Back at work 3 weeks and already burnt out.

BillieEyelash1 · 2025-09-22T18:37:55+00:00

I recently had three months off work due to stress/anxiety. I’ve been back four weeks on a phased return, which has been helpful but is due to end next week. I do feel like I pushed myself to go back and went back before I was ready, but now I’m back there’s nothing I can really do about it. Had a hard few days and now I realise that I’ve gone back to work too soon but i don’t want more marks on my sickness record than I’ve already had [sad]

youalright · 22/09/2025 19:44

Its the job look for something different it's not normal or ok for a workplace to make you that ill

Original poster

BillieEyelash1 · 22/09/2025 20:11

I like my job, and people are supportive but I’m really struggling at the moment. I think I’d be okay had I taken a bit more time but now obviously it’s too late

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FeistyFrankie · 22/09/2025 20:22

Give it a few more weeks OP. See if its just the adjusting phase. You might feel ok once you've been back a bit longer.

If the feeling persists or worsens then you need to get signed off again.

Do you generally like your job? Or do you think a change of career might help you to manage your stress levels?

JaneEyre40 · 22/09/2025 20:22

BillieEyelash1 · 22/09/2025 20:11

I like my job, and people are supportive but I’m really struggling at the moment. I think I’d be okay had I taken a bit more time but now obviously it’s too late

What do you do?

Original poster

BillieEyelash1 · 22/09/2025 20:24

I work in healthcare.

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Original poster

BillieEyelash1 · 22/09/2025 20:25

FeistyFrankie · 22/09/2025 20:22

Give it a few more weeks OP. See if its just the adjusting phase. You might feel ok once you've been back a bit longer.

If the feeling persists or worsens then you need to get signed off again.

Do you generally like your job? Or do you think a change of career might help you to manage your stress levels?

I don’t think a change of career would help. I love my job, I do. In the morning I was just thinking how I was so glad to be back then by the afternoon it was a total 360.

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youalright · 22/09/2025 21:06

Did you do anything in that time to improve your mental health like therapy, start a new medication or start an exercise routine I don't think laying around the house for another 3 months is going to help improve your mental health

Original poster

BillieEyelash1 · 22/09/2025 21:15

I wasn’t ‘laying around the house’ for three months, I was barely surviving. And yes, j did make changes, start therapy and adjust medication. I had a huge change in circumstances which was beyond my control and did the best to survive during that time.

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youalright · 22/09/2025 21:18

BillieEyelash1 · 22/09/2025 21:15

I wasn’t ‘laying around the house’ for three months, I was barely surviving. And yes, j did make changes, start therapy and adjust medication. I had a huge change in circumstances which was beyond my control and did the best to survive during that time.

What is your therapist suggesting you do work wise. Im not trying to be harsh but iv been where you are and it led to 3 years of agoraphobia. Routine, purpose and work is one of the best things you can do for your mental health.

BadActingParsley · 24/09/2025 06:52

If a colleague on phased return came to me and said they’d come back too soon or needed to carry on with the phased return I’d listen and suggest options to make it work and reduce hours again or suggest another break or more flexibility…it’s a lot, it sounds like you just weren’t ready yet. But you will be.

Original poster

BillieEyelash1 · 27/09/2025 14:49

I’ve spoken to my boss, they’ve extended my phased return for another month now

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Original poster

BillieEyelash1 · 27/09/2025 14:50

youalright · 22/09/2025 21:18

What is your therapist suggesting you do work wise. Im not trying to be harsh but iv been where you are and it led to 3 years of agoraphobia. Routine, purpose and work is one of the best things you can do for your mental health.

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Work wise, it was practically impossible to work at the time. I don’t want to go into too much detail but my personal and work life is something I tend to keep very separate, and due to the nature of what was happening these two things ended up overlapping. So my therapist agreed that until things improved it was best for me to stay off work.

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klim · 27/09/2025 15:03

My best advice for getting through is as much sleep as you can possibly manage. Prioritise sleep over everything else in the evening. Let the housework slide, whatever else you want to do just write it on a list for now and get to it when you are feeling better. I'm glad you've spoken to your boss already. I hope the extended phase return helps but do keep being honest with yourself. Is it a decent reduction in hours? Do you need to cut back more?

JellyCoffeeBean · 27/09/2025 15:06

We’ve had people off with stress and I always wonder how things can change. The job doesn’t change. So either the person has to change their outlook/perspective, or they need to look for a different job.

Mycatissohandsome · 27/09/2025 15:08

I’ve had a colleague off sick for two years mostly she comes bacK for a few weeks & the can’t handle the stress and goes off again. Also healthcare. Problem
is it won’t change so either you change or you leave. Time off just extends the pain imo!

youalright · 27/09/2025 15:09

klim · 27/09/2025 15:03

My best advice for getting through is as much sleep as you can possibly manage. Prioritise sleep over everything else in the evening. Let the housework slide, whatever else you want to do just write it on a list for now and get to it when you are feeling better. I'm glad you've spoken to your boss already. I hope the extended phase return helps but do keep being honest with yourself. Is it a decent reduction in hours? Do you need to cut back more?

Terrible advice don't do this keep as much normality and routine in your life as you can

InWithPeaceOutWithStress · 27/09/2025 15:53

I’m somewhat similar to you in that work really burns me out. I’m ok I’m the morning but by afternoon my head is hurting, tinnitus and noise sensitivity is high, and evenings are spent resting and recovering. It feels relentless and unsustainable. I’m doing self care things daily like meditation, journaling, listening to a hypnosis app, yoga Nidra, and using a nurosym device. Also looking at ways to cope with work better - taking more breaks, going for a walk at lunch, cutting down on meetings, trying to spread the cognitive load, and generally trying to be less perfectionist / work a bit less hard. Is there anything you could change about your ways of working that could help you get through the day?