Have resigned but thinking about asking to be signed off

[stressfulsituation]

I would be grateful for any input from those who have been in the same or similar position.

For several months now, I have realised that my job is getting on top of me. It doesn't suit our family life which in turn caused me to become stressed and upset. As a result of my feelings, my DP and I worked out a way in which I could leave the job. Because of the job I do, whilst I have handed in my notice, I cannot actually leave until December. Ordinarily this would have been fine and I suppose I would have spent these last few weeks just enjoying the fact they would be my last in the job.

However, over the last couple of weeks my stress/anxiety levels have gone through the roof (no specific trigger). My symptoms are- a constant mega-nervous feeling- like just before a driving test for example: a heavy feeling in my chest, sweaty hands, thumping heart. I am dreaming constantly about work- then waking, then dreaming again. I'm a tearful at home and irritable with my dc.

I have tried to rationalise with myself that I am not there much longer, but it is not working.

I am considering going to the GP, but am worried that I will build myself up to ask to be signed off and he won't agree and I will be left in a worse state.

In a routine Dr appointment several months ago, I mentioned that I was feeling a bit stressed by work and the GP mentioned yoga etc to keep on top of stress. very valid suggestion, but feel it has gone past that point now.

And advice would be great.

[stressfulsituation]

I should add, I have always been a worrier- it's just that more recently the worry has revolved around work. But I stress about my health, and more so the health of my immediate family- I panic if anyone mentions a symptom and convince myself it is the worst case scenario. feel sick until I hear otherwise. I also find it difficult to answer the phone unless it is my dp, or answer the door.

[hairylights]

Go to your GP. He will recognise how stressed you are when you talk to him. Good luck.

[hairylights]

Ps tell hm everything you've written here about how it's affecting you.

[stressfulsituation]

Thanks for replying. Do you think it is likely, if I tell my GP how I feel, that he will sign me off work? I am worried that as I am leaving anyway, he may just see it as me angling for time off to while away the time, when it is not like that at all. In fact, the thought of ringing my boss and saying that I have been signed off is making me just as anxious.

[rueyrichardson]

I think it is unlikely, if you explain how stressed you are to your GP, that he will think that you should go to work whilst it's having such an effect on you. You don't sound at all like you want to while away the time, you sound like you are truly worried about the effect that your job is having on you. I've had the very same concerns as you which added to my stress, un-necessarily. Good Luck!

[TheOriginalFAB]

When I was pregnant I got ante natal depression. I have no family so the GP signed off DH from work for 2 weeks so look after and support me. My point of telling you this is to say that if a GP will sign off a well person to support an ill one, I am as sure as I can be that he would sign you off when it is so clear that it is causing you deep distress and ill health.

[Portofino]

I have been in a similar situation a couple of times. My GP passed tissues, prescribed a herbal calming/sleeping remedy and signed me off for a week both times for a rest. I love my GP! You can discuss with your GP as to what is written on your sick note, so you shouldn't fret about that. Your mental health is just as important (if not more so) than your physical health.

I was a bit embarrassed and felt weak and feeble that I wasn;t coping - I was brought up to "GET ON WITH IT". To me, not sleeping meant I just couldn't function. I just wanted to sit in the corner and scream and cry - like many mothers of newborns I guess I discussed with a friend that sleep deprivation probably contributes hugely to PND. Why should it be less valid when caused by stress?

[stressfulsituation]

Thanks all. It is reassuring to hear of others who have been in a similar situation. How did you find your work reacted? Did you get signed off from literally day 1, or did you self-cert for a few days then go to dr?

[An0therName]

please do go to the doctor - GP will be very understanding - and I would have thought having been in similar situation they will sign you off - maybe for 2 weeks intially - much better to go straight to GP as opposed to self cert -and to be honest sounds like you coulddo some support which GP should provide