Anyone else currently signed off work?

[Chrome2]

Hi, I'm currently signed off work with anxiety. I was signed off for three and a bit weeks, then went back part time for two and a half, but then had a massive meltdown again so I'm signed off again. work are very understanding so I have nothing to worry about on that front. But I feel awful with the anxiety and also quite isolated. There must be loads of people off with the same thing right now as it's one of the biggest causes of sickness absence. So I wondered if anyone else feeling the same reading this wanted to join in here for a little chat, to help us not feel so alone?

I am, been off nine weeks so far

Me too, signed off yesterday for an initial two weeks. Mines more stress related but I do suffer with anxiety/panic attacks as well. My GP said she'd already seen 6 people yesterday morning with stress/anxiety related issues. My appt was at 11:20.

I've been max'd out of work for months, and no sign of it ending or manager support.

My heart rate at a regular 140bpm got me to the tipping point!

Off work for 5 weeks but due to a broken ankle. I’m currently on a “verbal warning” at work for attendance due to long term sickness with anxiety.

Longest in one go was probably 12 weeks. I don’t find it isolating as I’m very much an introverted person, and my home is my safe haven. But the longer I was off the harder it was to return. I had several meeting with occupational health which were pretty useless. I was medicated but no longer as couldn’t find a medication that worked for me. Establishing a routine with work has really helped (so for me the anxiety of waking into a full office of “judging colleagues” (anxiety speaking) gave me panic attacks. So I was fortunate enough to be able to change my working patterns from 9-5 to 8-4 so only 2/3 people are in the office first thing. Self care has helped the most. Exercise is the best thing for me (even though I’ve not exercised in months and can’t now bloody ankle) but it seriously chemically does something to me which lifts my mood and it’s great. When I eat junk food it makes my anxiety flare up. Mindfulness is another good soothing system, I must admit I don’t follow it enough but I do a little and some of the techniques really set my mind at rest and ease.

I think the best thing is understanding your triggers and learning to manage them. It’s hard but avoidance is worst imo. It just exacerbated my anxiety and it was a like a circle I couldn’t break.

I’m currently off with anxiety, I was signed off yesterday for two weeks. I hate it as I love my job but currently consumed with anxious thoughts that I’m seriously ill and possibly having constant allergic reactions 🙄 so not the best place to be at the moment.

Well, I'd say I'm glad I'm not the only one, but that would be inappropriate as it means others are suffering too.

Being off work when you our days structured is really difficult, on top of the mental health issue you have to deal with.

Here's something I've started this week. Grabbed a notebook, and on the left side of each open page I write things I've got scheduled (appointments, meeting friends) and things I could do that day (visiting a certain shop, going for a walk, sorting out your underwear drawer, anything!). This helps you do something or give you ideas to keep occupied, it's not a checklist of Things I Must Do Today, plenty of mine are unticked.

On the right side, I write 'What was good' (this could be as simple as someone sending get well wishes or enjoying a cheese sandwich), 'What I achieved' (for me, changing the bed linen was one), then a list of things that relate to self care - exercise, meditation, using my SAD lamp, having wind down time in the evening, etc - these will be personal to you) and just writing yes or no against those.

I've only done a few days but this seems helpful so far.

Any other ideas?

*days are normally structured

I am off and will be until March next year due to having to undergo trauma therapy

Been off since July and had a long stay in psych unit