Anyone been signed off with stress / exhaustion?

[whataboutbob]

For the last 3 years ihave been supporting my dad singlehanded ly, he has alzheimers.i have a job, 2 kids. In that time my brother s mental health has got even worse, I had to fight every inch to get him professional attention,he has recently been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
I am utterly exhausted, feel low, can t concentrate, and have to drag myself to work. I carry the whole situation, Mum died19 years ago, there are no relatives around to help.
I am seeing my GP this afternoon. Previously she hasn't been v sympathetic and said I can self certify for a week. Because I d feel guilty taking time off sick, I would actually prefer it if she gave mea certificate from the start. Does anyone else have experience of being signed off for a week/ fortnight. I just desperately need a rest to recoup.

What your doing us enough or anyone to want a break. You do amazingly well single handed and to be still working is good. Yes in currently (although very very different circumstances) off with stress/anxiety. I told my doctor I had already self certified so that I didn't have too. (Dishonest I know but saves a lot of stress). Good luck. Take a rest you deserve it.

Hi sorry things are so tiring. Do you have holiday you could take, would that help. It is best to self certify for the first week and then get a dh's note after that because work expect people to do that; my dh had surgery this year and self certificated the first week then had a note.

Gp's can write fit notes now. So could you ask for a fit note for altered hours or duties to help? Say to reduce your hours for a set time due to family responsibilities?

Do work know you are also a carer? Do you have an occupational health department you could ask to be referred to? If you have a dr's note for any length of time that triggers referral usually anyway.

Could you get any support for your dad through adult social care to help you?

Thanks both for your suggestions. Well, I went to the GP. Explained the situation again, as calmly as I could.i felt I got a bit more attention this time . She said I sounded like I had various features of depression, and she gave me a 2 week sick note . She asked me to think about what I d do if things weren't t better after that. I might consider anti Depressants but would rather no t TBH. I'm more likely to request a spell of unpaid leave after Christmas, especially if it looks like Dad needs residential care and I ll have to research places and make all the arrangements.

As yr a carer for yr dad and brother u may meet criteria for the Carers centre they give impartial advise. Google carers uk too.
Ssneline is a mental healthline they may know of local carer groups of schizophrenia family members.
Mind also maybe able to help top.
There is also the altsimers association, ageuk and red cross.
In the next two week's rest at every spare second u get.
Do u like massage, if so book one this week.
Good luck.

Saneline. Mental health helpline.x

Thanks silver mirror. I'm resting. Rang my manager and she was very kind. Just glad I m getting a break.