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Original poster

Anyone off work with mental health issues since the pandemic hit?

36 replies

Crakeandoryx · 03/11/2020 21:45

We keep hearing about the affect on mental health. I know I personally feel the pressure of everything and I've had to take time away from work before I get worse.

But I don't know anyone else who has actually made the call to go off work because they're breaking. I can't be the only one. I want to know I'm not alone in this.

OP posts:
CanThisBeOverSoon · 03/11/2020 21:46

2 currently off at my work because they are suffering with MH. Thanks for you

Original poster
Crakeandoryx · 03/11/2020 21:51

Thanks. There must be more. It's very isolating working from home. I have no real sense of how others are feeling.

OP posts:
middleager · 03/11/2020 21:51

I've thought about it. My workload has gone through the roof. Not sleeping.
I spoke to HR but they said everybody is stressed and were not heplful!

You won't be alone sadly. Look after yourself Flowers

Blue1316 · 03/11/2020 21:52

I took 6 weeks off in April / May. Was struggling with the pressure of working full time from home whilst caring for / homeschooling a 4&6 year old. Had a bit of a meltdown and was prescribed sertraline by my GP but decided to speak to my manager and take the work pressure off before resorting to medication. I still have the sertraline in my drawer as I’m still battling with anxiety and I think this winter might see me needing them.

3littlewords · 03/11/2020 21:57

You are definitely not alone my HR wasn't that helpful either

Original poster
Crakeandoryx · 03/11/2020 21:59

Blue I totally understand. I've got DC of similar ages and it's the persistent unknown and homeschooling as well as incredible workload that's broken me.

Been in Sertraline for years for anxiety and it's really levelled me out but this is situational so reticent to up my dosage.

Good luck xx

OP posts:
NationalShiteYear · 03/11/2020 22:02

I'm off now. Senior NHS, very young DC. Flogged myself stupid during first wave. Cant do it now. I'm done. Barely functioning. Hoping a break will bring some headspace back. I'm that ill I don't even feel guilty

middleager · 03/11/2020 22:04

I've thought about it. My workload has gone through the roof. Not sleeping.
I spoke to HR but they said everybody is stressed and were not heplful!

You won't be alone sadly. Look after yourself Flowers

Blue1316 · 03/11/2020 22:04

I took 6 weeks off in April / May. Was struggling with the pressure of working full time from home whilst caring for / homeschooling a 4&6 year old. Had a bit of a meltdown and was prescribed sertraline by my GP but decided to speak to my manager and take the work pressure off before resorting to medication. I still have the sertraline in my drawer as I’m still battling with anxiety and I think this winter might see me needing them.

middleager · 03/11/2020 22:05

I've thought about it. My workload has gone through the roof. Not sleeping.
I spoke to HR but they said everybody is stressed and were not heplful!

You won't be alone sadly. Look after yourself Flowers

Jennygentle · 03/11/2020 22:08

I was signed off for a week recently. Just felt panicky and sort of ‘crushed’. I still feel weird to be honest.

Peterbear · 03/11/2020 22:11

I've just been signed off again for the 4th time since March. You're not alone op but it does often feel like you are.x

AgnesNaismith · 03/11/2020 22:11

I was last year, unfortunately when I was ready to go back the pandemic hit. Wfh now but it’s difficult re-integrating.

I have severe health anxiety too and a vulnerable person in the house so haven’t been out anywhere and often spend an entire week inside the house. Unfortunately I tend to power through the really tough parts and fall apart straight afterwards. I will try to prepare for when this blows over a bit.

NationalShiteYear · 03/11/2020 22:14

I'm off now. Senior NHS, very young DC. Flogged myself stupid during first wave. Cant do it now. I'm done. Barely functioning

Original poster
Crakeandoryx · 03/11/2020 22:15

I'm sorry your all struggling but it's comforting to know I'm not the only one. I'm fortunate my work so far has accepted that I need time away. I'm yet to see my GP about this and hoping they will see I need time off.

OP posts:
rooarsome · 03/11/2020 22:18

I'm a nurse and had 5 weeks off after having a huge MH decline earlier this year. I felt awful for leaving my team short and went back probably sooner than I should have done.

