To feel embarrassed and ashamed I've been signed off work with anxiety?

[embarassedand]

I've been signed off work with anxiety. At first I felt relieved as I was not coping with things, but now the dust has settled and it's been a few days I keep thinking that I regret it. I feel really embarrassed, ashamed and guilty. I keep thinking of who at work will know, will they know to keep it private or will lots of my colleagues know/find out? How do I react when I go back? What do I say to my manager/HR?

I just feel really embarrassed

I do empathise, happened to me when I was working. You wouldn’t feel guilty, embarrassed and ashamed if you were signed off with a physical illness would you? It’s no different. You aren’t well and you need the time off. Take care of yourself.

You are being so so unreasonable!!! I’ve had team mates signed off for mental health reasons. Nobody thinks anything negative. In fact I think you should be proud of recognising your brain needed a rest and time to recover. So do that, and by the way, it’s a classic manifestation of the anxiety you are dealing with to feel ashamed and unsure of yourself.

Lean in!

It's an illness.
Take time to relax, and find some things to help, whether it is mindfulness, medicine, or moving jobs.

My dear OP. Please please do not beat yourself up about this. As someone who has clinical anxiety my first trip to the GP was terrifying.
As for work, they will have seen it all before and much much worse.
honestly be gentler with yourself.
all the best OP. Xxx

Its only your manager you normally speak to not HR. Lots of people are off work I know one of my colleagues was off 12 months. Hold your head high OP.

Would you feel embarrassed if you had a broken bone and had to be signed off?
You aren’t well, anxiety is awful. Usually just your line manager and HR would know why you’re off. Focus on getting better.

Hey OP,

I've been signed off with similar previously, it was work causing it and it gave me time to find another job so I didn't have to go back.

I've also had colleagues being signed off with anxiety/depression I don't think about it at all.
As PP said it just like a broken limb that needs time to recover. Just a different part of your body.

My manager has been signed off with depression and we sent her flowers.

I currently have a colleague off with anxiety. I send him a text once a week to see how he is doing. I try to phrase it so he doesn't have to reply if he doesn't want to. It's more of a 'hope you are feeling ok' message.

I also know there are rules about contacting/pressuring people who are signed off in case they feel like they have to come back. So if you don't hear anything from work don't take it personally.

Wishing you better

Please Don’t worry OP

i have both been signed off and managed peoples who were. When it has been someone I managed my feelings are empathy for how awful it feels followed by being pleased they managed to get to the doctor and discuss it (not always easy) then wondering if /how we can help.

when I have to tell the team that someone is off I just say they are unwell, and don’t go into detail unless I’ve been given specific permission by that person to say what the problem is

Don’t feel bad. I had to recently take 4 months off when I literally had a breakdown and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Everyone was nothing but supportive :)