Day off work for MH reasons?

[tiredand44]

Just that really. I have the odd day now and again where I just struggle to even get out of bed. I have a senior position in a company and not being at work is conspicuous, but if I had the flu or food poisoning I wouldn't go in.

I just feel guilty taking a MH day off.

I know exactly how it feels OP. I had some really dark days at home staring at my closed laptop feeling sick. If you want to message me feel free.

For me, declaring to work that it was a problem felt loads better. I approached it like I would a strategic work problem – name the problem, look at possible solutions, communicate them, implement them, measure the results.

Chances are your management already know you’re struggling, the worst case scenario for them is that you go on long term sick leave, tell them you don’t want it to get to that point so you’d like their support.

In my own experience, in a senior position and with anxiety, this just makes things worse. Your phone/laptop is still on, no one covers your work, it still piles up, you have the vague sense that you’re skiving, you can’t bring yourself to do any work and be productive. Its just as isolating and scary as being in the office. Plus you have to go back at some point, which can be worse, if you’ve had some time off.

This is the heart of my problems too!

@louharrisismyhero It's rubbish isn't it? I feel a sense of shame for not going in. As if everyone is talking about how flaky I am and not committed. But I've been working since 10, I've taken calls.

Another issue I have is that all my peers at my level are men, who have wives at home. This is of course fine, but means they can stay in the office until late, get in early, drop everything to go on a business trip. That's all a lot harder for me, plus I'm a single Mum too.

I'm clearly just feeling sorry for myself today