Should I go on sick leave again?

[Canwegetachinese]

I had 2 weeks off because my mental health was so bad lots of things going on at home. Also lots of changes and stress at work. This is my second week back at work and I’m no better in floods of tears everyday. Forgetting things head is all over the place. Dr prescribed setraline to me but I refused to take it so I can work on dealing with my emotions myself but that hasn’t worked.

My manager keeps asking me if I am sure if I should be at work. Every time she asks me if I’m ok I burst into tears! Very embarrassing.

I work with a lovely bunch of people who are so supportive so I know they will understand.

aibu to go off again after just coming back?

You are not well enough to be in work, so yes.

Use the time off to try the sertraline, they can be life changing. You wouldn’t try and fix a broken leg with positive thoughts.

Edit - pressed send to soon. Be extra kind to yourself OP, I hope you’re feeling better soon x

Sounds like you need to try the meds.

I’d say so and while you’re off this next time perhaps try and use the time and spade to think of ways forward to manage
things and getting into some healthy habits like journaling, exercise etc . I hope things get better for you!

Crying again! Thanks for being so kind x

Going to give the setraline a go

You are clearly not well but refusing prescription medication which is there to help with a MH issue as you want to work on the MH issue is bonkers. Either go off and try the medication and see if it helps or go to work and do your job and keep it together.

But going off sick again whilst refusing treatment isn't really fair on your co-workers. If you don't want treatment, fair enough but you cannot expect others to pick up the slack for that.

I have just been picking up the slack for someone else who was off for a year so no need to remind me about that 😊

I suppose it depends why someone was off... I know people who had that time off as they went through treated for cancer etc.

Good I’m glad (about the sertraline, not the crying!)

There are lots of threads on here from people who have started taking it, it can make you a bit wobbly at first but stick with it and don’t be afraid to go back to the GP for some tweaking if needed.

Look after yourself, and reach out if you need support. There are lots of us who have been through similar and made it out the other side x

You sound like you need more time off and could use that to make changes. Try the sertraline x

If you’re not well enough to work you need to go off again, until you’re well enough to be there. With kindness, if you aren’t well enough to do your job you may end up being performance managed and that will not help your wellbeing at all. Take some time to get into a better place.

and if it helps, I found the antidepressants helped me feel so blank, and unemotional that I could start to deal with things without crying all the time. If you can please seek some talking therapy too. The antidepressants didn’t fix my mental health but helped me get to a place where I was able to fix it, if you see what I mean?

@Canwegetachinese

I’ve been on Sertraline for 6 years and it truly saved me OP - my PND was awful and I was reluctant to take it but it really helped massively.

Take some time and look after yourself.

I would agree that you’re not ready to be back at work yet.

trying to maintain your normal work “routine” whilst you feel how you currently do, is not going to be beneficial.

I understand that lots of people struggling with MH do benefit from maintaining a routine, but you can use your time off to create some new, self-care, routines - like spending some time outside every day.

do think about trying the medication, but appreciate that this is still a difficult decision for many people, so perhaps talk to your GP again if you’re not sure?

There's no shame in taking medication that is there to help. If you were diabetic you wouldn't refuse insulin/Metformin and if you were asthmatic you wouldn't refuse an inhaler.

I had a horrific car accident years ago and they saved my life - give them a go and there's many to try if they don't work first go. I think the third type was eventually the right one for me.

Take the time to regroup and recover. All the best xx

A couple of guys in my team have had struggles and been prescribed sertraline. They've both told me it's the difference between coping and totally not and has supported them back in to work and feeling more emotionally settled. Could you give it a go and then maybe request a phased return once it's kicked in? Hugs OP. x

You're not up to being back, you need to get signed off again. But please give the sertraline a go. Take it in the evening, so any snoozy side effects aren't felt.

Absolutely take the meds. You can't rise from the bottom without a hand up

I know it’s just difficult I have seen my FIL on antidepressants for years and he constantly has to have his dose upped so terrified of ending up in that situation.

Oh OP, you should absolutely not be in work whilst feeling like this. Have some more time off and try the meds, I honestly say all the time they saved my life and allowed me to get treatment to feel better.

I do agree with pp though - long term I would get on the meds and try and get into routine but a reset is needed right now and your body and mind is telling you to rest.

Could you look into therapy Op?

I have no experience of anti depressants so can’t speak on that experience, as I chose not to go down the anti-depressant route and have no regrets about that.

I have referred my self for talking therapies which I am waiting for. But at the moment I just can not cope I need something to just help me now.

Yeah it does take a while the NHS therapy route.

Really? Are we back in the 20th century? Are mentally ill people not worthy of sick leave?

https://able-futures.co.uk/individuals

9 months MH coaching for people in work. It’s fantastic- I work in a related field and had referred several colleagues who gave me great feedback. I then signed up and it’s really high quality support.

I never said MH is not a reason to take time off 🙄