Depressive episode / doctors / advice

[Whenthesilenceisntquiet]

I’m currently suffering from another depressive episode. I was diagnosed last year & signed off for a couple of weeks & started meds.

Although I have generally been improving since then, I’ve recently had several stressful events. Last w/e it hit me & I have had a few days off work self signing.

I know I need to see the doctor again, maybe get my meds reviewed & also I think a fit note would be helpful. I really don’t want to be signed off again, but think WFH or slightly reduced hours might help.

Contacting the doctor is so anxiety inducing, although they have been nothing but kind to me.

I have hardly any experience of fit notes - is it ok to ask for one to have adjustments for a few weeks?

If anyone has experience of navigating this I’d be grateful to hear what you did.

Thanks!

Yes it's ok to ask for that. Are you sure you're well enough to return at this stage though?

Have you had any occupational health involvement? They are more likely to have an informed view on whether you are likely to be considered disabled under the Equality Act and the type of adjustments that could help you and be appropriate. GPs don't have that training, so OH may be able to come up with a longer term plan for work that you and your GP may not have considered.

There is also the Access to Work Mental Health Support Service which can provide up to 9 months of support in the form of monthly meetings and strategy/skill development to help you cope better with/at work. It's lower level non-therapeutic support.

It's free, delivered by Maximus and Able Futures on behalf of the DWP. Pick the one you prefer and self-refer if you want to try it - last I heard they don't have waiting lists so you'd be seen fairly quickly.

https://able-futures.co.uk/access-to-work-mental-health-support-service

https://atw.maximusuk.co.uk/

Thank you for your reply.

I really want to be back working. I will see what my doctor says. I know I push myself too hard, but I would rather be there with adjustments than signed off.

I’ve not had any OH. Not sure that would happen yet as I’ve not had much time off with it.

I think if it's a long term issue that affects you at work it would be legitimate to ask for a referral to support you regardless of whether you've hit absence triggers.

Especially as being at work is important to you and you know you can push yourself too hard. It might help to proactively get scaffolding in place to keep you as well as possible.