Being signed off work for stress- what’s it like? How do you recover?

[crumblingatwork]

I am in a temp contract and really suffering from anxiety and stress. Been posting here under different nicknames about my inability to cope for the entire contract and things feel like they are coming to a head.
i have an appt at the GP on Monday and need to talk to them about how I feel.
I want to run away.

Thank you.
the irony of this all happening during mental health awareness week was it lost on me
i have been thinking of different things about what excuse I could give as to why I can’t continue the contract
which I realise is a symptom of how I feel

I have pre dread for the week ahead since waking this morning.
it’s not good

I went to the Gp
she has given me beta blockers
i am still at work.
not sure what next steps are

Did the GP refuse to sign you off? You may need to ask specifically. It sounds like you need to stop and rest

I've always found it really beneficial - take time and just potter. For the first couple of weeks do nothing..whatever you need to do. Then focus on nutrition, sleep, exercise, light pottering, seeing a friend, getting out in nature.

I haven’t taken the beta blockers. But need to hand in my resignation.

I had a horrendous job about ten years ago coupled with an abusive divorce, and recovering from a c section - it was so serious that triggered a life long auto immune disease. The assault at work was the final straw. My GP signed me off with physical symptoms eg migraines, insomnia and exhaustions for about 8 weeks and during that time I resigned and got another job. I didn’t look back. Fortunately or unfortunately they poke about in my career over the last 15 years of references. So I was able to say 8 weeks off due to an autoimmune disease triggering which is now under control with medication.

A friend’s husband (deputy head in a school) didn’t get himself signed off and had a full breakdown. He very sadly is still a shadow of his former self and will never work again 5 years on. Children, schools and talking about education are very triggering for him. He almost lost his marriage over it. So don’t delay.

and I slept and watched murder she wrote on repeat 24/7 as I knew them all and I found JBFletcher reassuring. After about two weeks I could leave the house but didn’t go far. I focussed on total self care and sleep. Ironically I couldn’t sleep at night and was on mumsnet most nights and during the day I slept whilst I knew the children were safe at school / nursery.