Advice please

[Theywereonabreak]

Hi all.
I suffer from severe PNA and PND- only DH and a couple of friends know about it. Today got a bit too much for me so I texted my boss saying I had an anxiety attack and I won't be able to come to work tomorrow. He usually responds quite quickly but it's been 6 hrs and nothing...as you can imagine, I'm going a bit mad with worry now. Not sure what to do.

I wish I'd just not said anything and gone to work as usual

@Theywereonabreak… it could be that your boss is waiting till tomorrow to reply ?.
Is your anxiety a long standing problem? Have you had time off before with it ?
If you feel you can’t work due to it maybe see the GP to get official sick note. Or do you think it will pass soon. Hugs as anxiety is the pits.

@anxiety46 I doubt he would wait until tomorrow as I see clients, and these clients would need to be cancelled/rebooked.

I've suffered from anxiety for a few years on and off, but recently (since having my baby) it's been through the roof.

@Theywereonabreak there are many possible reasons why he hasn’t responded. I know when I get anxious I tend to catastrophise and try and mind read - I wonder if this is what you are doing? The stress you are feeling over the text is probably a symptom of your anxiety and maybe not a true reflection of the problem. This shows you probably should be having a day at home if sending your boss a text is causing you distress…

@Gingenius thanks, that makes me feel less guilty. I typed the text out 4-5 times before finally sending it, and even then have been feeling so terrible for letting people down at work.

For context- I started this job at the start of the year but my PNA and PND has gotten so bad that DH and I have decided it's best I don't work until I feel ready. I have 4 weeks of my notice left to work, but really would love to just never go back. Work gives me so much anxiety. I said I would ring my boss tomorrow once I feel a bit more with it, am thinking of telling him I can't cope at work anymore but just so afraid of how annoyed he will be.

@Theywereonabreak a good boss should recognise that supporting an employee with health problems (mental or physical) is part of his role. A bad boss that doesn’t recognise this and gets annoyed at having to basically do his job isn’t someone you’d want to work for anyway…

You should probably call instead of text. I would try that and then if they don't answer just wait for a reply - or even follow up with another text after the call just to say hope you received my message.

Reason I say call is because i think it's considered a bit rude to send a text message in a situation like that, or informal.

I was worrying for nothing, he was fine with it. Cannot take this level of worry over every little thing anymore.

You only have a few weeks to go, and leaving a job is always stressful if you worry about leaving your colleagues in the lurch. You are doing the right thing to focus on your mental health, in the long run it will make a huge difference to your family life and that counts for a lot.

@Theywereonabreak I’m glad it’s ok. I do exactly the same when my anxiety is bad - always assume the worst. Have you had any CBT? It really helped me to recognise when I was falling into unhelpful worry cycles