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

[Crakeandoryx]

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.

I've always tried to avoid them... now I wish I never had. Literally life-changing for me personally.

Ah yes... the breastfeeding.. forgot to add that one. How DO you stop it?!! Haha

I've not had time off work but I only work part time anyway.

My mental health has been really bad this year. I've had a few days at work where I've been feeling suicidal and barely done anything but scraped through without actually taking time off.

Only possible because I work three days. Full time I'd have had no choice.

I went through a mental breakdown over last xmas and into the new year. I had to pack my job in in February and I'll never return now. I kind of miss it, but I know I'm not well enough to work again.

My AD's give me a balance in my reactions. I have GAD and suspected PTSD following a few incidents and low dose Sertraline gives me a buffer against anxiety attacks and prevents thoughts spiralling.

I've been on them for a few years now and they don't stop the anxiety because it's low dose but it allows me to remain rational and when I get panic attacks I now know this is my body telling me I need to rest and it's a warning.

Before I was on these i had continual anxiety and up to 10 panic attacks a day. I now only get anxious or panic when I'm physically or mentally exhausted, stressed, got an illness such as cold or flu. Instead of panicking about the panic I now know to sleep, eat properly, rest and ride the attacks out while ignoring them. This has taken me years and years to learn how to do it and it's one of the hardest things I've done. The anxiety and attacks subside after a day or so.

Without the AD's it would spiral and the attacks get to strong to manage.

Thank you and good luck to you too. I think the expectation of working parents, particular mums to continue working, providing childcare whilst homeschooling throughout the first wave was completely ridiculous and I expect many were at breaking point.
I’m dreading schools closing again.
Can I ask those of you who take sertraline what time of day you take it? I think I might give mine a go as Can feel my anxiety worsening again.

I’m off as tok scared to leave the house. Long history of anxiety and depression.

Been off about 2 1/2 months. Will probably lose my job..

Yep, three times. Currently off now. Combo of my own workload increasing and having to cover someone else's role + having to fit it all in with homeschooling an 8 year old and looking after a pre schooler + my Mum keeling over, plunging MASSIVELY downhill with what looks like vascular dementia. So I get lots of sweary or suicidal calls from her, and worry about her house being empty at the other end of the country, and having to sort it and Mum's life out (I'm her only relative). After the third time, where I properly broke down for a week, I'm now on ADs and in counselling. Nothing is going to get any better so I just need something to smooth me out and give me coping strategies to get through the next 6 months.
Previously never had any issues or any time off work sick.

Mum's had to go into a nursing home at the grand old age of 69, again other end of the country, so can't even see her.
I've said I could have coped with any one, perhaps even two of the above, but all three tipped me over the edge....

We are being encouraged to take leave to give ourselves a break before we get to this stage. It is helping and it’s not like I’m going to be going away to use the leave.
We ran on auto pilot through the first stage and it was as the world started operating again that we all felt it. Who knows what happens this time.

I am rock bottom, really struggling but with redundancies being spoken about, I keep plodding on and crying while working from home.