Off work with anxiety post covid

[Freeleeeee]

Currently off work with anxiety, being back in normal life post Covid has really done a number on my mental health. I find big social situations quite difficult now. I am back shortly but most people know the reason I’m off is due to mental health. I know there is still stigma attached to this plus it’s a small company... I’m super nervous about what people will think about me now and if they’ll doubt my ability to do my job / think less of me as a result. Might think I’m a shirker or something. Just feel really weird about it especially given I know one or two have mocked people in the past for having similar difficulties.

Why has having a respiratory virus meant it’s hard to get back to normal life now? This should be a good thing! Unless you liked isolating? If it’s a small company then how does that relate to having anxiety in big social situations?

Just the move from isolation back into normal life, it’s messed with my head a bit... It’s a small company yes but big social situations as in client events or large networking situations.

@SweetBabyCheeses99

Why has having a respiratory virus meant it’s hard to get back to normal life now? This should be a good thing! Unless you liked isolating? If it’s a small company then how does that relate to having anxiety in big social situations?

It's really got nothing to do with having a respiratory virus, some people, myself included, are finding it very difficult to integrate ourselves back into society following lockdown. It doesn't mean we enjoyed isolating, it means that many of us who are anxious / suffer from anxiety are finding it equally hard. So sorry you're going through this, OP, and sorry your colleagues don't sound very supportive, no one has any right to judge anyone with mental health / anxiety issues, just a heads up that there are more of us than you think right now, could you maybe have a word with management about how you're feeling?

I have had full-on mental breakdowns at work in the past (about 3 years ago), so I know what you mean about being embarrassed or ashamed and worried people might judge you or disrespect you.

Of course I can't be sure what they think, but everyone's always been kind to me and even opened up about their own struggles. Most people will either have struggled themselves or care about someone who has/does.

This doesn't mean there won't be a couple of idiots here and there that won't understand, but that hasn't been my overall experience and if they can't empathise with someone struggling because of their mental health, they don't deserve my attention or respect in my opinion.

Chin up, you have nothing to be ashamed of and you should be proud you're doing better. And whatever you go through/have been through doesn't make you worse than anyone else