Signed off sick

[Daisy4567]

Has anyone been signed off sick due to anxiety?

I'm due to see the doctor today to talk about my anxiety, it's the first time I've ever talked to anyone about it (professional) and I've also not gone into work due to feeling so anxious.

I also have a 5 year old and at the min I get child tax and working, will I lose these?

I feel terrible and feel like I'm a failure. I want to work, I just don't think I want to work where I currently do.

You're not a failure! Anxiety is every bit as legitimate a reason for going off sick as breaking your leg. How did it go at the GP?

I haven't gone yet.

My partner doesn't think it's a good idea for me to take anymore time off! I've been in tears at the thought of going back. I just dread it all.

Is your DPs opinion sensible do you think? You can hardly risk your mental health just in case it would go down badly at work if you were off longer

He said that the longer I'm off, the less likely I am to go back.

And what do you think? Is he right, and it would be better to go back and get on with it (ripping off the plaster in one go so to speak), or would more time off enable you to get stronger so you were better able to face things (easing the plaster off gradually)?

He's right. But it's taking that step.

In that case, one step after the other and remind yourself that no matter how hard the day, time passes and you'll get to the end of it. And you always have the option to go to the GP and ask to be signed off it's not now or never. Best wishes and

Well it depends how long the anxiety is likely to last. If you will get through one day, but then be anxious about the next day, and so on, it's not fair on you to have to put yourself through that over a period of time. Yes all jobs can be stressful at first but it's a matter of degree and how long you feel it for. It may be you are going through a tough time, or that you are not suited to the job ie you don't enjoy it and it's not bringing out your strengths.

I couldn't do it. I couldn't go back in. I dropped my daughter off at nursery and I just cried.

I've come home and I'm gunna weigh up my options. I feel unsupported, it's basically me that has to run the house and if I don't work, I'm skint.

I don't know where it's come from or how long it's gunna last. I had some time off due to little girl being poorly, and I think I've wired myself to feel I've done something wrong. And I can't shake it off!

It's two things, it's the thought of going back, but I dread the job. I Dunno if I enjoy it and I don't think I do.

I don't feel like I'll find a job again.

Big hugs! You've done nothing wrong. How come you'd be skint if you weren't working - is your partner not sharing the financial load?

I think you have done the right thing. Either you are being affected by some underlying reason r anxiety, or you just hate this job and feel you don't like it, or want to do it.
Look at your options. What would you like to do? What appeals to you?
Don't criticise yourself for being anxious, it's ok to feel that way .
What happened with the GP ? X

Ok, here's an update.

I went back to work. I think I'd worked myself up so bad that I was just too afraid to take that step.

I'm glad I did, I think I need this security in my life.

Also, thank you for reaching out.

It means a lot.

Even though you went back, it's probably a good idea to look into some support either through your GP (ask for a counselling referral) or elsewhere.

You sound like you need to look after yourself and get some insight into what's happened and why you felt like you did.

Bless you- well done!

I went to GP, she wasn't really helpful. She just gave me a leaflet and sent me on my way.

I called about getting counselling and it was basically just box ticking (the assessment)