Taking time off work for mental health!

[Pumba3]

Hey, I don’t know what I hope to get from posting this but I feel utterly lost and don’t know where else to turn. Basically, due to a catalogue of reasons, I have been signed off from work and put on Diazepam, my issue is should I take the time off work or just take the tablets and plough on? I have four young children, am basically sofa surfing with them at the moment and one of my kids has just been in hospital due to illness. I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel but I need to get a grip. I’m worried my employers will dismiss me as I’ve only been working for them for a year and I had time off 6 months ago for a burst appendix. What do I do, I feel utterly lost and whilst I don’t feel suicidal I’m not sure I’m the best person to be looking after my kids. Has anyone else come through something like this? Would you just crack on with work and hope for the best? X

Hi Pumba3

I haven't been through anything like that, so I can't give you any tips, but I just wanted to pop in to say hello and to wish you all the best.

Hugs xxx

Take time off work. You have probably broken your limbic system which needs rest in order to heal. Read "Depressive illness, the curse of the strong" by Dr Tim Cantopher to understand it more.

Take the time off. Diazepam is a drug I wouldn't take unless I was signed off.

Take the time off. It can take weeks to heal after you've got into a state needing heavy duty MH drugs. And as Normandy says, diazepam is not a work-friendly drug.

Thank you ladies, I’m just really worried my employers will think badly of me. I don’t want to be thought of as “a flaky working mum”. I try desperately to separate my home life from my personal life but things have just got out of control. X

Take time off.
I struggled through when I should have stopped. If I had taken the time initially I don't think I would have needed as long.
When I did take time off over the next 18 months I sporadically worked. 2 and half years on and I still struggle.
In the end, I handed in my notice as I realised that work was adding to everything.

In the meantime can you not declare yourself as homeless rather than sofa surf? I know personally, it would have been a lot worse had I not had my own space.

Hi theworldistoosmall, thank you for responding. I have a house but it’s being renovated and my builder has ripped out my kitchen and bathroom and has now gone off and left me in the lurch. I can’t afford to lose my job and that is adding to the pressure. I can’t understand why I can’t cope I’ve always been relatively capable, these last couple of months have just been so hard. Xx

Thank you x

"I can’t understand why I can’t cope "

Read the book I suggested and you will hopefully understand why. Don't forget that MH problems can be classed as a disability if they have lasted, or are likely to last, at least 12 months AND without any treatment it would impact your ability to do day-to-day tasks. A decent employer will treat disability-related absence differently.