What to tell people after you're admitted to hospital?

[nevernevermind]

Was kept in hospital for MH reasons recently. I'm off sick from my main job and freelance outside of it. Had tried to keep up with freelancing comms but just ground to a halt and felt unable to communicate. Eventually I emailed saying I'd been in hospital and would catch up in due course. In reality I can't even look at emails for the building anxiety. I'm pregnant so people will probably assume it's something wrong with the baby. I have a call related to my freelancing career later this week and don't know what to say when they ask how I am (still in crisis but not a danger). Or if they'll ask if the baby is ok. Is it ok to just say it's personal? Does that make me look unstable? In theory it should be fine to disclose things like that in the creative industry but in reality people rely on me and I'm running behind on some very tight deadlines.

It's a shame because my mental health is so poor the best thing would be to pack it all in. But I don't want to let people down and time is of the essence before my baby is born and I'm basically unable to do anything. And if I mess this opportunity up - which would stand me in amazing stead for the rest of my life - I will regret it so badly I will very possibly go downhill for good. I've sabotaged myself in so many other ways in the past and this is the most important to me. But I just can't communicate.

That was a ramble because I'm lonely. I have CPN coming later in the week so hopefully will get some support in place. But I just don't know where to go from here. I want to run away but I know I'll hate myself forever if I do.

Do what is best for you, say the truth if that will lift a weight off your. One of you feel it won't say it's personal you don't owe anyone anything. Do what is best for you. What I will say is there is no shame in mental health it's the exact same as any physical illness so to speak. You are a strong person to go and get help that speaks for itself. Well done to you. You come first work comes second you do what is best for YOU and only YOU

"How are you feeling? Are you better?"

"Oh, you know, getting there. <change subject back to work>"

If they're really rude/dense and ask "So what exactly was wrong with you?"

"Oh, it's so kind of you to ask but a bit of a long story. <change subject back to work>"

If they push it again

"It's sweet of you to take such an interest but I don't feel like talking about it right now. <change subject back to work/ end conversation.>"

Whether you fake a polite tone or get increasingly sarcastic is up to you.

It sounds like you're putting a lot of pressure on yourself. Is there absolutely anything that you can duck out of doing?

If it comes up that I've been in hospital, its very rare that people who don't know me well enough to already know ask what for. So it might not come up, but if it does I don't think you have any obligation to say if you're not comfortable doing so - any reasonable person would understand there's any number of things you could be in hospital for and not want to share, its none of their business! But equally if you are comfortable sharing, there's no shame in it. Hope you are feeling better soon ❤

This op

I employ freelancers and I would prefer you to step down now - as soon as you realise you may struggle - rather than soldiering on with stuff getting later and more critical before finally imploding.

As someone with MH issues and a past as a freelancer myself, please just walk away. No job is worth your Mh and you need time to heal and focus on you.

Thanks for being so kind everyone. Had the call and just said I wouldn't go into details - trying to reduce people's expectations of me to give myself some breathing space. Like PP said no one asked why or anything other than if I was ok to go on. ❤