Would time off work help?

[Oruguita]

My mental health has be declining over the past few months. I’ve reached the point where the mere thought of leaving the house causes my chest to feel tight. I’ve got to go back to work tomorrow but I just can’t face it.

On the 16th I broke down in tears at work. This is something that keeps happening and I’ve no idea why. They let me go home and said to take the next day off. I had the following week leading up to Christmas booked off already, so that would give me a decent break. I spent most of it not even getting out of bed. Just couldn’t.

Boxing Day I had to work, I felt tearful several times throughout the day, struggled to concentrate and felt really detached. I cried all the way home and just felt like I can’t go back.

I don’t want to leave the house at all. I had tried to go shopping on the 23rd but didn’t last long before I had to go home with only a few items we needed as it was just too overwhelming.

I had the past two days off as bank holidays but I’m due back in work tomorrow morning. I can’t face it. It’s not actually work that’s the problem - in general I enjoy my job. I don’t know what the problem is. I can’t face going anywhere.

Would taking time off work help? Or shall I just push through and keep going? I fear if I take time off it’ll open a can of worms as I’ll obviously have to say it’s my mental health that’s the problem. But equally I feel like maybe a break would give me the time I need to get myself together.

My husband says he will support me whatever but he clearly thinks I should just pull myself together and go to work. He doesn’t see how not going will help.

OP, I think what you are describing is how many people are feeling just now. Normally I would say going to work helps and not having anything to do can be worse as you have all that time to 'think' however yes, you probably do need some time off. I do also think you need to speak to a GP or you might want to start with www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool. You can always call in sick with something else and self certificate for up to 7 days but there's no reason to say you're mentally going through a bad time just now. Be proud that you're asking for help, it takes a lot of people years to do that so well done you.

Oh and honestly unless people have experienced MH issues, they can't for a moment imagine how bad it really can be.

You need to get signed off sick. Just do it don't feel bad you're not well.

I don’t think I can face going in tomorrow. I think I’ll call in sick. Just not sure what to say.

Tell them you're not well and get a Dr's appointment for a sick note

I believe you can self certify for 28 days now not the original 7

Pls check that though

I don’t think self-certifying for 28 days would be helpful here. You’re not going to magically get better - you’ll probably deteriorate. Talk to GP, get signed off, get treatment.

I spoke to the GP, they weren’t particularly helpful. Gave me a prescription for Sertraline and told me if I don’t want to go to work I can self-certify for 28days.

I'm sorry OP.. That sounds hard... It's good your husband is supportive even if he doesn't understand...
You say you enjoy your job but not sure what it is that's the issue... So.. Have a ponder....
Is it being surrounded by people?
Potential to get covid?
Having to interact with others?
or just the fact of leaving the house?
would you be comfortable going for a walk in the countryside?
around to a friends or alike?

I presume their is no option to work from home?
Do they have access to mental support for you?

I presume the tears are from you feeling anxious rather than you feeling depressed or is it both?

I don’t know why I keep crying, I’m not sure if it’s anxiety or depression.

With work I think the biggest issue is I just don’t want to interact with anyone. I work in a hospital, I’m not anxious about getting COVID but there is a lot of stress and pressure at work right now. I feel detached from reality and I worry I will make an error as I’m finding it so difficult to focus.

A walk in the countryside sounds nice but I think physically I just can’t be bothered.

You sound a lot like I did before my GP put me on citalopram. It made a huge difference, I felt calm, stable, patient. I was off for 2 weeks while it kicked in.

I ft similarly before Christmas and spoke with occu health at work. They put it down to burn out and advised me to self cert for 5 days and then get a Dr's note. The Dr then signed me off for a month. I go back on 10th January and already feel much stronger with the pressure of work removed. Take your time and be kind to yourself - if you want to sleep or not go out, just do that and with support you should bob back up to feeling better. You'll know when you are ready to go back.

*felt

@Oruguita

I spoke to the GP, they weren’t particularly helpful. Gave me a prescription for Sertraline and told me if I don’t want to go to work I can self-certify for 28days.

That is such a shame. I've always found GP's to be unhelpful on stuff like this until I saw one a couple of weeks ago and she literally couldn't do enough for me, signed me off work, has arranged allsorts and wants to see me again in 3 weeks to check in. I've never seen this GP before but she is now the only one I will see. I hope you keep pushing with the Doctors and find someone similar. Did you go back to work today or have you decided to self certify?

Sounds like you are in part just worn out.. I hope some time off gives you relief.... Is it worth trying the tablets? Have you thought about a light box... Some people seem to find they do help

Working in a hospital must have been extremely stressful throughout this pandemic. don’t be hard in yourself, you’re poorly and need to take some time to feel better.
I felt exactly the same a few months ago, always on the verge of tears and disinterested in everything. I took 10 days off work and started anti depressants. Within a short time I stated to feel so much better. Hope the medication and rest works for you.

In my experience, no. Just gave me something else to be anxious about and actually the routine helps. My boss is aware of my depression and anxiety so gives me some slack but I found being off made things worse. After a few days all I did was think and spiral downwards.

Try and function as normally as possible, it will help stop you from sliding further.