Anyone been signed off work with stress & anxiety?

[NotmySundaybest]

I am struggling at the moment with multiple things. My anxiety is suffering badly.
I've spoken to DH about this and he is supportive & suggested taking time out.
This is not in my nature & the sheer thought of being off triggers me.

So I was wondering have you been signed off? How long for? Did it help you?
What about your return to work? Was it worth being off ?

If you can, then consider doing so. It will give you breathing space and work will be one less thing to worry about. I did it a few years ago when anxiety (due to menopause as it turned out) became unbearable. A few weeks off really helped me (and let the meds kick in). I went back after a few weeks on a phased return. It helped that my work was supportive.

Is work the source of your stress or is it just one aspect of it?

Sometimes if lots of things are piling up, it can help to have some time to sort out other life stresses so you can get back to work refreshed.

But for me, I need the routine that work provides and I would be more anxious and distressed without it.

If it's the job that is causing you stress, then a bit of time off might help you get some perspective and start applying for other jobs

I was, the source of the stress was work though, so I was off for 2 months and handed in my notice and left. Then I started a new job and haven’t been off with stress since.

I did have 2 weeks off with stress/exhaustion when I was pregnant because I stopped being able to sleep. It helped immensely and I just did stuff that helped me and relaxed me for the whole 2 weeks.

I took 3 months off due to stress and it made a huge difference.

Don't underestimate the physical impact of stress.

I was having unexplained abdominal pain, fatigue and severe nausea.Also, couldn’t switch off and poor sleep.
Signed off by GP. Underwent all sorts of scans, blood tests etc and all normal.
After a month off work I started to feel better and it was put down to stress. My job at the time was incredibly fast paced with no support from management.

When I went back to work after 3 months I stayed for a month, found something better and gave in my notice.

No issues since.
Life is too short.

Yes I was off for 7 weeks last year with anxiety/low mood.

Work wasn’t making me anxious but it was adding to it, if it makes sense.

Then one day I just couldn’t take it anymore and got signed off. I wish I’d done it sooner tbh!

I still don’t like my job and am looking for something else 😬

Work is a big contributor.
I am middle management. Very demanding team. I never really get a day off.

I was off for 6 months twice, both times I couldn't face going back though and resigned. It didn't help me in that respect.

I was off for a month in 2022 and it made a hugely positive difference, I was able to go back and turn things around after the time

I was signed off for stress and panic attacks when I was a young teacher. I was off for about 3 weeks, as soon as I wasn't at work I felt better. I had a phased return (not back to my class, but doing other things in the school). I handed my notice in several times but the head wouldn't take it. I completed my nqt a term late and went to to teach for another 10 years.

I was signed off for two weeks (I was a teacher) but also started taking anti-depressants. Being signed off and staying home will make you feel better in the short term but if you have to go back to the same situation, you will soon be back to square one.

I was signed off for a total of 9 weeks towards the end of last year. I hate my job and am actively looking for another, I used to love it but have been treated terribly especially since a new manager came in, just this past week they have micro managed me and made me feel so small. I am utterly fed up with them. (It’s not just me a lot of people feel the same way).

I was off for 5 months a few years ago. I couldn't function anymore, it was hard to believe how seized up my whole body was until I felt better.

To be honest I wasn't better when I returned to work, well I was better but still not well.

I ended up getting some counselling free through work, I'd had some online sessions early on and this had got me to where I could breath but it clearly wasn't enough. I'd returned because I really couldn't cope with the guilt of my colleagues having to manage without me. Up until then, I'd rarely had a day off in over 35 years and even on maternity leave I'd only had about 5 months off.

Anyway, one week about 6 weeks into the counselling I just felt better, no idea why really, I hadn't reached an epiphany or a breakthrough, just felt better.

I'd managed to arrange a reduction in responsibilities and a slight reduction in hours as well and I've been fine with work since.

Currently splitting up with husband and honestly feeling fine about it.

I found getting the repeat sick notes pretty stressful though. I'd feel quite euphoric when I got a new one and had 4 weeks to not have to ask again and then get gradually more stressed as it was running out. I'd add that at no point did I actually have any issue being given one, gp was totally understanding. Just something to be aware of.

If you need to be off OP you need to be.

I was signed off in 2022. It was for 3 weeks initially and then extended by another 3 weeks.
Did it help you?
Yes, I started theraphy while off which made a big difference. My GP did not prescribe medication as he believed I would be able to turn things around with some time off and theraphy.
What about your return to work? I returned to same hours, same job and I am still with the same team 2 years later. I wanted to return to my job.
Was it worth being off ? Yes, I was unfit to work and needed a break. Just a break wouldn't have been enough though longer term. It's the 6 months of theraphy that turned things around for me.

I never told work why I was signed off but I wouldn't have disclosed details of other diagnosis either (not to my manager/colleagues, I would have disclosed to HR if required).

Dox how did you get signed off without work knowing why? I'm off atm & doc had to put a reason on my sick note which tbh I'm not ecstatic about as our sick notes go to a manager I don't work closely with rather than my line manager.

My GP didn't give a reason on the note. It just stated X is unfit for work from x to x date.

I did but I didn't stay off because I got more stressed thinking of the work that was piling up. I went back and handed in my 3 month notice.

I was also given medication which I wasn't able to take as it made me pass out, so I had to find coping techniques, hence why I felt I couldn't stay in the job.

Did it help. Overall it was definitely the right decision but having more time on my hands hasn't particularly helped.