Stress and fatigue

[Geekylover]

Just posting to see if anyone can advise from personal experience.
I am months into a mental breakdown resulting in stress and fatigue symptoms. Was signed off and now back at work on partial hours. But I’m sooooo tired and not enjoying anything at all. Can’t wait to go to bed at night and often can’t sleep. Worried I will never be right again. Doctor calling tomorrow but I don’t want to keep missing work. Any advice or experience x

It sounds a bit like depression since you’re finding it hard to enjoy things.
Phoning the gp is a great idea, explain exactly how you’re feeling. I know you don’t want to miss work but the most important thing is your mental health. You need to look after yourself first to then be 100% for work.
Do you think it’s got worse since returning to work?

thanks hiddenvoice, it may be marginally worse since returning but I am very tired too so that might be contributing. I’m also starting a new job so it’s a bit overwhelming but I’m not the first to start a new job so I should be able,to manage.

“I’m not the first to start a new job so I should be able,to manage.”

This is probably an overly self critical outlook for you to have OP. You can’t compare yourself to others, especially if you are unwell and/or sleep deprived.

As a pp said, your mental health is the most important thing here and if you need to have more time off from work or to rethink other commitments and priorities and then that’s what you should do. I know this is easier said than done.

Please be kind to yourself.

Thanks. You are right and I appreciate your reply. I did contact the gp and they said they will phone me next month. Not sure how much use that is 🤷‍♀️
regards to new job I keep thinking they’ll make a lasting impression of me. Not nice thoughts 😔

If you need to see a doctor sooner I would call and make that clear.

I know different surgeries do thing a differently but I’ve booked a same day emergency appointment for mental health issues before.

Also, does your work place know you are still recovering from a breakdown?

Thanks for reply. My workplace do know although doctor cited ‘ stress’ . I do feel better and I need to just get into work again. I’m just tired

That’s good you’re feeling better. Hopefully that continues. This shit is exhausting so I hope you can catch up on sleep and rest.

If you can afford it, have you considered having a few sessions with a psychologist to support your through this period @Geekylover ? A new job will almost always be stressful so combined with your earlier breakdown, getting some support with your mental health and someone to talk things through with will help.

I'm happy to share the details of the psychologist I'm using (following a work stress related episode). He's not cheap but he's very good and has helped me so much. He does consultations over Zoom so location isn't an issue.