Would it be wrong to be signed off work?

[TheOrigBrave]

I've had a tough time. My work has always been a stable thing so I've resisted GP signing me off.
My MH team have taught me many ways to look after myself and I'm feeling more able to try them.
Would it be bad to ask to be signed off work even though I'm coping ok with life in general?
I feel it would give me the time to work on more healthy coping behaviours. The fact I don't feel overwhelmed by the thought of not being busy busy busy (to avoid thinking etc) is a positive step.
My work know nothing of my MH issues.

I tend to agree with @Pottering. This seems more as though you need to develop longer term coping strategies, rather than time to deal with an acute crisis. It does seem a little off to do so at your employer's expense, rather than at your own. If it would be "self-indulgent" (your term, not mine) to use your vacation time, why isn't it self-indulgebt to take your employer's?

I say this as someone with a history of mental illness, so I'm certainly not of the "pull yourself together" school of thought. Honestly, though, I think you'd be swinging the lead a bit to get signed off in this instance.

Thank you @triwarrior
I do see what you mean, and this is why I asked here. For all intents and purposes people outside my most close friends and some family think I am just fine; they have no idea of the MH support I've been having.

I think I will talk to my nurse and psychologist when I next see them as they know me better than I know myself than anyone else with respect to most effective treatment.

I wrote "self indulgent" in quotes because I've bern told I have low self-esteem and don't think I'm worthy of getting the help I am getting or taking time to go to MH appts when I feel there's so much else to do. I think this is not unusual with MH issues. It's denial, guilt etc, and that's exactly why I'm struggling thinking about this.

Me again.
I wrote my OP when I was away with work for a couple of weeks. I am back home now and back to the routine so have had time to think.

I am not sure now.

One major factor is that I stopped taking my meds (60mg fluoxetine) cold turkey a couple of months ago. I have lots of reasons why I did this, but I suspect that none would have the support from the health professionals (aside from it being my decision and I have capacity).

I had been feeling OK in the main, but feel myself slipping down again so am feeling a bit stupid and embarrassed to tell anyone. This is the second time I've done this, the first was a knee jerk reaction. I then stockpiled the meds and kept them 'just in case' for a while - until I had a crisis and recognised that I needed to get them out of my house. I don't have a stock pile now (just a weeks worth - what I had been given by the surgery each week, rather than every month).

Right now I would love to take some days off and stay with my Mum and Dad. I can't do that because they are dead. The other thing I would love is to go away, alone and just walk along the beach. I did this a couple of years ago and it was wonderful. I can't do this though as I have a child to care for, as well as my job of course.

I went to see my GP today.
I will re-start the meds (on a low dose and build up).
I didn't mention time off work, he did and said he would be fine to sign me off if I felt I needed it.

I will discuss with my therapist on Friday.

Feeling low, but sort of good for being proactive in trying to look after myself and my recovery.

I'm glad you've seen the GP, hopefully restarting meds will help a bit and give you a bit of space to decide what you want to do about work. My psych is really keen for me to take some time off (he even said that I could go to work with him every day so I didn't just sit at home and wallow!) but I'm still not sure that it's the best solution. Hopefully you can have a good discussion with your therapist about it and come to the best decision for you and your health.