So I guess I should just walk away and leave them now so I don't become a burden

[OrmIrian]

According to so many people on MN depressives are selfish and ruin their families lives. And as with MN so in the real world.

If the ADs don't help and I persist in this selfish behaviour I should just fuck off out of it

It does help if there is someone who you can talk to who understands. But most people don't want to know, they don't know how to deal

My own family couldn't seem to understand that pulling their weight round the house would help alleviate my depression, although I explained it in words of one syllable. They didn't know what I felt like either though I tried to say. It was not me being the selfish one in our house.

It wasn't much better when I was employed and becoming depressed. All lip-service to the procedures, no real understanding or support. And my manager worked in mh!

I don't dare bring it up at work. I just don't know what the response will be. My previous line manager is on long-term sick leave due to early onset alzheimers (they think) but also due to stress (extreme and long-term). This, ironically, has increased my stress levels and reduced the amount of untramelled time I get away from work. So either they will respond with understanding and help or they will try to ignore it and hope it (or I) go away.

DDA
they should be sympathetic ANYWAY but you are protected!!

I don't think it counts as a disability stealth. You only have to see how people react on here to depression that a majority of the population think the best cure is to 'get a grip'. Besides I have done a lot of work for the HR dept and I know how cynical and negative they tend to get about sickness especially stress. But i know I am sounding totally negative and a bit pathetic. I am seeing the GP about some blood tests on Thursday - I might talk to her about signing me off for a while. Just test the waters. A week of not doing a great deal apart from sleeping would help.

I'm sure depression is classed as a disability! But sounds like you know more about it than me. Hope you get signed off and manage to catch up on some sleep.