer wrongfully refused your request, a lawyer may be able to help you. Employment lawyers are typically brought in to handle FMLA disputes and retaliation claims.

These workplace-focused lawyers can tell you if the law protects you and how to respond. Has your employer refused to allow you to take leave to treat your depression? Have you faced retaliation for seeking or taking leave to treat your depression? If so, your rights may have been violated.

Talking to an employment lawyer is an essential next step. A lawyer will help you exercise your right to time off for depression. He or she may move forward with writing an official letter or beginning the process of filing a lawsuit. A lawsuit may be the only way to reclaim any losses you have experienced, such as back pay that follows a retaliatory termination. Learn more about how we are changing the way law firms work, one client at a time Free Legal Review.

Home About Contact. Issues related to mental health, including anxiety and depression may fall under several of these categories. For example, if your mental health-related issue results in hospitalization or in-patient care, it will likely be covered under FMLA. This could include treatment for substance abuse, extended stay in a treatment facility related to a mental health crisis, or surgeries and treatment.

Further, if your anxiety and depression are categorized as a chronic condition, you will likely qualify to take FMLA while you access treatment and rest in order to address that with which you struggle.

A chronic condition is one which requires periods of treatment on a basis of at least twice per year. If you are unsure if your mental health-related issue constitutes a chronic condition, you should discuss your diagnosis with your physician.

Additionally, if you feel that you would benefit for time off related to stress, anxiety, or depression, consider asking your physician for guidance as to whether or not FMLA would assist in your recovery and management of the issue. Your physician will be a critical resource in your decision to apply for the protected leave program.

If your company is one of the few that does, read your policy carefully. There may be certain requirements you must meet or diagnoses you must prove to take advantage of the benefits. There are some instances where FMLA allow eligible employees to also benefit from short-term disability.

If the short-term disability isn't a possibility for you, check the details of some of the other benefits you are paying into to see if you might be covered elsewhere. If the effects of stress or another mental health condition are getting the best of you at work, check your employee handbook. Some companies offer programs geared toward improving the mental health of their workers like the Employee Assistance Program EAP.

The EAP helps workers access mental health counseling for free to address personal problems happening at home or work. Some EAPs offer group classes in yoga, meditation or resiliency or host workshops to improve overall wellbeing. If you need time away from the office and aren't comfortable sharing your medical details with those you work with, consider using your vacation time to recharge. A paid vacation will allow you to keep earning money while taking some important self-care time for you.

Many companies allow employees to share vacation time with those who are experiencing a hardship or health issue. You may be able to ask for additional hours through an assistance program like this. Stress can affect your body in a negative way and sometimes just changing up your routine and making time to relax can help.

If your options for taking time away from work are limited, you may have to find ways you can cope with your symptoms while you're there. For many, talk therapy is a good place to start. Consider reaching out to a licensed mental health counselor, like those at BetterHelp. Counselors can help you work through difficult emotions, change how you think about challenges in your life, and help you build skills for a better tomorrow.

You might not be able to escape work, but you don't have to be burdened by dealing with your problems alone. It's hard to be a good employee when you're dealing with extreme stress or other mental health conditions. Fortunately, protections like FMLA allow employees to take the time they need to care for themselves. For employees who don't meet the requirements to get FMLA, other options are often available. The most important thing to remember is that if you don't prioritize your wellbeing, you will struggle to do your best in the workplace.

Some people may not realize they can take leave from work for stress. FMLA has specific guidelines when you file for a stress leave. A leave of absence related to stress, or stress leave, depends on the cause or medical condition.

You may be eligible for stress leave depending on the severity of your symptoms and whether they affect your ability to work. You may qualify to take up to 60 days off for stress leave within a year. Sometimes taking a stress leave is necessary when your work performance is affected. Sometimes a person may feel depressed or burned out and not realize they may qualify to receive a FMLA leave for stress-related reasons.

The family medical leave program is often used for maternity leave or when you need to take a medical absence from work.