Sick leave anxiety

[Bugsareinthebrook]

I have been given 20mg of citalopram for moderate depression and signed off work for two weeks.
I have suffered with depression and anxiety before but this time it’s a result of bereavement in jan,ill health and bullying/ issues at work.
The doctor did not give me a follow up appointment and said that I seem ‘advised’ about what I need. I am on day 11 of taking the anti d and still getting side affects- palpations, tired and lack of Apetite. I have a counselling app on 28th.
I am signed off to the end of this week but at the moment I am worrying about going back to work. Ridiculous as I know I still have 5 days before I am back.
Just looking for a bit of reassurance really as anxious about asking for more time off

If you have more time off it’s still only counted at one continuous period of sickness, it’s best to get yourself sorted and stay off until the medication has kicked in. I took escitalopram which has far far less side effects. I think it more expensive and that’s why doctors do not offer it until you ask

Doctor also said that it’s not a good idea to stay off for a long Time as it’s harder to go back to work. I understand that but need to feel better too!

Also still having self harm thoughts - even though I don’t think i will do anything I still feel fragile

I think go back and see gp and discuss your feelings just before your sick note is up. Then you can see how the side effects are too. 💐

I was given citalopram back in June, I was off work for 3 months and then returned. I was awfully worried about returning, but I was thinking about things too much staying at home. I tried to keep in contact with my employer regularly when I was off, and arranged to go in and see everyone a week before starting back.
Yes it was nerve-racking, but I'm glad I had that amount of time off, instead of rushing back and being off again.
My employer was very supportive and hopefully yours will be too.
Just remember to do what's best for you - no one else knows how you are feeling.

Thanks I am going to try to talk to the doctor on Friday and see how I am then. I think I should stay off until I start to feel better as I don’t want to go back and go off again. I want to wait until I have at least 1 counselling appointment. Thank you for your advice

Yeah that sounds like the best thing to do. I had a counselling appointment every fortnight for about 8 weeks before returning to work, and it helped massively.

Hello. Just wanted to share my experience. I started Citalopram a couple of years ago and despite similar side effects to you at first it did change my life for the better. I agree with advice to revisit your Dr before returning to work. It's really difficult knowing when to go back. You don't need to wait until you are 100% well before returningbut equally agree it's better to have one longer absence than false starts. What I can say us I have experience of sustained time off (one of my triggers was also work place bullying) and going back to work was tough but I did bounce back despite having a challenging job.
Unfortunately I'm currently off sick again and having to accept that my mental health is a chronic problem but I know I can recover.

And you can recover too! :)

CrabbyPatty

I agree with all your advice there.

I'm so sorry to hear you are still suffering, but remember there is hope, keep going :)

Thank you for your advice.
Doc has signed me off for another week. They are adamant that they don’t want me to be off too long - I just need to feel better! He did says about going back in phased return though so I will need to talk to them next week. I am starting to feel slightly better and haven’t had any self harm thoughts for a few days so progress

Yes, you will need to speak to you Employer about phase return. Whatever you do, don't go straight back to working full time.
When I went back to work, I did 10-2 every day (but depending on how I felt, sometimes longer sometimes only an hour or so).

I did those hours for about a month, gradually increasing them, until I was back full time. That was necessary, it gave me time to settle back in to the swing of things and start using my brain again!

Hello, I really sympathise. I had a complete anxiety & panic attack melt down last year. I endured a month of hell at work & then finally got signed off for 3 weeks, during which I went into work to do a half day & speak to HR. I then worked 2 days for 2 weeks, 3 days for 3 weeks & then 4 days for 4 weeks, with a fortnightly sick note from GP who supported the gradual return (30 days sick leave in total). The time out did me the world of good, but keeping in touch with work rather than going cold turkey for a month made the anxiety about returning to work a bit easier (I would get insomnia the nights before I was working so it was quite exhausting). I think it also took about 7 weeks or so before the ADs started to take the edge off & then several more months 4-5) before I felt back to 'normal' (mild anxiety which is completely manageable). Wishing you a good recovery xx