To feel guilty about being signed off with depression in the recession?

[frannie1981]

I'm a very hard working and committed employee who has had some problems lately and now have been diagnosed with depression. I have been off for past two months but have awful guilt as times are much harder got some. My depression is work related but feel bad for taking paid time off (private sector) even though I can't cope, as others worse off financially than me. AIBU?

deal with your depression first, then deal with the guilt later. Having been in your position, you need to take care of you first.

once you are fit and well you wont feel so guilty

Im afraid YABU. Depression is an illness. You must be suffering seriously to have been signed off for 2 months. I am in a similar boat myself and may not be able to work next term if things don't improve and I also feel similar guilt which makes the depression worse. Downward spirals!

You are being unreasonable

No need to feel guilty about something you have no control over.

Would you feel guilty if you were signed off for any other serious illness?

Hi Take every single day you need to get better. Your health is more important and If it's anything like my workplace you'll get no thanks for turning in. Depression is a awful illness and you need to rest to get rid of it. I hope you feel better soon, Lisa

Thanks for replies. I'm up worrying about it all hours of the night which negates the point of being signed off. I'm lucky I get paid and feel bad for those who don't I guess.

You have enough to worry about! You are ill not skiving and you can't choose to suddenly feel better. Take care and hope you do feel better soon.

Thanks am worryingabout what colleagues thinks and trying to hide it from my friends and family as such a stigma with it xx

I think something like 1 in 3 people suffer with some kind of mental illness. It is awful and often not understood. There should not be a stigma (it is an illness) and if I was your colleague I would just want you to get well. Xx

Your colleagues will just want you to get yourself better. Depression cant be helped, it is an illness just like any other, and can be very debiliating. Just because people cant see it, does not mean it isnt there.

Thanks again for replies, have to be honest and say has been brought on by bullying at work though. Have been told amongst other things that I should be more tough. Am going to a tribunal so obviously I don't think that but worry colleagues will. Had anyone been in similar situation, personally or had colleagues signed off xx

Would you feel guilty if you'd had a heart attack? Which can also be brought on by stress. If you're ill you're ill. I've had colleagues signed off with depression; I felt the same as I would feel re any other illness: concerned for them and hoping they would get better. Which I hope you will soon too.

The person who said you should be tougher was talking bollocks.

You shouldn't have to put up with bullying from another adult in a fucking work environment.

They should be ashamed of themselves, and you shouldn't feel guilty in the slightest, you've done nothing wrong.

Hehe, I didn't mean 'a fucking work environment' in the fruity way that could be read

Yabu, it's works fault you are depressed, why would you feel guilty?

They should be the ones feeling guilty not you. You are the victim of a bully, they (work) should have protected you.

Take your time off to get better and do not feel guilty. Might be time to get some counselling, hope you feel better soon op.

don't feel guilty. relax and heal.

YABU. It's beyond your control. Spend this time taking stock of your life and learning to find pleasure in small things. You have done nothing wrong and you are not letting anyone down.