DRGT · 03/11/2020 22:19

You are definitely not alone. I've literally just joined mumsnet so I can reply to you. I tried to homeschool my five year old, care for my two year old, teach from home (workload exponential... real life educare, live lessons on line, distance learning lessons, paper resources for those with no computer access and ALL the monitoring and communication) and juggle a vulnerable parent and a type 1 diabetic husband (who made our bedroom an office....). My mental health has never been so poor...I was (am?) completely broken by the pressure of it all. Spent the summer on sertraline (which is life-changing for me personally) and telephone therapy so that I could return to work/school in September without entering a completely comatosed state. Made it to half term. Now I've just realised I need to do it all again to get to Christmas Break. I wasn't quite emotionally prepared for that. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Original poster
Crakeandoryx · 03/11/2020 22:22

Thank you. You've had a lot to deal with. Also got elderly parents on their own and scared and the job I do is hard going and emotionally draining/upsetting. I really hope time out will help.

OP posts:
AgnesNaismith · 03/11/2020 22:23

I was last year, unfortunately when I was ready to go back the pandemic hit. Wfh now but it’s difficult re-integrating.

I have severe health anxiety too and a vulnerable person in the house so haven’t been out anywhere and often spend an entire week inside the house. Unfortunately I tend to power through the really tough parts and fall apart straight afterwards. I will try to prepare for when this blows over a bit.

MrsMigginsPie · 03/11/2020 22:31

I have. I had 2 weeks sick leave for anxiety in July.

I have been on antidepressants for 8 years and got through a number of stressful episodes without needing to taking time off. But lockdown and trying to homeschool whilst delivering demands at work just tipped me over the edge. I finished a work task I’d been dreading, but there was no sense of relief or let up from the stress; I just felt vulnerable and a sense of overwhelming panic and doom and couldn’t stop crying.

I couldn’t imagine any amount of time off helping, but it did and I do feel a lot better. And maybe I feel more prepared for when it hits me again (which it probably will). I know I’ve felt terrible before and not been able to see any light at the end of the tunnel but it passed eventually.

I know of others at my work who have also been suffering - either seeking advice from GP, taking ADs or taking time off. I think it’s really common, but people don’t talk openly about it.

NationalShiteYear · 03/11/2020 22:38

How have anti depressants helped you all that are on them? My GP keeps offering them? I need my focus back

Gillian1980 · 03/11/2020 22:44

I was signed off for a month early on in the first lockdown.

I’d just returned from maternity leave and suddenly was trying to juggle working from home with a baby & a 4 year old there. DD completely lost it when school closed and was incredibly difficult to care for, baby attached to boob 24/7. And no escape.

I managed to juggle it badly for 2 weeks and then crumbled. My boss was amazingly supportive thankfully.

I only got back on track with medication, huge support and getting a nursery and school place sorted.

Gillian1980 · 03/11/2020 22:48

I was signed off for a month early on in the first lockdown.

I’d just returned from maternity leave and suddenly was trying to juggle working from home with a baby & a 4 year old there. DD completely lost it when school closed and was incredibly difficult to care for, baby attached to boob 24/7. And no escape.

I managed to juggle it badly for 2 weeks and then crumbled. My boss was amazingly supportive thankfully.

I only got back on track with medication, huge support and getting a nursery and school place sorted.

Flaxmeadow · 03/11/2020 22:48

No.
I know people who are tired, frustrated and have been stressed out at times, but no they are not "breaking"

MrsMigginsPie · 03/11/2020 22:58

Wow...I really wanted to post my post! Sorry for the repeats!

nationalshiteyear for me ADs were like a physical switch in my brain which changed my perception. Nothing about my situation changed but I was able to take a positive or neutral view instead of viewing everything negatively. I have to say my situation wasn’t ‘bad’ - it was just usual life stuff. And I think everyone is different....so ADs were life changing for me and keep me on an even keel (doesn’t mean I don’t feel down.....but I bounce back quicker), but I think you have to do what feels right for you as I know they don’t seem to work for everyone. The brain is a funny thing.