Is it unreasonable to take.sick leave for this?

[whatisforteamum]

I suffer anxiety so use work as my crutch.I missed 2/ever in 11 months and got some stick for it.Very bad knee pain.
Recently I have had had stress at home.My son was.in an abusive situation with a guy who wouldn't leave him alone.Re is 19/and gay.
Last week he took police advise and and e with the guy who showed up.Police were called he was.sent with a warning to not contact us.Any of us.said guy shouted abuse and cops cuffed him.Next time he will be arrested.
This is huge worry as my son works in retail.The guy who is unstable can technically wait for RD somewhere.
He received emails and today a letter saying he owes thousands.
I have been working 13 hour days and unable to switch off.I feel v low and very bad headache.I am drained and it's almost the anniversary of my dfs death.
If I take time off I will face comments as I work with all macho men.
I am struggling.I have no RL friends to ask.

[ICouldBeSomebodyYouKnow]

If you're stressed and anxious and can't face work, then that is a legitimate reason to be off sick. Most places wouldn't require more details surely? If you are really very anxious, you may wish you visit your GP, who may sign you off for a few days, after discussing with you if that would help. Only you know your recent sickness absence level and the consequences of taking more sick leave right now.

If your employer gives you access to free, confidential 3rd-party counselling, this would be a good time to contact them.

Hope things improve soon.

[Pollaidh]

Sounds legitimate to me. Do you have triggers for sickness management - i.e. a certain number of days/instances/in a specified time period? Some are very very strict, ridiculously so and many HR departments have stopped using the calculation - if it's a strict calculation you've got to decide whether you can struggle through, or whether that's going to make you even more ill.

Maybe see your GP, they can potentially sign you off, prescribe meds, prescribe counselling (though there's a long waiting list). If you work in the public sector or a corporate environment there may well be an 'Employee Assistance' programme or scheme, which allows you to self-refer for free, confidential counselling and advice.

Do you work flexitime, is there any way you can take some time of having previously worked unpaid overtime?

Stress and other mental health problems are as serious as physical health problems, and should, in any decent environment, be treated as such.

[whatisforteamum]

Thank you.I have had 10 hours in a!lmost.a year so nothing.I don't think management would have a problem as much as the macho men as non of them has missed a day.They don't have eve either though and I doubt they are menopause age:).I will speak to my boss about my 2 days off being together as odd ones doesn't give me time to relax.I work in hospitality so long hours are notoriously stressful.I usually thrive on it though.