Help needed! - explaining anxiety

So, I thought I was doing well. No major issues that I can't handle. I still have frequent panic attacks, but I manage. My job performance is not impacted so I guess I let my guard down and failed to keep my symptoms hidden from everyone. My boss called me into her office because someone reported that I was not well and was still at work. I tried to explain that it's not necessary for me to leave work due to a panic attack and I work through it just fine. She suspended me from work for a day and called in the 'higher ups' to 'sort out the situation.' I had to sit through an interrogation to ensure that I am not a 'liability' in the workplace. It was painfully obvious that none of them had any experience with panic - it may have been the most frustrating experience of my life. I am supposed to be up for promotion in August, but it was determined that will be postponed for a year to ensure that I can perform my job requirements. They knew I had anxiety when they hired me! Nothing has changed, and I am very good at my job despite and because of my anxiety issues.

I am in the process of obtaining ADA accommodation paperwork. I am supposed to meet with the HR health committee on Thursday to determine whether I can adequately fulfill the duties of my job. If anyone has any experience or ideas on how to explain an anxiety disorder to people who have no experience with it, I would greatly appreciate any help I can get. I know everything will work out.

Hi

I am sorry to hear of your current work situation I had a similar experience with my last employer so know how worrying this can be.

It sounds to me like your work are discriminating towards you because of your health condition especially if you had informed them of your condition when you started. I would suggest that you need to take someone with you to your upcoming meeting with HR such as a union rep and SC idea about getting a medical professional to wright a letter regarding your condition to whom it may concern is a good idea.

I live in the UK and not sure where you live? So the employment law may be different but here in the UK an employer has to follow the Equalities Act 2010 which covers mental health issues and if an employee can prove that they have mental health issues the employer needs to make reasonable adjustments to keep the employee in work.

Keep us posted I hope your meeting goes well.

Hibee