Depression/Anxiety and work!?!?!?

[Gemziewooo]

Hi started a new job in April, never once phoned in sick. However I suffer with Anxiety and Depression, I suffer panic attacks, and I'm continuously up the doctors asking for help. My Gp has put me on stronger tablets and wants to sign me off on the sick from work, I don't know what to do, I'm petrified that my work will sack me, iv suffered a panick attack over this as I daren't ring work and tell them. Does anyone els know what will happen if I'm off work with depression and anxiety, especially if I only started 6month ago. I checked my probation period which is 6month so I'm past that now but it's not the point.

They can't sack you for one absence! Honestly you're ill, would you be worried about calling in sick if you had flu or a migraine or D&V or whatever? Would you expect to be sacked then? I hope not. This is no different.

Take the time off to get better, maybe call and say that you will be sending in a note (assuming your doctor has given you one) and that you aren't comfortable discussing the reason over the phone. Post the note to them.

Mental health is covered by the Disability Discrimination Act and so it is unlawful to sack someone under the terms of the Act. 1 in 4 people will suffer from a mental illness at some point in their lives. There is no shame in being mentally ill, but unfortunately there is still a stigma around, even in the 21st century. Those of us who suffer from MH issues need to try to break down that stigma. So please let your GP sign you off work - the longer you try to work when you are unwell, the longer it will take for you to get better.

I'm on my seventh week off with anxiety. I will NOT be getting sacked and neither will you