I have suffered from anxiety and depression for a while now, particularly since having bad PND following the birth of my son 7 years ago.
This week I’ve really been struggling ( my husband had an affair and left a year ago and I dont have any real life support, plus have two young DS). I’ve managed to keep going the last year but feel a bit like everything is catching up with me and I’m only just keeping it together - my anxiety in particular. Yesterday it all felt too much and I had to ring in sick. I don’t think I will be able to face going in until next week. My job is fairly stressful.
My work is actually great and very supportive towards people with mental health issues. And yet I feel so embarrassed having to tell my boss I’m off sick because of my depression and anxiety. Weirdly I still have that feeling that people will think I’m making it up, I worry about leaving the house and someone seeing me. And I’m already feeling stressed about going back into the office and seeing people. I feel ashamed.
I really wish I didn’t feel like this - it makes having depression and anxiety even worse. I certainly wouldn’t feel this so badly if I had a more conventional ‘physical’ illness. I also have two team members with mental health illness and I don’t judge them at all.
Anyway sorry just a ramble - if anyone has any helpful advice it would be most welcome. I think there is also a small part of this that reflects that I’m still to an extent in denial about my depression and anxiety.