Sick note- 2 weeks- bit excessive?

[Comps83]

So, I finally sought help for my constant low mood and suicidal thoughts. I'm mainly doing this for DP as I am a nightmare to live with.
Doctor has given me ADs and 2 weeks sick note. I'm not sure I can justify 2 weeks off work , thing is this is nothing new to me. I feel the same now as I did a year ago, 2 years ago, 10 years ago. all my life. So I'm not sure what good 2 weeks off work will do as work isn't really the problem, I am the problem. Though work does seem to be a trigger recently, I find my current role so boring that the intrusive thoughts have a chance to get in more than usual.
DP reckons if I just ignore the note and go to work tomorrow then I will be seen as not following doctors orders and not being serious about sorting myself out.

My work would insist I took the 2 weeks off as if I've been signed off sick then I'm not covered by their insurance. You're GP obviously feels that you are not fit to be at work at present. I often don't realise how bad I am until I can't function at all, then look back and wonder how I stayed at work so long. 2 weeks is not a lot at all in terms of mental health recovery. Enjoy the time off and focus on doing things that help your mental health.

This is a big step for me. I know I'm not well, and never have been but this is the first time I've admitted it. I feel I have to take some responsibility and at least try to get help for DPs sake

Also in terms of side effects the first couple of weeks are the worst. I didn't get anything serious, just headaches and a little dizzy occasionally, but depending on how you react some AD's can make you feel a bit out of sorts initially so the two weeks helps to cover that.

Two weeks of 'you' time, resting up and doing nice things, generally being kind to yourself, is a good place to start your recovery from too.

Hope the AD's help and you're feeling lots better soon! Mine have been a literal lifesaver.

I absolutely know how your feeling - just back from the GP who has signed me off for two weeks and I have no idea how I feel about it. I think I'm going to have to go in tomorrow as there's so much that I need to do and being off will cause serious issues but I feel just like you and that I need to take some responsibility for myself. Take care of yourself

I'm one week into a 2 week sick note. I started medication last week and the initial side effects are kicking in nicely. I'm sleeping during the day, woozy, headache, low mood, extra-anxious, and shimmery lines in my sight.

No way could I be at work. I'm supposed to go next week and I'm really hoping these symptoms have passed.

On the bright side, the seething anger I've had simmering at all times seems to have just disappeared, and that was the root of my anxiety. I'm hopeful it will all settle.

Yup. I feel I can't be off as I'm the only person who does my job.
I've never really taken much sick time before
Also worried about ppls reactions when I go back and what I'd say

As someone who has had time off work for mental health problems, I'd say take the time off, even if it's just to focus on self care and doing nice things for yourself. The first few weeks I started on medication, I had awful side effects and was so tired, I could barely function.

Comp Don't be so hard on yourself. 2 weeks is definitely NOT a long time to be off for your reasons. Take the time to rest and reflect on what you can do from here. I'm not sure if you have started on medication, but if you have then you certainly need to give your body some time to tolerate it. Also please bear in mind that in the majority of cases, medication alone is not as effective as medication and some sort of talking therapy. Your GP should be able to give you details of free counselling type services in your local area. If you can afford to, it's certainly worth considering paying privately because waiting lists can be long. You have made such a positive step going to the GP in the first place, well done x

The side effects were horrific for me, there was no way I would have been able to function at work, I could barely function at home on my own. Two weeks to get used to new medication is a sound idea from the gp in my opinion.

I am worried about the side effects. When did they set in for you?
I'm on Citalopram 20mg

The majority of people get on with citalopram really well. There can be some side effects during the first couple of weeks, maybe some stomach side effects, a funny taste in your mouth, you might feel tired and generally 'under the weather' but in most people this only lasts for a week or so and if you can persist through it, it can work well to relieve your symptoms.

If you broke your leg you would have to go off sick and work would have to cope this is no different. Work will cope, you need to focus on getting you better. I've never had bad side effects from ADs a little dizzyness and motion sickness on Flouxitine and drowsyness and increased appetite on Mirtazapine. The worst bit normally passes after a couple of weeks.

I feel in such an awkward position . I mean there is nothing wrong with me, well there is something very WRONG. I know the way I think and feel is not right and would shock a lot of people but this is my normality.
I could go to work today, not mention the sick note and carry on like nothing happened. But then If side effects start kicking my ass I'll have to admit I actually have a 2 week sick note. Everyone will ask why I've been off so long and I'll have to admit why and everyone will treat and look at me differently.
Also I will have to go back to 2 weeks of outstanding work and angry unpaid suppliers
I honestly don't know what to do

When I first went on Citalopram I must have spent the majority of the first 3 days sleeping, I felt wired for a bit after I had taken the tablet and I’m not sure I did a solid poo for 3 months. BUT after the initial settling in period, there weren’t really any side-effects. I remember feeling ‘not sad’ almost immediately and then there was a day at about the 6 week point where I realised that I actually felt happy for the first time in months.

You really should take the time off if you want to get better, which I presume you do as you went to the doctor. I know in my job I wouldn’t be allowed to come in if I’d been signed off, with good reason. You have been deemed not fit to work.

I took my first tablet about lunch time yday
Don't think I've had any side effects yet

I always feel like shit so it's hard to tell

Think I'll go back to work on Monday . I'm having no side effects from the meds and I think being off is making me more stressed

It's great that you are not getting any side effects, you might just want to check you are allowed to go back to work whilst signed off sick, I wouldn't be. As for telling other people you can tell them what you want. I'm generally quite open about my mental health with most people, but if someone's getting too intrusive and I don't want to tell them, I just say that I've been poorly and just repeat that if they ask in more detail (and I was off for 12 weeks last time)

I rang and they said I could go back . I haven't even sent my sick note in as didn't intend to go over the self certify period

Two weeks isn't very long in the grand scheme of things. Don't go back before the two weeks is up. Have you had counselling or any kind of therapy like CBT. Hope you feel better soon.

No this is the first time I've ever sought help after feeling like this my whole life. So I feel no different than Usual , if I'd just started feeling like this then I could justify the time off but to take time off when I still feel my 'normal' self feels wrong

If you know what I mean

I'm on 20mg of citalopram when I first took it it made me so so sleepy I now take at night for that reason. You will need a fit to return to work from the doc or you won't be insured.

If you don't notice an improvement in how you feel go back and see the doc the meds might need upping/changing.

Good luck hope you see an improvement in how you feel soon