To post on Facebook while signed off sick with depression & anxiety?

[SweetTeaVodka]

Disclaimer: I obviously don't feel I am, but am genuinely interested in hearing people's views. I am aware some people think using Facebook is always BU, but I am specifically asking for your opinions in these circumstances.

Although I don't think it's necessarily public knowledge at my workplace, it's certainly no secret that I have previously suffered PND. Some of my colleagues are also aware of my history of PTSD.

Currently I am signed off work for a few weeks as my anxiety is very bad, to the point I was having several panic attacks a day. I am starting back on a medication that worked well for me before and on the waiting list for another course of CBT. The medication takes 3-4 weeks to be effective and causes lots of side effects in the weaning on period so the GP chose to sign me off.

I have been informed today that some of my colleagues have been complaining about my posting on Facebook while off. My manager has told me that this is not a problem with her and that I can post what I like so long as it doesn't contravene the social media policy.

To be clear, since I have been signed off my Facebook wall looks like this:

• A picture of myself and my daughter.
• A picture posted by my husband of my daughter "reading" which he tagged me in
• 2 pictures if my daughter in the paddling pool on Sunday
• 1 picture of my daughter playing in garden and 1 picture of her watching tv on Friday
• Shared a post with some tagged friends re: a mutual interest
• Mention of an opticians appointment the day before I was signed off

So it's not like I've been posting about going clubbing, shopping sprees or living it up at all. Just sharing a few family snaps as usual. What I haven't shared on Facebook are the panic attacks, anxieties and unpleasant side effects.

If you knew a colleague was off with anxiety and depression, would you expect them to cease posting on Facebook, or perhaps expect them not to play with their child or visit their parents?

Post away you poor thing. Hope you feel better soon.

This is just one of the reasons I don't have colleagues as FB friends.

Rightly or wrongly, they will judge.

Block all your colleagues and tell them you've left Facebook then change your name on Facebook to something unsearchable.

Then you can post whatever you like.

Yes retune your FB settings

I think a lot of it comes down to jealousy.

You're off sick with an invisible illness. It seems hard for some people to understand such conditions as anxiety or depression. To their mind you should be hiding in a corner shaking at the prospect of going down the local shop for milk.

They see your posts/pictures of you doing normal day to day things and probably assume you are swinging the lead.

If your manager has said it isn't a problem I wouldn't worry about it.

Defriend work colleagues or change settings so they can't see photos. Hope things better soon. X

Block your colleagues. End of problem.

It does annoy people and it does make them think "oh ffs" when they see photos etc.

This why it's often not wise to have colleagues on your Facebook.

As it goes, if I was signed off for whatever reason, yes I would refrain from posting on Facebook.

Oh and I hope your meds kick in soon and you ddon't suffer anymore side effects

I cannot add anything, apart. From. I am sorry that this is happening to you. I would have thought the fact you want to go on Facebook and you are interested in what people are posting is a good sigm in terms of your illness.

Yes to reconfiguring your Fb.

Block them. No reason to have work colleagues on there, I don't have any of mine and never will. Too much potential for nastiness and misunderstanding.

No colleagues on Facebook can't be emphasised enough. As a general rule of thumb they are not your friends.

Restrict what they can see.

I'm off sick at the moment and I still post on FB. Tough if work colleagues don't like it I don't care. I'm stuck at home with a genuine reason to be off. Like you I aren't partying and having a whale of a time.

Hope you feel better soon xx

Goodness me! There is a whole load of difference between being able to post on FB and being able to function in the work place!

As proven by a recent poster's threads from inside a psych hospital!

Block your colleagues.
The arseholes.

Not at all because I'm in a similar position. I don't have any work colleagues as Facebook friends though so can post what I like.

To be honest though, I take Facebook with a pinch of salt. I know people who always post bright, chirpy things even when they're going through a really difficult time so it's not necessarily an accurate representation of someone's life.

Use it as you see fit but if it's likely to cause you problems restrict their view.

I was off for three months last year.
I still posted on FB.
I didn't need to worry about what I posted because I wasn't doing anything wrong.
My boss is on my FB.

If your colleagues are being unpleasant then you should complain about them
Your boss shouldn't have told you if its not relevant but now she has maybe you should put in writing how their lack of understanding about your condition and their comments are causing you distress.
You could suggest they attend some diversity training.

YANBU
Normal social contact is good for your mental health. If you normally post in FB, post here or Email and phone friends and family then clearly should carry on doing it.

What on earth do they want you to do, sit in a darkened room doing nothing?

I don't understand why your manager even told you about this to be honest. If one of my staff raised this I'd be putting them right rather than worrying you about it.

Don't give it a second thought, unfortunately mental health issues are still woefully misunderstood.

Most of the things you posted about were normal every day things, which by the way are exactly what you need to be doing. Are you supposed to sit in a darkened room and not see anyone when the sun is shining and there are children to play with? How much good do they think that would do you?

People can be so ignorant can't they, how sad that people behave in this way? Change your settings/ block and post however the hell you want to.

I hope you're starting to feel better soon.

Of course you should still be able post. You are not well enough to be at work, but that doesn't mean your whole life has to stop. If I was one of your colleagues I'd be pleased to see your posts.

unfriend all your work colleagues then post what you like your doctor signed you off and that's all they need to know.

i would never have any boss or work colleague on my fb account