Are you allowed out if you have been signed off work with pp anxiety? Help needed.

[Heartbeats18]

I have been signed off sick with post partum anxiety I have been prescribed tablets last week which I'm hoping they will help. Maybe I'm overthinking it but will I be penalised by my work if I'm seen out shopping ( by shopping I mean running to the shops to grab bread etc) if I'm off sick. I'm never off sick so I don't know but I'm feeling more anxious as I have to go to see a nursery to put my daughter in which is my work. For context my manager isn't great, for instance I took a morning off work a while ago and my manager moaned at me and asked could no one else take my son to doctors and I said he had Scarlett fever and she said well if thought my child had scarlett fever I would have took them in the evening before when I first noticed symptoms. Sorry to ramble. I'm just panicking.

You are signed off from work, not life

You go about your daily life as best as you can and dont be worrying about work

Obviously dont be going clubbing in Ibiza and posting the pics up on social media. But yes you can go to the cinema, pub, whatever you do for enjoyment and certainly shopping and walks in the pork and normal life is perfectly fine

Sitting at home cooped up is not going to get you better

You can go about your daily life and you can also do things that you wouldn't normally do when off sick with a physical illness such as days out or mini breaks within reason

I had 4 months off from my phd with depression and went out on walks with friends. I felt guilty at first but it was pointed out that this is part of the treatment of depression. Engaging with the world and your support network

I had postnatal depression and i was in hospital. I got permission to use some of my home leave to visit relatives for a few days. During my phased return with work I spent a week with them too and work were ok with this. It's absolutely ok to do things that are good for your wellbeing. It's not like being off sick with the flu when you are expected to be bed bound

Absolutely not, you need to start integrating into life and not be stuck in the home, that will just mean you're cut off and that is really not going to help your condition at all

I struggle with depression, PP was quite a bad time too, and I found doing something g each day, whether it's going to the shop, getting your hair done or just putting the washing out then that's fine and you'll do more complex things on better days and just something simple on those days where you can hardly get out of bed. I'd say ignore work as it's your illness and your own route to get better

Of course. Fresh air and exercise are some of the best things for recovery. But you can also go out for supper, to the cinema, cycling, shopping, whitewater rafting. 😁

Being signed off work doesn't mean you have to stay in.

Not only are you allowed to go out, it’s positively encouraged. Going out when you feel you are able will assist your recovery. You need to do the things you enjoy to get your mental health back on track.

if you see someone from work, it will be scary but you will be ok. Nothing will happen. The best thing for me, when I was off sick was going on holiday.

You need to go out to help your mental health. So try to stop worrying. This is the anxiety talking and is a sign you are ill.

Good luck with the recovery

Of course you are op💐

I am currently signed off for another 2 weeks and been off for 2. I found out our baby had no heart beat 2 weeks ago and I physically miscarried at the end of last week and then had a massive hemmorhage and was in hosp. I am currently sitting beside a pond eating a M&S sandwich. I took the train 3 stops to the local village and am just going to Potter around for a few hours.

I've stayed in and sobbed and been doubled over in pain. Im still.bleeding but lighter and felt like I needed fresh air and to build my strength up. Both GP and counsellor have advised getting out when I can and keeping to a day and night routine.

Please do whatever will hell your recovery.