Can You Sue Somebody Who Says That You Have an Anxiety Disorder

My question involves defamation in the state of: telling coworkers I have condition that I don't have.
She telling my coworkers that my anxiety is contagious. I don't have anxiety. And telling my coworkers that I had anxiety attack and she avoided me because of it.

That's a shame.

When you have a legal question, be sure to let us know.

who is she? your mom, your sister, your friend, your spouse, your girlfriend, your coworker, your boss, the milkman's wife?

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Quoting Mindgeeee

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My question involves defamation in the state of: telling coworkers I have condition that I don't have.
She telling my coworkers that my anxiety is contagious. I don't have anxiety. And telling my coworkers that I had anxiety attack and she avoided me because of it.

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You can sue anybody you want - it doesn't mean you will win or even get the case before a judge.

You didn't list your state nor a question. But if you are asking if it's slander for someone telling people you have an anxiety disorder and it's "contagious" that's not slander. Sounds pretty childish but not slander. You know very well anxiety isn't contagious as do most people with a brain. Just ignore that person.

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Quoting qwaspolk69

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You can sue anybody you want - it doesn't mean you will win or even get the case before a judge.

You didn't list your state nor a question. But if you are asking if it's slander for someone telling people you have an anxiety disorder and it's "contagious" that's not slander. Sounds pretty childish but not slander. You know very well anxiety isn't contagious as do most people with a brain. Just ignore that person.

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I have a feeling that "contagious" was being used in the same vein that people say "a smile is contagious." Certainly we've all experienced situations where someone's mood, whether good or bad, influenced our own.

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Quoting Shadowbunny

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I have a feeling that "contagious" was being used in the same vein that people say "a smile is contagious." Certainly we've all experienced situations where someone's mood, whether good or bad, influenced our own.

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In that case it is not actionable because it's hyperbole and/or a statement of opinion. An opinion cannot be proved true or false, and therefore it cannot be the basis of a defamation lawsuit. You would have a cause of action only if she made false statements of fact which caused you some type of damage or which are so disparaging (called "defamatory per se", such as false accusations of severe crimes, false attributions of moral turpitude or of professional incompetence) that damages don't need to be proved because they are presumed.

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Quoting LexisLutor

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In that case it is not actionable because it's hyperbole and/or a statement of opinion. An opinion cannot be proved true or false, and therefore it cannot be the basis of a defamation lawsuit. You would have a cause of action only if she made false statements of fact which caused you some type of damage or which are so disparaging (called "defamatory per se", such as false accusations of severe crimes, false attributions of moral turpitude or of professional incompetence) that damages don't need to be proved because they are presumed.

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I assume this was directed at the OP, not me?

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Quoting Shadowbunny

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I assume this was directed at the OP, not me?

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Yeah, sorry. I didn't pay attention.

Actually is IS slander IF it fits these THREE things.
1. It is false
2. It is done with malicious intent, or is considered vile enough by normal standards that malicious intent can be implied.
3. It causes you financial loss.
Spreading the rumor of you having a mental illness is most DEFINITELY slanderous if false, and the damages sustained from an actual or perceived mental illness can be significant. According to Cornell University and the National Institute of Health, people with mental illness suffer more discrimination in employment and housing, than the discrimination of African Americans, Latinos, and women COMBINED!!! It's horrible, and the ignorance of the comments you've received to not help you take this head on only proves Cornell's point about society's thinking and utter ignorance regarding mental illness, and the degree of discrimination and damage it causes lives. It's already caused you stress. But you gotta be strong and nip this in the bud NOW or it could follow you from job to job.
The reason people don't hear of the degree of discrimination regarding the mentally ill, is because it is brushed aside as unimportant, (much like the comments you've received already), and because the mentally ill don't often march on Capitol Hill for their rights. These comments here are incorrect, and the loss of employment, or wages, or promotions you could face if allowed to continue could be substantial, and there's NUMEROUS CASES to prove it.
You sound young. If you are under age, find an adult to help you, a supervisor or a parent. If you are of adult age, report this behavior to the supervisor. If out of control enough already, talk to an attorney who will charge you $50 to send her a "cease and desist" letter. That usually educates workplace gossipers just how dimly the law views workplace defamation...and it does.
Do NOT believe this isn't important. It is! ESPECIALLY when it's gossip regarding false incriminating health issues. It is VERY SERIOUS. Health gossip is very destructive and if unchecked has caused tremendous stress and days lost from work, and it DOES set you up for discrimination. Workplace employee gossip of this degree is NOT to be brushed off as childish, it's damaging! TALK TO YOUR SUPERVISOR.

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Quoting katajojo

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Actually is IS slander IF it fits these THREE things.
1. It is false
2. It is done with malicious intent, or is considered vile enough by normal standards that malicious intent can be implied.
3. It causes you financial loss.
Spreading the rumor of you having a mental illness is most DEFINITELY slanderous if false, and the damages sustained from an actual or perceived mental illness can be significant. According to Cornell University and the National Institute of Health, people with mental illness suffer more discrimination in employment and housing, than the discrimination of African Americans, Latinos, and women COMBINED!!! It's horrible, and the ignorance of the comments you've received to not help you take this head on only proves Cornell's point about society's thinking and utter ignorance regarding mental illness, and the degree of discrimination and damage it causes lives. It's already caused you stress. But you gotta be strong and nip this in the bud NOW or it could follow you from job to job.
The reason people don't hear of the degree of discrimination regarding the mentally ill, is because it is brushed aside as unimportant, (much like the comments you've received already), and because the mentally ill don't often march on Capitol Hill for their rights. These comments here are incorrect, and the loss of employment, or wages, or promotions you could face if allowed to continue could be substantial, and there's NUMEROUS CASES to prove it.
You sound young. If you are under age, find an adult to help you, a supervisor or a parent. If you are of adult age, report this behavior to the supervisor. If out of control enough already, talk to an attorney who will charge you $50 to send her a "cease and desist" letter. That usually educates workplace gossipers just how dimly the law views workplace defamation...and it does.
Do NOT believe this isn't important. It is! ESPECIALLY when it's gossip regarding false incriminating health issues. It is VERY SERIOUS. Health gossip is very destructive and if unchecked has caused tremendous stress and days lost from work, and it DOES set you up for discrimination. Workplace employee gossip of this degree is NOT to be brushed off as childish, it's damaging! TALK TO YOUR SUPERVISOR.

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Sigh.

Do you know what the word "hyperbole" means?