Been signed off work with depression - ideas for utilising the time?

[Flowersinthewindowstill]

I've been struggling with pretty severe depression for the past six weeks or so. I have previously suffered depression and was put on fluoxetine, which worked pretty fast. I've back on fluoxetine for about a month and haven't seen any improvements yet. It's possibly even making me worse, I'm not sure.

My Doctor recommended signing me off work for two weeks. I was resistant at first, but I realised my productivity is at an all time low and I'd be better getting some breathing space. I do enjoy my work - occasionally it's stressful, but I don't believe it's the reason behind my depression.

The worst problem I've encountered is an almost constant desire to sleep. This has been going on several weeks now and I'm capable of sleeping up to 18 hours a day. I want to use the time I'm off to try and work on my mental health, not just sleep it all away, but it feels impossible at the moment.

I have therapy sessions starting Weds. I also feel guilty about being signed off work as we're going through a particularly busy period.

If anyone has been signed off with depression/anxiety - how did you utilise your time & do you have any suggestions as to things I could try?

[Palavah]

I spent the first couple of months trying to utilise my time when actually i should have focused on immediate recovery. It set me back. Remove all pressure from yourself to do more than the basics of showering, getting dressed, eating something nutritious, and going for a walk in the daylight.

[Doyoumind]

Fight the urge to stay inside and get out for walks. Don't put pressure on yourself to achieve anything more than the day to day. Try to make a plan for each day - even if it's just what you will watch or eat - and stick to it to avoid long days in bed.

[Oblomov22]

Rest. Have some fresh air. Talk to a trusted friend. Make a 2nd GP appointment now for the end of the first week, incase AD dosage needs to be increased.

[Notlostjustexploring]

I did some from scratch cooking of healthy foods.

I actually did a couple of small day trips, where I just went out, by myself, to breathe. Nothing fancy, just a change of scenery, fresh air and daylight and peace and quiet.

Went swimming a few times, and also used the sauna/steam room.

I think I had a few naps etc, as I was exhausted.

I did try to keep to a regular sleep pattern as well.

I hope you start to feel better soon.

[Icabod]

Get outside and walk/run/cycle, if you need something like milk walk yo the shops quite far away, then you still have a purpose and once you've done it you will feel a sense of achievement.

I suffer from depression and even if it raining and the last thing I feel like, I always try to get out everyday and set myself some sort of goal.

I hope you feel better soon ❤

[mumda]

Aim to do something each day. Even if that's only watching a film on TV. Rest. Relax. If you have a friend who'll walk with you do that's often as possible. Potter in the garden. Rest. Don't overdo anything. Sleep as much as you need. Spend a little time with friends who are supportive.

[howoriginal]

Don't worry about making the most of your time and feeling as if you have to do something. When I was signed off with anxiety I pretty much just showered, slept, read and went to therapy. Tried to sit out in the garden sometimes for some fresh air, and after a couple of weeks I'd go on walks with a friend every few days, but otherwise I did sweet fuck all. My body and mind needed to rest so that's what I did. Don't put pressure on yourself to utilise the time, just listen to your body and do what feels right. There will be time once you feel better to do stuff, just take it easy until then.

[wonderstuff]

I slept a lot, I think it helped, I was so utterly exhausted with everything. I focused on making sure I got up, washed and ate properly. I was doing school run, which forced me to get up and do a nearly 2 mile walk, I’d eat and nap and then pick up the kids.

i would just focus on whatever you need to do to get through each day and stay reasonably healthy.

[TheQuern]

Rest as much as you need, try to get a bit of light and don’t feel guilty.

Hope you begin to feel better soon