At what point do I say enough?

[sickleaveornot]

Not completely sure where to post this but need some advice because I really don't know what to do.

I have bipolar - it was very well managed until August of this year, and then out of the blue my meds stopped working as effectively, so far it's been nothing to crazy, some slight elevated mood and some low mood but not suicidally low. I've had my meds reviewed and they've changed them a little. It's to early to know if they working but it's a start.

Now the issue - over the last 2 weeks I've started having panic attacks - this is something I'm working with my team around. But work is a major trigger point, I actually work in the mental health field now and I'm finding it really difficult to manage my anxiety while talking about suicide and hard topics like that with clients - I'm fine in front of clients and manage to just about hold it together - but as soon as they leave I'm a mess.

Work aren't being the most supportive - I've said several times that I'm really stressed but not alot has been done, they're also aware of the panic attacks and med changes. We are insanely busy right now - and it's all hands on deck.

3 weeks ago my GP suggested I get signed off for a week or 2, and at the time I thought I could push through so turned this down, he mentioned again last week and then again today strongly suggested that I need to look at giving myself a chance to just stop and try and regulate more.

But at what point do you accept that being signed off is for the best? I feel like I can't see the wood for the trees anymore and I really don't know what I'm meant to do

I would give yourself and your body time to get used to the change in medication, which for anybody could make them feel a bit off.
I would take 2 weeks off but instead of thinking I’ve been signed off work, I’m going backwards this is a setback, I’m mentally spiralling.
I’d say I’ve got 2 weeks holiday time, unexpected to do something nice. Each day I’d so something just for me. I’d see it as a reset time and relax.
Just simply changing signed off for holiday mentally feels better.
big hugs x

It’s worth starting look for other jobs but don’t rush if you’re life has been upheaved so much recently. Start looking, brush up your CV.
I’m late diagnosed AuDHD (Autism at 33, ADHD at 41). I’m medicated for that after years of trying anti-depressants which numbed, but never uplifted me. I ran out of meds recently and had 5 days off them. I felt so flat, so down, lethargic. Told DD I ran out and she said ‘Oh! It’s that why you’ve been more chaotic recently?!’ 😆 apparently so! It’s not a magic cure but it makes a big difference to me well being.

Please take your own advice.

Unfortunately I don't have the luxury of waiting to long - in an ideal world I would take awhile, but I also have bills etc and SSP doesn't go very far 😅 (I get a week at full pay)

I've slept a lot the last couple of days - not in like a depressed staying in bed all kinda way, but in a really need to rest way. I still feel really guilty about going off but that's easing.

I also had my first counselling session last night, it went ok, but I don't really gel with the counselor, I only have 3 more funded sessions though so I'm hoping I'll still get something out of it.

Hindsights a wonderful thing - but I can see now that I should have gone off sooner instead of letting it spiral to the point I have

You’ve done the right thing. I was signed off with burnout for two weeks before the summer holidays (I work in a school). I was trying to push through to the end of term but couldn’t make it. It was absolutely the right decision. You need to look after yourself first before you can help anyone else. You can’t pour from an empty jug as the saying goes. Good luck with the job hunt.

Just thought I'd update again - Ive done a hell alot of reflection over the last week, and started counseling.

I'm feeling more stable but still a little wobbly, I had a job interview yesterday but got rejected for it today so that's really knocked my confidence. I have another interview tomorrow so I'm keeping everything crossed for a positive outcome.

I've definitely come to the conclusion that although I really believed in the cause I was working for, if can't be me on the front line now. I'm due back in Friday and I'll probably go but with the mindset of this is just temporary, and if needed I'll go off again but I'm hopeful not to reach that point

@sickleaveornot you do whatever you need to to keep getting better xxx

I thought I'd come back an update again - I had to go back to work due to not being able to afford to be off any longer. It's been an absolute shit show - no return to work, it keeps being booked in and then cancelled, no support, my work loads now actually increased. But I have an interview on Tuesday for my dream job (a job I did previously and very successfully for several years) so I'm keeping everything crossed for that.

However I think I only have a few weeks in me at the current job before I'll be off sick again so if I don't get something soon I'll have to go off again anyway 😭😭 there's been 2 people quit without notice over the last week which in away is making me feel better about being so overwhelmed with the workload because it kinda proves its not just a "me" thing

Good luck OP!!!

For anyone interested 😂 I've officially handed in my notice and finishing next week... I've also accepted an offer today for an amazing opportunity that starts mid Jan - feeling like a completely different person now!

Fabulous!
sounds like 2026 will get off to a great start! xx