I'm feeling so guilty about being off work

[bagelbaby]

Hello
I've taken a big step for me and not gone to work today. Feeling just unwell and haven't slept well for days. Mixture of anxiety and adrenaline rushes and overthinking with tearfulness and sadness.
However I am fretting about work. I keep thinking about the meetings I had booked in etc and that it might be easier just to go in.
I know that if I was talking to someone else in this position I'd tell them to stay at home. So why can't I convince myself?
How do you deal with this?

[BrevilleTron]

If you need the time to recharge then take it. Otherwise you won't do yourself any good by dragging yourself in and doing your job on half (or less) power.

Don't worry about the meeting. People do get sick. Meetings can be rescheduled. Your mental health can't. Hope that helps.

[fruitbats]

It is probably a sign of your anxiety bagel. It's making you worry about being off when you realise you are better catching up with yourself. Take the time you need to feel better

[hookedoncrochet]

I came on today because I am struggling with the same thing. I've taken 3 days off this week and my GP has signed me off for 2 weeks. Rationally, I know that I need to take this time to get better but I'm a workaholic teacher and I worry that everyday I'm not in school I am letting the pupils down.

I have no real advice to give but I know how you are feeling.

[bagelbaby]

Thank you all for your posts. It's another type of torture on top of everything else.
Sorry to hear others going through it too; but it does selfishly help keep me aware that it's normal.

[catweather]

Just think that if you'd been hit by a bus or something everything would carry on without you - meetings would be rescheduled, everyone would manage - and your mental health isn't any less serious or impactful that being hit by a bus...if you see what I mean

[NolongerAnxiousCarer]

Nothings more important than our own health. The way I look at it is that to perform at my best at work I have to be well, if being off sick for a few days/weeks gets me better, then I perform better at work so long term its win/win. Also if I don't take time off sick when I need it I end up off for longer.

[MarklahMarklah]

Ah, I have had this conversation with someone today who has been signed off work with depression. She's getting ready to do a phased return and is stressing about it.
I tried to reassure her by telling her that if she had an injury then she would take time out to let it recover - if she'd broken a bone, she'd have to let it heal, and that she ought to consider her mental health in the same way. You wouldn't run a marathon with broken legs.

Work will still need doing, but there are plenty of things that can take place in the workplace with or without you. Meetings will still happen, spreadsheets will get completed, accounts will be filed, and emails will be sent. If you're not fit enough when you go back to work, then you can't give enough of yourself to be up to any of these tasks. So take the time you need.

Nolonger has explained it far better! :)