Advice for friend with anxiety/work?

[Sabrina145]

Hi,

a friend that I am close with confided in me that she’s suffering anxiety and OCD. She said she’s not depressed but she’s feeling so down. Complete lack of motivation and constant anxious thoughts. she was crying on the phone saying she can’t face work tomorrow but she has to go. She said she was with her GP last week and is taking Sertraline but it takes a while to kick in.
I’m going over to see her now. What’s the right thing to say when she says she doesn’t want to go to work?

Can doctor help her with this or is it best to try to encourage her to go to work? If she should go back to doctor I can offer to bring her there and maybe coffee and a chat after. It’s obviously very individual decision whether she shoulD go to work or take time off, but I want to support her and I’ve no experience with this area. Has anyone had a similar situation? She’s a teacher and I know she always hated missing time for example when off sick as she’s committed to her classes. My heart is breaking seeing her so upset so any advice please. Thank you.

posted in this section for traffic as I’m heading over to her this evening.

I wouldn't give advice. I would just reflect back her feelings to her so she feels listened to. I would ask her what she feels is best and what would help her most. Take her lead. Sometimes just being there to listen is enough. She is lucky to have a friend that cares like you.

So glad your friend has someone like you.

I had a very similar experience to your friend, and to my embarrassment, I had no idea how debilitating it is until I experienced it myself.

My family were incredible at this time - no judgement but often the odd smidge of tough love. So for example, I would wake up and couldn't face work - someone would say 'Can you try and go in for a bit, and if it's really not working, I'll come and pick you up right away?' More often than not, I'd get there,be tearful for the first 2 hours and then get distracted and manage a full day,although it wasn't fun. There was the odd day where I was picked up,I won't lie.

As per PP though,listening is key.She might feel a lot better just being 'heard'. Wishing her all the best.

Did she not get signed off by the GP? if not I'd encourage her to try and get another appointment, would give her time to get used to her medication.

Is she a teacher? My social media is full of people with similar stories. The Facebook page-Exit the classroom and thrive is interesting