Jury duty and panic/anxiety: is there any way I can be excused?

[SageYourResoluteOracle]

I’ve been with my partner at his house for this lockdown but am now back in my own place ahead of my daughter starting school on Monday. We’ve had people checking the house from time to time and I’ve checked too BUT arrived back yesterday to find a jury summons. I’m late responding but will phone the helpline first thing on Monday morning.

The thing is that I have anxiety and panic which is being treated with sertraline. My issue/trigger is being in a situation that I can’t easily leave. When I have an attack I tend to faint... over the years it’s happened in theatres, the cinema, when performing on stage, on a train, in restaurants... it’s absolutely incapacitating and I just know I won’t cope. Does anyone have any experience of either the summons process or they themselves being excused?

Sage thank you so much. I emailed them explaining that I’m on Sertraline and they just wrote back straight away saying I don’t have to do it!
I’m over the moon as I’ve been worried for ages about being away from work. I have a new job as a teacher that I love and it will be the double the work planning lessons for a cover teacher for weeks on end AND having to drive to my city court where there’s no parking.
I’m so glad I came across this post. Thanks all!!

Oh I’m so glad things have worked out @Chiffandbip. Your relief is palpable!

I have also been excused 👍👍

Got an email again at 9.28 pm

Oh phew @Lucy45 I’m glad that maybe people found this thread reassuring: I know I did!!

@SageYourResoluteOracle really reassuring thanks so much!

I have received a letter saying i have to attend jury service but i have panic attacks when out in public . Places that are busy large spaces . I always feel like the room is spinning and just have to leave and feel sick and cant breathe . Now since receiving this letter i am stressing about it because i know i wont cope being there . I am going to ring my GP to ask to see him . As i feel i need help and some sort of medication to help me . Has anyone got any advice please

Hey @Blk1
Really don’t worry. I was in your position around a year ago. I called up and was asked to email (I think- actually can’t remember) my reasons why. I was excused without question. Read the thread: there are some really reassuring messages and it got me through the few days of worry I experienced. They genuinely don’t want a juror who might have to leave the court, thus halting proceedings. I was already on Sertraline for anxiety but it does sound like you’d benefit talking with a doctor regardless of being asked to serve. Good luck!

The gp is not aware i get panic attacks and stress so when i ring to make an appointment to see him do i tell him that since receiving this letter it has made me feel more anxious . I havent slept with worrying about it . I know i will feel dizzy and will have to run out . I cant even do our food shopping . My partner does it for us . Cant attend cinemas concerts shows . Crowded pubs bars . And open spaces

I think you need to say exactly what you’ve said on this thread. I can’t see any reason why your GP wouldn’t be supportive. I do think maybe you need to explore ways of managing anxiety too though. For me it was Sertraline. Low dose but has honestly been life-changing!

Yes i definitely need help . Just hope i can get through to someone tomorrow . . I do try to deal with the problems but do struggle . I go dizzy feel sick have cold sweats n i look.for a quick exit if i get put in a stressfull situation . When ive been in a supermarket when coming to the checkout i cant stand in a que so i have to just leave . But i did it once and felt like the floor was moving and i had to hold.onto something or lean on something . Its horrendous . And especially if im.i a busy ot crowded place . . Thankyou for replying to my posts i appreciate it 😊 . Just hope i can get it sorted with help on monday when i ring .

Hi, nothing really to add here but just wanted to say thank you. I found this post really reassuring. I'm meant to be doing jury service next month and have differed twice due to other reasons but I'm on sertraline and 2 weekly reviews with the gp due to depression and panic attacks so the thought of doing this has been really getting me down. I didn't even think they would accept this as a reason to be excused. I'm going to email or call on Monday morning and really hope they excuse me!

Hi, i basically got the same jury summon letter sent and currently in the same situation i have a 10month baby and a 4 year old who currently gets really bad tonsillitis so both need to be cared for my husband works full time and he is the only one providing for everything to run the house we are already financially struggle so childcare is a no and my baby is soo attached to me that he would never be able to cope with anyone else alone as all day i am with them as i am a stay at home mum, so i was getting really bad anxiety just thinking about the whole situation and will i be able to get excused. :(😞

Does anyone know how long they take to reply an email?

After how long did they reply to your email?

I just received jury duty summons today. I’m on disability due to my Agoraphobia, extreme panic attacks, bi polar. I don’t leave my home, have a caregiver shop for me, etc...I’m panicking right now!! I pass out, throw up, can’t breathe, see black, dizzy, and much more. Anyone know if I should just send my summons in stating my condition, and give them my Dr.s information?? Thank you in Advance. Lavoy

Hi @Lavoy
I asked my gp to write a letter recommending I don't do jury duty due to my condition and they accepted it so maybe ask your gp to do the same? X

Hi all, I received a jury summons and really panicked as I know I cannot deal with it. I came across this thread and it has helped me enormously, and gave me hope.

I lost my husband of 48 years at the end of November last year and have been suffering with grief, anxiety off the scale and panic attacks and knew I could not deal with jury service on top of everything. You all gave me the strength to ask to be excused, and I am so pleased to say I have been excused. Thank you everyone who posted their experiences.