To ask if you've been off a long time with stress

[Springwillsoonbehere]

And managed to go back. I've been off five months and feeling like I'm never going to get to the point of returning. I've been considering looking for other jobs but feel guilty doing this. What helped you feel better?

I’m so sorry for you to have got to this point. Last year, I had to take 3mths away from work due to stress. I was at breaking point. I spent time just doing what I needed to heal - things like bike rides, long walks. I also went through my life to see what I could ‘bin’ to make things better, like getting rid of my allotment. I loved it, but I couldn’t give it the time & attention it needed, which in turn added to my stress.
I self referred to MIND and took advantage of their counselling which really did help. I didn’t think it would, that it would be just talking, but it made me take a long hard look at myself, what was important to me, how I felt about myself and others, and it brought home to me how hard I was being on myself. I also sought help from the GP who gave me meds.
Now, this approach may not be exactly the same for you (meds’ arent necessarily the answer for everyone) but the longer I stayed away from work, the more I felt I couldn’t. My manager checked in with me regularly, and told me all the gossip.
I went back a bit at a time, gradually increasing my hours until I was back FT.

I know my answer is all about me, but could this help you at all?

I had two periods of 3 months off in my old job. About 12m apart. A lot of it was work related but I knew a lot of it stemmed from home too OP. Are there other things at play apart from work? My employers were really good both times. Phased returns and got me a PA that helped my work and stressload entirely. Then they relocated the business sector to the other end of the country 3 years later and I was gutted as I didn't want to move so took redundancy 😭

Go for what ever makes you happy, what I learned with my old job that stressed me out was that if I stayed to please everyone else there I would of made myself ill for staying. Your happiness is what matters most. When I left I felt 100 times happier and like I made the right decision. In the end my employer also felt the same way because they looked at it like they didn't have to pay for me to work for them and not have to slave around so they got someone new in to do it and got their money's worth LOL

Yes unfortunately it is solely work related. Thank you for suggestions. I'm on anti depressants which work for some of the symptoms.

I was off for 6 months, I only returned as my pay reduced from full to half pay at that point and as the only wage earner I needed to go back.
I used my 6 months to start antidepressants, CBT and continued on with those after returning as well. I’ve been back at work now for 6 months and I’m actually enjoying it (have changed my role though) and feeling better mentally too.
Hope you find what’s right for you too. I know how hard is is.

I’ve been off twice, although it wasn’t solely work related either time. One job there was just no way I could go back. Even walking in made me hyperventilate. Other job I did go back but only stayed another year til I found something else. I think if it’s solely work related YANBU to look for something else. Have your work place offered to help with your stress levels?

I'm worried about looking for something else as I'm concerned I won't get the job if they know why I've been off.

I've got another sick note today for another four weeks. I really am at a loss of what to do